Furthermore, in June 2012, further legislation will be introduced to tighten definitions of family and sponsor in family visit visa appeals. This is expected to come into effect in July 2012.

As a result, those who have applied to visit a family member in the UK as a cousin, uncle, aunt, niece or nephew will only have limited grounds of appeal. Moreover, they will only be eligible to appeal if the family member they are visiting is either settled, a refugee or has humanitarian protection status.

The removal of a full right of appeal for prospective family visitors highlights the importance of making your initial application as strong as possible. If you are looking for someone to manage your case please contact our offices on 01793 836010.

Migrants under the points based system will be affected by the following changes:

Tier 1 – High-value Migrants

• Tier 1 (Post-study work) route is now closed
• Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) has been introduced as an alternative route for those under the Tier 4 category

Tier 2 – Skilled workers

• The total amount of temporary granted leave will be limited to 6 years (for those who applied after 6th April 2011)
• In April 2016, a new minimum pay requirement of £35,000 will be introduced for Tier2 general and sportsperson migrants who wish to settle in the UK.
• New post-study work arrangements for graduates switching into Tier 2.

Tier 4 – students

• Limits introduced on the time that can be spent studying at degree level
• New provisions introduced for graduates who wish to work in the UK after their studies.

In addition, as of 6th April, new fees have been introduced for Tier 4 and Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme). In June 2012, further fees will be increased for Tier 1, Tier 2 and Temporary workers under Tier 5.

These changes to the Immigration rules highlight the importance of seeking professional advice at an early stage of the application process. If you are looking for someone to manage your case please do not hesitate to call us on 01793 836010.

• The government has decided that the Tier 2 (General) annual limit will remain at 20,700 for the next two years – until April 2014.
• As of 14th June 2012, the skill level required for prospective Tier 2 migrants will be set to increase from NQF Level 4 to NQF Level 6.
• In addition, companies will no longer be required to advertise highly paid and PhD jobs on JobCentre Plus where they are unlikely to get suitable applicants for the job.

• Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur);
• Tier 1 (General);
• Tier 1 (Investor;
• Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) ;
• Tier 1 (Post study work) – form removed because this category has closed to new applicants;
• Tier 2;
• Tier 4 (General);
• Tier 4 (Child);
• Tier 5 (Temporary worker);
• PBS Dependant;
• FLR(O) (to extend your stay);
• FLR(BUS) (to extend your stay in specific categories); and
• TOC (to transfer a visa to a new passport).

The new application forms will need to be used by those who apply under any of the above routes on or after 6^th April 2012.

If you require guidance or seek assistance with the application process please call us on 01793 836010.

Applications submitted on or before the 5th April 2012 will be considered under the policy guidance in place before 6th April 2012.

After 5th April 2012 students currently in the UK under the Tier 4 (General) route will have to switch into other immigration routes provided they are eligible and meet the relevant requirements.

If you require further information or need assistance in applying for Leave to Remain via an alternative route, please do not hesitate to contact our offices on 01793 836010.

This will mean that migrants under Tier 2 of the points based system will no longer be automatically given the right to settlement as a result of five years residence in the UK; they will also be required to meet the proposed minimum threshold.

Furthermore, temporary permission to enter and remain in the UK will be capped at 6 years. Therefore, those who do not earn a minimum of £35,000 after 6 years of working in the UK will be ordered to leave.

There will be some categories of migrants who will be exempt from this minimum threshold.

Those who are exempt are:

• PhD-level scientists and researchers to qualify for settlement

• Workers in shortage occupation jobs (currently including specialist nurses, teachers and social workers)

In most cases, this rise in fees will be limited to 2 per cent but under certain visa application routes higher increases will apply.

This increase in fees makes it important to ensure that the application process is managed effectively. For professional immigration advice please contact us on 01793 836010.

From 29 February 2012, all applicants in the UK will be required to obtain a Biometric Residence Permit if they are applying to stay here for longer than 6 months.

These Biometric cards contain a small chip which will contain the holder’s unique biometric details (fingerprints, digital facial image). The card will also display a photo and biographical information on the face of the document and details of entitlements, such as any right to work and/or access public funds.
In order to obtain a BRP, applicants will need to enrol their biometric information either at a Public Enquiry Office or a UK Border Agency listed Post-Office.

Tier 4 migrants will be able to switch into Tier 2 once they have been awarded their degree qualification on the basis that they have an offer of a minimum of £20,000 from a reputable employer accredited by the UK Border Agency.

In addition, the following implementations will be made to the Student visa system:

• A new Graduate Entrepreneur Route will open for student working on world-class innovative ideas but who do not meet the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route.

• Young entrepreneurs or small company directors will be able to stay in the UK after their studies if they have £50,000 to invest in their business.

• As of 6 April 2012, the amount of maintenance funds students will have to prove will increase.

We recognise that these changes are likely to have a considerable impact on those applying under the student visa route. Therefore, if you would like to discuss these changes or if you require any guidance on this matter please do not hesitate to call us on 01793 836010.

This means that successful applicants will receive a separate biometric ID card (residence permit) which contains details of their immigration status. This will need to be presented together with the passport as evidence of right to stay in the UK.

It will still be possible for legal representatives to provide a premium service for urgent applications. However this will be on a first come, first served basis and subject to availability.

If you are planning on making an application to extend your UK visa or leave to remain and are considering a premium application, call our offices on 01793 836010 to discuss how we can help.