Changes to Applying for Limited Leave to Remain from 1 April

New changes :
Applying for Limited Leave to Remain from 1 April 2004
12 March 2004

I think there will be some changes to the Limited Leave to Remain.

Does anyone have the complete information on the above?

http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/workin ... _2004.html?



And how is this going to effect the employees already in UK with 2,3 years Workpermit?

It looks like a way to charge £121 for HSMP renewal applications, which are currently free.

Joseph

I think that they changed the procedure because of a legal problem- the candidate is the one who should apply for FLR not the employer.

tnavnon

That's true although the legal issue has been in effect for a while now.

I think the main issue is that the new form FLR(IED) that will be used starting in April for both WP and HSMP will have a fee of £121, except for EU new entrants. It replaces the FLR(HSM) extension application which currently has no fee. It also replaces FLR(WPH), which extends WP LTE to match the work permit. FLR(WPH) is also currently free.

A sign of the times!

Joseph

My take on this is that HO was covered on the legal aspect by virtue of statement in WP form that such was also an application for Leave To Remain for in-country applicants. Further note that the Home Secretary has immense power to grant LTR even orally irrespective of how the LTR is application is made. However it is administratively easier to have the individual apply for LTR because the relevant judicial process especially for refusals is more straightforward and readily covered by the Immigration & Nationality Act 2002.

The move also continues the HO strategy to de-link the employment authorisation and immigration authorisation aspects of all employment based immigration applications. This facilitates/ justifies the charging of two processing fees even where both tasks are done by the same person. It also makes it easier to implement increases in the cost recovery fee to the 'anticipated benefits' level that the chancellor had mentioned last year -"immigrants now needed to balance the books" would be a headline for sore eyes especially in a certain Sunday Tabloid.