Recent changes to the UK's managed migration programme
The first series of a raft of significant changes to the UK's immigration system are ready to take effect, with tier 1 of the new 5 tier points based system set to be launched in March 2008. The UK Government's proposed points based system will have widespread impact on all overseas nationals seeking to enter, or remain in the UK.
The proposed changes to the current managed migration programme were first announced in February 2005, and since this announcement a number of changes have already been implemented:
- 12 month work restrictions have been reintroduced for commonwealth citizens coming to the UK on the working holidaymaker scheme.
- The amount of time required to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain
in the UK has been increased by 12 months. - The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme has undergone a major change its the assessment criteria, along with an increase to the points criteria which is now set at a minimum of 75 points. This most recent change has had a major impact on current HSMP visa holders and those looking to apply to enter the UK under the HSMP scheme.
- An increased focus has been placed on the role of employers to help control the number of foreign workers employed illegally in the UK, coupled with harsh civil penalties for those employers found to be illegally employing foreign workers.
- In March 2008 the current Highly Skilled Migrant Programme will be superseded by the tier 1 of the new Points Based System - developed to cater to highly skilled individuals who do not require a job offer in order to immigrate to the UK.
- Tier 2 of the Points Based System, the tier designed to replace the current UK work permit scheme, will be launched in the Q3 of 2008.
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