From 2010, all jobs must be advertised to British workers in Jobcentre Plus for four weeks (extended from two weeks) before employers can seek to hire workers from outside Europe.
Non-EU employees will have to work for their employer for more than a year before moving to the UK to take a job (extended from six months). And the minimum salary for migrant workers to be eligible to work in the UK will increase from £17,000 to £20,000.
The home secretary, Alan Johnson, said: "These changes will ensure businesses can recruit the skilled foreign workers the economy needs but not at the expense of British workers, nor as a cheaper alternative to investing in the skills of the existing workforce."
Commenting on the decision Anne Fairweather, head of public policy at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), said: "The changes in the labour market in the last year have been dramatic and it is vital that recruiters and employers focus on moving the unemployed back into work. But some skills shortages remain and we are pleased to see that the Government has not cut off the immigration tap. If vacancies cannot be filled by those resident in Britain then immigration is necessary for businesses to move faster out of recession."
