The government have been announcing changes to UK visas over the past few months, the following of which have taken place as of today: Tier 1 (General) no longer exists There is a quota of 1000 visas instead for those with ‘exceptional talent’ who have been recognised in their field of science, engineering or the [...]
Changes today, 6th April 2011
by nikki on 06. Apr, 2011 in Decision-making process, Partners, Settlement, Spouses, Students, Tier 1, Tier 2
Changes to Students
by nikki on 23. Mar, 2011 in Decision-making process, Students
The government has announced that the following changes will be introduced to the Student route into the UK, in 2012: All educational establishments that are licensed to admit overseas students (sponsors) must be accredited by Ofsted or equivalent by end of 2012 In addition, all sponsors must become Highly Trusted Sponsors (a higher form of [...]
Shortage Occupation List
by nikki on 02. Mar, 2011 in Decision-making process, Tier 2
In order to qualify for a Tier 2 visa to work in the UK, an employer who is licensed as a Tier 2 sponsor has to be willing and able to sponsor your visa. In order to do so, ordinarily they must demonstrate that there is no-one present in the UK labour market currently who [...]
UK visa offices in the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia
by nikki on 12. Jan, 2011 in Australians, Canadians, Decision-making process, New Zealanders, Services
The UK Border Agency has recently moved to a ‘hub and spoke’ model of operating. In essence this means that not all countries have UK visa offices any longer. In many countries the applications are sent to a UK Embassy or Consulate in a nearby country that acts as the ‘hub’ for that region. The [...]
English requirement and KOL
by nikki on 06. Jan, 2011 in Partners, Settlement, Spouses
For all Settlement visas for partners – those coming to the UK to marry/ have a Civil Partnership with a British Citizen/permanent resident, or already married to/a Civil Partner or an unmarried partner of a British Citizen/permanent resident – there is now a requirement that you speak English (introduced in November 2010). If you are [...]
Tier 1 (General) quota filled for overseas applicants
by nikki on 22. Dec, 2010 in Decision-making process, Tier 1
The government has announced that no more Tier 1: General applications made outside the UK will be accepted from 23 December 2010 onward. This is because they have sufficient pending applications that they anticipate the monthly quota of 600 per month between now and April 2011 to be filled. Applicants applying within the UK can [...]
Changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2
by nikki on 13. Dec, 2010 in Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, Tier 1, Tier 2
The government have now announced the changes that will be implemented in April 2011 in their bid to decrease immigration into the UK: Tier 1: General will be closed to new applicants from April 2011. Anyone interested in applying should do so ASAP, as there is a monthly quota of 600 applications made outside the [...]
Overstayed your visa??
by nikki on 17. Nov, 2010 in Overstaying, Visa Refusals
Overstayed your visa in the UK?? Don’t panic! Here are some tips to help guide you forward. First of all, the best idea is to leave as soon as you can. There are penalties for overstaying that prevent you returning for a number of years, and these penalties increase for three reasons: You overstay by [...]
Tier 1 quota met for November
by nikki on 10. Nov, 2010 in Decision-making process, Tier 1
The quota for Tier 1: General applications for November has been met today. As this is early in the month, it implies that there is currently a rush to get applications in before further changes are made to this category in April 2011, when the government have announced a tighter quota will be introduced, and [...]
What you should do if your application for a UK visa has been rejected
by nikki on 27. Oct, 2010 in Decision-making process, Services, Visa Refusals
Don’t panic! There are ways to get back on track and do it right. Some visa refusals come with the right of appeal – for example if you were applying for permanent residency (settlement), or were going to visit a family member. You can submit new paperwork that addresses the reasons given for your refusal, [...]
“YEAAAHHHHH!! We got it!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!”
Lindsay K, USA
Tier 1 Highly Skilled Migrant