Latest Immigration News

The UK Government have announced that Tier 1 of the new points based system will be implemented on 30^th June 2008 for those individuals looking to enter the UK under these arrangements. http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/aboutus/newsroom/?view=News&id=3778872

The new Tier 1 category will bring an end to the current HSMP visa as well as amalgamating some other categories.

Applicants must earn points for their age, qualifications, previous earnings, competence in the English language and their ability to maintain and support themselves and their dependants.

All those individual’s in the UK who plan on extending their stay under Tier 1 and who are not in a category able to switch in the UK will be required to apply under the new PBS from their country of legal residence.

Those individual’s currently in the UK as either a work permit holder, an IGS visa holder, a student or an existing HSMP visa holder will be entitled to switch into the new Tier without having to leave the UK.

The Process

The new application process will now be a one stage process. The application will be made through one of the visa partners in your country of legal residence. Most countries have an online facility whereby an application will be completed, printed, signed and posted off with the relevant supporting documents including biometric information. Detailed information on biometrics can be found under the visa section on your countries British High Commission website.

Maintenance

Applicants applying to enter the UK under Tier 1 (General) will be required to show they have a level of funds available in order to support themselves on arrival. The following amounts are what the UK government have deemed appropriate for a pass mark of 10 in the maintenance section.

£2,800 equivalent for main applicant
£1,600 equivalent for each dependant

Funds for the dependant must be available to either the dependant or the main applicant.

What does this mean in practice?

I have an HSMP application in process. What does that mean for me?

While the announcement above is all we have to go on at this stage it seems reasonable to expect the government to announce a set of transitional arrangements to cater for those people who are mid way through applications under rules which will be removed under the new system. If the same process is followed that was implemented earlier this year when Tier 1 was implemented for those in the UK, then you could expect to receive an approval letter under the HSMP criteria but then to make the second part of your application under the new Tier 1 rules. This would mean abiding by the new maintenance requirements as outlined above. It is unclear yet whether further transitional arrangements will be put in place around the maintenance section as were done in the UK when Tier 1 was implemented.

What happens if I am a client of Voyage Relocations but I have not lodged my application yet?

If you qualify now and are in a position to lodge your application before the end of this month then please contact us and arrange this ASAP.

If you are not going to have everything ready to lodge before the end of this month then you will be required to return to your country of legal residence to apply. Voyage’s service will not change dramatically in that you still require professionals to arrange your application in such a way that it makes sense to a caseworker and in order that you pass the attributes section of the application to be awarded the required points. We can assist you to the point whereby you leave the UK with an envelope ready to post to the visa office upon your return home. This will include everything other than your biometric data which you will be required to obtain when you return home.

What should I do?

Voyage Relocations are able to assist with the application process and have overseas offices to facilitate this process. If you wish to discuss these changes and how they may affect your business, clients or your own circumstances please contact the Voyage office on 020 7518 3980.

MAY 2008

Tier 1 (General) – Update

While the countdown to Tier 1 (General) being implemented globally continues we thought we’d remind applicants of the requirements they face should they find themselves applying under these new rules. The UK government has stated that Tier 1 (General) will be implemented outside the UK at some point in the summer of 2008 although not before June 30^th. Should individuals who have made an application for their HSMP Approval letter receive this after Tier 1 (General) has been implemented they will need to remember the maintenance requirement when applying for Entry Clearance. Individuals must show a balance of £2800 in their account for three months prior to an application being lodged. For each dependant the figure is £1600.

Tier 5 (Youth Mobility) – Update

The UK government published guidance recently outlining the new Tier 5 category which includes Temporary Workers and Youth Mobility. The youth mobility scheme allows young people to come and experience life in the United Kingdom for up to two years. Young United Kingdom nationals will also be able to benefit from similar opportunities in participating countries. If your country joins the scheme and you meet the criteria to participate in the scheme, you will be free to do whatever work you like during your stay in the United Kingdom except for business and professional sport, or work as a doctor in training. You must be between the ages of 18 - 30 inclusive and not plan to remain in the UK at the end of your visa. You will only be eligible for the scheme if your country has applied for a licence under these arrangements. Granting of a licence will be dependant on whether your country has a reciprocal arrangement in place affording UK nationals the same rights. A list of these countries will be published in the Autumn of 2008 prior to the scheme rolling out.

Tier 2 - Update

Tier 2 will be implemented in Autumn 2008 where any company looking to sponsor an individual will be required to issue them with a Certificate of Sponsorship in order for them to apply for Entry Clearance into the UK. A business can only issue a CoS once registered with the UK Border Agency and in possession of a licence to do so. Applications to gain a licence are being accepted now. Businesses looking to register and who require assistance and information around this should contact Voyage to discuss.