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UK’s Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) recommendations on tightening the points-based immigration system for bringing in skilled workers has created a furore in the international migrant community, especially in India. The proposed changes concern the Tier 2 Work Permit Scheme which is applicable to skilled workers who have received a specific skilled job offer in the UK and the intra company transfer category, meant for people who are being transferred to a UK branch of their organisation.

The proposed changes by UK’s MAC were cited as an initiative to safeguard the position of British workers in the job market and to curb those entering UK through intra-company transfers from using it as a route to gain permanent residence.

While the MAC’s recommendations may be a reason for cheer among Brits, it has raised concerns in India. Nearly half of the 50,000 workers who are expected to arrive in the UK under the Tier 2 system this year are said to be from India. Moreover, intra-company transfers especially from the Indian based IT companies constitute 59% of the applications.

It is interesting to note that while countries like UK are considering tightening their immigration policies, countries like Singapore are all out to embrace foreign talent. In a bid to transform itself as the talent capital of the world, Singapore has one of the least restrictive immigration policies for employing foreign labour. There is no points based system in place and foreign professionals are encouraged to become PRs who enjoy benefits comparable to citizens. Employment Pass and Entrepreneur Pass are the two main Singapore work pass schemes for foreign professionals.

If UK decides to implement the recommendations to slash migrant worker numbers, would it imply that Singapore might see more foreign professionals flocking its shores?

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