Tier 1 (General) scheme will be closed in 2011

The UK Home Secretary, Theresa May, announced yesterday that Tier 1 (General) route will be closed in April 2011. This scheme currently allows highly skilled workers who qualify to come live and work to the UK for a limited period of time (2 years).

Since July, there's also a monthly limit for Tier 1 applications made from outside the UK. The limit for November was reached on 10 November, which means that there's an increasing backlog each month!

So, if you were planning to apply under this category, you'd better do it as soon as possible in order to avoid any disappointment.

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Registered Immigration Advisers
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
http://www.visa-wise.co.uk

Thanks for posting this! I do understand it is your bread and butter to advise on such matter for money. But was hoping you can provide (or maybe someone else has an insight) more info.

A) When this scheme goes away, does this mean that people who received their Highly Skilled Workers' visa now will not be able to renew and therefore 2 years is all they get? Or will there be a certain "grandfather clause" that will allow current holders of the visa to renew even thought the scheme won't be active for "new" pariticipants?

B) When we talk about the backlog, does this mean that when the cut off day for scheme to close comes all of the backlog applications will automatically be refused? Or will the date of the application, if it is before the cut off date, determine it's acceptance?

A) When this scheme goes away, does this mean that people who received their Highly Skilled Workers' visa now will not be able to renew and therefore 2 years is all they get? Or will there be a certain "grandfather clause" that will allow current holders of the visa to renew even thought the scheme won't be active for "new" pariticipants?

We don't know yet. Renewals won't probably be affected, but we can't be 100% sure for now.

B) When we talk about the backlog, does this mean that when the cut off day for scheme to close comes all of the backlog applications will automatically be refused? Or will the date of the application, if it is before the cut off date, determine it's acceptance?

Same answer here, we don't know yet hence our advice to apply as soon as possible.

-- Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:56 am --

Unfortunately, UKBA has decided to close Tier 1 (General) on 23 December 2010 for applications made from outside the UK.

This means that only applicants who are already in the UK can now submit a Tier 1 application.

If you submitted an application on or before 22 December 2010, your application will be processed as normal. If you already got a Tier 1 visa, your dependants can still apply to join you in the UK.

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Registered Immigration Advisers
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
http://www.visa-wise.co.uk

Hi VisaWise,

I had planned for application as I was gathering documents of Tier 1 application particulary reqmt of 3000 pounds avg balance in bank acount for three months.
Meantime today I checked and to my disapointment they have stopped this Visa Now.
I was planning to visit UK and search a Job while staying with my Sister who is UK citizen.

Can you comment is there any other way available.

Regards

We understand your disappointment... this news came as a shock for everybody. But all is not lost.

If you have a grandparent who was born in the UK, you could apply for UK Ancestry. If not, if you're under 31 years old, you could apply for Youth mobility scheme. Both these programs allow you to live in work in the UK. Finally, you can also search for a UK job while still in Canada and once you get a job offer, you could apply for Tier 2. The employer must be a registered sponsor though or if not, register as a sponsor before you apply.

If you need more info about either of these options, don't hesitate to contact us.

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Registered Immigration Advisers
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
http://www.visa-wise.co.uk

Dear all, (VisaWise),

Please help. I need an advice.

FACTS:

I am a Canadian citizen, who has been working in Ukraine for the last year (8 months out of 12 in 2010... with salary paid in cash - the job was reputable/legit, but since its was a financial firm with offshore legal structure - that is how it has been done, etc.).

Currently, I am based in France, since I am engaged to a French girl. I am 31 years old as of August.

I want to work in London. I went there a few times; and love the city, plus given my professional background (investment banking, finance, MBA, etc.) - I believe that I would be able to find a good job even in the current market.

All those changes to the Tier 1 visa scheme disappoint me. That said, I realize that even though a month ago (i.e. before Dec 23 2010) I would have been "technically" illegible for Tier 1 - I also realize that due to the fact that my compensation was paid in cash (no bank account deposits) I would have problems proving that income/(or, it would simply be impossible?).

Also, in retrospect I regret that I did not apply for the "young commonwealth" visa back in July when I was still 30 years old.

I had a few interviews in London, but hot having a work permit turns the potential employers off... One potential employer is "considering" to do the Tier 2 for me now... but, I am afraid that it is going to be yet another "no".

QUESTIONS:

1) What are my options? Is there some visa scheme that I am not aware of that would allow me to get a work permit for UK? What about after April 2011 - will there be some scheme then?

2) When I marry my French fiancee - can it be used for me to obtain a UK work permit? I know that I will be able to get a work permit for France (after jumping through a few loops it would be possible to get "carte de sejour").

3) Tier 2: how difficult is it for employers to get that permit for potential workers (especially, with the currently implemented quotas)? How long does it take? (2-5 weeks, or longer?)...

4) Do I really have to leave EU after 3 months for 3 months? What happens if I don't and just stay in Paris with my fiancee and continue looking for a job and working on my papers?

---

That's about it... I really, really would appreciate any help here. So, please let me know.

Good luck to you all. And thank you kindly in advance,

CC

Hi,
Please kindly let us know when Tier 1 General scheme will be open.

Regards,
Santosh Kumar
santosh.1543@gmail.com

Unfortunately, Tier 1 (General) will not re-open to overseas applications. This program remains available to applications made within the UK but until April 2011 only. There will be transitional arrangements but details are yet to be published.

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Registered Immigration Advisers
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
http://www.visa-wise.co.uk

Dear VisaWise!
In 2008 I obtained UK visa Tier 1 (Post-Study Work), based on my MA diploma. In my case the visa is valid till December, 2011.
During last years I was not able to leave the country due to my family circumstances.
However, as the difficulties were completely solved, I intend to leave for UK now having necessary savings to cover my living expenses for a few months and a verbal job offers and several interview appointments.

The Tier 1 closure is a shock for me, however, I couldn't find the answer on my main three questions:

1. Can I enter UK for the first time now? Or would that cause a problem at the airport?
2. Is there any other options for me to renew my visa?
3. If I have the right to be in UK for the remaining few months and find a job, what are the chances for applying under any other program?

The fact that you left the UK after getting your PSW visa and stayed abroad for 2 years may cause some problems when you try to re-enter the UK. You can give it a try, but we would suggest that you bring with you the documents that you submitted with your applications as well as your recent bank statements to show that you will be able to accomodate yourself.

If you succeed, you won't be able to renew your PSW visa once in the UK. PSW holders used to be allowed to switch to Tier 1 general but it won't be allowed anymore from 6 April. You will still be able to switch to Tier 1 Investors or Tier 1 Entrepreneurs if you meet the requirements.

Finally, another option would be to get a job offer from a UK employer registered on the sponsors list and then apply for under Tier 2 category, which are for sponsored skilled workers.

VisaWise | Immigration Consultancy
OISC Registered Immigration Advisers
London, United Kingdom
info@visa-wise.co.uk
http://www.visa-wise.co.uk

-- Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:55 pm --

We now know that Tier 1 (General) will remain open to Tier 1 (General) holders who seek extension of their current visa (leave to remain) within the UK.

Form 6 April 2011, only those already under Tier 1 (General) will be allowed to apply for extension. Switching from other categories or applying from overseas will NOT be permitted.

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