The Home Office has announced that several UK visas and immigration changes will be implemented in October 2019 (are expected to take effect on October 1 and October 6, 2019). The changes were due to be made because of the expensive and bureaucratic and unfair system that has been in action for a long time.
“the most notable changes will occur in Tier 2 (General) Visa category, UK Startup and Innovator Visa Schemes, Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa Routes and the EU Settlement Scheme”.
The new changes should benefit many employers and UK visa immigrants but the Brexit will make it more clear.
Here are some extremely important changes to UK visas and immigration rules.
Tier 2 (General) Visa Category
There are several updates in Tier 2 (General) Visa category. The Tier 2 Sponsor License and Tier 2 Visa enable UK companies to sponsor skilled, non-European citizens in the UK for a highly qualified job. This stream is quota based that allows 20,700 applicants annually. On the other hand, there is no limit to apply for a TIER 2 visa, if you are already in the UK.
The TIER 2 visa category will see the changes as under:
- The SOL has been expanded that will allow more immigrants to settle in the UK through this visa stream. The new SOL (shortage occupation list) will include architects, veterinarians, and web designers. However, Scotland benefits from having an additional occupation on the specific Scottish list.
- The expansion in the list will help newcomers who come to the UK through these newly added jobs, as the job roles have not been added yet. The new format SOL will be implemented on October 6, 2019.
- Elimination of Ph.D. Level Jobs from the Annual Tier 2 (General) Visa Quota. PhD level professions will no longer be subject to the need for a limited certificate of sponsorship. This creates more jobs for other talented applicants for monthly quota.
- Applicant’s absence from the UK, designated by the Endangered Leave to Remain (ILR), will no longer apply to Tier 2 PhD-level. Immigrants involved in overseas research projects directly linked to their employment. Dependent partners with key Tier 2 visa holders will also be exempt from this rule. Same is true for those who become absent from work due to illness, legal parental leave, national or international humanitarian or environmental crisis or being involved in legal action strike. This means that Tier 2 migrants will not be denied ILR if absence, such as their salary, falls below the required threshold.
Are you interested in applying for the TIER 2 visa, a job is required for that. learn here how to get jobs in the UK for a work permit
Tier 1 (Extraordinary Talent) Visa.
Tier 1 (Extraordinary Talent) Visa category is specific to highly skilled individuals in the fields of science, humanities, engineering, arts, and digital technology. The visa allows you to come to the UK without being sponsored for specific professions.
Applicants applying for this stream must be verified by a designated competent body such as Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, and British Academy (depending upon the type of skills yo have. Talented applicants, looking to apply for TIER 1 visa, must take into account the following changes from October 1, 2019:
- The list of peer-reviewed fellowships will be expanded to include fellowships provided by the National Institute for Health Research.
- The criteria will be expanded for applicants holding a peer-reviewed fellowship in the year immediately before the date of application.
- To increase the senior academic or research positions, the expansion of the criteria will take place.
- From October 1, 2019, applicants willing to get endorsement by “Tech Nation” will have to provide three letters of support instead of two by established business in the digital technology sector.
Startup and Inventor Visas
The UK government announced 2 years ‘UK Startup Visa’ with no heavy requirements of money held in bank account (funding) and capitals initially to apply for the visa. The main thing is that people with no graduation will also be able to apply for this program. UK startup visa program is in action from 29 March 2019. This new visa is aimed at aspiring and ambitious non-European young businessmen who want to set up business in the UK.
From October 1, 2019, Startup and Innovator Visa will see the following changes:
- To qualify as an endorsement body, an organization should have the support of a basic department, chosen by the UK or representative government minister, or by a regional authority directly headed by the elected mayor.
- Applications to become a verification agency on the basis of crimes, or actions and practices that are not considered in the public interest can be denied.
- Tier 4 (General) Visa category, are also to apply for this stream. An amendment will enable them to apply for a startup visa approved through an endorsement body, to engage in business activities while their application is under review. ۔
- Students will not have to prove that they have previously established a UK company. This new exemption has been added to the Tier 4 (General) category for removing the requirement for students on the doctoral extension scheme.
Read here complete details about UK Startup visa
EU Settlement Scheme
EEA and Swiss citizens who want to remain in the UK after 2020, along with their families, will need to apply to live in the country under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
From October 1, 2019, the following changes will take place:
The amendment allows close relatives of UK citizens, who had previously been exercising their freedom of movement overseas, to remain in the UK, can apply:
- by March 2022 (if their relationship existed on that day leaving the UK) under EUSS
- or until 31 December 2020 if their relationship came started after leaving the UK
To travel to the UK to apply for a replacement biometric card, Non-EEA family members of EEA citizens who have EUSS status will be allowed to apply for a free, EUSS travel permit when their biometric card is lost or stolen overseas.
Under the EUSS, people with their UK immigration status have been terminated by an immigration officer on the basis that they do not meet the criteria for eligibility for their status, they will be given the right to administer review. ۔ This will give an individual the opportunity to challenge a decision made at their request or in the absence of any kind from the UK.
Do you know about the amnesty scheme of the UK for illegal migrants? Click here to know it all!
Post-study work visa
International students, after their completion of either Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, will be able to get a 2 years time to search for work. The good news is that there is no limit for students who can apply for the new graduate route. It means the applications to be accepted are unlimited.
If a student finds a job that fulfills the skill needs of the route then he will be able to switch the skilled work route.
To be accepted for this new proposed offer, the students need to fulfill the following:
- a successfully completed degree from a genuine university or higher education provider.
- a proven track record in upholding immigration checks and other rules on studying in the UK.
- a personal passport
- Valid TIER 4 Visa