UK Immigration News

On 6 May, 2018 workpermit.com reported that the UK Tier 1 Investor visa had been targeted for a crackdown by Prime Minister, Theresa May. Following the nerve-agent poisoning of a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia on UK soil, the Home Office launched an investigation into Tier 1 Investor visas issued to wealthy Russians.

UK immigration minister, Caroline Nokes, had previously said that Britain’s policy towards immigrants wrongly accused of cheating on English language tests will remain unchanged. However, it seems that the Home Office may be looking into this again. On the back of the recent Windrush controversy, the Home Office faces further questions over its hostile approach to immigration.

Something similar to the new UK tier 2 visa concession for doctors and nurses coming to work for the NHS previously had the backing of Health and Social Care Secretary, Jeremy Hunt. The MP for South West Surrey had previously presented a short-term initiative for shortage healthcare workers to Home Secretary, Sajid Javid. 

Wolverhampton South West MP, Eleanor Smith, said earlier this year that ‘shame and guilt’ over the treatment of Windrush immigrants by the Home Office has sparked a more positive outlook on UK immigration. The Labour MP said that ‘people are beginning to realise the damaging effect that demonising immigration has on communities and wider society.’

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 obtai