UK Visa regulations for entry of skilled workers have been tightened under new measures, which will have a direct impact on skilled workers from India and Indian Companies who will have to undergo increased scrutiny by UK’s Home office. Skilled workers that fall under Tier 2 of the Immigration process will be scrutinised to ensure that there is no exaggeration of any detail for meeting the immigration requirements.
Previously if a UK based company wished to hire a skilled migrant worker it had to show that there no UK resident was suitable for the job.
According to Grant Thornton, 700 Indian owned businesses are present in the UK which employ more than one lakh people, however figures as to how many of those are Indian migrants and how many residents of UK are not disclosed.
The changes brought about in the Immigration rules, gives the UK’s Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) the power to refuse applications if he believes, on reasonable grounds, that the job description is “exaggerated” to meet the Tier-2 requirements. Eligibility under the Tier 2 require that the applicant should be either of PhD level or of an NQF Level 6 and the applicant should have an annual income minimum (presently) of £20,500 pounds.
UK authorities may also review client contracts and companies that are affected (particularly the IT industry, LPO, BPO and consultancy firms in India) should take into account the impact of these new measures and the inevitable delays.
SME and smaller businesses that send employees from India are likely to be adversely and disproportionately affected. Under the immigration requirements employees are being deputed for project based services and not routine work. Corporate entities and larger companies with UK subsidiaries may be compliant with such norms however the new stricter scrutiny process could lead to considerable delays.
Lex Meridian offers a one-stop shop UK Visa Consultancy service by an UK Immigration lawyer (barrister) based full time in Delhi India. We offer expert advice and assistance to companies, individuals on the UK Visa application process, appeals and how to ensure that applicants comply with the new regime. Call us today on +91 11 4080 1108 (Delhi) or +44 20 7193 8777
London or email us at info@lexmeridian.com
