UK sets out proposals for breaking link between temporary and permanent migration
Dhaka, June 15 (UNB) - Migrants coming to the UK to work on temporary visas will no longer be able to apply for settlement, under proposals announced by the UK government on June 9.
Launching a public consultation on reforms to the employment routes leading to settlement, Immigration Minister Damian Green set out proposals to classify visas as either ‘temporary’ or ‘permanent’ and introduce stricter criteria for those who want to stay in the UK.
Immigration Minister Damian Green said:
“The proposals I am making today are aimed at breaking the link between temporary and permanent migration. Settlement has become almost automatic for those who choose to stay. This needs to change. The immigration system has got to be made to work properly. We want the brightest and best workers to come to the UK, make a strong contribution to our economy while they are here, and then return home”.
The government is implementing reforms to the immigration system which will reduce the level of immigration to sustainable levels. Announcement on June 9 is the next step in this process.
Under the current system, many workers are allowed to apply to stay in the UK permanently.
In 2010, 84,000 people who entered the UK for employment were granted settlement. This compares to fewer than 10,000 who qualified for employment-related settlement in 1997.
The government has already implemented new settlement requirements for skilled workers entering under Tiers 1 and 2 of the points based system, which require applicants to demonstrate English-language proficiency, continue to meet the salary requirements and to pass a new criminality test.
Key proposals under consideration in the 12 week consultation are as follows:
Re-branding Tier 2 (skilled worker route) as temporary, ending the assumption that settlement will be available for those who enter on this route and allowing certain categories of Tier 2 migrant, for example those earning over pound 150,000 or occupations of a specific economic or social value to the UK, to retain an automatic route to settlement.
The government has committed to reforming all routes of entry to the UK in order to bring immigration levels under control. The settlement, Tier 5 and overseas domestic workers reforms will work alongside the annual limit for employment visas and the recent student visa reforms. The government will consult on changes to the family route later this year.
Launching a public consultation on reforms to the employment routes leading to settlement, Immigration Minister Damian Green set out proposals to classify visas as either ‘temporary’ or ‘permanent’ and introduce stricter criteria for those who want to stay in the UK.
Immigration Minister Damian Green said:
“The proposals I am making today are aimed at breaking the link between temporary and permanent migration. Settlement has become almost automatic for those who choose to stay. This needs to change. The immigration system has got to be made to work properly. We want the brightest and best workers to come to the UK, make a strong contribution to our economy while they are here, and then return home”.
The government is implementing reforms to the immigration system which will reduce the level of immigration to sustainable levels. Announcement on June 9 is the next step in this process.
Under the current system, many workers are allowed to apply to stay in the UK permanently.
In 2010, 84,000 people who entered the UK for employment were granted settlement. This compares to fewer than 10,000 who qualified for employment-related settlement in 1997.
The government has already implemented new settlement requirements for skilled workers entering under Tiers 1 and 2 of the points based system, which require applicants to demonstrate English-language proficiency, continue to meet the salary requirements and to pass a new criminality test.
Key proposals under consideration in the 12 week consultation are as follows:
Re-branding Tier 2 (skilled worker route) as temporary, ending the assumption that settlement will be available for those who enter on this route and allowing certain categories of Tier 2 migrant, for example those earning over pound 150,000 or occupations of a specific economic or social value to the UK, to retain an automatic route to settlement.
The government has committed to reforming all routes of entry to the UK in order to bring immigration levels under control. The settlement, Tier 5 and overseas domestic workers reforms will work alongside the annual limit for employment visas and the recent student visa reforms. The government will consult on changes to the family route later this year.
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