The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is a body of independent expert economists retained by Government to advise on immigration policy reform in the context of prevailing labour market and UK business needs. The MAC undertakes extensive labour market and stakeholder research before publishing recommendations for change following commissions from the Home Office. A MAC review of Intra Company Transfers has been expected for some time.
Pursuant to a recent Government request, the MAC is seeking stakeholder views on two specific routes of entry to the UK: Intra Company Transfers and Representatives of Overseas Businesses. The evidence received from the “Call for Evidence” will inform the MAC’s advice to Government on reform of these longstanding, and highly subscribed business immigration schemes.
The Intra-Company Transfer visa application route allows UK employers to transfer employees of linked, overseas entities to the UK for assignments. The MAC is assessing salary thresholds, conditions of stay and how this route should differ from the Skilled worker visa category.
Representative of an Overseas Business
The Government is considering expansion of this route to enable overseas businesses to send teams of workers to establish a branch or subsidiary – currently only one worker is permitted – or to undertake a secondment in relation to a high-value contract for goods or services. The MAC is reviewing the criteria (for example skill and salary level) that should apply to eligibility of such workers and what further criteria may apply to organisations who wish to send groups to the UK to set-up entities or perform high value contracts for services or goods.
Magrath Sheldrick LLP will prepare a submission to the MAC in response to the Call for Evidence and if you would like to contribute to this please contact:
[email protected] or Contact Us via the Website
Alternatively, if you wish to complete the questionnaire on behalf of your organisation you can do so:
Call for Evidence Questionnaire
Responses should be evidence-based and where possible provide data and/or examples in support of answers. Submissions are requested by 15 June 2021. This is a great opportunity for organisations to provide evidence to benefit businesses reliant on these categories.
Individual stakeholders, advisers and representatives are also encouraged to respond. The review of Intra Company Transfers will be of special interest to our corporate clients.
If you have further questions, please feel free to contact your Magrath Sheldrick LLP advisor using your usual contact details.