UK immigration laws: Migration cap not Pakistan-specific, says top envoy

Limit has been set following advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee, says envoy.

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Adam Thomson on Thursday said that the new limit of 21,700 economic migrants – that the United Kingdom will entertain annually from non-European Union states, is not Pakistan-specific but  will affect all countries outside the 27-member bloc.

“The UK will be introducing an annual limit of 21,700 for those coming under the skilled and highly skilled routes – 20,700 under the skilled route and 1,000 under the new ‘exceptional talent’ route,” Thomson said. The policy is a global measure, according to the high commissioner.

He said the limit has been set following advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), published last week, taking into account economic and social impacts.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2010.