Changes to immigration rules from 14th June 2012

In line with the government’s goal to reduce net migration, further measures to restrict the number of migrant workers coming to the UK from outside the EEA will be implemented from 14th June 2012, as per the written ministerial statement laid in Parliament in March.

Skills Threshold
The minimum skills threshold of jobs which may be sponsored under Tier 2 (General and ICT) will be raised from jobs at NQF level 4 to jobs at NQF level 6. The change will not apply to Tier 2 (General) applicants with an offer of a job on the Shortage Occupation List or to Tier 2 (General and ICT) migrants who will be applying to extend their visa after 14 June 2012.

Resident Labour Market Test
The rules for advertising highly paid and PhD level jobs will be relaxed; sponsors will no longer have to advertise roles attracting a salary of at least £70,000 or PhD roles with Jobcentre Plus, but they will still have to advertise externally.

Maintenance Requirements
The level of funds required to satisfy the maintenance requirement will be raised. This rule change came into effect from 6th April 2012, but its implementation has been delayed to allow migrants time to hold these funds for the required 90 day period. From 14th June 2012:

Applicants under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) will be required to show:

• £3,100 for entry clearance applications, an increase of £300
• £900 for leave to remain applications, an increase of £100

Tier 2 and Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) applicants will be required to show funds of £900, an increase of £100 on the current level of funds required.
Tier 1 dependents will be required to show:

• £1,800 for dependents of migrants who have been in the UK for less than 12 months, an increase of £200
• £600 for all other dependents, an increase of £77