Major shake up of controversial IT visas to be announced

PCG has welcomed news that the Government is set to announce a major shake-up in the Intra-Company Transfer rules today.

ICTs were originally created to allow large companies to transfer their senior staff between countries, but the system has been abused to allow the transfer of large numbers of low-skilled IT staff, according to the contractors' organisation.

Theresa May, the Home Secretary, is due to announce full details of the changes in the House of Commons today.

Under the new rules, it is likely that in order to qualify for an ICT visa, workers will have to earn at least £40,000 in salary to qualify.

Head of Public Affairs at the PCG said:

"PCG welcomes and strongly supports the Home Secretary’s new measures on these permits. We have been campaigning on this issue for many years to no avail and these new rules represent a huge change in the status quo. A minimum salary of £40,000 is a massive increase, where previously ICTs were often being accepted into the UK on half this salary, undercutting UK IT contractors. This will ensure freelancers really do have fair access to the market for their services. Whilst we are of course awaiting further exact details on how this will work, this policy is a big and significant win for PCG. The UK Borders Agency have clearly listened to our evidence and taken it on board
 
"The big abusers of ICT permits will not be in high spirits today, but for PCG on National Freelancers Day this represents the culmination of many years of work on this issue. We await more details but for now this is news to be warmly welcomed and strongly supported. Our hard work and the hard work of our members campaigning for change has clearly paid off."