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UK Immigration Cap – What Does this Mean for Australians & New Zealanders?

UK Immigration Cap – What Does this Mean for Australians & New Zealanders?

The new UK government rolled out the first of its changes aimed at limiting the amount of non-EU workers travelling to the UK for work and . A temporary cap limiting the number of non-EU workers coming into the UK, will come into effect between now and April 2011. The mechanisms

designed by the new UK government and implemented by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to limit this category of migrants are separated into two of the points based sections, these being Tier 1 and Tier 2 (General) visas.

Tier 1 Visas will be limited in the following ways

  • An increase in the points you need to score from 95 to 100.
  • A quota that restricts the number of Tier 1 visas that can be issued between now and April 2011, 5400.

These two measures have been introduced as of 19th July 2010. The quota of 5400 Tier 1 visas that can be issued between now and April 2011 equates to roughly 635 Tier 1 visas available to be issued each month by all British High Commissions (BHC) around the world.

In the 08-09 UK financial year an average of 204 Australians and 92 New Zealanders applied for entry clearance per month through the BHC in their home countries. Comparatively in the same period of time there was an average of 972 applications received each month through the BHC in India. Globally there were a total of 34,460 applications received in the year, an average of 2871 per month.

Simple arithmetic shows that should there be the same level of demand for this visa from around the world the possibility for many people to miss out on the opportunity to live and work in the UK on the T1 visa is very real.

So, what does this mean for Australian’s and New Zealanders wishing to relocate to the UK?

According to 1st Contact’s registered migration agent Melanie Pitt, those wishing to relocate to the UK for career motives on the Tier 1 visa should act sooner rather than later to avoid disappointments further down the line.

“Given the monthly quota system and the way in which valid applications not issued in one month, because of limits being reached, are then held over until the start of the following month a major backlog could develop. It is entirely possible that closer to January of next year we could find ourselves in a position whereby at the start of each month all allowable Tier 1 allocations are exhausted immediately due to those valid applications waiting in the queue for the monthly quota to open.”

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The Pankina Victory: What Does It Mean to You?

The Pankina Victory: What Does It Mean to You?

If your application for further leave to remain was recently refused or if you have been refused on grounds of maintenance only, a recent court ruling could make it possible for the decision in your case to be overturned!

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Spousal or Partner Visa Applicants to Pass English Language Test

Spousal or Partner Visa Applicants to Pass English Language Test

On the 26th July 2010 the UKBA announced that effective 29 November 2010, all non-EU nationals applying for spousal or partner visas would need to meet certain English language requirements.

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Divorce Abroad – How Will You Cope?

Divorce Abroad – How Will You Cope?

Moving to a new country can either make a marriage stronger or make it take a turn for the worse. 1st Contact hears from expert, Nicola Baume, and www.simpledivorceadvice.com. Continue Reading

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Tough Interim Limit on Non-EU Migrant Workers

Tough Interim Limit on Non-EU Migrant Workers

Prior to the election, David Cameron took a tough line on immigration, vowing to bring annual net migration figures down from about 170,000 a year to just “tens of thousands”. At the time, the Liberal Democrats attacked proposals to cap immigration, but have since agreed to back the policy as part of the Government’s coalition deal.

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Considering applying for a Visa? Your Frequently Asked Questions… Answered!

Considering applying for a Visa? Your Frequently Asked Questions… Answered!

We receive a huge number of calls every day from people considering taking the plunge and living and working in the UK. And more often than not, the first couple of questions asked are pretty much the same. So we thought we’d equip you with heaps of info, even before you speak to a 1st Contact Visa Consultant!

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New UK Government: How will Visas to UK be Affected?

New UK Government: How will Visas to UK be Affected?

Prior to the UK election results, the Conservatives leader, David Cameron, and Liberal Democrats leader, Nick Clegg, clashed over their intended Immigration policies. Continue Reading

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Making It Big Down Under

Making It Big Down Under

If you’re seriously considering moving to Australia, look at the list below to see if you have what it takes to have a lucrative career and enjoy a fruitful and fulfilling life in this country. Continue Reading

Posted in AUS Migration News, Migration0 Comments

New UK Tier 1 Highly Skilled Visa Criteria – Overseas Earnings Multipliers

New UK Tier 1 Highly Skilled Visa Criteria – Overseas Earnings Multipliers

6 April saw the implementation of all the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) recommendations relating to the UK Tier 1 (General) highly skilled migrant category visa. Continue Reading

