UK IMMIGRATION NEWS

Visas to the UK: Ballet dancers on UKs most-wanted list

Monday, 17 November 2008

The UK Government have recently announced that the number of jobs on the shortage occupation list available for foreign workers will be reduced.

If a job is on the shortage occupation list, it means that there are not enough resident workers to fill the available jobs in that particular sector. Migrants coming to the UK under Tier 2 on the shortage occupation list will get enough points without proving their prospective earnings or qualifications.

The scheme is designed to stem the inflow of low-skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area and give preference to entrepreneurs, investors, financial high-flyers and professionals such as scientists and engineers.

The shortage occupation list will include a number of new categories, such as chefs, ballet dancers, math teachers, geologists, chemical engineers, racehorse exercisers, physicists and biologists.

The Government have invested heavily to provide British workers with skills training. As a result, today's list is tighter than ever before and the number of jobs in occupations with shortages will be reduced to 800,000 from 1m.

Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said:

'The Australian-style points system is flexible, allowing us to raise or lower the bar according to the needs of business and taking population trends into account. Had the points system been in place last year there would have been 12 per cent fewer people coming in to work through the equivalent work permit route'

Under Tier 2 employers must pass the Resident Labour Market test in order to prove that the position cannot be filled in with a resident worker before they bring a migrant worker from outside the EEA. The employer will not need to pass the test if the job is on the shortage occupation list.

To get in under Tier 2 skilled foreign workers must have:

• English language skills
• prospective earnings of more than £22,000, or slightly less if they have a decent qualification – or an offer of a job on the shortage list;
• enough money to support themselves for the first month of their stay

If you are interested in UK Visas, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to the UK.