The UK Home Office's 12-week public consultation on employment related settlement, Tier 5 and overseas domestic workers closed on 9 September 2011.

The UK Home Office sought views on a range of proposals which inter alia included:

Re-branding the Tier 2 (Skilled worker) route as temporary, ending the assumption that settlement will be available for those who enter on this route;

Allowing certain categories of Tier 2 migrant, for example those earning over £150,000 or occupations of a specific economic or social value to the UK, to retain an automatic route to settlement;

Creating a new category into which, after 3 years in the UK, the most exceptional Tier 2 migrants may switch and go on to apply for settlement;

Allowing Tier 2 migrants who do not switch into a settlement route to stay for a maximum of 5 years with the expectation that they and any dependants will leave at the end of that time;

Introducing an English language requirement for adult dependants of Tier 2 migrants applying to switch into a route to settlement;

restricting the maximum period of leave for Tier 5 temporary workers to 12 months; and closing or reforming routes for overseas domestic workers.

The UK Home Office said in a statement that until any announcements are made, the existing rules for settlement will apply. BIC will keep clients updated on any announcements in this regard.