UK Immigration News

Work Permits (UK) today announced that until further notice, employers who lodge an application under the Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) will no longer be required to advertise the positions thorugh EURES, the European Union's Employment Service. They have announced this change as coming about due to a communication problem. Further information will be provided once announced.

Beginning with summer 2004, overseas students who have graduated from a UK institution with a degree in science and/or technology will be granted permission to work in the UK for 12 months immediately following graduation. These graduating students will be given 12 months' leave to remain without a work permit and with no restriction on employment.

More information will become available later this year.

New Highly Skilled Migrant Program Criteria allow more people to qualify

Today, the UK's Home Office announced major changes to the Government's Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, increasing opportunities for more skilled individuals to migrate to the UK.

The following are the main changes that were made:

Work Permits (UK) has reviewed the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS), which allows overseas nationals to enter the UK and work in the agricultural industry to meet its demand for seasonal labour.

The main change that occurred is that the quota for 2003 has been increased to 25,000 places in light of the fact that the period during which the scheme operates has been extended to a full year. The work which participants are allowed to undertake has also been reviewed.

From October 31st 2003, the Home Office will be charging a fee of GBP 150 for the consideration of HSMP applications and reviews.

HSMP Extension applications are exempt however.

We have the only FREE Highly Skilled Migrant Programme Points calculator on the internet covering all the relevant criteria for this programme. Why not try it to see if you qualify? We also have a number of detailed guides covering HSMP

If you make an application to the Home Office then in most cases from 1 August 2003 you will have to pay a Government fee. The UK Government has decided that they wish to recover some of the expense of dealing with applications at the Home Office. The following is our guide to the new charging system: