The scientists join other groups to have voiced concerns about the cap The UK’s cap on immigration threatens the country’s future as a centre of scientific excellence, a group of Nobel prize-winning scientists has warned.
In a letter to the Times, the eight UK academics said the visa curbs would deprive science and industry of talent.
They said it was a “sad reflection” that scientists and engineers could not be afforded the same exception to the rules as Premier League footballers.
The government introduced a limit for work visas for non-EU citizens in June.
A key part of the Conservative election manifesto, the temporary cap of 24,100 will be replaced by permanent measures from April 2011.
In their letter, the academics wrote: “The government has seen fit to introduce an exception to the rules for Premier League footballers.
“It is a sad reflection of our priorities as a nation if we cannot afford the same recognition for elite scientists and engineers.”
“The UK must not isolate itself from the increasingly globalised world of research – British science depends on it”
Scientists’ letter to the Times
They added: “International collaborations underlie 40% of the UK’s scientific output, but would become far more difficult if we were to constrict our borders.
“The UK produces nearly 10% of the world’s scientific output with only 1% of its population; we punch above our weight because we can engage with excellence wherever it occurs.
“The UK must not isolate itself from the increasingly globalised world of research – British science depends on it.”
The CBI, the Royal Society and university vice-chancellors have already voiced concerns about the immigration cap.
Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable has said the measure is doing “huge damage” to British firms.
Downing Street said the limit would be implemented in a way that still allowed the brightest and best to come to Britain.
Two of the scientists behind the letter are Russian migrants, Professor Andre Geim and Professor Konstantin Novoselov, of the University of Manchester, who won the Nobel prize for physics on Tuesday.
They invented graphene, the world’s thinnest material which is 200 times stronger than steel.
The other signatories are Sir Paul Nurse, Sir Tim Hunt, Sir Martin Evans, Sir Harry Kroto, Sir John Walker and Sir John Sulston.
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