LONDON: An immigration research think tank here today accused Indian companies of exploiting a "gaping loophole" in the intra-company transfer (ICT) visa route to bring in thousands of workers from India, denying resident British workers jobs in the IT industry.
Migration Watch UK, which lobbies for lower migration levels, said international IT companies, "typically based in India", obtain a contract to deliver a project or support services to a UK entity and then staff it with workers ..
Tier 2 ICT visas are not subject to resident labour market tests the same as Tier 2 General Visas - to give settle workers first chance for a role. With the Tier 2 ICT category under such scrutiny, this provides opportunities for settle workers in the EU and migrants on the Tier 2 General category to enter the fold.
Such companies may bill in some cases huge day rates and take large profit margins. The Tier 2 General category at least gives opportunity to settled workers to apply, then should no suitable settled worker be located, someone who requires visa sponsorship can be offered the role.
Requirements can still be outsourced as a project and a consultancy with a sponsor license can hire the consultants and deliver the project. For more information regarding Tier 2 General sponsorship and engaging with an IT Consultancy do contact us at consult@mavisas.co.uk
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Mason