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Thursday, 22 August 2013
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Monday, 19 March 2012
Changes to the Immigration Rules
Changes to the Immigration Rules
15 March 2012
Today, Thursday 15 March 2012, a written ministerial statement has been laid in Parliament outlining a number of changes to the Immigration Rules.
Most of the changes will come into effect on 6 April 2012. Some of the changes to Tier 2 will affect those who were granted leave after 6 April 2011.
The changes include:
Migrants under the points-based system
Tier 1 - high-value migrants
Closing the Tier 1 (Post-study work) route.
Introducing the new Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) route.
Introducing new provisions for switching from Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) or Tier 1 (Post-study work) into Tier 1 (Entrepreneur).
Renewing the 1000 place limit for Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) for each of the next 2 years.
Tier 2 - skilled workers
Limiting the total amount of temporary leave that may be granted to a Tier 2 migrant to 6 years (which applies to those who entered after 6 April 2011).
Introducing a new minimum pay requirement of £35,000 or the appropriate rate for the job, for Tier 2 general and sportsperson migrants who wish to settle here from April 2016 (with exemptions for those in PhD level and shortage occupation categories).
Introducing a 'cooling-off period' across all the Tier 2 routes. Tier 2 migrants will need to wait for 12 months from the expiry of their previous visa before they may apply for a further Tier 2 visa.
Introducing new post-study arrangements for graduates switching into Tier 2.
Tier 4 - students
Implementing the final set of changes to the student visa system that were announced in March 2011, including:
Extending the interim limit for sponsors that have applied for educational oversight and Highly Trusted Sponsor status and have not yet been assessed.
Introducing limits on the time that can be spent studying at degree level.
Tightening work placement restrictions.
Tier 5 - temporary workers
Limiting the length of time temporary workers can stay in the UK, under certain Government Authorised Exchange schemes, to a maximum of 12 months. The schemes affected are intern, work experience and youth exchange type programmes.
Allowing sportspersons who enter under the Tier 5 creative and sporting sub-category to undertake some guest sports broadcasting work where they are not filling a permanent position.
Changes in all tiers of the points-based system
Making curtailment mandatory where a migrant under Tiers 2, 4, or 5 of the points-based system has failed to start, or has ceased, their work or study with their sponsor. This includes cases where a sponsor notifies us, via the sponsor management system (SMS), that a migrant is no longer pursuing the purpose of their visa. The Rules will also set out the limited exceptions to mandatory curtailment.
Reducing the curtailment threshold (the level of leave you have left which means that we will not normally pursue curtailment) from 6 months to 60 days.
Increasing the funds applicants will need to provide evidence of, in order to meet the maintenance requirements for all routes in the points-based system. For Tier 4 and Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme the changes will come into effect on 6 April 2012. For Tier 1, Tier 2 and temporary workers under Tier 5 the changes will come into effect on 14 June 2012.
Visitors
The new visitor route will allow a small group of professionals, artists, entertainers and sportspersons who are invited to come to the UK to undertake short-term permitted fee paid engagements for up to 1 month.
Overseas domestic workers
Restricting all overseas domestic workers (ODW) to only work for the employer with whom they entered the UK, or whom they came to join.
Removing the right for all migrants under the ODW category to apply for settlement.
Strengthening the requirement for the employer of an ODW to provide evidence of an existing employer relationship, and introducing a requirement for agreed, written terms and conditions of employment to be produced, as part of the application for entry clearance.
Permitting all ODWs who have applied for leave to enter or remain on or before 5 April 2012, to continue to be treated under Immigration Rules in place on that date.
Restricting ODWs in private households to work for an employer who is a visitor to the UK. Permission to stay in the UK will be limited to a maximum of 6 months or the period of the employer's stay whichever is shorter. Removing the current provision for ODWs to be accompanied by dependants.
Permitting ODWs in diplomatic households to apply to extend their stay for 12 months at a time up to a maximum of 5 years, or the length of the diplomat's posting, whichever is shorter.
Sponsors
Introducing a Premium Customer Service for those A-rated sponsors in Tiers 2 and 5 who wish to apply and pay for a range of benefits. We will publish the full range of service benefits in due course. The service will launch in the 2012-13 financial year.
In addition to these changes, the government is also making amendments to the extension of leave to remain.
The Home Office has today published 2 financial impact assessments: one on settlement and another on Tier 5 and overseas domestic workers, as well as a policy equality statement.
