New Rules for Tier 1 and Tier 2 effective April 6, 2010

On 6 April the UK Government will make significant changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points-based system, as well as to marriage visas for members of the armed forces, asylum and English for Speakers of Other Languages.

The changes were announced yesterday by Borders and Immigration.

The UK Government has accepted changes to Tier 1 recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee.

(MAC), and has set out further details of how it will implement changes the MAC recommended to Tier 2.

The changes include new points tables for Tier 1 and Tier 2, a simpler route for very highly skilled workers without Master's degrees, greater flexibility for short-term transfers by multinational companies, and more protection against such transfers being used to fill long-term vacancies that should go to resident workers.

Borders and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said:

'We've always said that we would run our immigration system for the benefit of the UK and that is what we are doing.

'The changes that we are making today will build on an already robust system which is now the envy of the world. A strength of the points-based system is the flexibility to predict and respond to events.

'By utilising the flexibility of the points-based system we are now ensuring that only those that we need to come to the UK to work can do so.

'I will continue to ensure that immigration does not act as a disincentive for employers to employ and improve the skills of the British workforce.'

Other changes to the UK Immigration Rules include:

■ Changes to the provisions governing English language qualifications for applicants applying for permanent residence to ensure that applicants relying on qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages will study at accredited colleges, and to clarify the progression which migrants are required to demonstrate before applying for permanent residence;
■ Changes to prevent asylum applicants from claiming humanitarian protection where there are serious reasons for considering that they have engaged in undesirable behaviour;
■ Clarifying interview procedures for unaccompanied asylum seeking children;
■ Removing a requirement for an asylum seeker to be asked to sign the interview record due to other safeguards in place;
■ Lowering the marriage visa age to 18 for serving members of the armed forces and their partners, recognising the role of partners in supporting those on the frontline and reflecting the unique circumstances in which the armed forces operate;
■ Adding Monaco to the Youth Mobility Scheme.

This Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules will be incorporated into a consolidated version of the Immigration Rules.

The changes will come into effect on 6 April and 7 April 2010. Applications that are made before the new rules come into effect will be considered under the rules in place on the date of the application.

Source: UK Border Agency