Joining the call for exemptions from Tier 2 Visa Cap

Today we have joined a range of influential organisations from across the research and innovation community in signing a letter calling for PhD level job roles and roles on the Shortage Occupation List to be exempt from the Tier 2 visa cap.

The letter, coordinated by the Campaign For Science and Engineering (CaSE) has been sent to the Prime Minister, Theresa May and published on the CaSE website.

For the past three months in a row, the monthly cap for Tier 2 visas has been reached, causing challenges for employers in the science and innovation sector recruiting skilled workers from outside the EEA.

Dr Jo Reynolds, our Director of Science & Communities says: "Removing the cap for PhD level roles and roles on the Shortage Occupation List is exactly the kind of flexibility that the government needs to demonstrate to ensure that the UK’s immigration system is fit for purpose. This will help to ensure the UK and Ireland are still a thriving environment for research and innovation.

"Just under two weeks ago, we called for the government to show that it understands the need for a flexible future immigration system that makes it easy for scientists and innovators to come to the UK. This is an opportunity for government to show just that and ensure that the UK’s immigration system can support the delivery of the Industrial Strategy, improving growth and productivity across the UK."

More information

Look out for the hashtag #globaltalent  on twitter to join the conversation.