New UK immigration norms to hit Indians

LONDON: Indians -- comprising the bulk of non-European Union skilled immigrants to Britain -- could be the worst-affected after the British coalition government on Monday confirmed a stringent interim limit of 24,100 on work permits to be issued between July 19 and March 31 next year.

Home secretary Theresa May said: "The government believes that Britain can benefit from migration but not uncontrolled migration. I recognize the importance of attracting the brightest and the best to ensure strong economic growth, but unlimited migration places unacceptable pressure on public services."

The new permanent limit on the number of non-EU workers entering the United Kingdom will come into effect from April 2011. It will be announced after 12-week consultations within the government and with businesses and other interested groups. "While we consult on our tough new limit, it's important we have an interim measure to avoid a rush of applications for migrants and ensure that the number of work visas issued stays below 2009 levels," May said.

Amit Kapadia, director of Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, said, "Any such cap will hit Indian professionals because most non-EU migrants to the UK come from India."

Net migration will be reduced to the levels of 1990s, to tens of thousands rather than hundreds of thousands.
The results of the consultation on the permanent limit is expected to make fundamental changes in the way workers from outside the European Union will be chosen.

Reports suggest that high-income group professionals may be excluded from the immigration curbs, even though there is no such indication in the official announcement.

The Conservative Party's demand for an immigration cap gained popularity during the election campaign. Economists, however, have warned that restrictions will hit economic growth.