Changes to the UK Work Permit Forms and Guidance Notes

The Home Office has recently announced some subtle changes to the UK work permit forms and guidance notes. The new application forms and guidance notes should be used for applications sent to the UK Border Agency for UK work permit applications made on or after April 1^st 2008. These changes have come about following the change in name of the UK Border and Immigration Agency to the UK Border Agency.

The UK work permit application forms and guidance notes have been re branded to reflect this change in name: UK work permit forms are now branded as UK Border Agency. Secondly, UK work permit application forms for non Bulgarian and Romanian nationals, and the corresponding guidance notes, will only be available via the new UK Border Agency website. This can be accessed at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.

The Home Office has also reported that previous versions of the UK work permit application forms will continue to be accepted by the UK Border Agency

You will be able to access these new forms either using the link above or by calling the Home Office distribution center on 0117 344 1471.

Please remember that UK work permit arrangements will change during 2008 – 9. The new points based system will then come into force. We will continue to bring you further information surrounding this change.

 

Work Permit Guidance Notes

The current UK Work Permit guidance notes which were due to expire on 30 March 2008 have been extended, and are now valid until 31 March 2008. Updated Work Permit guidance notes effective from 1 April 2008 will be published on this blog when they have been made available.

HSMP Changes to Improve UK Immigration

The new Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, HSMP, points-based system for immigrants, which came into force on the 29th of February 2008, will, according to PM Gordon Brown, let the right people into the UK. Based on the Australian points system, the new HSMP is a five-tier system replacing the previous 80 migration routes to the UK. The HSMP only applies to people from outside the UK and favours skilled and qualified immigrants.

Applicants under the HSMP will receive a score based on factors such as their age, education, work experience and command of English. In fact, all applicants will have to pass an English test, unless they have £1m or more to invest. Under the new HSMP, skilled wokers in occupations where there is a shortage will also be able to enter, as long as they have a job offer lined up. Read the full article here: HSMP Changes to Improve UK Immigration