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Work permit rules relaxed

Press Association
Friday October 31, 2003

Ministers are to relax work permit requirements for highly skilled immigrants, it was announced today.
The demands of the highly skilled migrant programme, launched in January 2002, are to be lowered in a move expected to attract hundreds more applicants.

The scheme, designed to bring "high fliers with exceptional skills" to Britain, has so far seen 3,700 people win visas. Ministers said in April's budget that the scheme would be expanded and have now published details of how the overall requirement in a points-based qualification system will be reduced from 75 points to 65.

There will also be new criteria for under-28s to make it easier for them to come to the UK.

For the first time, spouses who are graduates will contribute 10 points towards their partner's application. In a separate change, also announced in the budget, foreign nationals who have studied maths, science or engineering at a UK institution will be allowed to work in Britain for a year after graduation, from next summer.

Home Office minister Beverley Hughes said: "The UK is a world leader in attracting uniquely talented people and through innovative schemes such as the highly skilled migrant programme we are helping supply businesses with the skills and talent they need to thrive.

"Since the scheme began in January 2002, 3,721 successful applicants are enriching the UK both economically and culturally in professions as diverse as academia, medicine and music."

The largest numbers of foreign nationals to have come to the UK under the scheme so far were from India (832 applicants), United States (751), Nigeria (454), Pakistan (381), South Africa (319), Australia (307), Zimbabwe (176), Canada (153), China (126) and Russia (123).

Ms Hughes added: "We are also looking to invest in the high achievers of tomorrow through the science engineering and graduate scheme.

"There is a real demand in sectors such as research and development and financial services for maths, science and engineering specialists.

From today all successful Highly Skilled Migrant Programme applicants will have to pay a £150 fee. The visas last for 12 months and can usually be renewed indefinitely.

Workers are eligible to apply for British citizenship after five years - or three years if they marry a Briton.