10th June 2011: The UK government has made it clear to the immigrants that they should come, work, and go home. The David Cameron government, in effect, announced proposals for preventing foreign professionals from settling permanently in the UK.
The Home Office claimed the Government sets out proposals for breaking the link between temporary and permanent migration; and the migrants coming to work on temporary visas will no longer be able to apply for permanent settlement, under the proposals.
The announcement is a part of the continuing process to bring down the number of migrants. The proposals will affect Indian skilled workers, as well as not-so-skilled workers, including cooks and domestic helps traveling to Britain with their employers.
The current system meant almost anyone who has been working in the UK for five years is eligible to apply to stay permanently.
Launching a public consultation on reforms to the work routes leading to settlement today, the immigration minister also set out plans to re-classify visas as either 'temporary' or 'permanent' and introduce stricter criteria for those who want to stay.
Immigration Minister Damian Green said the proposals are aimed at 'breaking the link between temporary and permanent migration.'
He added: 'Settlement has become almost automatic for those who choose to stay. This needs to change. The immigration system has got to be made to work properly.
'We want the brightest and best workers to come to the UK, make a strong contribution to our economy while they are here, and then return home.'
Key proposals under consideration in the 12 week consultation are: Re-branding Tier 2 or the skilled worker route as temporary, ending the assumption that settlement will be available for those who enter on this route;
Allowing certain categories of Tier 2 migrant, for example those earning over £150,000 or occupations of a specific economic or social value to the UK, to retain an automatic route to settlement;
Creating a new category into which, after three years in the UK, the most exceptional Tier 2 migrants may switch and go on to apply for settlement;
Allowing Tier 2 migrants who do not switch into a settlement route to stay for a maximum of five years with the expectation that they and any dependants will leave at the end of that time;
Introducing an English language requirement for adult dependants of Tier 2 migrants applying to switch into a route to settlement;
Restricting the maximum period of leave for Tier 5 Temporary Workers to 12 months; and closing or reforming routes for overseas domestic workers.
Home secretary Theresa May said: "I shall break that link and return to a position where Britain will continue to attract the brightest and best workers, who will make a strong contribution to our economy and society during their stay, then return home.
A small number of exceptional migrants will be able to stay permanently but for the majority, coming here to work will not lead automatically to settlement in the UK.
The Home Office claimed the Government sets out proposals for breaking the link between temporary and permanent migration; and the migrants coming to work on temporary visas will no longer be able to apply for permanent settlement, under the proposals.
The announcement is a part of the continuing process to bring down the number of migrants. The proposals will affect Indian skilled workers, as well as not-so-skilled workers, including cooks and domestic helps traveling to Britain with their employers.
The current system meant almost anyone who has been working in the UK for five years is eligible to apply to stay permanently.
Launching a public consultation on reforms to the work routes leading to settlement today, the immigration minister also set out plans to re-classify visas as either 'temporary' or 'permanent' and introduce stricter criteria for those who want to stay.
Immigration Minister Damian Green said the proposals are aimed at 'breaking the link between temporary and permanent migration.'
He added: 'Settlement has become almost automatic for those who choose to stay. This needs to change. The immigration system has got to be made to work properly.
'We want the brightest and best workers to come to the UK, make a strong contribution to our economy while they are here, and then return home.'
Key proposals under consideration in the 12 week consultation are: Re-branding Tier 2 or the skilled worker route as temporary, ending the assumption that settlement will be available for those who enter on this route;
Allowing certain categories of Tier 2 migrant, for example those earning over £150,000 or occupations of a specific economic or social value to the UK, to retain an automatic route to settlement;
Creating a new category into which, after three years in the UK, the most exceptional Tier 2 migrants may switch and go on to apply for settlement;
Allowing Tier 2 migrants who do not switch into a settlement route to stay for a maximum of five years with the expectation that they and any dependants will leave at the end of that time;
Introducing an English language requirement for adult dependants of Tier 2 migrants applying to switch into a route to settlement;
Restricting the maximum period of leave for Tier 5 Temporary Workers to 12 months; and closing or reforming routes for overseas domestic workers.
Home secretary Theresa May said: "I shall break that link and return to a position where Britain will continue to attract the brightest and best workers, who will make a strong contribution to our economy and society during their stay, then return home.A small number of exceptional migrants will be able to stay permanently but for the majority, coming here to work will not lead automatically to settlement in the UK.