Tier 2 and Tier 5 Further leave to Remain move online
The UK Home Office has announced that from 14 February 2012, applicants applying under Tier 2 and Tier 5 and their dependants who are in the
From this date, applicants will need to complete the online application form and make an online payment. Should a premium service be required, the applicant should also make an online booking for an appointment at a public enquiry office.
It seems as if the UK Home Office is increasingly making procedural and rule changes, which causes a lot of uncertainty and confusion amongst applicants. For this reason, Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants are posting rules and procedural changes as they are announced. However, our clients can rest assure in the knowledge that their case are in safe hands, as our consultants are trained to deal with all such changes!
Youth Mobility Scheme availability for 2012
The following number of Youth Mobility visas is available for the respective countries for the year 2012:
Taiwanese young people eligible for Youth Mobility Scheme
The UK Home Office has announced that from January 2012, Taiwanese young people will be eligible to apply for the youth mobility scheme visa for the UK.
The UK and Taiwanese authorities agreed to allow 1,000 young Taiwanese each year to live and work in the UK for up to two years.
If you want to find out more about the UK's Youth Mobility Scheme, please follow this link.
Consultation on employment related settlement
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.
Tier 5 - Creative and Sporting Scheme
This temporary visa is available to applicants who want to come to the UK to work or perform as sportspeople, entertainers or creative artists for up to 12 months.
How to qualify
In order to qualify you must have a sponsor and a valid certificate of sponsorship.
If you are a sportsperson you must be established at the highest level in your sport and/or your employment must make a significant contribution to the development and running of sport at the highest level in the UK. Sports coaches must be suitably qualified to do the job. The sponsor must have an endorsement from the relevant governing body of sport, which confirms that the applicant meets the governing body's requirements. The governing body must also be recognised by the UK Border Agency.
Spouses and dependants
You can apply for your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner and dependant children to join you in the UK.
The dependants will be granted the same period of leave as the main applicant and will be able to work without restriction in the UK.
Length of stay and right to work
For a sportsperson the visa can be granted for a maximum of 12 months. If the visa is granted for a shorter period you can apply for an extension up to a maximum of 12 months.
For a creative worker the visa can be granted for a maximum of 12 months. If the visa is granted for a shorter period, you can apply for an extension to stay up to 12 months at a time, up to a maximum of 24 months though the job must continue with your last sponsor.
Permanent Residence
As it is a temporary visa it does not lead to permanent residence in the UK.
Tier 5 - Youth Mobility Scheme
The Youth Mobility Scheme allows young people from participating countries to live and work in the UK for up to two years.
The Youth Mobility Scheme operates on the principle of balances; nationals from participating countries will be allowed to come and experience the UK for two years, provided young UK nationals may enjoy similar opportunities in participating countries.
How to qualify
In order to qualify you have to be a national of one of the countries currently participating in the scheme; Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Monaco and Taiwan. You can also qualify for the scheme as a British overseas citizen, British overseas territories citizen or as a British national overseas.
Further you must be between 18 and 30 years of age at the date that your entry clearance becomes valid and have £1,600 in available maintenance (funds) when you apply.
Length of stay and right to work
Successful applicants will be allowed to live and work in the UK for up to 24 months and are free to do whatever work they like except for setting up a business, participate in professional sport or work as a doctor in training.
Permanent Residence
As it is a temporary visa, it does not lead to permanent residence in the UK, rather it provides a valuable opportunity for young people to experience life in the UK.
