UK Immigration Rules Revised – Again!

Posted on May 10, 2012 by VISANOW

by Dominic Hewitt, Global Immigration Manager

Changes to the UK immigration rules have become an annual event. The government has made no secret of its pledge to reduce net immigration figures down to the ‘tens of thousands’ over the next few years. Many new policies have already been implemented with new rules for obtaining UK visas introduced in April 2012 involving:

•       Tier 2 visa holders (skilled workers) eligibility for permanent residence in the UK and when they can return after completing a previous stay on a Tier 2 visa.

•       The skill level required by those who wish to work under Tier 2.

•       Changes to graduate recruitment and closure of the Tier 1 post study work category which allowed recent graduates of UK colleges to work for two years.

•       Reforms at the UK Border Agency with the introduction of  premium customer service for A-rated sponsors.

For details of the UK immigration changes please visit: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/april/22-immigration-rules-changes

The changes will impact students as well as those applying for permanent residency in the UK. Critics of the new legislation say that the changes are too much on top of the ones already made in the last two years. However, in keeping with the government’s plans to attract the highly skilled, a direct route to settlement for investors, entrepreneurs and exceptionally talented migrants remains under Tier 1.

A welcome change is the creation of a new visitor route for permitted paid engagements to allow academics, lawyers, artists, entertainers and sportspersons to come to the UK for a paid engagement for up to one month without formal sponsorship. These rules will enable non-EU artists to take paid engagements in the UK without having to apply under the points based system and without the UK host organization requiring a sponsor license.

If you have any questions about these changes or UK immigration in general please contact VISANOW at 855-VISANOW (855-847-2669).

 

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