UK Immigration News

UKBA has announced that they are now accepting applications from arts festivals for the permit free list. This means that entertainers and their support staff may gain entry on entertainment visitor visas for major arts festivals on the list.

The Entertainer Visitor Visa is also useful for example, if you wish to take part in music competitions, as an amateur entertainer or part of an amateur group.

In most cases from 30 November 2009 overseas nationals entering the UK will need to undergo fingerprint checks; This will cover those with biometric UK visas, entry clearances and identity cards for foreign nationals (ICFNs).

UKBA has announced recently that from 14 December 2009 the resident labour market test requirement for Tier 2 visas will be four weeks. Previously you had to advertise for a period of two weeks or one week where the salary for the job is £40,000 or more.

The Home Office have recently released statistics on immigration, asylum applications, migration from Eastern Europe and removals of those illegally in the UK for the period July to September 2009.

Judicial Review for Overseas Work Permit Holders seeking permanent residence in the UK.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published proposals for a revised shortage occupation list on 21 October 2009. These proposals have been accepted in full by the UK Government.

The changes from 14 December 2009 as recommended by MAC are as follows: