Recruiting and retaining individuals from outside the EEA is an important part of ensuring the NHS has the right number of appropriately skilled and highly skilled healthcare professionals to meet local patient needs.
In May 2010, the coalition Government announced their intention to review the immigration system to ensure that net migration reduces between 2010 and 2015 to the levels previously seen in the 1990’s.
To achieve this aim, all parts of the immigration system are subject to review, consultation and change, including all four active tiers of the points-based system and settlement routes.
To provide employers with progress of the changes to date, we have summarised the consultation activity of each of the categories in the table below.
| Tier 1 (General) |
Consultation closed. Changes came into effect on 6 April 2011. |
Route now closed to new entrants. |
| Tier 1 (Post-study work) |
Consultation closed. Changes came into effect on 6 April 2011. |
Route will close in April 2012.
Applicants will be expected to transfer from Tier 4 into Tier 2. |
| Tier 2 (General) |
Consultation closed. Changes came into effect on 6 April 2011. |
Introduction of a permanent cap on all new out of country applications and a new process to obtain certificates of sponsorship. |
| Tier 3 |
This tier is suspended indefinitely. |
|
| Tier 4 (General) |
Consultation closed. Most changes to take effect in May 2011. |
Applies to university sponsors issuing Tier 4 visas.
Foundation Programme trainees not affected but see changes to Tier 1 (Post-study work). |
|
Tier 5 (all elements) |
Consultation closed. Awaiting outcomes which are expected early 2012. |
The proposals around the medical training initiative (MTI) will be the key area for comment within the NHS. |
| Settlement |
Consultation closed awaiting outcomes which are expected early 2012. |
When further details become available, NHS Employers will be publicise the information in our Workforce Bulletin and our website. |
| Shortage occupation list |
Consultation closed on 10 June 2011. |
Please see our web page for details of our response to the MAC's review. The new list came into effect on 14 November 2011 |