Immigration minister Damian Green last week announced that new rules will soon come into force that will help to reduce abuse of the student visa route and ensure that only “the brightest and the best students” can stay and work in the UK. The most controversial of the new rules is undoubtedly the abolition of the post-study work visa from April this year. This visa allowed self-financing students from India and other non-EU countries to work in the UK for two years after their studies were completed. Continue Reading

IT contractors should have no trouble finding work, as there are many skills currently listed as being in short supply in the IT sector. Continue Reading

1st Contact Forex is constantly expanding their service to more and more countries. Their latest addition is Zambia! Continue Reading

Rules and changes affecting study post-study work and maintenance requirements for students and workers will take effect on the 6th April 2012

Changes to the maintenance levels which students and workers must show before obtaining a visa and the amount that can be paid as an accommodation deposit.

Applicants for Tier 1 Entrepreneurs and Graduate Entrepreneurs, and legacy Tier 1 (General) cases will be required to show:

• £3100 for Entry clearance applications (was £2800)
• £900 for leave to remain applications (was £800)

Tier 2 and Tier 5 migrants will be required to show funds of £900 instead of the £800 required previously. As at present, if they have an A-rated Sponsor, the Sponsor may certify maintenance.

Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 5 dependants will be required to show:

• £1,800 for dependants of migrants who have been in the UK for less than 12 months (was £1600)
• £600 for all other dependants (was £533)

There is a separate table for the changes to the maintenance requirement that students need to meet.

The UKBA had not confirmed that transitional arrangements will be put in place to cater for those applicants that may fall short of meeting the new maintenance requirement by the time that they need to lodge their application, as the maintenance of funds must be held for at least a 90 day consecutive period prior to lodging the application.

To avoid being caught out by this new rule, we recommend that you lodge your application prior to the 6th of April 2012.

Please contact us to discuss how this change in the maintenance requirement may affect your application.

For more information please visit

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/february/27-new-student-rules

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/agencies-public-bodies/changes-study-visa-soi?view=Binary

On April 6th 2012 the UK Border Agency (UKBA) is going to increase visa applications by as much as 50%. This is in line with the UKBA’s strategy of reducing cost of its services to taxpayers. Continue Reading

Sable Group has recently launched a brand new service for clients wishing to secure themselves a property in Portugal and ultimately, a European Passport. Continue Reading

The Government has announced that changes will soon be introduced to the driving theory test for immigrant drivers. Within a few months, immigrants will no longer be allowed to take their UK driving test in their native language or with the help of a translator. Continue Reading

It was announced late last year that Taiwan will join Canada, Japan, Monaco, Australia and New Zealand in the UK’s youth mobility scheme. Continue Reading

The South African Reserve Bank’s Financial Surveillance Department, previously known as the Exchange Control Department, has announced several changes to the department since August 2011, many of which reaffirm the government’s position to move away from stringent controls over foreign exchange flows out of the country. Continue Reading

If you’re an independent contractor, you might be ready to take your business to the next level this year. Here are 6 great tips for doing just that. Continue Reading

If you’ve applied for your UK tax refund through 1st Contact Tax Refunds, you could be in line to receive back some of your hard earned money! Continue Reading

1st Contact Travel Clinic offers some advice for staying warm during the upcoming UK winter. Continue Reading

This month we chatted to Ruby, who relocated with her husband from Cape Town to Toowoomba in Southern Queensland, Australia. Continue Reading

With the 2011 RWC finally here, we thought it would be a good time to put together a list of our suggestions for who to follow on Twitter during the World Cup.

The All Black players have been banned from tweeting in their personal capacity, but you can follow their group twitter account, which seems like it’s going to be pretty accurate.

Catch the Springbok updates with our two favourites SA rugby twitter accounts, one official, one unofficial. We’ve included the Official Wales, Irish and Wallabies accounts and the Russian team’s Twitter account  (since it’s their first World Cup), as well as the Real NZ Festival, official RWC and Auckland pages for good measure! Continue Reading

The UKBA’s public consultation on reforms to work routes (including routes that lead to settlement, Tier 5 and overseas domestic workers) closes on Friday 9 September.

The consultation sets out the government’s proposals for breaking the link between temporary and permanent migration. Continue Reading

If you’re one of the 100 000 or so lucky buggers travelling to New Zealand for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, I pretty much hate you. You have an awesome, once-in-a-lifetime trip to a spectacular country to look forward to and I’ll probably have to watch the Boks get thrashed from my 37cm Tedelex with the green shadow in the middle of the screen. Continue Reading

Justice 4 Domestic Workers this week led a protest outside parliament, which saw hundreds of migrant domestic workers demonstrating against proposed changes to their visa conditions. Continue Reading

A targeted unpaid tax crackdown by HMRC has seen five plumbers arrested during raids in London, Hampshire, Surrey, Middlesex and West Bromwich. Continue Reading

Get along to the 2011 Aussie Rules Grand Final in London for your chance to win FREE BEER in the VB Tent for you and 5 mates

Other great prizes on offer such as 2 Tickets to the AFL Grand Final in Australia

Enjoy some ice cold VB’s, BBQ and some high flying Aussie Rules action!

Motspur Park overland (2 stops form Wimbledon, 3 from Clapham Junction + 1 minute walk)

www.afllondon.com

Where:

Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Fields
Marina Avenue, Motspur Park KT3 6NE

Directions:

• Motspur Park overland
• ONLY 3 stops from Clapham Junction
• 2 stops from Wimbledon
• 1 minute walk to ground from Motspur Park station

When:

6 August 2011, 11am – 5.30pm

Wales, otherwise known as Cymru, is part of the United Kingdom and a country known for its rich history and culture. Here are some facts about this fascinating place. Continue Reading