MAC report on Tier 2 and dependants
Aug 19, 2009
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has today published its report in response to the Home Secretary’s request to consider whether Tier 2 of the Points Based System (PBS) should be restricted to shortage occupations only.
Some of the recommendations in the report on Tier 2 include:
- The Government should consider whether points should be awarded for specific professional qualifications as part of the Tier 2 points assessment;
- A Masters level qualification should be awarded 15 points (increase from the current 10 points);
- Raising the threshold levels for points allocated for prospective earnings (5 points for at least £20,000, 10 points for at least £24,000, 15 points for at least £28,000 and 20 points for at least £32,000);
- Allow an extra 5 points to be awarded for certain occupations involved in the delivery of key public services and for those switching from the Tier 1 (Post Study) routes;
- Resident Labour Market Testing (RLMT) Route should be kept in place with a required advertising period extended to 4 weeks for all jobs;
- Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Route - ICT migrants should have spent 12 months with their employer (instead of the current 6 months) to qualify, removing the eligibility of Tier 2 (ICT) migrants for permanent residence;
- Separate scheme to be introduced for graduates only which would require 3 months prior experience with the company, but with a maximum stay in the UK of 12 months
- Reduce the acceptable allowances for prospective earnings points scoring and asking the Government to consider what scope there may be to work with the HMRC in identifying potential abuses of the tax system.
The report also comments on the economic contribution of the dependants of PBS migrants. On the basis of the limited information available it was not possible to conclude if greater restrictions on the work rights for PBS dependants would lead to imporoved outcomes for UK workers or the economy.
If you have any queries regarding the report or its recommendations, please contact us.
If you have an enquiry relating to your immigration status or you ability to work in the UK, we can assist you in your application. Please contact us or book an appointment.
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