Refer the document:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/ ... -migration
Page 24, Section 88
I strongly feel that the HSMP permit should be issued initially for 5 years (time required for ILR) itself or the time for ILR be reduced to 2 years.
As per HSMP guidance:
"You must be willing and able to make the United Kingdom your main home
If you are successful in your HSMP application, and apply for leave to enter or remain, we will ask you to provide a written undertaking that you intend to make the UK your country of habitual residence".
HSMP should lead to ILR. Otherwise, the above mentioned does not hold true.
Highly Skilled Professionals consider a country an attractive place to move depending on how easily & quickly they can acquire Permanent Residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain - ILR in UK).
USA has lost its shine because of the very same reason (staying 6 years on employer sponsored work visa before being considered for Permanent Residency - aka the Green Card)
Permanent Jobs & Permanent Residency go hand in hand. HSMP visa/permit is temporary in nature, subject to renewal depending upon the rules existing at the given time.
Britain to follow Australia's immigration example
Britain will next year adopt an Australian-style model for restricting immigration to those with skills in need.
British Immigration Minister Liam Byrne unveiled the timetable for introducing the points-based system during a fact-finding visit to Australia, which uses a similar model to attract migrants with in-demand skills and reject those who would compete with local workers for unskilled jobs....
....Mr Byrne is attending an international conference on immigration issues in Sydney.
Australia grants Permanent Residency to skilled applicants that meet the criteria, unlike the wait & watch approach followed by UK.
