Nurses will be added to the Shortage Occupation List on a temporary basis to address the shortage of nurses in the United Kingdom. The temporary change is likely be implemented within the next few months and is subject to further review by the Migration Advisory Committee.
Once implemented, Tier 2 (General) applications for nurses from outside the European Economic Area will be prioritized over other occupations which are not considered to be in shortage. An annual quota of 20,700 is available for Tier 2 (General) applications and this change will push other occupations further down the qualifying list. It will also mean that the minimum salary needed for a Restricted Certificate of Sponsorship will increase when the cap is exceeded.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Although foreign nurses should benefit from the forthcoming temporary measure, other Tier 2 (General) applicants may find it harder to secure a Restricted Certificate of Sponsorship.