UK – Technology Professions Added to Tier 2 Shortage Occupation List
Four digital technology occupations have been added to the Shortage Occupation List under U.K.’s Tier 2 visa category. This will exempt employers from having to test the resident labor market by advertising positions and allow eligible non-EU workers to fill these positions. By adding several tech jobs to the Tier 2 scheme, eligible employers will be able to fill relevant positions with non-EU nationals without having to advertise for suitable resident workers beforehand. This will ease hiring measures and allow for Tier 2 permits to be more easily obtained.
Beginning on November 19, 2015, companies in the IT sector will be able to apply for Tier 2 Restricted Certificates of Sponsorships for particular jobs under the following four IT-related occupations:
- IT specialist managers
- IT product manager whose position requires at least five years of relevant experience and experience managing a team.
- IT business analysts, architects and system designers
Data scientist whose position requires at least five years of relevant experience and experience managing a team.
- System engineer in visual effects and 2D/3D computer animation for film, TV or video games sectors.
Programmers and software development professionals
- Senior developer whose position requires at least five years of relevant experience and experience managing a team.
- Driver developer or embedded communications engineer in the electronics system sector.
- Software developer, shader writer or games designer in visual effects and 2D/3D computer animation for film, TV or video games sectors.
IT and communications professionals not classified elsewhere
- Cyber security specialists whose position requires at least five years of relevant experience and experience managing a team.