Category Archives: Tier 2 (Work Permit) News

UK Eases Visa Rules – 1st October 2013

Last Friday, Mark Harper, the immigration minister, announced changes which generally ease visa rules from 1st October 2013. Some of the key changes are: Removal of the English language requirement for intra-company transferees. Tourists and business visitors are allowed to do some study where it is not the main purpose of their visit. Share ownership […]

Croatia a Member of the EU from 1st July 2013

The Republic of Croatia became a member of the EU on the 1st July. This means that Croation nationals can now move and live freely in any member state of the EU. Member states may restrict access to the labour market for a transitional period and the UK is taking up the option to do […]

Got non-EEA Dependents? Money & Not Love Will Conquer All

On 11 June 2012 the Government announced changes to the Immigration Rules for non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) nationals applying to enter or remain in the UK on the family migration route. The changes came into effect for new applicants from the 9th July 2012 and were a response to the pressure on the government to […]

Changes to Rules for Some Tier 2 Intra-Company Transferees (ICT)

Mark Harper, the Immigration Minister, has announced that executives known as Tier 2 Intra-Company Transferees (ICT), who are paid more than £152,100 pa, will be exempt from the rule that forces non-Europeans to spend a year outside the UK if they wish to switch between temporary and permanent visas. In practical terms this rule meant […]

New Permanent Residence Requirements for UK Tier 2 Visa Applicants

The UK Boarder Agency (UKBA) announced additional documentation requirements for Tier 2 visa applicants applying for indefinite leave to remain. Tier 2 applicants will now be required to furnish proof from their employers and sponsors that they are paid at a high salary under Tier 2 visa.

New Payment Method For Premium Appointments in Glasgow and Cardiff

From July 25th the UK Boarder Agency (UKBA) are changing payment arrangements for customers using their premium same-day at Glasgow and Cardiff public enquiry offices. No longer will there be cashiers to receive in those locations. If you are attending an appointment in Glasgow or Cardiff, there will be 3 ways that you can pay […]

361 “Restricted” CoS Applications Rejected in April

According to new figures provided by the UK Border Agency 361 applications for Restricted Certificates of Sponsorship were rejected in April 2011 due to the fact that they did not meet eligibility criteria based on skills and salary. In order for a Certificate of Sponsorship to be approved by the UK Border Agency the job […]

6,600 CoSs Unused Under Interim Cap

According to reports over the weekend a third of the interim limit went unused meaning that UK companies hired 6,600 fewer migrant workers than they could have. Under the Interim Limit Tier 2 licensed sponsors were given an allocation of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to use prior to the implementation of the permanent Immigration Cap. […]

8 Occupations To Be Removed From Shortage Occupation List

The Government has announced that it has accepted all of the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) recommendations following the publication of two reports looking at Graduate Level Jobs and the Shortage Occupation List for Tier 2 General. The recommendations include the removal of 8 skilled occupations from the Shortage Occupation List and the removal of 71 […]

CIPD & TUC Speak Out About IDS’s Remarks

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Trade Union Congress have both spoken out following Ian Duncan Smith’s recent comments at the Conservative Party Conference where he said that there was not a lack of jobs, but a failure to match people to jobs properly, and this failure had fuelled Immigration to […]