Immigration Cap, "Tens of Thousands"

I've been reading up on the immigration news of late, as I am heading to the UK in October on a YMS visa and the plan (if all goes well) is to get an unmarried partner visa at the end of it as I will be living with my boyfriend for the 2 year duration.

There has been a lot lately about the cap and how they are cracking down on anyone outside of the EU trying to stay after a temporary visa, but they make no mention of these "relationship based visas" only work related ones.

Does this mean that they have no recourse to change/stop the relationship based ones? I read somewhere that might infringe on human rights? Should I be worried about my plan working out in two years when they hope to have immagration much lower?

Thanks!

You may not know it but there's always been a cap regarding Tier 5 YMS as it comes from mutual agreement between the UK and eligible countries. Canada rarely reaches its annual limit.

The new limits shouldn't affect YMS, at least in the short-term. Also, once you've got your visa, any change to immigration law shouldn't affect the validity of your visa as the government usually apply the chances for future applications and not retroactively.

As for relationship-based visas, they have limited powers to limit the amount of visas granted in these categories as they can't prevent family to live together but it's a fact that they've been more cautious lately regarding these applications, hence the importance of the evidence provided to prove the relationship is genuine and has last at least 2 years.

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Registered Immigration Advisers
Members of the Quebec Bar
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
www.visa-wise.co.uk

based on the changes that are going to happen in April 2012, it's very likely that you will need to return to Canada after the 2 years in order to apply for your unmarried partner visa. After that it will take 5 years for you to get permanent residency and another year for citizenship, unless you're married by then.

It takes only 2 years residence in the UK under the spouse/unmarried partner category in order to be eligible to apply for permanent residency (ILR), not 5 years. The 5 years requirement is for employment routes such as Tier 1, Tier 2, UK ancestry, etc.

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Registered Immigration Advisers
Members of the Quebec Bar
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
www.visa-wise.co.uk

Changes regarding family migration are part of a consultation that is currently taking place. Depending on the responses received from the public, the government may bring some modifications to the changes they initially proposed, hence the importance of giving your opinion before the consultation closes on 6 October 2011.

To take part: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... migration/

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Registered Immigration Advisers
Members of the Quebec Bar
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
www.visa-wise.co.uk