UK Immigration News

On Wednesday, 17 March 2004, the UK Government announced plans that will allow graduates from the World's top 50 business schools to work in the UK for twelve months. Further details will be announced over the next few months. At the endof the first year's work it is envisaged that most candidates will be ableto obtain an employer-sponsored work permit or a Highly Skilled MigrantProgramme (HSMP) visa.

The British Home Office has announced changes to applications made by individuals applying for limited Leave to Remain in the UK, which will come into effect 1 April 2004.

Limited Leave to Remain (LTR) is the permission a person requires to stay in the UK. Permission is generally granted in accordance with the duration of that person's Immigration Employment Document (IED).

Home Secretary David Blunkett recently announced that changes to UK law will make it easier to prosecute companies who employ illegal workers. These changes will also make it easier for legitimate businesses to continue to operate within the law.

Beginning June 2004, fees for UK employers applying for work permits for foreign employees will be increased. This increase should save UK taxpayers more than £30 million per year, according to the Home Office.

The HSMP application processing teams at the Home Office have recently advised us that applications received in their office less than four weeks ago are unable to be expedited.

First Minister of Scotland Jack McConnell has told the Scottish National Parliament that he plans to promote Scotland within the current UK work permit system by granting foreign students visas to remain and work for two years after they graduate.

The proposal has resulted from the realisation that Scotland's population is decreasing dramatically and is set to fall below 5 million by 2009.

Scotland hopes to attract 8,000 new migrants to the country each year with these new regulations.