Impending changes to Tier 1 Apr 1st 2009

Jacqui Smith doing what she does best - being fucking frustrating.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/migrantworkerstoughertest

Main point:

Tighten new criteria against which highly skilled migrants seeking entry to the United Kingdom are judged, by raising the qualifications and salary required for tier 1 of the PBS to a Master's degree and a minimum salary of £20,000 (NZ $56,0000)

This is bad news, I wonder what it means for those of us already here on HSMP who need to change to tier 1 in order to continue living here. It does say "entry" to the UK but it's still vague ...

If you're already on HSMP you're sweet, if you aren't....well you're pretty much fucked from what I understand.

Good to be here on Ancestry.

(Offers of marriage welcome)

It's actually starting to sway my thinking to stay longer. I could have always come back on the Tier 1 before these changes but now I couldn't, so i'm thinking of hanging around for citizenship...2011. Seems so long away though!

What visa are you staying until 2011 on, Greenie?

*Strokes ancestory visa*

I’m on the (old) HSMP. I got it in June 2005 so in June 2010 I have to apply for indefinite leave (aka permanent residency). I still might not though.

If I do, I would stay till mid 2011 when I could apply for citizenship which takes 3-6 months.

The hsmp changes make it more difficult for people to get permanent jobs. Recruitment consultants seem to be confused as to whether or not we can be placed in permanent jobs. I need to get my hsmp extended in Aug, and a number of consultants don't seem keen to consider me for permanent jobs. I guess in their mind there is always a chance (unlikely as it is) that my application will be declined. Also, some of them are aware of "new stricter rules", but dont know what they are, much less that they don't affect people already in the UK.

Are you applying for a renewal of the HSMP (which I think you have to do after having it for a year?) or Indefinite Leave? They should know that Indefinite leave is a very different thing which inly requires you to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years and not have been absent for more than 450 days during that time, and 90 (ish) for the last 12.

Im applying for hsmp extention (tier 1).

I guess you will have heard that they are talking about increasing the length of time before you can apply for citizenship by another 3 yrs. So assuming you arrived on hsmp from day 1, you'd have to be here 8 yrs before you could apply.

I had read it only affects people who arrive after they pass that law - and the 3 years probationary is for people who get minor convictions. For upstanding citizens like ourselves who have never broken the law and gotten caught, and have improved our English such as managed to stop saying sux instead of six, it'd still be the same time...5 years plus 1.

Actually that would make sense as the HO tried to introduce retrospective changes about a year ago (regarding indefinate leave to remain I think), got taken to court and lost. Hopefully they have learnt their lesson.