UK Border Agency has on Monday published the changes to the Immigration Rules
The UK Border Agency has on Monday published the changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 607), which will come into force on 30th June 2008, as part of the role out process of the Points-based system. These changes consolidate the existing Immigration Rules, and made the Tier 1 (General) available to applicants throughout the world, whereas previously it was only available to applicants in the UK and India.
Furthermore, these changes completed the introduction of the Tier 1 system, by introducing the remaining of the three categories: Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Post-Study Work). Applications under the Tier 1 system can be made either from outside the UK (known as an Entry Clearance), or within the UK (known as further leave to remain). Similar to that of Tier 1 (General), applicants have to score sufficient points to be eligible to apply. The areas applicants can score points on are: attributes; English ability; and maintenance (funds). It should be noted that Tier 1 (Investor) applicants do not need to demonstrate their English ability, nor the maintenance (funds) available to them.
As a result, the following immigration categories will be deleted and replaced by the completed Tier 1 system on 30th June 2008:
• Highly Skilled Migrant Programme;
• International Graduate Scheme;
• Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme;
• Businesspersons;
• Innovators;
• Investors;
• Writers, Composers or Artists.
If you would like to know more about this new system, or have any queries about it, please do note hesitate to contact UK Visa Services for further details.
www.ukvisaservices.co.uk