In respond to reviews conducted by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the Home Office announced new changes to the current Tier 2 policies on 24 March 2016.<\/p>\n
These new changes, which will be implemented in autumn 2016:
\n– The minimum salary threshold for experienced Tier 2 General migrants (excluding some health and education professionals) will increase to\u00a0\u00a325,000\u00a0in autumn 2016, and \u00a330,000 in April 2017.\u00a0The minimum salary threshold for new entrants will remain the current figure of\u00a0\u00a320,800.
\n– The number of unrestricted CoS will not be subjected to a limit when applicants switching from Tier 4 General category to Tier 2 visa and the sponsor is not required to carry out a Residence Labour Market Test any more.
\n– Nurses will remain on the Shortage Occupation List, however, the employers will need to take the Residence Labour Market Test if they wish to recruit non-EEA national nurses.
\n– In order for qualifying a intra-company transfer visa, all the applicants will need to meet the minimum threshold of \u00a341,500, except for the graduate trainees.
\n– Tier 2 employers will be charged for recruiting non-EEA migrants from April 2017 based on the Immigration Skills Charge. The rate will be\u00a0\u00a31,000 per employee per year, and a reduced rate of \u00a3364 for small or charitable organisations, unless they recruit PhD occupations, Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Graduate Trainees or Tier 4 students switching to Tier 2.
\n– The Immigration Rules for work categories will be simplified to help both sponsors and applicants to understand and use.<\/p>\n