Skilled migrants to pay £150 entry charge

Workers applying to come to the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) will have to pay £150 from the end of this month, the Home Office announced today.

The charge, which will cover the costs of processing applications under the scheme, is expected to save taxpayers around £1.8 million in 2004-05. The Home Office already charges for work permits, leave to remain, visas and nationality applications, sector-based schemes and all those accepted onto the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme.

Home Office Minister, Beverley Hughes, said: "The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme has made an extremely encouraging start with 3,721 talented people now working in the UK in fields as diverse as medicine, music, and engineering.

"We will shortly be expanding the scheme to attract and enable skilled applicants to work in the UK and to take the achievements of partners into account when considering an application.

"The government welcomes those with the skills to help the UK prosper both economically and culturally."

The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) was set up in January 2002 as a route for particularly talented people to apply to work in the UK. It differs from the work permit scheme in that it does not require an employer to obtain a work permit for the individual. Applicants are assessed on a points system on their qualifications, earning ability and experience.

The Statutory Instrument will be laid before Parliament today under the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. The new charge will come into force on 31 October.

(gmcg)