22nd March, 2010

The government has accepted recommendations from Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) for significant changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points based system.  The new rules will come in to effect from the 6th April 2010 and include:

Changes to Tier 1:

• Visas being granted initially for 2 years as appose to 3
• High earners on £150000 or more not requiring qualifications to apply  
• The earnings bar being raised substantially to attract the right kind of migrant
• Age for applying increased to 31 to 39.
• Transitional arrangements for those on the existing Tier 1 General (granted before 6 April 2010) and its predecessors
• Professional Skilled Workers for instance Doctors will be able to apply within 12 months of completing their foundation programme for a Tier 1 visa

Changes to Tier 2:

• Tier 2 Intra company transfers to score 5 less points than non shortage occupations
• Upper salary band to qualify for Tier 2 has increased substantially
• Established workers will need to be with their overseas employer for 12 months rather than the current 6 months
• A new category for graduate's who come to the UK as part of a structured training programme or to transfer skills

The changes were revealed on the 18th March 2010 by the UK Borders and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas, who commented:

'We've always said that we would run our immigration system for the benefit of the UK, and that is what we are doing.

'The changes that we are making today will build on an already robust system which is now the envy of the world. A strength of the points-based system is the flexibility to predict and respond to events.

'By utilising the flexibility of the points-based system, we are now ensuring that only those that we need to come to the UK to work can do so.

'I will continue to ensure that immigration does not act as a disincentive for employers to employ and improve the skills of the British workforce.'

The changes were incorporated in the latest Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, which was laid before Parliament on the 18th of March 2010.

The additional changes to Immigration include Monaco being added to Tier 5 of the Youth Mobility Scheme.

For more information or assistance with Points Based System visas please contact the Smooth team on 0207 232 5875 or email info@smoothmigration.com