1st June, 2008

The long anticipated launch of the points based system arrived on 29 February 2008 starting with introduction of Tier 1 replacing the HSMP scheme. The changes are being introduced in a phased manner, but what does this actually mean for the individual applying?

The Facts:

* The Tier 1 launched on 29 Feb 08 for all in-country applications.
* Out of country applications will launch in India in April 08.
* Rest of the world out of country applications will launch after India currently planned for June 08.

How does it influence you? If you are a work permit holder in the UK and want to change to Tier 1 then you are able to do so in-country and do not need to leave the UK for entry clearance. The time on both Tier 1 and work permits can still be added together to make up the period to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

If you have a Two Year Working Holiday Maker visa and are currently in the UK you cannot apply for the Tier 1 in-country, you need to apply out-of-country for an HSMP. Once the Tier 1 launches for the rest of the world the current HSMP scheme will cease to exist.

If you are currently in the UK as an HSMP holder and need to extend your HSMP stay, you now have to apply for an extension under Tier 1. The period granted for Tier 1 is an initial 3 years, followed with a 2-year extension. This is different to the HSMP that was initially granted for 2 years and then a 3-year extension application.

There are two new categories in Tier 1 that also score points, the Maintenance and the English Language requirements. Under maintenance you will need to show that you have a certain amount of money available in your account for the last 3 months.

Dependents need to be a visa dependent on the Tier 1 for a period of 2 years in order to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain with the main applicant.


immigration | UK | Visa
posted on Sunday, June 01, 2008 5:12:12 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00) # Comments [0]

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Radical changes to the UK visa and permit system

The UK visa and permit system has changed radically. But what exactly do these changes mean to you? We are here to make life Smoother and to help you understand the changes.

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the new points based system. Our advice is as follows:

The new Points Based System, being introduced over the next two years, represents the biggest change in UK immigration for the last four decades. Its aim is to make decisions much fairer and more transparent, and applications will be divided into one of five tiers.

* Tier 1, including the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, goes live in March this year, and between June and August more than 30,000 UK employers will register under the scheme. See below for more info on Tier one.
* Tier 2 includes work permit applications. There are no current plans to develop tier 3 (intended to replace the current Agricultural Seasonal Worker Scheme and Sector Based Permits). Because of this, some rather hysterical headlines have announced that there will be no more work permits for non-EU nationals, which is of course complete nonsense.
* Tier 4 will replace the current student visa system, and will place more responsibility on colleges and universities, who will act as sponsors for such applications.
* Tier 5 will include the Youth Mobility Visa, a replacement for the current Two Year Working Holiday Visa. There are no clear guidelines or timescales for this tier yet, although its scope appears set to be global and possibly industry-specific. All except Tier 1 will be sponsored, and will probably include a language requirement.