The UK Border Agency has asked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review Tier 1 general route for highly skilled migrants’ requirements and to suggest whether any changes should be made in 2010 and 2011. The MAC stated that Tier 1 operated very well generally but proposed the following changes:
Migrants who hold a bachelors degree but not a Masters degree should be allowed to come to the UK under the Tier 1 general category provided their previous earnings were high enough
Professional qualifications should be considered as equivalent to a Master’s degree
Pay thresholds should be increased with no points being awarded to those who earned less than £24,000 in the previous annual year
Migrants with previous annual earnings of at least £150,000 should not have to meet the educational requirements
Applicants should receive points if they are aged 39 and under
Successful applicants should be allowed to come to the UK for a period of 2 years rather then 3 years. They should then be able to extend their leave if they satisfy the requirements, for a period of 3 years.
The Government will consider the recommendations and announce whether or not they accept them early in the next year.
5th December 2009
Reduced Fees for Tier Applications
Applicants from the following countries will benefit from paying reduced rates for the Tier 1 visa category:
· Croatia
· Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
· Turkey
These countries have ratified the 1961 Council of Europe Social Charter. Postal applications for the Tier 1 general migrant category are £750 whilst premium applications are £920.
There are also reduced fees for Tier 4 applicants and applicants who hold valid HSMP approval letters and who benefit from transitional arrangements. Applicants of countries who have ratified the 1961 Council of Europe Social Charter and 1996 European Social Charter (revised) are exempt from paying the fee where the transitional arrangement is applicable. Therefore individuals from the following countries may be exempt from the charge:
· Albania
· Andorra
· Armenia
· Azerbaijan
· Croatia-
· Georgia
· Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
· Moldova-
· Turkey
· Ukraine