Changes to Tier 2 in 2016

Hi, I am a new Zealander here in the UK on tier 2 restricted visa. The past few days there have been alot of talk in Australian and NZ websites about major changes to the teir 2 visas. None of the articles seem to state what the changes are?

The one point i read was about raising the pay limit to £35k minimum (not a problem for me). The one which worries me is if there was any changes to the right of the partner to work?

mhib wrote:raising the pay limit to £35k minimum (not a problem for me).

That's the only change, and only applicable to those applying for ILR.

I also seem to have read something about only being able to extend for 1 year beyond the original 5 years (total of 6). Is that correct? I seem to recall that people used to have few more years before that

Do you wish the list of all changes ever since Tier 2 came into existence? Or do you have reference point in mind?
What you are referring to is a ">4 year old" change!

Hi, Thanks alot for the reply. I am asking on behalf of a friend who is hoping to get a sponsorship here to the UK (to apply for tier 2 for the first time). Her pay level is lower than 35k, and she is not sure whether the 35k rule apply to her or not. Does this limit only apply to the people transferring to settlement or to all new tier 2 applications for CoS?

I believe the £35k requirement is only for candidate who applies for ILR on or after April 2016. But for getting Tier 2 Visa, She needs to be on appropriate level of pay for her job role (SOC Code). Certainly the job needs to be at NQF Level 6 or more, Appears in Shortage occupation jobs/PHD jobs.