News Updates
While we will do our best to ensure that brief warning of new policies or rules are notified in this news page at the earliest opportunity, it must be accepted that website updates are not always immediate, and enquirers should contact Cooper Tuff Consultants Ltd through the Contact Us page for specific advice in their circumstance.
New EEC Countries
From 1.1.2007 nationals of Bulgaria and Romania will be members of the European Community, and have a right of travel to the UK without Visas. But employment will be permitted if a UK employer can get a work permit for you, or if you qualify under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. However, persons wishing to be self employed will be able to come to the UK to start a business, and applications to stay on that basis will need much business documentation to confirm your ability to run a business.
HSMP changes
From 7.11.2006 applicants under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme will be assessed under a changed points scheme. The target is now 75 points. Work experience will no longer be a major feature, but English Language skills will be important, and qualifications will be more valuable. Previous earned income will also have more flexibiliy with points ranging from 5 to 45 to be gained. There is also a change in age assesment, and points will now be given for those aged 31 or under - see Services - Employment.
Doctors and Dentists
All Post Graduate doctors, dentists and trainee General Practitioners now need to apply through the employer for a Work Permit though the Work Permit department. The old "permit-free" scheme has ended.
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Indefinite Leave to Remain (1)
From April 3rd 2006, holders of work permits and other employment based categories are no longer able to claim indefinite leave to remain on completing 4 years in the UK in the category, but will have to complete 5 years. If your stay expires before you complete the 5 years, you (and your employer) will need to apply to extend your stay and employment.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (2)
From April 2007, holders of work permits and other categories leading to permanent settlement after the 5 year qualifying period set out above must be able to pass the test of English Language and Knowledge about the UK before Indefinite Leave can be granted. If it appears that this new requirement may be difficult to achieve without some training, then you (and your employer) will need to apply to extend your basis of stay, (including your work permit if you are here under the work permit scheme) until success in the test is possible. This new criteria will apply to all applicants aged 18 or over, and will therefore include the spouse of a person who is here under one of the categories that lead to permanent settlement.
Family Dependants of EEC workers visiting the UK with the EEC worker
From 30 April 2006, dependants who do not hold an EEC passport who normally have to get a visa to come to the UK, and who are visiting the UK with the EEC passport holder for no longer than 6 months DO NOT REQUIRE A UK VISA. Only if the EEC worker takes work and residence in the UK does the dependant have to apply for a Visa.
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Visitors
From 1 July 2006, people in the UK for a visit will no longer be able to switch into graduate level or any other studies, but must go abroad to apply for a Student Visa.
On the spot penalties for Employers
Current legislation will soon be implemented to allow on the spot fines of £10,000 to be given to employers for each employee found to be working illegally in the company. This means anyone found in your company who does not have permission to work can be removed by the Immigration Officer, and no court action will be needed to apply the penalty to the Employer. See the section on Employer Liability.
Changes proposed in Employment categories
By 2008 the Government intends to bring into force its proposed changes in employment based categories. A points based system will be introduced, similar to the present Highly Skilled Migrant Scheme (HSMP). There will be 5 levels of skill, and at the higher levels, permanent residence will be achievable after 5 years. In the lower skill levels, permanent residence will no longer be achievable unless the applicant has some other basis for staying in the UK, eg marriage.
Full details of how the points based scheme will be applied are not yet available, but will be notified on this site as soon as they are published.
International Graduate Scheme (IGS)
This replaces the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme from 1st May 2007. Graduates with a recent UK degree mor higher qualification can apply to stay for 12 months employment, and may be able to switch from the IGS status to a full Work Permit or similar category leading to permanent residence.
