UK Immigration News

As from 1st September 2002, all IT work permit applications must show that the job has been advertised in either a national newspaper or a relevant trade journal.

On 21st August 2002, the Home Office considered the current state of the IT labour market. As a result, it was decided that all occupations should be removed from the Work Permits (UK) IT shortage occupation list, and as such, there will no longer be a shortage list for the IT Sector.

The state of the labour market will be reviewed again by the Home Office in around three months time.

If you are a non-European Union national work permit holder who has been maderedundant recently - particularly if you were working in the finance or ITsectors, you may be eligible to stay in the UK under the Highly Skilled MigrantProgramme.

The Highly Skilled Migrant Programme allows you to stay in the UK for up to12 months. The programme aims to attract and retain skilled foreign nationals tothe UK. You must have at least a degree and have earned more than £ 40 000.00in the last 12 months - further earnings, qualifications and work experiencewill increase your score.

The Work Permits (UK) Passport Team is currently dealing with a largeback-log of Leave to Remain decisions. This is the “immigration” side of theWork Permit application process which takes place after the Work Permit has beenapproved. The work permit applicant’s passport is then referred to thePassport Team who decides whether or not to allow the applicant permission tostay in the UK.

The UK's new scheme to give permits to highly skilled people withoutrequiring 'sponsorship' by an employer, the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP),has so far attracted 338 successful applicants (up to 13 June 2002)

The HSMP assesses applicants on a based points system, with credit given forqualifications, work experience, professional achievement, and earning ability. Successfulapplicants can take up positions with any employer - or start their ownbusiness.

More temporary overseas workers will be able to come to the UK to meet labourdemands and boost the economy, under plans announced on 29th May 2002 bythe Home Office.

The Government is consulting on expanding two existing foreign workersschemes - the Working Holidaymakers Scheme (WHS) and the Seasonal AgriculturalWorkers Scheme (SAWS) to meet recruitment difficulties and demand for short termand seasonal workers. It also wants to make the WHS more inclusive of all of theCommonwealth.

Publishing the consultation papers, Home Office Minister, Lord Rooker, said:

The Agreement between the European Community and its Member States and theSwiss Confedeartion on the Free Movement of Persons, will enter into force on 1May 2002. In general terms the Agreement confers on Swiss nationals and theirfamily members the same rights as those enjoyed by EEA nationals and theirfamily members

"The Home Office has announced that as from 1st June 2002 Swissnationals and their family will have a right of residence in the United Kingdomif they are working, self employed, providing or receiving services, studying orself sufficient.