UK Border Agency Statement of Intent to Increase Maintenance Requirements for Visas

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

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About 1st Contact Visas 1st Contact Visas is an immigration consultancy incorporated in 1998 with the aim of becoming the premier visa service provider to people wishing to migrate around the world. 1st Contact Visas can assist with the full range of UK Visas, including the HSMP/Tier 1 Visa and working towards British Citizenship though Indefinite Leave to Remain.

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