§ Mr. LetwinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visas permitting entry without restrictions on work have been issued in each of the last seven years. [102821]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 13 March 2003]There are a range of ways of entering the United Kingdom, legally, from outside the European Union for employment purposes. The main route of entry into the UK for economic purposes is the work permit scheme, which has recently been modernised, and which requires employees to submit applications on behalf of employees. There are a number of other labour-related entry routes such as the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and Innovator categories. Other routes such as visitors, students, working holidaymakers and those that exist for family reunion and humanitarian protection, all place restrictions on the applicants ability to work in the UK.