UK Immigration changes 6 April 2012 affects Tier 1, 2, 4 visas – Apply Now!

Several changes for UK visas will come into effect 6 April 2012. The changes will affect those applying for tier visas as Tier 2 visa skilled workers, Tier 4 students and other Tier visa temporary workers.
Increased Visa Fees

UK immigration fees will increase by only 2 percent in the majority of cases, but there will be much bigger fee increases for certain visa routes.

It will also be more expensive for organisations in the UK that wish to employ immigrants to become sponsors. Under the new changes, visa fees will increase from £310 to £500 for a sponsorship licence for a small employer sponsor, while the cost of a large employer sponsor licence will increase from £1,025 to £1,500. It is a requirement that immigrants coming to work in the UK under Tier 2 or Tier 5 visas are sponsored by an employer before they can apply for a UK visa.

A new optional Premium Sponsor Scheme will also take effect next month, and will cost £25,000 per year for large employer sponsors and £8,000 per year for small sponsors. The Premium Sponsor Scheme is available for A-rated sponsors who sponsor immigrants on Tier 2 and Tier 5 visas. It allows sponsors to apply and pay for an enhanced levels of customer service. This includes access to a named licence manager and priority access to appointments at UKBA public Enquiry offices. Another benefit is that that Tier 2 and Tier 5 visa applicants whose applications are supported by a Premium Sponsor may request the immediate return of their passports before their applications are decided without this having the effect of withdrawing their applications.

Fees paid by dependants for applications made within the UK will remain at their current level of 50 percent of a main applicant’s fee.


Other fee increases include:
Tier 1 General Extensions will increase from £1,000 to £1,500
Tier 2 visas will increase from £400 to £480
Tier 2 Intra Company Transfers for less than 12 months will increase from £350 to £400
Tier 4 visas will increase from £255 to £289 for students and their dependents
Tier 4 Student Visa holders

Those on Tier 4 student visas will in future have greater difficulty remaining in the UK following completion of their studies. The Tier 1 Post-study work visa route which allows Tier 4 student graduates to work for any employer for up to two years will close from 6 April 2012. UK immigration will still offer visas through Tier 2 of the points-based system for graduates. In many cases only graduates who have an offer of a skilled job from a sponsoring employer under Tier 2 of the points-based system will be able to stay and work in the UK.

A new Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur route will be introduced, with up to 1,000 places for students working on world-class innovative ideas who want to stay and develop their ideas but do not meet the requirements of the Tier 1 Entrepreneur route. Entrepreneurs under this new visa route will be able to stay in the UK and switch into the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa if they invest £50,000 in their business. However, it is unlikely many applicants will qualify for this visa route.

UK immigration will also increase the amount of money that Tier 4 visa students, working immigrants, and their dependents must show to support themselves financially during their time in the UK.

Overall these changes mean fewer students will qualify for admission into the UK to study because they may not be able to meet the higher maintenance requirements. Additionally, once students graduate, they will need to switch into visa categories such as the Tier 2 visa category or possibly the Tier 1 entrepreneur category otherwise they may not be able to stay in the UK. As previously mentioned, it is unlikely many students will qualify for the Tier 1 entrepreneur visa, therefore they will probably need to have an offer of a skilled job from a sponsoring employer and then stay in the UK under the Tier 2 visa.
Tier 2 Visas and Settlement

Skilled migrant workers coming to the UK under Tier 2 of the points-based system will no longer be able to settle in the UK simply based on the amount of time they have spent in the UK. There will continue to be a route to permanent residence for some Tier 2 migrants, if they meet a minimum salary threshold of £35,000.

It is important to note that immigrants doing shortage occupation jobs, and scientists and researchers in PhD-level roles, will be exempt from the £35,000 threshold requirement for permanent residence. Temporary permission to enter and remain in the UK will for many Tier 2 visa holders be capped at 6 years. A new visitor visa category will be created for professionals coming to the UK for short period of up to one month. Professionals under this new visit visa category would include: Visiting lecturers, visiting examiners or assessors, qualified lawyers providing advocacy, arbitration or alternative form of dispute resolution, or designated overseas air-pilot examiners. No formal sponsorship is required but the proposed work in the UK must be in keeping with the individual’s expertise and/or qualifications and main occupation overseas

More international MBA applicant's entering on UK Tier 4 student visas

The UK has seen an increase in the number of MBA applicants from outside the UK in 2011, according to figures released by The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), administrator of the GMAT test. Thanks to this increase the UK is now second in the World after the US as the country of choice for MBA applicants. If you are an International student you will need to apply for a Tier 4 student visa in order to live and study in the UK.

The GMAT is a computerized test in mathematics and the English language that measures the aptitude to succeed academically in graduate business studies. Business schools across the world use the test as a criterion for admission into graduate business administration programs, like MBA degrees.

According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council figures, 4.49 percent of all test-takers sent their test scores to UK schools in 2011, up from 3.39 percent in 2007. Despite the increase in numbers, there are still concerns that the current UK student visa and work visa policy may affect enrollments numbers.

After graduation Tier 4 international students have for some years been able to come under the Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa category. This visa category allowed graduates to remain in the UK for two years after graduation and work for any employer. This visa category will close from 1 April 2012. UK immigration will still offer visas through Tier 2 of the points-based system for graduates. In most cases only graduates who have an offer of a skilled job from a sponsoring employer under Tier 2 of the points-based system will be able to stay and work in the UK. This will make it more difficult for international student graduates to stay in the UK.