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Tier 1 Visa Requirements – The High Earnings Question

Tier 1 Visa Requirements – The High Earnings Question

“Earning requirements have been raised quite significantly, but not to the point where it is impossible for normal, skilled South Africans to qualify. The earnings qualifications amount to between 5-45 points with the minimum level of earnings, for which applicants can claim points, set at £25,000 (increased from £20,000)”, explains Cory. Continue Reading

Posted in Featured News, UK Migration News11 Comments

UK Visa Fees Set to Increase from 6 April 2010

UK Visa Fees Set to Increase from 6 April 2010

The UK is set to increase its Immigration Visa fees from 6 April 2010 and it seems the group hardest hit by the increases will be those with dependent relatives.  Settlement Visas for dependent relatives have jumped from £585 to a whopping £1680, while the application for indefinite leave to remain for a dependent relative already in Britain will rise to £1,930. An additional 10 percent will now also be charged for every child.

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Bachelor Degrees Back for Tier 1 Visa

Bachelor Degrees Back for Tier 1 Visa

The UK Government has announced that they have accepted all of the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) recommendations relating to the points threshold for the Tier 1 (General) highly skilled migrant category visa. Continue Reading

Posted in Featured News, Migration, UK Migration News81 Comments

British Citizenship Opportunities Not Lost as UK Promotes ‘Circular Migration’

British Citizenship Opportunities Not Lost as UK Promotes ‘Circular Migration’

The UK government has launched an international action plan to encourage ‘circular migration’ and prevent illegal immigration. Through a points-based system, skilled temporary residents may be able to ‘pause’ their journey to UK citizenship, returning home to contribute their expertise. Continue Reading

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Their UK Visa Headaches Solved – A Sunshine Couple Relocates

Their UK Visa Headaches Solved – A Sunshine Couple Relocates

When Jaco Voges and his wife Madeleine step off the plane at Heathrow Airport, it will be spring. And even if it’s raining, in a sense, the sun will be shining for this young couple because not only are they both newly qualified chartered accountants, but they are also in possession of something highly sought after by prospective migrants: a Tier 1 Visa which allows them to live and work in the UK for three years! Continue Reading

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Australia’s Immigration Policy is Reformed

Australia’s Immigration Policy is Reformed

According to expert immigration group 1st Contact, recent changes to Australia’s immigration policy presents good news to both current domestic workers as well as to hopeful migrants seeking to relocate to Australian shores. Continue Reading

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Drastic Fee Increases for UK Visa Applicants

Drastic Fee Increases for UK Visa Applicants

Leading immigration company 1st Contact says it will keep costs low, despite the sharp rise.

Walking the path to British Citizenship or simply applying for a visa such as the Tier 1 Visa is set to become a costly exercise after the UK government signaled its intention to increase UK visa fees as of April this year. Continue Reading

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British Citizenship Opens to Thousands

British Citizenship Opens to Thousands

International immigration group, 1st Contact has its offices ready for the large number of enquiries already coming through from eligible individuals in an attempt to obtain British Citizenship. A new development in the UK immigration law, which came into effect on 13 January 2010, has made it possible for individuals with British born mothers to gain UK citizenship through registration. Individuals who qualify for this right, under section 4C of the British Nationality Act of 1948, no longer need to apply via the standard ancestral visa route in order to become British citizens. Continue Reading

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Qualifications Unlock Immigration Opportunities

Qualifications Unlock Immigration Opportunities

The UK may well be advised to relax its Tier 1 educational requirement from a Masters qualification to a Bachelors degree, following recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). The suggestion is good news for applicants currently falling behind in points for the Tier 1 visa. Continue Reading

Posted in Featured News, Migration, UK Migration News6 Comments

Compulsory ID Cards for Foreign Nationals

Compulsory ID Cards for Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals heading to the UK for work will soon have to carry special identity cards, as part of a major crackdown on illegal immigration. Skilled workers, student visa holders and those with UK marriage visas will also now need  to apply for an ID card when they renew their UK visas. Continue Reading

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Harsh Penalties for Cheating Immigration Exam

Harsh Penalties for Cheating Immigration Exam

Two conmen, Rong Yang and Steven Lee were found sitting in their vehicle outside a test centre in Wimbledon, have been heavily fined after being convicted of using high-tech spy equipment to transmit answers to applicants writing the Life in the UK Test in 2008. Continue Reading

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