A number of changes to the Immigration Rules come into effect today (13 December 2012). These changes will affect non-European Economic Area nationals applying to enter or remain in the UK.
The changes include:
- Non substantive changes to all PBS tiers.
- Establishing a more robust and clear criminality framework against which immigration applications will be assessed.
- Amendments to clarify the absences from the UK that are allowed during the continuous residence period for settlement for Tier 1 (General), Tier 2 and pre-points based system work routes (for example work permits, self-employment and business person).
- Minor changes to the child and parent routes to make them as clear and comprehensive as possible and changes to simplify the operation of the income threshold for sponsoring family migrants.
We have also updated our application forms and guidance, please see our application form news item for further information.
Further information, including the Statements of Changes to the Immigration rules (HC 760 and HC820), and the Explanatory Memorandum can be found in the news story published on 22 November 2012.
Link: Changes to the Immigration Rules come into effect on 13 December 2012
