From 23 December 2010 the UKBA has stopped accepting Tier 1 (General) applications from outside the UK.
TIER 1 applications submitted up until the end of 22 December 2010 are being processed as normal (or meant to be) taking into account the monthly limit which the UKBA has already announced will only open in January 2011.
Showing posts with label Tier 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tier 1. Show all posts
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Further discussion on Cap on UK Immigration
I found this illustration on the guardian website in an article on the cap on Non EU Workers being introduced soon to the UK immigration system. This proposed cap once again has come under heavy criticism by businesses in the UK who claim it will have a negative affect on economic growth. The British Chamber of commerce have said that this cap will stop UK companies from hiring the specialist and highly skilled workers they need and have become reliant on.
Dr Adam Marshall, director of policy at the BCC, said: "Firms really need to be able to employ the right people to drive the recovery and we can't be held back by arbitrary limits."
Marshall will appear in front of the home affairs select committee on Tuesday this coming week. Senior Researcher Sarah Mulley of the Institute for Public Policy Research was reported t have said that the highly skilled people were not the demographic that the public should be concerned about and she also maintains that this sector of highly skilled individuals pay a large amount of Tax in the United Kingdom and by reducing the number of skilled immigrants could adversely affect the UK public finances.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
New Visa Fees Being Introduced in April 2010:
Points Based Visas
Tier 1 (General/Investor/Entrpreneuer) - 690
Tier 1 (Post Study) - 315
Tier 2 (270) - 270
Tier 4 - 199
Tier 5 - 128
Non Points Based Visas
Short Term Visitors Visa (up to 2 yrs) - 68
Long Term Visitors Visa (up to 5 yrs) - 420
Long Term Visitors Visa ( up t0 10 yrs) - 610
Settlement Visa - 644
Settlement Visa - Dependent Relative - 1680
Transit Visa - 47
Certificate of Entitlement - 220
Vignette Transfer Fee - 75
Tier 1 (General/Investor/Entrpreneuer) - 690
Tier 1 (Post Study) - 315
Tier 2 (270) - 270
Tier 4 - 199
Tier 5 - 128
Non Points Based Visas
Short Term Visitors Visa (up to 2 yrs) - 68
Long Term Visitors Visa (up to 5 yrs) - 420
Long Term Visitors Visa ( up t0 10 yrs) - 610
Settlement Visa - 644
Settlement Visa - Dependent Relative - 1680
Transit Visa - 47
Certificate of Entitlement - 220
Vignette Transfer Fee - 75
Sunday, 27 December 2009
UK Marriage Visa update
We have been involved in UK immigration matters for the past 6 years roughly, over the years we have witnessed the many changes and additions to the UK Visa laws.
I personally have submitted most application types that have been available over the past few years:
Old HSMP
Work Permits
Sole Representative Visas
Marriage Visas
Dependent Visas
Student Visas
Recently I have witnessed a real tightening of the way the UKBA and entry clearance officers are looking at Visas and the supporting evidence required with each application.
Even though there are guidance notes for each application there are still various details/questions that the public often have a hard time confirming. Family based applications were excluded from the Points Based System but it is my opinion that these applications too have become far more of a challenge than previously.
Recently a UK Marriage Visa was submitted through the Visa processing office in Turkey, Istanbul and normally with the documentation that was provided an approval should been reached within 4-6 weeks BUT the approach the caseworker used when deciding on the case made it impossible for an approval and the application was sent back refused.
This was the first time I had ever seen a marriage visa application refusal and you can imagine the disappointment for the applicant and British Spouse.
One thing noticed that even though there should be Generic supporting evidence for each application the truth is that each application has to have a thorough and clear explanation that confirms each piece of evidence and what it is confirming or trying to demonstrate.
Do not expect the entry clearance officer to understand or make sense of just a whole bunch of papers...it is vital to either use a professional visa/immigration agent or to have a step by step explanation to avoid any issues or delays.
I personally have submitted most application types that have been available over the past few years:
Old HSMP
Work Permits
Sole Representative Visas
Marriage Visas
Dependent Visas
Student Visas
Recently I have witnessed a real tightening of the way the UKBA and entry clearance officers are looking at Visas and the supporting evidence required with each application.
Even though there are guidance notes for each application there are still various details/questions that the public often have a hard time confirming. Family based applications were excluded from the Points Based System but it is my opinion that these applications too have become far more of a challenge than previously.
Recently a UK Marriage Visa was submitted through the Visa processing office in Turkey, Istanbul and normally with the documentation that was provided an approval should been reached within 4-6 weeks BUT the approach the caseworker used when deciding on the case made it impossible for an approval and the application was sent back refused.
This was the first time I had ever seen a marriage visa application refusal and you can imagine the disappointment for the applicant and British Spouse.
One thing noticed that even though there should be Generic supporting evidence for each application the truth is that each application has to have a thorough and clear explanation that confirms each piece of evidence and what it is confirming or trying to demonstrate.
Do not expect the entry clearance officer to understand or make sense of just a whole bunch of papers...it is vital to either use a professional visa/immigration agent or to have a step by step explanation to avoid any issues or delays.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
UK Govt responds to Intra Company Transfer policy failure claims
08 December 2009 The UK govt has announced that from the beginning of next year workers in this category will have to posses 12 months experience instead of the current 6 months and the intra company transfer will be closed to permanent residency/settlement in the United Kingdom.
