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Fast-track visas closed to foreign IT workers, says Home Office


Work Permits, the UK government agency responsible for awarding work permits, has decided to remove all IT jobs from its skills shortage list. The decision means that overseas IT workers will not be allowed to apply for fast-track visas to work in the UK. It will take effect on 1st September.

The decision was made following a meeting of the Home Office ITCE sector panel attended by the Professional Contractors Group (PCG). The panel considered claims by the PCG that UK IT workers were finding it increasingly difficult to find employment because companies were ending contracts to employ overseas workers on fast-visas for lower salaries.

After further discussions, the Home Office agreed that there is no skills shortage and decided to end tier one applications. It was announced that all IT work permit applications will have to show that the job has been advertised in a national newspaper or a relevant trade journal.

Overseas workers will still be allowed to apply for visas, but under a different procedure that involves a “resident labour test.” This means that they will have to demonstrate a higher level of skill.

Jane Akshar, chairman of the PCG, characterised the decision as “excellent news.” She added that the PCG has been able to work with the government “to show clearly that [IT] skills are not in short supply in the UK.”

The Home Office will review the state of the labour market and reconsider its decision in three months.

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