Under the immigration shake-up, high-earning migrant workers will also escape
the cap on migrant workers, the Home Office said.

Bankers, lawyers and anyone else earning more than £150,000 will be allowed in
over and above the monthly limit on skilled workers, according to Damian
Green, the immigration minister.

Scientists will also be moved towards the front of the queue in a system
designed to favour scientific researchers, high earners and those with jobs
where there is a shortage of UK staff, Mr Green said.

The plans are part of the Government’s measures to reduce annual net migration
from more than 200,000 to the “tens of thousands”.

The British Chambers of Commerce welcomed the Tier 2 changes. Adam Marshall,
policy director, said: “The new rules show that after a period of great
uncertainty, the Government is listening harder to business concerns. The
changes to the Tier 2 arrangements mean that companies will have a better
chance of getting much-needed international talent, and growing their
business.”

A total of 20,700 visas per year will be made available to skilled workers
applying through Tier 2. For the first month in April, 4,200 visas will be
available, with 1,500 each month after that. Employers will need to have
already advertised the job in the UK and failed to find a suitable
candidate.

Mr Green said: “Britain needs to attract the brightest and the best to
fill jobs gaps but this should never be at the expense of workers already
here. We have worked closely with businesses while designing this system.”

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