Immigration Quotas Cause Further Controversy

The immigration quotas being set on a monthly basis for Tier 1 and Tier 2 Applicants continue to cause controversy. Surely there must be a realisation soon that the quota system is a rather blunt and ineffective tool for controlling immigration effectively. Further there clearly must be recognition from the Government that if, as they say, immigration is to come under control and be in the tens of thousands figures rather than hundreds of thousands then their force of action will have to be focused on students and families rather than Tier 1 and Tier 2 workers.

What will eventually arise from these controversial immigration quotes is unclear. However, my guess would be that there must be some action to clarify the position on Tier 1 and Tier 2 workers in the UK, perhaps clarifying the position in relation to inter company overseas transfer so as to allow this on a strict basis and clarification of the position in relation to other skilled workers, perhaps with reflection of the salary attracted by the member of staff, so as to ensure that skilled workers are being allowed at the top level into the UK.

The other side of the immigration quotas equation is greater control of students and families. In this regard there would seem to be some obvious steps, whereby students who have finished their courses do not remain in the UK and are required to return to their country of origin that is outside the EU. Further, those that are entering the UK for qualifications at pre Degree level may find entry more difficult. There is also some concern in relation to the actions of private Colleges and clarification of work undertaken within those Colleges and the qualification on offer may be undertaken before overseas students from outside the EU will be allowed entry.

Whether this will be put into effect and how clear the legislation will be and indeed how manageable in practical terms the system will be, remains to be seen but this would appear to be the most obvious path to travel in relation to immigration quotas.