· Closing the Tier 1 (Post-study work) route. · Introducing the new Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) route. · Introducing new provisions for switching from Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) or Tier 1 (Post-study work) into Tier 1 (Entrepreneur). · Renewing the 1000 place limit for Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) for each of the next 2 years. Tier 2 - skilled workers · Limiting the total amount of temporary leave that may be granted to a Tier 2 migrant to 6 years (which applies to those who entered after 6 April 2011). · Introducing a new minimum pay requirement of £35,000 or the appropriate rate for the job, for Tier 2 general and sportsperson migrants who wish to settle here from April 2016 (with exemptions for those in PhD level and shortage occupation categories). · Introducing a 'cooling-off period' across all the Tier 2 routes. Tier 2 migrants will need to wait for 12 months from the expiry of their previous visa before they may apply for a further Tier 2 visa. · Introducing new post-study arrangements for graduates switching into Tier 2. Tier 4 - students · Implementing the final set of changes to the student visa system that were announced in March 2011, including: · Extending the interim limit for sponsors that have applied for educational oversight and Highly Trusted Sponsor status and have not yet been assessed. · Introducing limits on the time that can be spent studying at degree level. · Tightening work placement restrictions. Tier 5 - temporary workers · Limiting the length of time temporary workers can stay in the UK, under certain Government Authorised Exchange schemes, to a maximum of 12 months. The schemes affected are intern, work experience and youth exchange type programmes. · Allowing sportspersons who enter under the Tier 5 creative and sporting sub-category to undertake some guest sports broadcasting work where they are not filling a permanent position. Changes in all tiers of the points-based system · Making curtailment mandatory where a migrant under Tiers 2, 4, or 5 of the points- based system has failed to start, or has ceased, their work or study with their sponsor. This includes cases where a sponsor notifies us, via the sponsor management system (SMS), that a migrant is no longer pursuing the purpose of their visa. The Rules will also set out the limited exceptions to mandatory curtailment. · Reducing the curtailment threshold (the level of leave you have left which means that we will not normally pursue curtailment) from 6 months to 60 days. · Increasing the funds applicants will need to provide evidence of, in order to meet the maintenance requirements for all routes in the points-based system. For Tier 4 and Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme the changes will come into effect on 6 April 2012. For Tier 1, Tier 2 and temporary workers under Tier 5 the changes will come into effect on 14 June 2012. Visitors · The new visitor route will allow a small group of professionals, artists, entertainers and sportspersons who are invited to come to the UK to undertake short-term permitted fee paid engagements for up to 1 month. Overseas domestic workers · Restricting all overseas domestic workers (ODW) to only work for the employer with whom they entered the UK, or whom they came to join.
CIPP Policy News Journal
09/10/2012, Page 26 of 234
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