01 October 2012
As previously announced, a number of changes to the Immigration Rules are coming into effect today (1 October 2012).
New Rules now apply for extending your visa
If you are applying to extend your visa under the points-based system, all working and student routes, visiting routes, long residency routes and discharged HM Forces and UK ancestry routes, new rules will now apply.
If you have limited leave to enter or remain in the UK and wish to extend your visa, you must apply within 28 days of your current visa expiring. Your application for further leave will be refused if you have overstayed your visa by more than 28 days when you apply.
If you have no right to be in the country the Border Agency expects you to leave voluntarily and will enforce your return if you fail to do so. Where the Border Agency needs to enforce someone’s return they may contact us now on 01634 828288 for instant free advice subject to a ban on re-entering the UK.
Changes to Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) route
The changes include:
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- An amendment to the definition of the purpose of the scheme, to explain that the “exceptional promise” aspect does not apply to the field of the arts.
- Small amendments to the criteria used by The Royal Society, The Royal Academy of Engineering and The British Academy to assess applicants. This follows discussions with these designated competent bodies.
- Widening the eligibility by allowing Tier 2 (General) migrants and sponsored researchers who are Tier 5 (Temporary worker) migrants to switch into the Exceptional Talent route while they are in the UK.
- Changes to the unique reference number (URN) system.
- Clarification of the evidence for extension applications.
From today, Botswana and Malaysia have joined the list of low-risk countries, whose nationals applying for a Tier 4 student visa benefit from a streamlined UK visa application process.
Under the streamlined process, eligible applicants will generally not be expected to provide documentary evidence of financial maintenance and education qualifications, making the application process simpler and easier. Applicants from Botswana and Malaysia will still need to meet the requirements and students must be able to provide the appropriate documents if requested.
Contact us now on 01634 828288 for instant free advice
