11 March 2016
Government publishes its latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules
The government published its latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules today and contrary to expectations, none of the widely anticipated new measures have been introduced, following the recommendations of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in its Tier 2 Review report in January.
1 March 2016
Government announces immigration fees increases will be effective from 18 March 2016
On 26 February 2016, the government announced that its fees increases for visas, immigration and nationality applications and associated premium services will now come into force earlier than expected and will be effective from 18 March 2016. This is earlier than initially reported in our last alert which we sent you on 12 January 2016, as the government has brought forward the date from 6 April to 18 March.
27 January 2016
Changes to the Registered Travellers Scheme
We previously updated you on 30 April 2015 regarding the Registered Travellers Scheme which has since been opened up to a greater number of applicants. Whilst formerly it was only available to applicants from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the US, it has now additionally been opened up for nationals from Hong Kong (for those with a SAR passport), South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan (the passport must have the personal ID number on the photo page). The categories of applicant include all visa holders with the exception of Tier 5 (Sporting & Creative Concessions), EEA family permit holders and those with discretionary leave outside the immigration rules.
26 January 2016
Lords propose closure of the Tier 1 (Investor) visa
Baroness Hamwee and Lord Paddick (Liberal Democrat) have tabled an amendment to the 2015 Immigration Bill proposing the abolition of the Tier 1 (Investor) visa.
Their proposal would see the route closed both to new applicants and those switching their visas to the Tier 1 (Investor) route in the UK from 1 January 2017.
20 January 2016
Targeting the wrong people and shooting itself in the foot - the MAC proposes significant changes to the Tier 2 sponsored immigration route
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) was tasked with undertaking a wide-ranging review of the Tier 2 visa route, with the ultimate aim of advising the government on the various options available to restrict the number of non-EEA skilled workers coming to the UK.
Their recommendations, published yesterday, do not make for easy reading for UK and global businesses with a UK presence.