Immigration newsletter 20 Mar 2013

If you need a UK visa in a hurry, why not let us submit your application? We can often get applications processed on the same day.
We can help with indefinite leave to remain applications, tier 1 extensions, and so forth. Please call our London Office on 0344 991 9222 for further details. Our slots are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis so call today. 

UK immigration has announced a series of changes to the Tier 2 skilled worker visa system which will be introduced on April 6th.

The changes include:

• Updated Shortage Occupation List. Some medical occupations removed. Some engineering occupations added
• Amended Code of Practice for Employers. Changes to minimum salary levels, salary thresholds and appropriate salaries for individual occupations
• New tenth percentile appropriate pay rate for new entrant employees.
• Changed Resident Labour Market Test. All jobs under £71,000 must be advertised on Jobcentre Plus website and one other outlet.
• Fee increases. Most up by 3% (c£50).

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has announced fee rises for all applications from 6th April 2013. The biggest rises will be for dependants of main applicants applying in the UK. At present, these dependants pay only 50% of the main applicant’s fee. This will rise to 75% from 6th April.

This will cost applicants hundreds of pounds. For example, a dependant’s fee for an application for indefinite leave to remain will rise from £496 to £766; £280 higher. The UKBA says it will also introduce a standard 'in person' fee of £375 for those who make applications in person at UKBA offices. These new fees will not apply to applications made before 6th April 2013 so apply now.

US immigration lawyers warn that the quota of 65,000 H-1B visas for 2014 may be allocated in a single week at the beginning of April 2013.
H-1Bs last for three years and allow US employers to employ foreign workers in a ‘specialty occupation’. Applications for the 2014 tax year will be accepted from April 1st. 

In recent years, the cap has been reached more and more quickly. Last year, it was reached in 2 and a half months. Sanwar Ali of Workpermit.com said 'Anyone who is intending to apply for an H-1B visa should apply as soon as possible’

The bosses of Facebook, Google and Microsoft have joined other chief executives in writing to President Obama and US Congressmen calling for immigration reform. Their letter says that the US has 'a long history of welcoming talented, hard-working people to our shores' and says companies like eBay were founded by immigrants.

It says that the US now has an 'outdated and inefficient' immigration system  characterised by 'visa shortages, long waits for green cards, and lack of mobility'. They call for a change in the law to allow more H-1B work visas and employment based green cards to be granted.

From 6 April 2013, all foreign PhD students with Tier 4 visas will be allowed to stay in the UK for a year after completing their course. They will be allowed to work in a skilled occupation or to set up in business as an entrepreneur.  

The UK Border Agency, also announced a doubling of the number of Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visas that can be granted each year from 1,000 to 2,000 on 14 March. The 1,000 extra places will be allocated to MBA students only.

The UK Border Agency has announced that it will introduce a premium service for Tier 4 sponsors which will be introduced in July 2013. The service will cost £8,000 and will give Tier 4 sponsors

• Access to a named account manager
• Priority consideration of post-licence casework,
• Monthly information reports on certificate allocations
• Access to student eligibility checks

A recent poll has shown that a majority of UK citizens believe that immigrants should have to pay UK tax before they can get social benefits in the UK. The poll found that 86% of respondents would support the government if it stopped recent arrivals 
from claiming benefits until they had worked in the UK for a year or more. 75% of those surveyed said that they would like to see access to the UK’s National Health Service limited in the same way.

YouGov co-owner Peter Kellner says that this is not a sign that the British dislike immigration but evidence that Britons believe that only those who contribute should have access to public services.