UK Immigration News

Current revision to the UK Skills Shortage Occupation List, November 2006The British Work Permit Scheme focuses on three primary categories of "occupations in demand." These are skilled occupations that the United Kingdom has determined are required to fulfil needed tasks for a healthy economy:1.) Engineering occupations2.) Healthcare occupations3.) Other occupations

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The Skills Shortage Occupations listing for the British Work Permit scheme has been revised. Also, some advance notice announcements regarding changes that are about to come into effect have been released.

Advance notices of changes to the shortage occupation list

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The first step towards a points based system for managing migration was launched today with the introduction of new rules for highly skilled foreign workers applying to come to the United Kingdom.

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The Home Office for the United Kingdom announced on 30 October that it was reviewing the way migrants were charged for work permits, student visas and nationality applications. A sharp rise in fees is expected.

In addition, the government was considering passing a part of the new cost on to employers and universities, as they ultimately benefit from the recruitment of foreign employees and students.

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Migrant workers have added £36.7 billion - or 3% - to the United Kingdom's wealth since Labour came to power in 1997, independent research published on Thursday, 26 October shows. Almost one-third of that was generated since the accession of 10 nations to form the EU-25 in May 2004.

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The Home Office has confirmed immigration officers have the right to ask women wearing veils to remove them so that they can check their identity when they first arrive in the United Kingdom. Women would be asked to lift their veil in a private area if there were "sensitive or cultural reasons" why it could not be taken off if public, the UK Home Office Minister Liam Byrne said.