HSMP/Tier 1 no more

[mobi]

UK Border Agency | Annual limit for Tier 1 and Tier 2 visa applications

Will it improve IT market?

[Lolas Cat]

Hm... is Tier 1 completely abolished now?

[fullyautomatix]

Been waiting for this for ages.

Whenever I try to recruit a programmer I get tons of HSMP CV's coming in and they are prepared for any salary. It was blatant abuse of the system rather than highly skilled people coming in.

[rd409]

Been waiting for this for ages.

Whenever I try to recruit a programmer I get tons of HSMP CV's coming in and they are prepared for any salary. It was blatant abuse of the system rather than highly skilled people coming in.

Sorry to spoil your party, but it's only closed for new applications.

I would have been happier if the Tier 2 was reduced or closed rather than tier 1. Candidates in Tier 1 do more often demand equivalent packages as a local candidate and because they are not tied down to any clause with the company, most of the companies would have no incentive in hiring them apart from skills. Tier 2 on the other hand comfortably cuts down cost. You can bring a contractor from India for as little as £6k (pro rata for £24k pa) for a 3 months project, which would have cost the company £13k for a local contractor charging at £200 per day.