UK Visa Changes

These changes go into effect 6 April 2010 and affect the Tier 1 (highly skilled worker) and Tier 2 (skilled workers with job offers) visas.  I offer a summary of the changes below along with a link to the official statement issued by the Home Office.

Tier 1 changes

There will be changes to the point system which will apply not only to new applicant but also to those who are renewing their Tier 1 visa.  This new point's system will not apply to those in the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, writers, artists, composers and self-employed lawyers.

For new applicants, you will only be granted an 2 year visa.  However, you can renew it for 3 years.



For any doctors or dentists in training, there will be new restrictions to prevent overseas doctors/dentists from taking resident's places.  This will be further clarified on 6 April.

Tier 2 changes

These changes will affect Tier 2 general and intra-company transfer visas.  There will be a change to the point's system for initial applications.  For visa renewal application, all Tier 2 applicants will be given 50 points to mitigate the impact of the changes.

There are new sub-categories for intra-company transfers.  They are javascript:void(0)established staff, graduate trainee and skills transfer.

Established Staff
The minimum overseas (non-UK) experience for established staff has been raised from 6 months to 1 year.  The established staff category can no longer be used for permanent settlement in the UK.  These changes will only apply to new Tier 2 (intra-company transfer) applicants.  Anyone here in the UK prior to 6 April is excluded. 

Graduate Trainees
The minimum overseas experience is 3 months.  The maximum stay in this category is 12 months.  There are no extension for this category or the option to switch into other immigration categories.  This sub-category is only open to migrants who are working in a graduate occupation.  You can find a list of these in Appendix A of the link below.

Skills Transfer
There is no minimum employment requirement for this category.  This category is really for people whose skills are to transferred to the UK but not their job. (That's a bit confusing!)  The maximum grant of stay under this category is 6 months and this is also only open to those who are working in graduate occupations.

Official Statement of Policy