Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
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Immigration Minister Damian Green has proposed an increase in visa fees in addition to an increase in application fees for UK-based visas. The changes are likely to come into force from 6 April 2012, providing they receive parliamentary approval. In his written ministerial statement, Damian Green commented: 'It is only fair that those who use and benefit from the immigration system contribute a higher share of the cost of running it - reducing the burden on the UK taxpayer.'
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Immigration Minister Damian Green has reinforced the Government's plans to create a selective and sustainable immigration system which encourages the brightest and best to come to the UK.
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There are a number of aspects of the rules for tier 1 investors and entrepreneurs that are unclear or unnecessarily restrictive and we have been in extensive dialogue for many months now with the UKBA on a range of issues, both policy and technical.
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If there is one part of the Localism Act 2011 about which local
government lawyers have considerable concerns, it is the new standards
regime.
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Clive Sheldon QC
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It has been announced by the UKBA that the list of approved English language tests for those individuals applying under tiers 1,2 and 4 of the points based system has been amended. One of the main changes is the lowering of the TOEFL points score against the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). TOEFL now includes scores for spouse and partner applications.
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Important information about the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been published online by the UKBA. With the UKBA expecting to carry out security checks on more than 380,000 workers and participants, it has set out detailed information for those individuals who will be travelling to the UK for the event. The information is divided into the following categories:
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As reported in our November 2011 Update the UKBA is planning to introduce a 'premium sponsor' category and we expect that this will be in April 2012.
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From 3 January 2012, individuals applying under tier 1 (exceptional
talent) of the points based system will need to follow new guidelines if
they wish to have their application endorsed by Arts Council England
(ACE).
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The UKBA has been contacting authorised officers at tier 2 sponsors in
relation to the new certificate of sponsorship allowance which will
become effective from 6 April 2012. Any COS issued from that date will
come from the new allocation.