UK universities warn of negative effects of tighter Tier 4 Student Visa rules

UK Universities are warning that the tightening of student visa rules are likely to prevent much needed income coming into UK Universities from international students.

Eric Thomas of the group Universities UK believes that university-sponsored international students should be removed from migration figures. A survey commissioned by the university group claims that the public undervalues the financial worth of international students. The survey also added that the UK government was taking a risk by applying tougher rules on Tier 4 Students and at the same time abolishing the Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa; They face losing potential revenue from international students.

Thomas says overseas students are worth £5bn per year to the UK and that this "export industry" could be worth £16.9bn by 2025. But universities fear they could lose out on this money because of the tightening visa restrictions.

"The government could help grow this area of the economy by removing university-sponsored students from net migration figures. They should do this because the majority of students simply come here, study, and then leave," said Thomas.

The survey also suggested that one-third of the public believed that the rise in overseas students meant the loss of places for UK students. Thomas stated that the negative impression of international students showed the "misunderstanding about the positive contribution international students make".

"The government's approach to student visas must be proportionate and workable, and should not be imposed at the expense of our international reputation and our economic growth," he said.

UK Immigration Minister Damian Green and Home Secretary Theresa May announced the tightening of visa routes in order to combat abuse of the UK immigration system. The Government says that they wish to reduce net migration from its current level of 250,000 to the 'tens of thousands'. Many people have suggested that it is impractical to reduce immigration to the "tens of thousands"; It is not possible to restrict immigration of nationals from most of the EU Countries.

Green disagreed with the idea that visa regulations could damage legitimate recruiting of foreign students.

"There is no incompatibility between a strong university sector and tough border controls," said Green. "We are reforming the student visa system because it has been abused for too long, with providers selling immigration, not education."

Arts and science bodies can nominate 1,000 people for immigration to UK

Damian Green announced the move in response to fears that immigration curbs would undermine Britain’s artistic and scientific reputation.

Minister says four bodies – including Arts Council England and Royal Society – will be able to choose ‘exceptional talent’
The immigration minister, Damian Green, has named the four science, engineering and arts bodies that will be able to nominate 1,000 leading individuals in their fields to live and work in Britain under a new “exceptional talent” immigration route.
The category was created after strong protests from science and arts organizations that the cap on highly skilled and skilled migrants introduced this year was in danger of undermining Britain’s science and research base and international artistic reputation.

The announcement, however, will do little to stem the flow of complaints from overseas artists and musicians, ranging from grassroots fringe performers to international stars, who have had difficulties in getting short-term artists’ visas since the system changed in 2008.

Green said Arts Council England would be able to nominate 300 people a year for the “exceptional talent” route, the Royal Society would also have 300 places, and the Royal Academy of Engineering and the British Academy for humanities and social sciences would each have 200.

The four bodies will not only be able to nominate those who are already established leaders in their field but also “those with the potential to be recognised in their fields as leaders”.

Cancer Research UK originally warned that it would not be enough just to admit highly skilled scientists to maintain Britain’s place as a world leader in medical research. They said it needed to allow early career researchers to come as well.

“Our new exceptional talent route, available for up to 1,000 applicants, will ensure that we continue to attract the brightest into the UK and keep the UK a global leader,” said Green.

“This comes at a time of major reform of the immigration system to bring net migration back down to the tens of thousands, tackle abuses and make sure that the immigration system meets the needs of the country.”

Alan Davey, chief executive of Arts Council England, said he welcomed the launch of the special visa scheme.

“The international exchange of artists enriches their art, and I’m sure audiences will welcome the opportunity to experience the finest artistic talent from across the world,” he said.

--Alan Travis, Guardian

US authorities raids the University of Northern Virginia (UNVA) on suspicion of visa fraud

US authorities raids the University of Northern Virginia (UNVA) on suspicion of visa fraud
New Delhi30.07.2011
With the US immigration authorities raiding the University of Northern Virginia (UNVA) on suspicion of visa fraud, the external affairs ministry here said Friday that the investigation was against the varsity and not against its Indian students.

It also clarified that the UNVA was not being shut down immediately, but will be given a month's time for explaining its student visa related activities. UNVA has a large number of Indian students on its 2,400-strong rolls.

Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash, in response to a question from reporters, said there will be no mass termination of of the US government's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records relating to UNVA and that the authorities will assist students in transfering to other educational institutions in the country or to return home.

SEVIS is a web-based database managed by Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and used by the US Department of Homeland Security to collect, track and monitor information on exchange visitors, international students and scholars who enter the country on F, M and J non-immigrant visas.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided UNVA's Annandale administrative offices Thursday and seized several boxes of documents.

It also put up a notice on UNVA's office doors asking foreign students to leave the US if they are unable to "continue to attend classes and maintain their active status in a manner required by federal government regulations".

"We understand that the US immigration authorities (ICE) served a notice of intent yesterday on the University of Northern Virginia to withdraw its authorisation. However, the university would not be shut down immediately but would be given a one month notice for an explanation," Prakash said.

The Indian embassy in Washington has been kept in the loop by ICE "as a very large percentage of the 2,400 UNVA students are Indian nationals", he added.

India has meanwhile "impressed upon" the US authorities the need to ensure that the students "are not victimised" in any manner, since they all have valid documents."We have been told that the focus of investigations is not on the students but on UNVA itself. The ministry and our mission in Washington are closely following the developments and are in the process of obtaining all details in the matter," he added.