The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) last week published a report into the working of the Tier 2 of the Points-Based System (PBS) for immigration, which allows sponsored skilled workers from outside the EU to work in the UK as long as they fulfil certain criteria.

The new report recommends a number of changes designed to limit the number of skilled migrants from entering the UK. The MAC says this will help protect Britain’s job market.

The proposed changes mean that migrant workers outside the EU who wish to enter the UK under Tier 2 must prove they will earn at least £20,000 in this country – or £32,000 for those without qualifications.

The proposals could have implications for artists from outside the EU trying to launch their careers in the UK. Majors and other groups with global arms could also suffer because Tier 2 is also a means for music business employees to transfer to the UK office of an international group. Application fees for Tier 2 will also increase and the period before which an employee can transfer from an overseas branch to the UK by an intra-company transfer will be extended from six to 12 months.

The Tier-5 Visa for Temporary Workers, which is typically used by foreign artists touring the UK, remains unaffected.

These changes could have significant outcomes for South West based promoters, agents and music businesses.
The BMF will be discussing this at events this autumn.