Limit to Non-EU Economic Migration
The limits for Tier 1 and Tier 2 migration were announced by the Home Secretary on 23 November 2010. Click here to learn what these limits are.
Consultation on the Student Immigration System
The UK Government has announced that they are unable to reach their target of reducing net migration by limiting Tier 1 and Tier 2 migration alone and have launched a consultation on the Student Immigration System which sets out proposals to reform the student entry route.
This Consultation has now closed and we will provide details of the limit when announced.
Free Movement of Workers
The EU High Commission Ruling – European Parliament Press Release
The European Commission has requested the United Kingdom to end discriminatory conditions on the right to reside as a worker which exclude from certain social benefits nationals from eight of the ten Member States (Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland) that joined the EU in 2004. The Commission considers the discriminatory rules to be in breach of transitional arrangements on free movement of workers, as well as the obligation to ensure equal treatment on the basis of nationality. The request takes the form of a 'reasoned opinion' under EU infringement procedures. The United Kingdom has two months to bring its legislation into line with EU law.
For more information click here.
Transitional Arrangements for Accession States
On 1 May 2004, ten countries joined the European Union (EU): Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Prior to enlargement, existing EU member states had the right to prevent the nationals of the eight Eastern European accession states from accessing their labour markets for a time limited period. Most EU member states chose to place restrictions on A8 nationals' right to work, with the exception of the UK, Ireland, and Sweden. Italy has since lifted its restrictions. While allowing A8 nationals the right to live and work in the UK, the Government nonetheless put in place transitional measures to regulate access to the labour market (via the Worker Registration Scheme) and to restrict access to benefits. These transitional measures will come to an end on 30 April 2011 and will mean that individuals from A8 countries will have the same rights and entitlements as those from other EEA member states. CSMP have prepared a paper detailing our understanding of the changes. Click here to find out more.
On the first of January 2007, another two countries acceded to the European Union: Bulgaria and Romania. Nationals of these countries who wish to come to the UK to work are subject to more tightly regulated regulations: a maximum of 20,000 work permits will be issued each year and will only be available within certain sectors of the economy. These arrangements will come to an end in 2014.
English Language Requirements
The link below provides details of the new English language requirement for partners which came into force on 29 November 2010. This applies to non-European migrants who wish to enter or extend their stay in the UK as the partner of a British citizen or a person settled here and requires them to show that they can speak and understand English.
Click here to find out more.