Initial feedback from the business bodies representing small and medium businesses on the Home Office changes to the Tier 2 programs reveal that the changes are likely to adversely impact small and medium businesses. The reforms to the UK Tier 2 visa for skilled immigration were announced by the government, following a review by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).
Among the several changes that have been announced is the increase in the minimum salary threshold for Tier 2 visas that has been increased to £30,000 for ‘experienced’ workers, but will be introduced gradually – rising from £25,000 in autumn 2016 to £30,000 in April 2017.The minimum threshold for new entrants will remain at £20,800.
In a move that is aimed at reducing reliance on foreign skills and developing homegrown talent Tier 2 employers will face an immigrant skills charge of £1,000 per Certificate of Sponsorship per year, which will be at £ 364 for small businesses.
An analysis of ONS figures for August 2015 reveals that UK’s tech skills gap has reached 134,000 unfilled jobs.
In 2015, organisations such as Coadec, a non-profit trade body for start-ups, had expressed concern over how the revised policies might affect start-ups in the UK, with restricted access to skilled non-EU migrants potentially limiting their available talent pool and stifling overall growth.
If you are a UK employer wanting to bring in workers from outside the EU, you are required to be registered with the Home Office on the Tier 2 Register of Sponsors, speak to our consultants today to ascertain your eligibility that will allow you to bring workers to the UK.
If you are an employee who has been issued a Certificate of Sponsorship by a UK employer, speak to our consultants for filing your Entry Clearance Application from your home country.
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