Changes to Immigration Applications In 2019

As with each year, the UK Visas and Immigration Department has made some changes and updates to the UK immigration rules for 2019. According to the Statement of Change released on March 7^th2019, the Tier 1, Tier 2, and the EU Settlement Scheme has received the most significant updates.

The following changes have been set out according to the statement:

Tier 1:

The Tier 1-Graduate Entrepreneur and Tier 1-Entrepreneur Visa applications will be scrapped and replaced with Tier 1-Innovator and Tier 1-Startup routes. The implementation of these new routes will be done by August 2019.

The start-up visa is aimed to expand the pool of eligible candidates to include the non-UK graduates. The reason behind this change is to attract more overseas talent looking to set up new businesses in the United Kingdom. Applicants will, however, require endorsement by any higher education or business sponsor from the UK.

The Investor Visa will look at factors such as a “credible, scalable, and innovative” business plan, necessary funds, and maintenance requirements. The applications under the Innovator route will undergo extensive reviews before being accepted.

Investor Visa:

The most significant change under the Investor visa is the time required for the funds to be held before applying for the visa. It was previously limited to 90 days but will now be extended to two years before investors are eligible.

Purchase of the UK national debt by buying government bonds will no longer qualify as an investment. Also, the requirement for opening a UK bank account before applying for an investor visa is also being tightened to ensure the banks perform due diligence before allowing the investors to transfer the funds.

EU Settlement Scheme:

Appendix EU has also seen some significant changes under the latest Statement of Change. The changes have taken effect from 30^th March with the following highlights:

• Applications from outside the UK will now be accepted.
• Non-EEA citizens will be able to join or accompany an EEA citizen by applying for an “EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit”.
• Any applications under the EU appendix will be free of charge from 30^thMarch onwards.
• Only digital applications will be entertained unless there is an exception made by the Home Office.
• Changes to the requirements for citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland as well as those living on the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.
• National ID cards approved as identity documents for EEA nationals. For a non-EEA family member, biometric residence cards are required.
• Administrative reviews can be made from outside the UK.

Tier 2 Salary:

The minimum salary requirement under Tier 2 was increased to £30,000 in the last update by the Home Office with temporary exceptions for a few professions. That exception has now been extended indefinitely. Changes have also been made to the salary bands to stay within the monthly quota requirements under Tier 2 visa applications.

Migrants applying for indefinite leave to remain will be required to show a minimum salary of £38,800 if the date of application is after the 6^th of April, 2023.

For more information regarding the changes to the UK immigration policies for 2019, contact Wembley Solicitors—leading immigration lawyers in Middlesex, London. We are highly experienced in dealing with the UK immigration laws and provide expert legal advice for all UK immigration visa routes.