Getting UK job visa will be tougher from April

Amidst rising unemployment, Britain is putting new immigration restrictions on professionals from India and other non-European Union (EU) countries so that jobs are first offered to local workers.

From April, the basic requirements to enter Britain under the Tier 1 category of the points-based immigration system will be raised. The qualification and minimum salary levels for Indian and non-EU professionals will be raised to a master’s degree and £20,000 from the current requirement of an undergraduate degree and £17,000.

Last year, more than 25,000 people, including many Indians, entered Britain under the Tier 1 category.

Changes are also expected in the Tier 2 category and for families of migrants.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is expected to announce the new measures soon.

Only those industries officially recognised as having a skills shortage will be able to recruit from outside the European Union.

First Published: Feb 22, 2009 15:30 IST