{"id":1259,"date":"2019-04-13T13:00:17","date_gmt":"2019-04-13T13:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wembleysolicitors.com\/blog\/?p=1259"},"modified":"2019-04-11T07:15:46","modified_gmt":"2019-04-11T07:15:46","slug":"changes-to-immigration-applications-in-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wembleysolicitors.com\/blog\/changes-to-immigration-applications-in-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Changes to Immigration Applications In 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/u><\/a>\u00a0released on March 7th<\/sup>2019, the Tier 1, Tier 2, and the EU Settlement Scheme has received the most significant updates.<\/p>\n

The following changes have been set out according to the statement:<\/p>\n

Tier 1:<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The Investor Visa will look at factors such as a \u201ccredible, scalable, and innovative\u201d business plan, necessary funds, and maintenance requirements. The applications under the Innovator route will undergo extensive reviews before being accepted.<\/p>\n

Investor Visa:<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

EU Settlement Scheme:<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Appendix EU has also seen some significant changes under the latest Statement of Change. The changes have taken effect from 30th<\/sup>\u00a0March with the following highlights:<\/p>\n