GOOD NEWS FOR STUDENTS WITH THE RETURN OF A TWO- YEAR POST STUDY WORK VISA

Students will again be able to remain in the UK and to work for up to two years after they have graduated. A similar scheme was abolished back in 2012 and there has been a lot of pressure on the Government to re-introduce it. The recent news has been welcomed by students, universities, and employers. […]

Extension of Registration Scheme Unlawful

The Supreme Court has recently decided that the extension of the registration scheme between 1st May 2009 and 30th April 2011 was unlawful. Under the scheme nationals of the 8 countries which joined the EU in 2004 were obliged to register as workers before they could start work or change jobs. It was a criminal […]

EU Settlement Scheme now open

https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families Applications can be made from nationals of the EU as well as nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway plus family members. Depending on how long they have lived in the UK those eligible will be granted “settled status” or “pre-settled status.” There have already been some technical hitches but applications are generally straightforward and […]

Refunds of “Settlement Scheme” Fees to be made automatically

If you have applied under the “Settlement Scheme” you should receive an automatic refund of your £65 fee. The Home Office has published information about how this should work https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-settlement-scheme-application-fee-refunds?utm_source=db925eb2-919d-4b79-904e-51af5997e40d&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate Please contact Jenny Harvey on info@jennyharveyimmigration.co.uk if you have questions about this or about any other aspect of the “settlement” and “pre-settlement” schemes.

PHD Level Jobs to be exempt from Tier 2 Visa Cap

From the autumn of 2019 PHD-level jobs will not be included in the monthly allocation of sponsorship certificates. This should make it easier for employers when recruiting for such posts and will free up some of the allocation for less-skilled employees.

Start-up Visas to replace the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Visa Route

A new“ Start-up” visa route will be introduced on 29th March 2019 and will replace the previous Tier 1( Graduate Entrepreneur) visa route. There are some key differences between the new route and its predecessor: Applicants will need to be endorsed but not necessarily by their own university and the “ endorsing body” will check the […]

Changes to Investor Visa Route

Despite recent concerns that the route was going to be abolished, it is going to survive but with significant changes from 29th March 2019. The investment funds will need to have been held for a full 2 years, rather than 90 days before an application is made and there will be tighter rules on what can […]

No new entrepreneur visa applications after 29th March 2019

The Tier 1 ( entrepreneur ) visa will be replaced by a new “ Innovator “ visa though Tier 1 entrepreneurs will be apply to apply for extensions until 5thApril 2023 and settlement until 5th April 2025. The new “ Innovator” category will be different from its predecessor in 3 main ways: Firstly, anyone applying for […]

On-line right to work checks introduced

Employers can now in most cases carry out their “ right to work checks” using an on-line system. It is important to note that on-line checks may not be suitable for every prospective employee or employee and that you will need the consent of an individual to  carry out a check. The amended Home Office […]

£65 fee to be scrapped for post Brexit “settlement” applications

Teresa May has announced that the £65 fee for post-Brexit “settlement applications” will be scrapped. This is of course good news. People who have already applied under the recent pilots will be reimbursed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46950719