sameeraa91 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 16, 2018 5:36 am
Just read this on Linkedin:
Latest Intel is that SOL, PhD SOC roles and/or medical doctors may be removed from Tier 2 RCoS cap. Discussions in Parliament at present.
...and no general Immigration Rule changes (except above) in April. More likely to be May/June.
I don't think there was a discussion in Parliament for the same. The only news with certainty which I could find is that the "Campaign for Science and Immigration", CaSE wrote to the Prime Minister about removing shortage occupation and Ph.D. level jobs from the Tier2 quota. The letter was signed by 45 different UK science and technology bodies/societies/institutions. If there is a discussion, that would probably be after the March allocations (which is almost certain
).
Also, I do not think they are going to increase the quota (i.e. increase the 20,700 number) because the government is extremely hesitant to create any unnecessary news related to immigration until the Brexit white paper on immigration is out (somewhere around September or before). Any major policy changes could only be expected after this.
These being said there are two things which the government could easily do to resolve the current situation:
1) Nurses are on the shortage occupation, only on an interim basis (since 2015-16). Since they were on an interim basis they could very well be removed again from the list.
2) Front-load (increase) the April quota to say 3,500 (from the previous 2,200). Of course, this would mean reducing the numbers in the subsequent months. However, this would reduce the backlog and further effect in future months in the short run. This seems highly likely, as the monthly allocations for 2018-19 have yet not been declared.
(FYI, they need to be declared beforehand for each financial year.)
Also, I would just like to say to everyone to not discourage anyone on this forum. I am seeing a number of people with higher points (some of the 40+ holders) discouraging people with lower points (20-39) on this forum by saying that you would have to wait for another two more months .. blah blah. Please stop doing this. Everyone is one this forum because of a certain situation and you guys have no right to discourage anyone. If you are feeling pessimistic please keep that to yourself.
Hope is a powerful thing, is what keeps everyone going. Let's not lose it. I am quite certain all those who were feeling in a limbo, would have their prayers answered in April
.