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The UK Border Agency has announced that applications under many of the categories of the UK points based system will be allowed at any one of the five public enquiry offices. It should be noted from the beginning of April 2009 it will be more difficult to come under Tier 1. From 6 April 2009, you will be able to use the 'premium service' for same day processing under the following categories of the points-based system:

Highly skilled workers Tier 1 (General) Sponsored skilled workers Tier 2 (General) Tier 2 (Ministers of Religion) Tier 2 (Sportsperson) Tier 2 (Intra-company transfers) Temporary workers Tier 5 (Creative and sporting) Tier 5 (Charity workers) Tier 5 (Religious workers) Tier 5 (Government authorised exchange) Tier 5 (International agreement)

Boris Johnson, the London mayor, again called for an "earned" amnesty for illegal migrants The interim study by the London School of Economics, commissioned by...

It is important to note that from 31 March 2009 there will be significant changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points based system:

The academic and financial requirements for Tier 1 (General) and Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) will come into effect for all applications submitted on or after 31 March 2009. For Tier 1 (General) you will need to have at least a masters degree and have earned at least GBP20,000. The changes to Tier 1 (General) will apply to initial applications for entry from outside the UK and to applications to switch into Tier 1 (General) from another category. Applications for Tier 1 (General) extensions will be unaffected by the changes. Changes to the resident labour market test for applications under Tier 2 will mean that skiled jobs will need to be advertised in the UK before being offered to migrant workers. Changes to the...