UK visa changes could lead to shortage of foreign academics
July 09 2009 by Mark Johnstone
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Experts claim Universities UK (UUK) has spoken out against plans to review the Tier 1 and Tier 2 UK visas system for skilled workers moving to the UK. It says that new plans being considered could lead to a shortage of foreign academics working in the education and research industries on a UK visa.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is currently looking at the possibility of changing the rules for Tier 2 UK visas which are given to foreign skilled UK immigration workers who have sponsorship from an employee. They may change the current rules to require Tier 2 UK visa applicants to work in occupations listed as ‘shortage occupations.’ This list would not include teaching and research, which would prevent most foreign academics from working in the UK in these fields.
UUK says this change could prove ‘disastrous’ for the UK and its long-term competitiveness.
UUK is also campaigning for the Tier 1 UK work visa rules to remain unchanged. MAC is considering changing the current rules to ‘reflect economic circumstances,’ which UUK fears, although intending to protect British jobs, they could seriously harm UK competitiveness.
UUK stated, "Any further restrictions would result in the loss of further research funding.”
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