UK Immigration News

On 26 May 2016 UK Home Secretary, Theresa May, commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to assess whether there is a shortage of primary and secondary school teachers in general or only teachers in certain specific subject areas. MAC was also asked whether it would be 'sensible' to fill teaching vacancies with non-EU migrants on Tier 2 visas.

Leading Brexit campaigners have drafted plans for an Australian-style, points-based immigration system, should the UK public vote to leave the European Union (EU). A referendum will be held in Britain on 23 June to enable voters to decide whether to remain in the EU or 'Brexit'- the name given if Britain leaves the EU.

Former Conservative minister, Peter Lilley, has branded UK immigration policy 'racist' for allowing unskilled, EU workers into Britain while barring non-EU curry chefs from entering the country to work mainly in Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants on Tier 2 visas or some other visa category. Lilley criticised current UK immigration rules, which allow a 'limitless number of white Europeans UK entry, regardless of whether they have a job offer.'

There continues to be a good availability of Tier 2 Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) with the number available for allocation in June standing at 2,615, according to UK Visas and Immigration data. The department published its May report citing that its figures were correct as of 13 May, 2016.

The Tier 2 Visa sponsorship Licence system was introduced in 2008, to further control and restrict immigration into the UK. UK companies need a Tier 2 sponsorship licence to sponsor and employ foreign workers from outside of the European Union on Tier 2 visas.

Amid a growing shortage of General Practitioners (GPs), the UK's National Health Service (NHS) is looking to recruit more Indian doctors on Tier 2 visas to plug the gaps. The employment and training department of the NHS, Health Education England (HEE), has signed a 'memorandum of understanding' with Indian-based, Apollo Hospitals.