UK Immigration Update: Increased Earnings For Tier 2 Workers

As we have reported, the Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules are coming into force on 6 April 2015. We will now look at the changes that will affect UK employers who want to recruit individuals from outside the EU. The most notable change is the increase in salary rates for employees coming to the UK under the Tier 2 visa category under the Points-Based System (PBS). 

New Minimum Salary Rates for Tier 2 Workers

The Home Office plans to increase the salary rate for Tier 2 employees. Please see below the new minimum salary thresholds in comparison to the current threshold for jobs under Tier 2 visa category:

  • Tier 2 General jobs: The current threshold for jobs that qualify under the Tier 2 General category is £20,500. From 6 April 2015 this will be raised by £300 to £20,800.
  • Jobs under the same visa category but are exempt from being advertised – current threshold is £71,600 will be raised by £900 to £72,500.
  • Jobs under the same sub visa category but are exempt from the Resident Market Test and the ‘cooling off period’, current salary threshold is £153,500 will be raised by £1,800 to 155,300.
  • Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer jobs: These jobs are considered for short-term staff, skills transfer or graduate trainee categories (6 months to 1 year) current salary threshold is £24,500 is raised by £300 to £24,800.
  • Under the same category, jobs for long term staff (maximum 5 years) current salary threshold is £41,000 is being raised by £500 to £41,500.
  • Tier 2 General & Tier 2 Sportsperson: Earnings for individuals applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) at the they are making their visa application current salary threshold is £35,800. This will be raised by £400 to £36,200 (individuals working at a P.H.D level or on the shortage Occupation list are exempt).

Home Office Stats: Increase in Tier 2 Visas Granted in 2014

According to the Home Office’s official immigration statistics, 271,000 individuals migrated to the UK for work in the year ending September 2014. This is a statistically significant increase of 54,000 compared with a year earlier. Furthermore, during the same period, work-related visas granted to main applicants rose by 8,833 to 115,680, largely reflecting a 6,142 increase for Tier 2 skilled workers.

The Tier 2 category of the PBS is for non-European migrants who have been offered a highly skilled job  by a UK employer to fill a gap in the workforce that cannot be filled by a settled worker. If you wish to apply for a Tier 2 General Visa our City of London Lawyers can help you with your Tier 2 visa application and queries. Our expert Immigration Team of Lawyers can assist you with the preparation of your visa application and assess your eligibility in accordance with the Home Office requirements. We will ensure that all key points are substantiated with documentary evidence, as we will provide you with a bespoke supporting documents list tailored to your circumstances. Therefore leading to a successful application and avoiding unnecessary expense of re submitting your application to the Home Office.

Successful UK Tier 2 Visa Applications

Our team of experienced and professionally qualified immigration solicitors and barristers will be able to guide you through the process of making a Tier 2 General migrant visa application step by step and limit the possibility of failure by complying with the strict letter of law.

We also undertake a great deal of appeal work before the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal and have a successful track record of successful results for our clients. We have the experience and the knowledge required to take your case forward successfully. If you have had a Tier 2 General visa refused, contact us to discuss your case so that we can provide you with a case assessment.

 

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