Around 85 per cent of tourism companies from around Europe find the UK Tier 2 work permit and visa application process “difficult to impossible”, according to a recent survey by the European Tourism Association (ETOA).
Many people from around the European Union often migrate to the UK using the Tier 2 work permit and visa system, which allows them to work for any British employer who holds a Tier 2 Sponsorship Licence without difficulty. However, only 16 per cent of the 100 companies surveyed said they had tried to recruit workers on a Tier 2 visa due to difficulties they had faced when exploring the application process.
According to the study, 85 per cent of those who had tried said it was “difficult to impossible”. While 80 per cent said they worried about a significant fall in productivity across Britain’s tourism industry, and the European tourism industry as a whole, if the Tier 2 work permit system was expanded to cover the employment of EU nationals as a result of Britain’s leaving the European Union.
Commenting on the results of the survey, Tom Jenkins, CEO of the ETOA, added that 20 per cent of UK tourism firms may consider relocating their company if the system comes into effect.
“The greatest problem at the moment is uncertainty. Part of ETOA’s membership is optimistic about the situation, a greater proportion is very pessimistic, but the greatest proportion are extremely concerned,” Mr Jenkins added.
He continued: “Brexit may radically affect their ability to function as a business, but they are hoping, if not for the best, at least for something which is not catastrophically bad.”