6,000 visa bids for skilled staff refused
Applications refused because of cap
More than 6,000 visa applications for highly skilled workers such as scientists, IT specialists and doctors with UK job offers were refused because of a Government cap on numbers, it has emerged.
The refusals between December 2017 and March 2018 were the result of an annual limit of 20,700 so-called Tier 2 visas.
MORE THAN 6,000 visa applications for highly skilled workers such as scientists, IT specialists and doctors with UK job offers were refused because of a Government cap on numbers, it has emerged.
The refusals between December 2017 and March 2018 were the result of an annual limit of 20,700 so-called Tier 2 visas introduced in 2011 while Theresa May was home secretary.
It is understood that the limit had been breached only once before, in 2015, when 66 engineering roles were refused.
The Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), which obtained the figures from the Home Office, said it was leaving vital roles unfilled and damaging the economy.
CaSE Executive Director Sarah Main said: “Across the country, businesses and public services are being blocked at the last hurdle from recruiting the people they need, including in health, engineering and tech, due to the visa cap. This leaves employers frustrated and the public poorly served.”
Among the 6,080 refusals over the four-month period, 1,518 related to doctor posts and 361 to other healthcare professional roles, 1,226 to jobs in IT and technology, 392 engineering roles, 197 teachers, 1,814 professional services and 572 to other professions.
It is possible that some of the refusals related to the same individuals, as employers are able to resubmit applications each month.
CaSE has called on the Government to exempt PhD-level roles and jobs on the shortage occupation list from the cap on Tier 2 visas. Dr Main said: “The cap is beginning to cause damage and it needs to be addressed quickly.”
The figures emerged as the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee announced plans to develop its own proposals for new immigration rules for scientists after Brexit.
Committee chairman Norman Lamb said the figures “send the message that the UK is not interested in welcoming science talent at the moment”. He warned: “The Government needs to work quickly to correct that impression.”
The British Medical Association’s Council Chairman Chaand Nagpaul said: “At a time when the NHS is under enormous strain and struggling to fill positions, the current visa restrictions and arbitrary caps for non-EU workers entering the UK are inexplicable and threatening patient care and safety.”
A Home Office spokesman said the Government fully recognised the contribution made by international professionals.
He said: “However, it is important that our immigration system works in the national interest, ensuring that employers look first to the UK resident labour market before recruiting from overseas.
“When demand exceeds the monthly available allocation of Tier 2 (General) places, priority is given to applicants filling a shortage or PhD-level occupations.
“No occupation on the Shortage Occupation List has been refused a place.”
It leaves employers frustrated and the public poorly served. Sarah Main, Executive Director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering.