By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Nov. 29 -- The UK government, responding to industry concerns, said it plans to exclude intracompany transfers from new migration limits.
The Migration Advisory Committee has recommended cuts in visas for professional workers entering the UK from outside the European Union. In response to the initial announcement, Oil & Gas UK warned that including intracompany transfers in the reductions would block oil and gas companies from access to the technical expertise they need to sustain UK production (OGJ Online, Nov. 22, 2010).
In a clarification, officials said intracompany transfers would not be covered by the lowered visa ceilings. But they will recommend a salary threshold of £40,000/year for transfers of more than 12 months.
Oil & Gas UK officials welcomed the exemption for intracompany transfers and a new route into the UK for “exceptional talent” under Tier 1 visas, which are available to highly skilled workers.
File photo from PDVSA..
