Highly skilled non-EU workers can apply to enter the UK under the highly skilled migrant programme (HSMP). HSMP migrants have free access to the labour market and are not given leave to enter to work in a specific skill sector. However, as part of our review of the HSMP changes we introduced last December, we have been collecting data on occupations self-reported by successful applicants extending their stay as HSMP migrants. Review data will be included in the impact assessment for tier 1 of the new points-based system which will be published before the tier is implemented this year.
Work permit system (for skilled workers)
Skilled non-EU workers with a job offer can apply to enter the UK under the work permit system. Under the terms of their leave, work permit migrants must remain with the employer who applied for their work permit. Should the migrant wish to switch employer, they will need to apply for a variation of leave and the new employer will need to obtain a work permit for them. This means that all work permit migrants should be working in the sectors relating to the skills on the basis of which they were given leave to enter.
We have previously released, in answer to a freedom of information request, data relating to approved work permit applications broken down by the 20 most frequent occupations.
The following table shows the number of approved work permit applications, broken down by the 20 most frequent occupations, from January 2004 to December 2005.
Occupation 2004 2005 Total Nurse 29,185 22,406 51,591 Other manager-related occupation 14,697 14,795 29,492 Musician 12,769 12,783 25,552 Other health/medical occupation 13,585 9,758 23,343 Other IT related occupation 9,512 10,615 20,127 Software engineer 6,764 6,771 13,535 Chef 6,365 4,977 11,342 Other financial occupation 5,007 5,226 10,233 Teacher (school/college) 5,101 4,334 9,435 Other engineer occupation 4,223 5,037 9,260 Researcher 4,205 4,299 8,504 Doctor 4,392 3,842 8,234 Singer 3,083 2,769 5,852 Kitchen assistant (SBS) 4,290 508 4,798 Analyst programmer 2,486 2,122 4,608 System analyst 2,284 2,238 4,522 Technician (music) 2,062 2,138 4,200 Other hotel cat occupation 1,858 1,576 3,434 Dancer (other) 1,672 1,680 3,352 Manager (ent-related) 1,534 1,596 3,130 Total top 20 135,074 119,470 254,544 Others 45,666 41,186 86,852 Total 180,740 160,656 341,396 Note: The number of approved work permit applications does not equal numbers of people entering the UK to work but includes, for example, extension applications and work permits issued for a change of employment.