In order to cap a permanent limit on the number of non-European immigrants coming to the United Kingdom, the nation’s government has made announcement of the changes to make adjustment for the new cap. As part of the strategy, the Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points-based migration system have seen a number of amendments, all of which are going to be in place from April 2010 onwards.

The UK decided to limit the annual cap for people entering the nation under the Skilled and Highly-skilled Visa categories at 21,700. The segregation of the limit is- 20,700 overseas individuals will be allowed under the Tier 2 (General) visa category and rest 1,000 will be covered by the soon-to-be launched visa category, Tier 1 Visa Category for Exceptional Talent.

A few conditions applied to the limit reserved for the Tier 2 (General) category include the following:

• The limit of 20,700 does not cover those who file application from inside the UK or who have been staying in the UK.
• The dependants of the principal applicants of the Tier 2 visa category do not fall under the limit.
• It also does not apply to Tier 2 (General) visa applicants, securing a job in the UK at over 150,000 pounds.
• The cap excludes individuals applying under the Tier 2 (Sportsperson) category.
• It does not include applicants of the Tier 2 (Minister of religion).
• Also the cap does not have to do anything with the applicants of the tier 2 (Intra company transfer).

As for the Tier 2 (Intra company transfer) category, UK employers can be able to bring in their overseas employees; however, the condition for the applicants is that they must earn over 40,000 pounds in order to stay in the United Kingdom for up to 5 years. Individuals with earning of between 24,000 and 40,000 pounds will be allowed to stay in the nation for a maximum period of 1 year.

To know more about the changes brought to the UK migration policy, contact an Immigration and Visa Consultant!