For full details of the changes please see the Statement of Changes to the Immigration rules (HC 1888) and the Explanatory Memorandum on the right side of this page. The written ministerial statement, impact assessments and the policy equality statement can be found on the Home Office website.
We have previously announced the changes to settlement, overseas domestic workers and students in a series of news stories.
Source Changes to the Immigration Rules :
15 March 2012
Today, Thursday 15 March 2012, a written ministerial statement has been laid in Parliament outlining a number of changes to the Immigration Rules.
Most of the changes will come into effect on 6 April 2012. Some of the changes to Tier 2 will affect those who were granted leave after 6 April 2011.
The changes include:
Migrants under the points-based system
Tier 1 - high-value migrants
Closing the Tier 1 (Post-study work) route.
Introducing the new Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) route.
Introducing new provisions for switching from Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) or Tier 1 (Post-study work) into Tier 1 (Entrepreneur).
Renewing the 1000 place limit for Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) for each of the next 2 years.
Tier 2 - skilled workers
Limiting the total amount of temporary leave that may be granted to a Tier 2 migrant to 6 years (which applies to those who entered after 6 April 2011).
Introducing a new minimum pay requirement of £35,000 or the appropriate rate for the job, for Tier 2 general and sportsperson migrants who wish to settle here from April 2016 (with exemptions for those in PhD level and shortage occupation categories).
Introducing a 'cooling-off period' across all the Tier 2 routes. Tier 2 migrants will need to wait for 12 months from the expiry of their previous visa before they may apply for a further Tier 2 visa.
Introducing new post-study arrangements for graduates switching into Tier 2.
Tier 4 - students
Implementing the final set of changes to the student visa system that were announced in March 2011, including:
Extending the interim limit for sponsors that have applied for educational oversight and Highly Trusted Sponsor status and have not yet been assessed.
Introducing limits on the time that can be spent studying at degree level.
Tightening work placement restrictions.
Tier 5 - temporary workers
Limiting the length of time temporary workers can stay in the UK, under certain Government Authorised Exchange schemes, to a maximum of 12 months. The schemes affected are intern, work experience and youth exchange type programmes.
Allowing sportspersons who enter under the Tier 5 creative and sporting sub-category to undertake some guest sports broadcasting work where they are not filling a permanent position.
Changes in all tiers of the points-based system
Making curtailment mandatory where a migrant under Tiers 2, 4, or 5 of the points-based system has failed to start, or has ceased, their work or study with their sponsor. This includes cases where a sponsor notifies us, via the sponsor management system (SMS), that a migrant is no longer pursuing the purpose of their visa. The Rules will also set out the limited exceptions to mandatory curtailment.
Reducing the curtailment threshold (the level of leave you have left which means that we will not normally pursue curtailment) from 6 months to 60 days.
Increasing the funds applicants will need to provide evidence of, in order to meet the maintenance requirements for all routes in the points-based system. For Tier 4 and Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme the changes will come into effect on 6 April 2012. For Tier 1, Tier 2 and temporary workers under Tier 5 the changes will come into effect on 14 June 2012.
Visitors
The new visitor route will allow a small group of professionals, artists, entertainers and sportspersons who are invited to come to the UK to undertake short-term permitted fee paid engagements for up to 1 month.
Overseas domestic workers
Restricting all overseas domestic workers (ODW) to only work for the employer with whom they entered the UK, or whom they came to join.
Removing the right for all migrants under the ODW category to apply for settlement.
Strengthening the requirement for the employer of an ODW to provide evidence of an existing employer relationship, and introducing a requirement for agreed, written terms and conditions of employment to be produced, as part of the application for entry clearance.
Permitting all ODWs who have applied for leave to enter or remain on or before 5 April 2012, to continue to be treated under Immigration Rules in place on that date.
Restricting ODWs in private households to work for an employer who is a visitor to the UK. Permission to stay in the UK will be limited to a maximum of 6 months or the period of the employer's stay whichever is shorter. Removing the current provision for ODWs to be accompanied by dependants.
Permitting ODWs in diplomatic households to apply to extend their stay for 12 months at a time up to a maximum of 5 years, or the length of the diplomat's posting, whichever is shorter.
Sponsors
Introducing a Premium Customer Service for those A-rated sponsors in Tiers 2 and 5 who wish to apply and pay for a range of benefits. We will publish the full range of service benefits in due course. The service will launch in the 2012-13 financial year.
In addition to these changes, the government is also making amendments to the extension of leave to remain.
The Home Office has today published 2 financial impact assessments: one on settlement and another on Tier 5 and overseas domestic workers, as well as a policy equality statement.
