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01 Apr Home Office announces Tier 2 policy changes

Posted on April 1, 2016 in Working in the UK by
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In respond to reviews conducted by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the Home Office announced new changes to the current Tier 2 policies on 24 March 2016.

These new changes, which will be implemented in autumn 2016:
– The minimum salary threshold for experienced Tier 2 General migrants (excluding some health and education professionals) will increase to £25,000 in autumn 2016, and £30,000 in April 2017. The minimum salary threshold for new entrants will remain the current figure of £20,800.
– The number of unrestricted CoS will not be subjected to a limit when applicants switching from Tier 4 General category to Tier 2 visa and the sponsor is not required to carry out a Residence Labour Market Test any more.
– Nurses will remain on the Shortage Occupation List, however, the employers will need to take the Residence Labour Market Test if they wish to recruit non-EEA national nurses.
– In order for qualifying a intra-company transfer visa, all the applicants will need to meet the minimum threshold of £41,500, except for the graduate trainees.
– Tier 2 employers will be charged for recruiting non-EEA migrants from April 2017 based on the Immigration Skills Charge. The rate will be £1,000 per employee per year, and a reduced rate of £364 for small or charitable organisations, unless they recruit PhD occupations, Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Graduate Trainees or Tier 4 students switching to Tier 2.
– The Immigration Rules for work categories will be simplified to help both sponsors and applicants to understand and use.

If have any enquiries regarding the new Tier 2 policy changes, please do not hesitate to contact us on +44 20 3384 3075 or via email at [email protected].

The content of this article is for general use and information only. Since each case should be prepared on its own merit and in light of the constant amendments to the Immigration Rules, it is important to note that the information provided must not be relied upon unless Migra & Co has either given written consent or has been officially engaged in relation to a specific immigration matter. As a result, Migra & Co will take no responsibility for any damage, cost or loss resulting from relying on the information contained in this article, blog and website.