NEWS: UNITED KINGDOM Substantial Changes to Employment categories The Statement will implement significant changes to the Skilled Worker category, to be implemented from 4 April 2024. Skilled Worker route This Statement will implement significant changes to the Skilled Worker category, to be implemented from 4 April 2024. Some main changes are summarised below: the general salary threshold under Skilled Worker is being raised from £26,200 to £38,700 per year; individuals already in the UK in the Skilled Worker route who wish to extend their permission to stay will be subject to a lowe ..read more

NEWS: UNITED KINGDOM Home Office commitment to reduce migration figures dictates significant UK immigration changes for Spring 2024 The Home Office has announced significant new measures to reduce legal migration to the UK, following the latest round of statistics showing record net migration figures for 2023. These proposed changes are likely to be implemented during Q2 2024, although the exact timeframe is yet to be finalised. The Home Office has announced significant new measures to reduce legal migration to the UK, following the latest round of statistics showing record net migratio ..read more

NEWS: UNITED KINGDOM UK Immigration Update: Government to significantly increase UK immigration fees UK Immigration Update: Government to significantly increase UK immigration fees On Thursday 13 July 2023, the Government announced across-the-board increases in immigration and Immigration Health Surcharge fees for migrants. These fees are intended to fund a pay rise for public sector workers, ranging between 5% to 7% across sectors. Immigration Health Surcharge fees Immigration Health Surcharge  fees, mandatory costs paid by migrants at the point of application to access NHS servic ..read more

NEWS: UNITED KINGDOM Tier 1 migrants – upcoming deadlines Whilst the Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) routes are closed to new applicants, many migrants already holding immigration permission in these categories will need to take action before the relevant deadlines to maintain their immigration permission in the UK. Whilst the Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) routes are closed to new applicants, many migrants already holding immigration permission in these categories will need to take action before the relevant deadlines to maintain their immigration permission in ..read more

NEWS: UNITED KINGDOM India Young Professional Scheme visa ballot system to open on 28 February 2023 The recently announced India Young Professional Scheme visa will allow Indian nationals between the age of 18 and 30 to live and work in the United Kingdom for up to two years. The recently announced India Young Professional Scheme visa will allow Indian nationals between the age of 18 and 30 to live and work in the United Kingdom for up to two years. A ballot system for the first intake of applicants will open on Tuesday 28 February 2023 at 2.30pm India Standard Time and close on Thursda ..read more

NEWS: UNITED STATES Fiscal Year 2024 H-1B Cap Registration Period To Begin 1 March H-1B season has finally arrived for fiscal year 2024. H-1B visas enable foreign workers with bachelor’s degrees or equivalent experience to work in the U.S. H-1B season has finally arrived for fiscal year 2024. H-1B visas enable foreign workers with bachelor’s degrees or equivalent experience to work in the U.S. in specialty occupations. However, with an annual cap of the number of visas available, H-1B visas are limited, which is why it is important to start planning early. USCIS has announced that the i ..read more

NEWS: UNITED KINGDOM Looking ahead in 2023 The UK Government is determined to push ahead with its agenda for immigration, nationality and asylum in 2023. The UK Government is determined to push ahead with its agenda for immigration, nationality and asylum in 2023, as the next General Election is now less than two years away. Projections for immigration – and policy developments for the year may include: focus on digitalisation, including the roll-out of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme and fully digitalised immigration statuses; processing time improvements to Family vi ..read more

NEWS: UNITED KINGDOM Update on Sponsor Guidance for Skilled & Temporary Workers These changes affect reporting obligations and migrant deadlines relating to work start dates, extended absences from work without pay, salary reductions and the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC). These changes affect reporting obligations and migrant deadlines relating to work start dates, extended absences from work without pay, salary reductions and the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC). There are also clarifications regarding a migrant’s change of employment, reporting, the ISC exemption and salary. Star ..read more

NEWS: UNITED KINGDOM The new UK immigration system takes effect The new UK immigration system has now been implemented, representing the greatest change to UK immigration law since the introduction of Tier 2 of the points-based system in 2008. A significant statement of changes in the Immigration Rules was published in late-October 2020, introducing the new system with effect from 1 December 2020. The changes have been driven by two key motivating factors. Firstly, the need to adapt the UK’s immigration system to incorporate EU nationals coming to the UK after free movement ceases, with ..read more

NEWS: UNITED KINGDOM New UK Immigration System – Details Released In February 2020, the Home Office released a policy statement setting out the main features of the new UK immigration system – which will take effect early 2021. Skilled Worker and Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) The majority of the statement is dedicated to the new Skilled Worker route which will replace Tier 2 (General), the primary current route for skilled workers to obtain immigration permission in the UK. The statement confirms a number of changes which were announced in the previous policy statement – there will be no ..read more