UK VISA UPDATE - September 2008

The UK Home Office Border & Immigration Agency (UKBA) has once again announced new immigration legislation, this time directly affecting young working professionals looking to further their career in the UK.

From 1 April 2009, the UKBA is tightening up the requirements for the Tier 1 Highly Skilled Migrant Visa. Applicants must now hold a Master’s degree (rather than a Bachelors degree) and must have earned a minimum salary of £20, 000.

The clamp down aims to protect the interest of UK nationals suffering in the current economic downturn from potentially losing their jobs to foreign workers and forms the continuation of the UK government’s aggressive immigration overhaul which was launched back in March 2008.

UK Home Secretary Jacqui Smith comments "Just as in a growth period we needed migrants to support growth, it is right in a downturn to be more selective about the skill levels of those migrants, and to do more to put British workers first".

The changes will most likely see an increase in the number of Youth Mobility Visa applications. Many candidates (holding a Bachelors degree) who would have previously opted for the Tier 1 Visa will now be forced to settle on the Youth Mobility Visa. Whilst this Youth Mobility visa now lets candidates work for 2 full years (rather then 1 year) it does not allow candidates to apply to extend the visa like Tier 1 visa holders are able to. A greater focus on the contracting segment of recruitment may also emerge as there will be fewer skilled candidates able to take on permanent placements.

For more information visit:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/migrantworkerstoughertest