§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many highly skilled migrants have been accepted in each year since the inception of the highly skilled migrant programme, broken down by country. [140703]
§ Beverley HughesThe highly skilled migrant programme was launched on 28 January 2002. As at 30 November 2003 a total of 8,628 applications have been received. From 28 January to 31 December 2002—1,194 applications were approved. From 1 January to 30 November 2003—3,864 applications have been approved.
Current management information limitations do not, at present, provide a breakdown in the format requested. However, up to 30 August 2003 the number of applications received for the top 10 nationalities were as follows:
- India—832
- United States of America 751
- Nigeria—454
- Pakistan—381
- South Africa—319
12W - Australia—307
- Zimbabwe—176
- Canada—153
- China People's Republic of—126
- Russia—123