The immigration climate in the UK has changed. This year, a number of changes were implemented, announced and discussed, resulting in a selective approach of who is entering the country, and who remains in the country.
Emirates24|7 has summarized the main changes that have shaped the current immigration prospects for applicants, immigrants and aspirants
Immigration for skilled workers
Skilled workers can apply through the Tier 2 program under the condition they have a job offer from a licensed sponsor in the UK. They may either come to the UK to fill a vacancy that cannot be filled by a resident worker, or as an Intra Company Transfer (ICT), when the vacancy cannot be filled by a resident worker.
Job offers can only be filled by workers from abroad if the occupation is listed on the Shortage Occupation List. The 2013 review of this list resulted in the removal of eight of these occupations, which brought the total number of jobs available to migrants under the list from 500,000 to around 230,000.
At the same time, the UK government applies the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) rating system, by which sets the minimum skills level for the immigrant at level 6. Based on these requirements 71 professions from the list of 192 approved jobs under Tier 2 of the points-based system have been removed this year.
Furthermore, the UK government requires that the proposed salary for the position meets the minimum salary threshold. This threshold has been increased on April 6, 2013.
"The increases are purportedly designed to bring the thresholds in line with wage inflation," explained Newland Chase, a UK-based immigrant specialist firm calling the amendment unwelcome news for sponsors.
Applicants’ pay must meet not only the relevant minimum salary threshold, but also the appropriate rate as determined by the relevant Code of Practice, which has also been amended, Newland Chase further explains.
Although the immigrant may benefit from higher salary rates, sponsors might have to think twice considering whether the position offered meets the salary requirement. This might specifically prove critical when visa extension is considered for immigrant candidates already in place.
With the recent changes, it is becoming harder and harder to apply through the Tier2 program, thinks Damian Mohammed, International Strategy Analyst at Newland Chase.
Immigration for students
Adults who want to study in the UK can apply through the Tier 4 program. This program gives the immigrant the permission to stay for the duration of the study.
However, from April 6, 2013 some amendments are at force. "If you are a PhD student completing your course, you can apply to stay in the UK for a further 12 months, beyond the end of your course to find skilled work or to set up as an entrepreneur," explains the UK Border Agency (UKBA) on its website.
Most recently, UKBA announced that more legal courses would be exempted from the time limit on study for Tier 4 student visas from July 1st, 2013.
Immigration for entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs can apply through the Tier 2 program Entrepreur Route. This route requires entrepreneurs to invest GBP200,000 to establish a business in the UK.
However, the route has been prone to abuse, according to the UKBA. Accordingly, changes were made in January this year "in response to evidence that the route is being targeted by applicants seeking to abuse the immigration rules.
One of these changes was the introduction of a genuine entrepreneur test. The test gives UKBA caseworkers the ability to test the credibility of suspicious applicants.
Furthermore, the requirement of minimum funds to be presented has been amended, and now requires immigrants to hold or invest a minimum fund on an ongoing basis rather than solely at the time of application.
In April 6 changes were made again to this route, applying to the graduate entrepreneur option.
The changes were more positive and welcoming for applicants: "The Tier 1 graduate entrepreneur route has been expanded to include additional places for up to 1,000 international MBA graduates from UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
"These graduates will be eligible to remain in the UK for a year after graduating in order to develop their own business idea or work in a start-up, after which they have the option to stay on in the UK as a skilled worker or entrepreneur," informed Newland Chase.
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