Extension of shortage occupation list for UK work visas advised
March 30 2010 by Liam Clifford
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended a number of changes to the skills shortage lists that helps determine the allocation of UK visas.
Following a partial review of the shortage
occupation lists for the UK, the MAC has advised that the pharmacists category
on the UK shortage occupation list be expanded to include community pharmacists.
If the change is accepted by the Government, it will mean that UK visas will be
available to those pharmacists who work privately, outside of the
NHS.
The other change recommended by the MAC is that only leaders or
principals of internationally recognised UK orchestras should be included on the
UK shortage occupation list.
The MAC carries out regular, six-monthly,
partial reviews of the shortage occupation lists for the UK at the request of
the Government. A full review of the shortage occupation list is due to be
published this autumn.
All the occupations included in the original
MAC-recommended shortage occupation lists in September 2008 have now been
reviewed at least once, and the Government has adjusted its quotas for
skills-based UK work visas accordingly.
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