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21 Mar, 2014

UK’s new immigration policy signals welcome for Mandarin-speaking teachers

Beijing, (People’s Daily Online) March 20, 2014 – UK’s immigration policy creates a new visa category for overseas language teachers aiming to share knowledge and awareness of foreign culture in the UK. The first of these schemes will support a Mandarin teaching scheme designed to foster good cultural relations between the UK and China.

A number of changes to the UK’s immigration rule took effect on March 13, with the most notable for skilled foreign workers. The major changes include a new category for government sponsored language teachers, opening up the “Exceptional Talent visa route”, and longer periods of leave for skilled workers to increase flexibility.

These changes will help UK’s businesses to recruit top international talent in order to support its digital technology sector and also improve links with China.

James Brokenshire, British Immigration and Security Minister said: “These changes today will ensure that the UK remains competitive in attracting global talent to work for British businesses, so that we can succeed in the global race.”

Moreover, digital technology industry is considered as the engine of UK’s growth, therefore the “Exceptional Talent visa route” aims at processing visa applications to world-leading innovators and professionals in this field.