Latest Immigration Rule changes to take effect from 6 April 2016

Posted: 21/03/2016

On 11 March 2016, the Government published its latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. At the time, it had not yet fully considered the Migration Advisory Committee's review of Tier 2. (Please click here for coverage of its subsequent report to MAC).

The following changes were announced with effect from 6 April 2016:

The Government has decided not to increase the 20,700 annual allocation of available restricted Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for the year ending April 2017. Instead the Home Office has revised the monthly quota of restricted CoS available for allocation in order to reflect the seasonal demand for places more effectively. There will, for example, be a higher number of restricted CoS available to UK sponsors during the busier summer months and a lower quota during the winter months.

Application period	Provisional monthly allocation
6 March – 5 April	2,500
6 April – 5 May	2,000
6 May – 5 June	2,000
6 June – 5 July	2,000
6 July – 5 August	2,000
6 August – 5 September	2,000
6 September – 5 October	1,500
6 October – 5 November	1,500
6 November – 5 December	1,500
6 December – 5 January	1,500
6 January – 5 February	1,500
6 February – 5 March	1,000

The minimum salary threshold for those applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain on a Tier 2 visa will increase to £35,000.
The maintenance requirements under Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) are to be amended to clarify that when sponsors certify maintenance, they are confirming the applicant will not claim public funds during the period of their leave.

To discuss the changes and how they may affect you, please contact a member of the immigration team.

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