Summary of Tier 1 IMMEDIATE changes, from 29 February

[Administrator]

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Hi --

We published a Special Edition of our Newsletter last night. You may read it on-line here:

Special Edition Immigration Newsletter - UK Tier 1 Begins

The newsletter has numerous links within the text to news stories and content sections of our website with more detailed information.


A comprehensive video summary for it, which is largely the text of the newsletter:

Weekly news update 05 March 2008

Also with key links on that page.


Hopefully this will answer many of the questions being asked about Tier 1 and HSMP as the changes stand this week.


The immediate effect is that anyone under HSMP who needs to extend their leave to remain must now do so under Tier 1 rules.

Also, if you are currently legally residing in the UK, many types of visa holders may now immediately apply to switch to a Tier 1 visa, if they wish to do so. This includes current HSMP holders, even if you do not need to renew your HSMP until next year or longer.


As of 01 April 2008, anyone living/residing in India and submitting an application to the UK offices in India will need to apply for Tier 1 under the new rules.

YOU MAY STILL SUBMIT AN HSMP APPLICATION before 01 April from this region. You will come under the old rules, and you will then renew your leave to remain under Tier 1 when your HSMP comes up for expiration in two years.

Hopefully, this would allow you to meet the financial Maintenance requirement and the more stringent English requirements by then.


The "rest of the world" will have to use Tier 1 "sometime during the summer." Our information is that it might be EARLY in the summer, so watch the news carefully.

the Admin

[Administrator]

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Hey folks ...

It has been pointed out that, regarding the English language requirement and university degrees from countries on "THE List" maintained by the uk government, there is some confusion about what happens if a degree/qualification is not from a country on the list.

We've been updating the website all week and have not yet corrected every change. There may be other errors; please let us know when you find them. It is a complex project ...

Universities in & degrees from countries not on the list from the UK government can still qualify, BUT people will need to use the NARIC database on a case-by-case basis.

There is a sticky topic dedicated to bypassing the cost of using the NARIC database, which you may read through & contribute to if you wish:

-> UK Tier 1 visas (HSMP unavailable soon) -> NARIC Database Collection

Thank you!

the Admin