GES NewsFlash - Forthcoming Changes To The UK Immigration Landscape

Overview

April 2017 will see a number of changes to UK immigration, marking the completion of the amendments originally laid out by the Minister of State for Immigration in March 2016.

Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (ICT)

Introduction of the Immigration Skills Charge

The Immigration Skills Charge ('ISC') will apply to applicants across both the Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (ICT) categories.

This new charge will apply to all Tier 2 employers at a standard rate of £1,000 per person per year, with a reduced rate of £364 for smaller businesses and charities.

The Government has offered exemptions to this charge in three categories: Tier 4 students switching into the Tier 2 category, occupations at PhD level, and for Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Graduate Trainees.