(Image source from: Neptune International)
According to the aggregation released by Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), the Indian engineers, Information Technology professionals, Doctors and Teachers are among 6,080 seeking for Tier-2 visas, for skilled workers holding a United Kingdom job offer were denied in the four months to March.
They included 1,518 for Doctor role, 1,226 for IT and technology, 392 for Engineering, 361 for other health professionals and 197 for teaching.
The campaign acquired figures through a Freedom of Information (FOI) to the UK Home Office to highlight the “scale of the problem” being created due to the British government’s annual immigration cap for skilled professionals employed by UK-based companies from outside the European Union (EU)
It is seen the consequence of Tier 2 cap of 20,700 a year is also striking other sectors of the economy with monthly quotas for short of what businesses need.
CaSE Deputy Director, Naomi Weir said, “Science, engineering and technology has long benefited from mobility of talent and collaboration across borders – including between India and the UK. The figures we’ve obtained from the Home Office show that currently our immigration system is hampering this ambition.”
She further said, “We’re calling on government to make immediate changes so that employers can access the talent they need, and in the long term to ensure that the UK immigration system is aligned with the ambition to be open and welcoming to science, engineering and tech talent.”
CaSE stressed that of all eligible applications for Tier 2 (General) certificates of sponsorship, 36 percent were refused in December, 47 percent in January, 48 percent in February and 59 percent in March.
A Home Office representative said: “The Government fully recognizes the contribution international professionals make to the UK. However, it is important that our immigration system works in the national interest. when demand exceeds the monthly available allocation of Tier 2 (General) places, priority is given to applicants filling a shortage or PhD-level occupations.”
By Sowmya Sangam
