Policy News Journal - 2012-13

avoidance schemes from being awarded government contracts have been unveiled by Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude.

The TUC has published a statement confirming they welcome these changes.

Citizen News

Migrant Workers

CHANGES TO THE IMMIGRATION RULES

21 March 2012

A written ministerial statement has been laid in Parliament outlining a number of changes to the Immigration Rules, most of which are due to come into effect on 6 April 2012.

The changes include:

Migrants under the points-based system

Tier 1 - high-value migrants  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.

CIPP Policy News Journal

12/04/2013, Page 28 of 362

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