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If you are already in the UK and wish to switch into a Tier 1 (General) highly skilled visa, you should apply as soon as possible. On 6 April 2011, this category will end and be replaced with the 'exceptional talent' visa which will be very difficult to obtain. Exceptional talent visas will be limited to 1,000 visas per year, making the chances of entry to the UK under this visa even less likely.

A new survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) finds that many employers in the UK public sector are having a difficult time filling job openings due to more stringent immigration rules. The study found that one in six employers -- a good proportion of which are in the National Health Service -- say that they have not been able to recruit workers from overseas due to the recent cap on immigration....

We remind you again that if you are in the UK and wish to apply for a Tier 1 General highly skilled Visa you only have a few weeks left. Independent Skilled immigration to the UK will in effect end on 5 April 2011.

A new study by a recruiting firm has come to the conclusion that the UK's immigration cap will harm businesses and create further labour shortages. Specialist recruiting firm Poolia surveyed a number of businesses expected to be affected by the UK Government's permanent immigration cap that starts in April 2011. The findings would suggest that the cap will be bad for UK business, increasing costs and leading to more gaps in the labour market.

Certain scientists and people earning over £150,000 will be exempt from the UK's immigration cap that will take effect on 6 April 2011. The exemption for scientists follows lobbying from...

We remind you yet again that if you are in the UK and wish to apply for a Tier 1 General highly skilled Visa you only have a few weeks left. This will mainly affect people on Tier 2 visas and those on Tier 1 post study work visas. Independent Skilled immigration to the UK will in effect end on 5 April 2011.

The Migration Advisory Committee set up by the previous UK Government in 2007 to advise on immigration issues has recommended that eight job titles be removed from the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). This is relevant for applications under the Tier 2 visa for Skilled Workers, the UK's employer-sponsored immigration visa. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) also recommended last month that 71 occupations be removed from the list of occupations that may qualify under the Tier 2 visa category for skilled workers.

Skilled immigration to the...

If you wish to come under the Tier 1 General highly skilled visa there is not much time left. Only two weeks to go. After 5 April 2011 it will be very difficult indeed to qualify for independent skilled immigration to the UK.

The UK has released more information concerning the new 'Exceptional Talent' visa which will replace Tier 1 (General) of Britain's points based immigration system. The visa will be capped at 1,000 per year and is aimed at a very small number of top highly skilled immigrants. After 5 April 2011 it will be very difficult to gain entry to the UK as an independent skilled immigrant.

Intense lobbying by Britain's education sector and others has resulted in the Tier 1 Post Study Work immigration scheme continuing for another year. Tier 1 PSW allows non-EU students of UK educational institutions to live and work in the...

Hurry Up! Only a week left until the end of the Tier 1 Highly Skilled Visa scheme. Last day is 5 April 2011. As long as you have your application in by post by 5 April 2011 you will still be considered under the current scheme. Please note that you can only apply if you already have a long term visa in the UK.

The Tier 1 (General) Visa allows highly skilled individuals to immigrate to the UK without a job offer if they score enough points under various criteria such as age, past earnings, and qualifications.

Intense lobbying by Britain's education sector and others has resulted in the Tier 1 Post Study Work immigration scheme continuing for another year. Tier 1 PSW allows non-EU students of UK educational institutions to live and work in the UK after graduation for up to two years. The Government is also...