Migration Advisory Committee recommendations

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is the body which analyses the impact of migration policy on the UK’s labour market. This analysis is then used to make evidence-based recommendations about possible changes to the points-based system for UK immigration.

In preparation for their recently published report the MAC considered a large volume of stakeholder evidence and opinion in order to complete their analysis. While the MAC's findings do not promote an economic case for restricting Tier 2 of the points-based system to the shortage occupation route only, they do make 16 specific recommendations about the design and enforcement of some routes under Tier 2.

Having reviewed the MAC findings and analysis the government has elected to implement all 16 recommendations as put forward by the MAC. Specific details of these 16 recommendations are provided below.

Recommendation 1: that the UK Border Agency (UKBA) considers whether specific professional qualifications should be regarded as equivalent to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3, or bachelor’s or master’s degree level, when allocating points under the PBS, where there is good evidence to support such claims.

Recommendation 2: that a master’s degree be awarded 15 points in Tier 2, instead of the current 10 points.

Recommendation 3: that 5 points be awarded for prospective earnings of at least £20,000 per annum instead of the current £17,000.

Recommendation 4: that 20 points be awarded for prospective earnings of at least £32,000 per annum instead of the current £24,000.

Recommendation 5: that the minimum threshold for gaining 10 points be raised to £24,000 per annum, and the minimum threshold for gaining 15 points be raised to £28,000 per annum.

Recommendation 6: that certain occupations involved in the delivery of key public services, to be set out by the Government, be awarded an extra 5 points under the RLMT route. (This would also apply to individuals working in these occupations switching to Tier 2 from the Tier 1 post-study category.)


In terms of the Residential Labour Market Test, MAC recommend the following:

Recommendation 7: that the route be kept in place.

Recommendation 8: that the required duration of vacancy advertising be increased to four weeks for all jobs.

Recommendation 9: that the Government considers the scope for introducing a certification regime for at least those employers identified as high risk.


For the intra-company transfer route, MAC recommend the following:

Recommendation 10: that the route be kept in place.

Recommendation 11: that the route should not lead to a right to permanent residence.

Recommendation 12: that the qualifying period with the company overseas is extended from six to twelve months.

Recommendation 13: that a separate scheme is created for graduates only, requiring three months’ prior experience with the company, but with a maximum stay in the UK of 12 months.

Recommendation 14: that the Government gives consideration to whether the level of resource currently being devoted to the enforcement of intra-company transfers is sufficient, and whether the degree of transparency around enforcement of the system could be increased.


Regarding allowances for Tier 2 immigrants, MAC recommend the following:

Recommendation 15: that allowances used for PBS points purposes are scaled down when calculating points for earnings under the PBS.

Recommendation 16: that the UKBA and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs consider the scope for sharing information on what they are being told in relation to the intentions of particular immigrants, and investigate potential abuse of the system on a risk-based basis where there is an indication that abuse of the tax system may be occurring.