The UK Border Agency announced that on July 19, 2010, it will introduce an interim limit on the number of sponsorship certificates employers can issue to migrant workers. An annual limit will be introduced in April 2011.

Priority will be given for extension applications and shortage occupations. While the interim limit is in effect, sponsors can request additional certificates via the sponsorship management system, but approval will only be granted in exceptional circumstances: sponsors must have used all their certificates and have a pressing need for more certificates.

Applicants in the UK under another immigration category seeking to switch into Tier 2 (General) will be included in the limit, but those under the intra-company transfers, sportsperson and minister of religion categories will not be.