The UK changes immigration rules for General Tier 2 Visas effective from 11 January 2018

Immigration rules for General Tier 2 Visas have been changed by the UK and will be effective from 11 January 2018. This was announced by the UK Home Office by notifying a Statement of Changes to the immigration rules. It includes decreasing the wait time for graduate students to swap to General Tier 2 Visas from the Tier 4 visas and the offering of digital entry clearances.

General Tier 2 Visas permit the firms in the UK sponsors citizens from non-EEA to work in skilled occupations in the UK. Below is the brief of the proposed changes to this visa category:

• Swapping to General Tier 2 Visas from the Tier 4 visas will be possible for the overseas students with immediate completion of their degree course. The existing rules mandate non-Doctoral students to wait until the receipt of the results of final year before applying for swapping. The period of wait has an influence on the start dates for the graduates. The changes permit scope for enhanced flexibility, as quoted by the Nat Law Review.
• Immigration rules will be updated for restrictions with respect to the extent to which the start date for a General Tier 2 Visa immigrant can be pushed backward. As of now, these restrictions are only a part of the Sponsor Guidance of the Home office. The commencement date of reemployment cannot be pushed back by more than 28 days for the calendar.
• A fresh exemption for the assessment of Resident Labour Market is being updated. This will be for roles that come within the “Researchers” Standard Occupational Codes.
• Salary scales for health workers across the UK will be made on par with the prevailing salary scales in the UK.
• Condition to permit nurses to go ahead with their existing General Tier 2 Visa Sponsorship is being made. This is if they are taking up an accredited program with the intention of resuming their practice.

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