UNITED KINGDOM: Indefinite Leave to Remain Changes

May 4, 2020 | Global

There have been changes in the Immigration Health Surcharge fee and in the minimum Tier 2 salary for Indefinite Leave to Remain applications.

Immigration Health Surcharge fee increase: The latest budget includes an increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for overseas nationals to use the National Health Service. It was only 2 years ago that the IHS fee doubled to £400 per year of the visa, and now it is set to increase to £624 per year of the visa. The government had announced its intention to increase the IHS fee in November last year. The new fees will apply to non-European Union (EU) citizens starting in October 2020 and to EU citizens starting in January 2021.

As has previously been the case, those with student or Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visas will pay a lower charge of £470 per year of the visa. There is a small concession under the new IHS fee arrangements in a lower charge for children under 18 of £470.

Minimum Tier 2 salary for ILR applications: In a number of rule changes announced recently, the Home Office has confirmed a freeze on the increase in minimum salary requirements where sponsored Tier 2 (General) workers are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The current minimum is either £35,800 or the minimum expected amount for the type of job, whichever is higher. That amount was due to increase to £36,200 on April 6, 2020, but the new announcement confirms the government will be following the advice of the Migration Advisory Committee which, in its report of January 28, 2020, recommended a freeze on this threshold while the policy for ILR applications is considered.

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MALAYSIA: Companies Must Submit 2020 Employment Pass and Professional Visit Pass Projections

Companies in Malaysia registered with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Sdn. Bhd. should submit their EP projections as soon as the submission period opens, which is expected to happen soon.

Due to holiday closures and the expected high volume of projection applications, companies in Malaysia registered with the Expatriate Services Division should submit their 2020 projections for Professional Visit Passes (PVP) and Employment Passes (EP) as soon as possible to avoid delays.

Companies in Malaysia registered with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Sdn. Bhd. should submit their EP projections as soon as the submission period opens, which is expected to happen soon.

Although there is no deadline for submission, affected employers who do not have approved projections for 2020 cannot submit initial or renewal work pass applications until they obtain the required approval.

Foreign nationals already in Malaysia may need to exit if their new work passes cannot be obtained prior to the expiry of the current one.