This submission is in response to the second tranche of MAC’s consultation review of Tier 2 due to be completed by December 2015.

Universities Scotland’s submission to this tranche focusses primarily on the uncompetitive position that the proposed changes to Tier 2 would create for Scottish, and UK, universities and the adverse economic impact of this. It does so, in part, by illustrating the immensely valuable economic and social contribution made by individual members of staff currently working in Scottish higher education.

Our submission does not address each of the consultation questions individually. Instead it focuses on five main issues as raised by the consultation into to the immigration of highly talented staff and students under the Tier 2 route.  Paramount amongst these issues for us, and the subject of the MAC’s first consultation question, is the likely economic impact of the proposed changes. We feel there would be a very real and very damaging economic impact if the Tier 2 visa route was further restricted in the manner proposed.

The other issues we focus on in this submission include: dependents of those on a Tier 2 visa; selection criteria; the extended shortage occupation list; and the proposal for a skills levy.

Read Universities Scotland’s response, submitted on 25 September, to the wider consultation here.

Universities Scotland provided written evidence to the MAC’s earlier call for evidence on Tier 2 which closed on 3 July 2015. Download it here.