Yesterday, the UK government announced changes to the immigration rules which will affect Tier 2 visa applications made on or after 24 November 2016.
Following the Migration Advisory (MAC)’s review of the Tier 2 visa route this January, the Home Office announced significant reform to the Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa category. These changes are predominately designed to streamline the Tier 2 ICT visa into a single visa category and the changes will be introduced in two stages (November 2016 and April 2017).
The following changes will come into effect for all Certificate of Sponsorship assigned by Tier 2 sponsor on or after 24 November:
- Increasing the Tier 2 (General) salary threshold for experienced workers to £25,000, with some exemptions;
- Increasing the Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) salary threshold for short term staff to £30,000;
- Reducing the Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) graduate trainee salary threshold to £23,000 and increasing the number of places to 20 per company per year; and
- Closing the Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer) skills transfer sub-category.
The government are yet to announce the date from which Intra Company Transfers will be liable for Immigration Health Surcharge.
Our business immigration team will keep you updated on the changes and any future changes which may be announced in the new year.