A series of changes to the Immigration Rules have been placed before Parliament, with most of these changes affecting applications made on or after 19 November 2015. The changes are outlined below.
Asylum
- EU nationals will not be allowed to make asylum claims, unless where exceptional circumstances apply.
- Changes which clarify circumstances in which refugee status will be withdrawn.
Asylum
- Indefinite leave and naturalisation applicants who normally rely on an English language qualification will now have to take a Secure English Language Test.
- There will be an introduction of £35k minimum earnings threshold for Tier 2 settlement, which will come into force on 6 April 2016.
Asylum
- A child’s application for entry clearance will be refused where the Secretary of State considers that the sponsor or the sponsor’s partner poses a risk to the child.
Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) of the Points Based System
- Changes will be made to the endorsement criteria used by Tech City UK to better reflect the skills and experience of target applicants who are most likely to add value to the UK digital technology sector.
Tier 2 and 5 of the Points Based System
- Nurses and four digital technology jobs will be added to the Tier 2 Shortage Occupation List.
- Changes that will clarify the charity worker rules for sponsors and applicants.
- Changes which will set the annual allocation of places available under the Youth Mobility Scheme for 2016.
- Minor amendments to the list of Government Authorised Exchange Schemes.
Technical Changes to the Immigration Rules are being made to the Immigration Rules. For more information visit www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-rules-statement-of-changes
If you need further advice, call our immigration team in Brighton on 01273 696 962 or in London on 0203 358 005.