With the intra company transfer employers can fill positions in the UK by applying for existing foreign employers to join the UK based operations. There have been some claims that this facilitates jobs in the IT and various other industries to be taken up by workers and getting paid less than resident workers.
With the intra company transfer employers can fill positions in the UK by applying for existing foreign employers to join the UK based operations. There have been some claims that this facilitates jobs in the IT and various other industries to be taken up by workers and getting paid less than resident workers.
Monday, 7 December 2009
UKBA responds to media on education providers
The UKBA replies to media reports that some educational providers may be stopped from enrolling foreign students.
This came after the MAC report on Tier 1 of the points based system. Tier 1 (post study work), allows migrants to to extend their stay and work inside the UK if they have completed a course of study in the country. The MAC report suggested that the UK Govt should re-assess whether some students enrolled in certain UK education providers' courses should still be allowed to remain in the UK on the post study work category, but the report did not suggest that these education providers or the students enrolled in these institutions were not legitamate.
Tier 4 of the UKBA points system puts responsibility on the Education Providers and ensures greater control of these educational institutions and the students enrolling in courses. The UKBA did confirm that any education provider on the list will still be able to register foreign students.
The UKBA will consider the MAC report on Tier 1 and should announce whether they will accept the changes in early 2010.
This came after the MAC report on Tier 1 of the points based system. Tier 1 (post study work), allows migrants to to extend their stay and work inside the UK if they have completed a course of study in the country. The MAC report suggested that the UK Govt should re-assess whether some students enrolled in certain UK education providers' courses should still be allowed to remain in the UK on the post study work category, but the report did not suggest that these education providers or the students enrolled in these institutions were not legitamate.
Tier 4 of the UKBA points system puts responsibility on the Education Providers and ensures greater control of these educational institutions and the students enrolling in courses. The UKBA did confirm that any education provider on the list will still be able to register foreign students.
The UKBA will consider the MAC report on Tier 1 and should announce whether they will accept the changes in early 2010.
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Points System Pilot Process Evaluation
This report presents results from extensive research into Highly Skilled Migrants who applied to work in the United Kingdom under Tier 1 of the Points Based System.
-There was a high level of satisfaction with the points based application process with about 82% claiming they were very or basically satisfied. Majority of applicants seem to find the information on the Tier 1 and process easy to follow and transparent and applicants that had previously applied to the UK under the previous routes would most likely see the Points Based System as a better option.
The report found that the guidance notes on the application process generally were found to be useful however there was dissatisfaction with the length of time it took to receive assistance and the usefulness of this assistance provided. Although most applicants found supporting evidence easy to submit, except some people found the previous earnings proofs difficult to produce and comments suggest that greater flexibility would be welcomed in this regard.
There was some demand to track the application via an online tool. A large percentage of in country applications would prefer to submit their applications online, which is not currently offered at all.
-There was a high level of satisfaction with the points based application process with about 82% claiming they were very or basically satisfied. Majority of applicants seem to find the information on the Tier 1 and process easy to follow and transparent and applicants that had previously applied to the UK under the previous routes would most likely see the Points Based System as a better option.
The report found that the guidance notes on the application process generally were found to be useful however there was dissatisfaction with the length of time it took to receive assistance and the usefulness of this assistance provided. Although most applicants found supporting evidence easy to submit, except some people found the previous earnings proofs difficult to produce and comments suggest that greater flexibility would be welcomed in this regard.
There was some demand to track the application via an online tool. A large percentage of in country applications would prefer to submit their applications online, which is not currently offered at all.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Tier 2 Changes give British Workers Better Chance to apply for Jobs
24 November 2009- The UK resident labour test of the Tier 2 (Sponsored Skilled Work) will be extended to four weeks for all jobs. The reason is to support British Workers searching for jobs during the current economic circumstances. This is another clear example of how the UKBA and UK in general is trying to minimize immigration numbers to the UK.
These changes will apply to all jobs that commence on or after 14 December 2009, any advertising already undertaken will not need to re advertise.
The four weeks will not need to run continuously, employers will be able to advertise skilled jobs for shorter durations initially, this will allow resident workers a chance to first apply and where there are no resident workers the labor test should be tested for a further 2 weeks. This makes the entire process up to four weeks before a UK employer can employ a migrant worker.
These changes will apply to all jobs that commence on or after 14 December 2009, any advertising already undertaken will not need to re advertise.
The four weeks will not need to run continuously, employers will be able to advertise skilled jobs for shorter durations initially, this will allow resident workers a chance to first apply and where there are no resident workers the labor test should be tested for a further 2 weeks. This makes the entire process up to four weeks before a UK employer can employ a migrant worker.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Changes for Sponsors under the PBS
As spoken about in the past, it has now become official, the changes for becoming a sponsor have been divided into two categories:Tier 2 + 5 sponsors, and Tier 4 sponsors.
For a full list of all changes you can check out there site over here.
On the other hand the British Government realizes the possible constraints the new maintenance rules could have on students currently in the UK and as such has granted them an extension until February 2010. All students wishing to renew their visa from within the UK will only need to show maintenance the day of their application, however they must still supply all relevant documentation.
For a full list of all changes you can check out there site over here.
On the other hand the British Government realizes the possible constraints the new maintenance rules could have on students currently in the UK and as such has granted them an extension until February 2010. All students wishing to renew their visa from within the UK will only need to show maintenance the day of their application, however they must still supply all relevant documentation.
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