Briefings & Newsletters

The UK Border Agency issues two concessions on Tier 1 applications

Date: 14th August 2008
Categories: Immigration

The UK Border Agency this week announced two changes to its policy on Tier 1 applications, which will make it easier for some highly skilled non-EEA individuals wanting to work in the UK to qualify under Tier 1. Tier 1 allows those who score enough points to come to the UK to work or seek work without having a work permit or a specific job offer.

It was announced that those who applied before 30 June 2008 for MBAs that qualified under the old HSMP scheme for special recognition, will be able to claim the full 75 points for their MBA in a future Tier 1 application. This will apply to individuals making Tier 1 (General) applications within 12 months of finishing their qualifying MBA. Applicants enrolling on an MBA course after 30 June 2008 will not be eligible to claim points under these provisions, but may be able to claim points for their MBA under the ‘attributes' required for a Tier 1 (General) application in the normal way.

The UK Border Agency also confirmed this week that the documents needed from Tier 1 applicants applying abroad to evidence that they have sufficient funds to meet the Tier 1 maintenance requirements can be dated up to a month before the application is submitted. Guidance had been issued indicating that bank statements had to be dated no more than seven days before applications were submitted, but the UK Border Agency has yielded to common sense in this respect.

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