UK immigration limit and identification card changes

Identity cards for foreign nationals will be scrapped and a UK immigration cap will be introduced, the new Home Secretary Teresa May announced.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "We will be scrapping ID cards but also introducing an annual cap on the number of migrants coming into the UK from outside the European union."

Details on the annual UK immigration limit have not yet been announced.

Compulsory ID cards were introduced for foreign nationals in 2008, but both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have opposed them from the beginning, arguing that they are expensive and have done little to tackle organised crime or terrorism.

The process of rescinding ID cards and the accompanying National Identity Register will be announced in the future. The cards remain valid, but Home Office officials said they would advise anyone thinking of applying to wait for further announcements.

Notice for holders of expired visas whose travel plans have been disrupted by the volcanic ash

The UK Border Agency / Home Office would like to reassure travellers who have been unable to leave the UK and whose visas have now expired. UKBA appreciate that this is due to exceptional circumstances beyond your control.

Please ensure that you retain proof of planned travel that would have enabled you to leave the UK before your visa expired. Please only contact the agency for further advice in exceptional circumstances.

New Immigration Changes

This is to remind you that on Tuesday 6^th April 2010, the UK Border Agency will introduce changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the Points Based System (PBS) as a result of the recommendations made by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in reports published on 19 August and 4 December 2009.

What this means

Forms and Guidance:

Changes have been made to the sponsor guidance, the migrant guidance and application forms in readiness for applications made from the 6^th April 2010.

The following links contain:

New sponsorship guidance:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/employersandsponsors/pbsguidance/

Tier 1 highly skilled workers, investors, entrepreneurs and Post study guidance and application forms:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier1/

Tier 2 migrant guidance and application form:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/

Points Calculator:

The PBS points calculator will be updated on the 6^th April to reflect the changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2 points criteria.

Sponsorship Management System (SMS):

Minor enhancements have been made to the SMS which will allow Tier 2 Sponsors to select the new Intra-Company Transfer sub-categories when preparing / assigning a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) or when requesting additional allocations of CoS.

InternationalWorkPermits will of course assist in all of the above and other immigration applications, so feel free to contact us to discuss.

Volcanic ash - disruption to services

Please note that airports are being severely affected by ongoing disruption to aviation services as a result of volcanic ash. Travellers to the UK are advised to seek advice from their airline or travel representatives directly.

New Super Premium Service for Applications

On Tuesday 6 April the UK Border Agency is launching a new service for customers applying to extend their permission to stay (also known as 'leave to remain') in the UK.

The super premium service will provide a high level of customer service and convenience. Our officers will visit a location chosen by the customer to enrol the customer's biometric information (fingerprints and photograph).

The super premium service is available to people who are applying to extend their stay in the UK under one of the following immigration categories:

Tier 2 and Tier 4 of the points-based system
categories using application forms FLR(M), FLR(BID) and FLR(BUS)

All of the above categories require the applicant to obtain an identity card for foreign nationals (ICFN) as part of their application to extend their stay.

You can also use the service if you are applying to transfer your residence permit to a new passport using application form TOC.

The super premium service is not currently available to customers applying for an extension under a non-ICFN category, or applying for permanent residency or citizenship.

The fee for the new service is £15,000 per application, which includes any fees relating to dependants. The key features of the service are:

customers can have their biometrics enrolled at a location of their choosing, including their home or business premises;
customers can arrange a visit at a time and date of their choosing, subject to certain conditions; and
we will make a decision on the application within 24 hours of the visit, if all the requirements are met.

Initially the service will be available to customers located in London and the south of England. At a later date it will be extended to cover all of the UK.

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UK immigration limit and identification card changes

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