Its Officially Confirmed Now,New Post Study UK Work Permit visas will not be granted after April 2012.

UK graduates will be able to switch into Tier 2, yet not be considered towards the cap

28th March 2011: New Post Study Work visas will not be granted after April 2012. But, UK graduates will be in a position to switch into Tier 2, and will not be considered towards the cap, says Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants.

The JCWI says: “It has been confirmed there will be no new Post Study Work visas granted after April 2012, but that UK graduates will be able to switch into Tier 2, and will not be considered towards the cap”.

It says another Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, expected next week, will cover English language and accreditation requirements for allowing educational establishments to plan for the forthcoming changes.

The JCWI has also predicted that in all likelihood the UK Border Agency after  Easter will announce reviews of Tier 5; overseas domestic workers; the rights of Tier 2 migrants to settle; and family routes all in the context of cutting down numbers who may be able to settle.

In  autumn, a review of the next year’s limits on Tier 2.

The JCWI also announced it will be running a Points Based System training course on tier 4 on 13 April and the  more recent tier 1 and 2 developments in May 2011.

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Tier 1, 2 migrants to pass Life in the UK test, rather than ESOL course

17th March 2011: Migrants in Tier 1, Tier 2 and their precursor routes will need to pass the Life in the UK test, rather than an ESOL with citizenship course. Applicants will also need to be clear of unspent convictions while applying for settlement.

Giving details, the UK Border Agency has asserted: `Subject to Parliamentary approval, the rules for settlement in the UK will change on 6 April 2011.

`We will tighten the current settlement criteria by introducing these changes:
A new criminality threshold: Applicants will need to be clear of unspent convictions when they apply for settlement.
`A new income requirement: Tier 1 (General) migrants will need to meet the same income criteria that applied when they last extended their permission to stay in the UK.

`Migrants who have been in Tier 2 (General) or Tier 2 (Intra company transfer), or who have held work permits, will need to be paid the appropriate rate as stated in our codes of practice.

`Reform of the English language requirement: Migrants in Tier 1, Tier 2 and their precursor routes will need to pass the Life in the UK test rather than an ESOL with citizenship course. Transitional arrangements will apply.


`And, an accelerated route to settlement for Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrants who meet enhanced criteria.

From 6th April 2011, Only 1,000 visas per annum for exceptionally talented migrants

17th March 2011: The government is all set to dole out 1,000 visas per annum for exceptionally talented migrants in the fields of science, arts and humanities.

The permission to stay in the UK will initially be granted to them for three years and four months. But, they will be able to extend their stay for a further two years, and to settle here after five years' residence in the UK.

The government has already published a statement of intent outlining how the new Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) route will operate from April 2011.

This innovative new route for exceptionally talented migrants will be limited to 1,000 visas per year. It is for talented migrants already recognised or have the potential to be recognised as leaders in the fields of science, arts and humanities.

The UK Border Agency has elaborated: Migrants seeking entry under Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) will not need to be sponsored by an employer, but will need to be endorsed by an accredited competent body. These competent bodies will be announced in the near future. It will be for each competent body to select those who will qualify for endorsement.

`Under Tier 1 (Exceptional talent), migrants will initially be granted permission to stay in the UK for three years and four months. They will then be able to extend their stay for a further two years, and to settle here after five years' residence in the UK’.


Damian Green added: 'Our new exceptional talent route will ensure that we continue to allow the brightest and the best who can make a valued contribution into the UK.

'This comes at a time of major reform to the immigration system to bring net migration back down to the tens of thousands.'

The changes will come into effect on 6 April 2011. They were announced by Damian Green in a written ministerial statement.

The UKBA added: government has made clear its commitment to supporting a private-sector-led economic recovery. For growth to be strong and sustainable, the economy must be rebalanced to support private-sector jobs, exports and investment.

Micha-Rose Emmett, Associate of Henley & Partners Ltd, said: 'We applaud the Home Office on the introduction of these new rules for the investor and entrepreneur categories. This is evidence that the UK is becoming again a key player in investor immigration worldwide.

'With these changes, high net worth individuals will be more likely to chose the UK as their preferred country to reside as the physical presence requirements have been sensibly relaxed. The investment opportunity becomes more interesting for investors, and this is a very encouraging prospect for the future of the country.

'International wealthy individuals and families need effective, interesting solutions that can be implemented swiftly, and this new policy give these people those possibilities, which in turn will attract significant capital to the UK.'

Revised policy guidance for each category in Tier 1 has been published, and will come into effect on 6 April when the Immigration Rules change.

Planning to study, visit, work or stay in UK? be ready to pay more

Government proposes fee increases to immigration, nationality pleas from 6 April 2011.

1st March 2011: Planning to study, visit, work or stay in the UK? You may soon find yourself paying more immigration and nationality application fees.

For the UK Border Agency has stated that the Government has proposed fee increases to immigration and nationality applications from 6 April 2011.

The UKBA said: “Immigration Minister Damian Green has issued a written ministerial statement that proposes to increase immigration and nationality application fees for all those applying to study, visit, work or stay in the UK.

“The new proposed fees will be laid in Parliament in two separate regulations. These fees will not come into force until they have been debated and approved in Parliament, but are due to take effect from 6 April 2011”.

The UKBA added: “Under the current spending review, the Home Office is implementing a real terms reduction in budgets of up to a 20 per cent.

“The UK Border Agency is already seeking to offset this income gap with efficiency savings of approximately £500 million by reducing support costs, increasing efficiencies, boosting productivity and improving value for money from commercial suppliers. 


“But these measures will not go far enough, and to address the funding shortfall the UK Border Agency will need to increase fees for financial year 2011/12.

“The UK Border Agency believes the proposals to increase fees continue to strike the right balance between maintaining secure and effective border controls and ensuring that the fees structure does not inhibit the UK's ability to attract those migrants and visitors that make a valued contribution.

“This will help to support the immigration system, maintain public confidence and ensure that migration is managed for the benefit of the UK”.

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