Earlier this year, the government announced that changes would be made to the Immigration Rules, following a review undertaken by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).
On 3rd November 2016, the government confirmed these changes, the majority of which will take effect on or after 24th November 2016.
The main changes to Tier 2 are:
- An increase to the Tier 2 (General) salary threshold for skilled workers to £25,000. Some health and education professionals will be exempt from the higher threshold until July 2019.
- An increase to the Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) salary threshold for short term staff to £30,000.
- Reducing the Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) graduate trainee salary threshold to £23,000 and increasing the number of places to 20 per company per year.
- Closing the Tier 2 skills transfer sub-category.
Students switching from a Tier 4 to a Tier 2 visa will not be subject to an annual limit and their sponsor will not have to carry out a Resident Labour Market Test.
Nurses will stay on the Shortage Occupation List but sponsors will need to carry out a Resident Labour Market Test before recruiting a non-EEA nurse.
The date from which intra company transfers will be liable for the health surcharge is yet to be announced.
English Language Requirement
A new English language requirement is being introduced for non-EEA partners and parents at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This will affect those applying to extend their stay after 2 and a half years in the UK on a 5-year route to settlement.
The new requirement will apply to partners and parents whose current leave under the family Immigration Rules is due to expire on or after 1st May 2017.
If you need help with an application or have any other immigration matter you need assistance with, please give us a call on 01793 836010.
