23 January 2008

UK immigration restrictions may be lifted for 2012 Olympics preparation

The ban on non-EU unskilled workers being allowed to work in the UK may be lifted if the preparations for the London 2012 Olympics are not going to plan. This would mean a better chance of UK immigration for workers outside of the EU. Head of the new Migration Advisory Council (MAC), Professor David Metcalf, has told a committee of peers that the situation of UK immigration may have to change if there are labour shortages brought on by the Olympics, reports the BBC.

"One would certainly want to see whether or not it could be sensibly filled by British employers. The worry I think one has about this, is the inevitable tension between the short run and the long run. If you talk about the Olympics having to be on-stream by 2012 and therefore the facilities having to be built by 2011, a modern apprenticeship is three years," Professor Metcalf said.

Under the current point-based system for migrants, which will be introduced soon, workers who are considered unskilled and come from outside of the EU will be banned from the UK for "the foreseeable future".

Anyone interested in getting a better understanding of their current position under UK visa regulations should request a call from a qualified UK Visa Bureau migration consultant to see if they are eligible for migration to the UK, or call direct on Freephone 0800 043 7011. Alternatively, HSMP visa hopefuls should try taking the HSMP online assessment.


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