On 6 April 2013 UKBA will make some important changes to the immigration rules.
The changes will include;
- Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur): Additional places for talented MBA graduates from UK Higher Education Institutions, including the UK Trade and Investment’s elite global graduate entrepreneur scheme.
- Tier 1 (Exceptional talent): The application process will now be split so that applicants will no longer have to pay the fee up front. Applicants will not have to submit their passports to UKBA whilst their application for endorsement by a designated competent body is being considered.
- Tier 2: Flexibility improvements made for intra-company transferees and for employers carrying out the resident labour market test.
- Changes made to the codes of practice for skilled workers and the shortage occupation list.
- Tier 4: PhD students will now be allowed to stay in the UK for one year after completing their course to find skilled work or set up as an entrepreneur.
- Family and private life: minor changes made to reflect feedback from legal practitioners and UKBA caseworkers.
- Minor changes made to ensure there are the necessary requirements for granting discretionary leave to unaccompanied asylum seeking children, and amending the length of discretionary leave granted to simplify the process.
- Clarification of general visitor rules.
- Tier 5-Temporary workers provisions updated.
- Changes made to the rules on long residence and work-related settlement including a new protection route recognising stateless persons.
If you need make an application to UKBA and think these changes will affect you, we can manage the process for you. Please contact the office on 01793 836 010 to see how we can help.