Recommendations by UK immigration for Tier 2 visa skills shortage list

United Kingdom, 31st March: In a recent report on the review of skills shortage list, the MAC (Migration Advisory Committee) has advised the UK government on some important issues regarding migration.

As per the recommendations, the UK government needs to implement a few significant changes to the Tier 2 visa skills occupation list and allocate the UK visas accordingly. 

The MAC stated that there is a need to expand the category of pharmacists in the shortage occupation list for Tier 2 visas so that community pharmacists are also included in this list. 

And if these recommendations are given approval by the UK government, then those who are employed under private employers instead of NHS (National Health Service) will also be applicable for UK visas. 

Among other recommendations by the MAC include inclusion of only those musicians in the UK shortage occupation list who are either leader or a principal of a UK orchestra having international recognition.

However, the MAC has not recommended any changes, whatsoever, in the Scotland shortage occupation list. 

After a period of every six months, MAC reviews UK shortage occupation list partially. Meanwhile, a full review of the UK shortage occupation list is likely to be undertaken in Autumn 2010. 

In the past, the UK immigration has given approval to many if not all recommended changes by the MAC since the main aim of formation of the MAC was to provide evidence-based and independent information to the UK government regarding immigration issues.

The UK government has already made several amendments in the UK shortage occupation list in accordance with the MAC and adjusted the issuance of UK visas accordingly. 

The advice by the MAC is mainly on existing shortages in the skilled labor to help the UK immigration fill the gaps in the UK economy.