Topical:
Introduced two years ago by former President, Barack Obama, in the closing months of his time in office, the US startup visa scheme was touted as a program that would ‘attract thousands of foreign entrepreneurs, boosting jobs and the US economy. Instead, the program has received just 10 applications, plunging its future into doubt.
Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, has said previously that Theresa May’s ‘hostile’ UK immigration rhetoric does not represent British values. He described the Prime Minister’s use of the word hostile as ‘incorrect’ and ‘unhelpful’ earlier this year. Recently Sajid Javid has helped to bring in changes to the tier 2 visa scheme that helps migrants and also employers with a tier 2 sponsorship licence.
The Tier 2 Visa restricted CoS monthly allocation limit was reached in May and June, extending the trend to a record seventh month in a row! As a result, prioritised applications such as those on the shortage occupation list and PhD level occupations have once again been granted ahead of many other applicants. Restricted certificates of sponsorship are required for applicants who need to apply for tier 2 visas from outside the UK. Fortunately, July 2018 should see a reduction in the salary requirements to obtain a restricted certificate of sponsorship.
Between December 2017 and March 2018, 6,080 Tier 2 visa applications were made by skilled overseas workers to fill job roles in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). However, more than 3,000 applications received were rejected by UK immigration authorities.
A notice issued by the US government on May 18, 2018, terminating Ecuador’s bilateral investment treaty with the United States, will affect E2 visa eligibility for Ecuadorean nationals. The Office of Trade Representative for the US Department of State officially announced the end of the treaty in the Federal Register.
Now that Israeli-Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich another tier 1 investor has now decided to leave the UK and live in Israel and Russia, will this discourage Chinese nationals from coming to the UK under the £2 million pound tier 1 investor visa scheme? The UK Visas and Immigration it seems is scrutinising the source of funds for tier 1 investors more than ever before. What will happen in 2018 and 2019 we wonder?