Migra & Co

On 11 June 2012 the Government announced changes to the Immigration Rules for foreign migrants applying to enter or remain in the UK on the family migration route under the spouse, civil or unmarried partner and fiancée visa categories.

The UK Border Agency has published a new Statement of Intent, which will bring radical changes affecting those under the employment related categories such as Tier 2 General, Tier 5 and Domestic worker.

High net worth individuals have the option to make an application under two very different categories of the Tier 1 Scheme depending on their individual circumstances and their priorities when deciding to relocate and settle in the UK.

There are different reasons as to why a migrant leave his/her country of origin and come to the UK. Some might wish to invest in the UK by setting up a business under the Tier 1 Entrepreneur or Investor categories.

In recent week, Damian Green, the immigration minister, has announced that the UK Government is planning to give the current British immigration system a complete makeover to attract fewer but better qualified migrants to live in the UK.

The Immigration Rules were amended on 6 April 2011 to include a new tougher criminality threshold. The key difference is that as of this date any unspent conviction will lead to a mandatory refusal.

Last week the government accepted the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)’s recommendations, which were submitted for consideration in September 2011.