UK SKILLED MIGRANT VISAS TO UNDERGOE CHANGES

New legislation has been announced by Home Office Border & Immigration Agency. The proposed legislation which is to be launched in March 2008 looks to completely overhaul how the current UK immigration structure works and is set to impact on all those looking to gain future employment in the UK.

Based on the existing Australian model, the new system sets to introduce five tiers of migrants to the UK;
Tier 1 - Highly skilled (current HSMP visa)
Tier 2 - Skilled workers with a job offer (current Work Permit)
Tier 3 - Low-skilled workers filling specific temporary labour shortages
Tier 4 - Students
Tier 5 - Youth mobility and temporary workers (current Working Holiday Maker visa)

In a similar fashion to the current Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, Tier 1 is anticipated to include only the highest qualified individuals, encompassing entrepreneurs, investors and high earners. Further details on the points required for Tier 1 status will be published in the first few months of 2008.

The main change which is evident at this early stage of the announcement for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme is that it is now only going to be necessary for an applicant to make one application rather than two which is presently the norm.

Established UK Immigration and Nationality lawyer at Steeles Law UK, Mark Barnett, also highlights another apparent impact of the imminent legislation on the existing Working Holiday Maker. Mark outlines that these Working Holiday Makers will now fall under Tier 5 and will be referred to as Youth Mobility Workers. Additionally, not all countries who currently fall under this scheme may also be eligible under the new proposal.

The entire effects that this proposed legislation may have on the UK financial market of course cannot yet be predicted. Amanda Collins, Director of Consultants Exchange Limited (CXC) based in London comments, "It is still too early to form an opinion on the entire impact of the treatment of salary and expenses under the existing umbrella arrangements in the UK, or on the contractual market in general".

For all those potentially looking to take up work in the UK, CXC encourages them to keep up to date with any news surrounding this announcement. For any other information regarding working in the UK please email CXC at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.cxcglobal.co.uk