So many visa applications have been submitted by highly skilled workers from outside the EU this month that November’s quota of 600 applications was reached three weeks before the end of the month, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has revealed.

In July, the government introduced a monthly limit on the number of initial applications under the highly skilled workers’ category of its points-based immigration system. The cap has been criticised by the legal profession, with some firms claiming it prevents them from employing the foreign lawyers they need to serve clients.

The UKBA, which administers the limit on a monthly basis, said on 10 November that it would not issue any more visas this month to avoid exceeding the 600 limit, prompting fears that a backlog of applications could stall the process. It will begin issuing visas again on 1 December.

Leading immigration solicitor Laura Devine said she hoped the Migration Advisory Committee would advise government to drop the ‘irrational’ cap in a report expected today.