For full details of the changes please see the Statement of Changes to the Immigration rules (HC 1888) and the Explanatory Memorandum on the right side of this page. The written ministerial statement, impact assessments and the policy equality statement can be found on the Home Office website.
We have previously announced the changes to settlement, overseas domestic workers and students in a series of news stories.
Source Changes to the Immigration Rules :
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Monday, 7 November 2011
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
"TANZANIA TO FACILITATE DIASPORA RETURNING HOME"
By ROSE ATHUMANI, 14th June 2010 @ 12:00
THE government has unequivocally recognized Tanzanians of the Diaspora as among the country's economic development stakeholders and will support and facilitate their stay and return from abroad.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Bernard Membe, whose speech was today read on his behalf by the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Mr Sazi Salula, noted that the government will support and facilitate their stay and return from abroad.
''I would like to reiterate here that having resolved to engage Tanzanian living abroad, the government is committed to support and facilitate their stay in abroad as well as their return,'' Mr Membe stressed.
Last year, the official Diaspora remittances are estimated at 14 million USD (about 20.7bn/-), however the figure is believed to be higher. This figure was however indicated in this year's national budget.
''Those in Diaspora should be equipped to serve as agents of the image of Tanzania abroad,'' the minister's speech noted, adding that the government has noted the need to continue improving communication with Tanzanian Diaspora.
The ministry resolved to continue sensitizing people to dispel beliefs that migration is negative and to build capacity on how to effectively tap for the Tanzanian Diasporas.
The minister noted that the major challenge for Tanzanian Diaspora was development of database which would help know the number of Tanzanians living in the Diaspora.
''We need to know where they are located and what they are doing, how they can contribute to the country's development and of course what their needs are,'' he said.
In bid to have some sort of database, the ministry has been encouraging Tanzanians travelling abroad to register and keep updating their personal details at the country's diplomatic missions.
Forming an associations was also noted as another possibility that would help contribute to the database, the minister said.
''We also plan to engage other organization that work with migrants such as the World Bank, Intentional Organization for Migration (IOM) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), who have expresses support on this,'' he explained.
Mr Membe noted that the recently formed Tanzanian Association in the UK has started developing a shared online database.
The next Diaspora conference to be held in Minnesota USA early next month (1-4th July) seeks to bring together members of the Tanzanian Diaspora in USA, Tanzanian private sector and government officials and key decision makers and US investors with interest in investing in Tanzania.
Mr Alfred Nkunga, Diaspora Council of Tanzanian in America (DICOTA) country director said US has the best farmers and would be ideal in investing and spearheading Kilimo Kwanza Initiative.
He noted that among those invited include Tanzania Revenue Authority who would among other revenue issues learn from their US counterparts.
Today's meeting, whose theme is 'Shared Ownership of the Diaspora Engagement Process,' was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
KWA HERI YA MPENDWA BALOZI WETU, MHE MWANAIDI SINARE MAAJAR
TAWA,ZAWA , TZECA, ATWID and other Tanzanian community organisations in the UK invite you to a Tanzania national day celebrations and a farewell party for Balozi Mwanaidi Sinare Maajar to be held at the La Royale Banquenting Suites on May 1st 2010 from 08:00 PM to 03:00AM.
Lovely Gamble movie trailers will be screened.
Lovely Gamble movie trailers will be screened.
Monday, 22 March 2010
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Tougher rules for foreign students
E.R
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Tier 4: Student visas
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (the Rt Hon Alan Johnson):
Following the Prime Minster’s announcement of a review of Tier 4 (the student route
under our Points Based System for controlling migration) on 12 November 2009, I am
today announcing a balanced and targeted package of measures to tackle the abuse of
Tier 4 by economic migrants whilst at the same time continuing to safeguard the
ability of genuine international students to come to the UK to benefit from our world
class education system and bring benefit to our economy.
The measures outlined below target abuse seen amongst adult students coming here to
study below degree level in the further education and English language sectors. There
are no changes for students who come here to study a foundation degree, courses at
degree level or above or for those coming here as child students at our independent
schools (except for a reduction in the number of hours a child student aged 16 or 17
may work to 10 hours per week) and the changes set out do not apply to these groups.
The review highlighted concerns about the numbers of individuals who were not
serious about studying in the UK but who were primarily using Tier 4 as a route to
work. There were also concerns about dependants who have also historically enjoyed
the right to work in the UK. Whilst it is right that students should be able to undertake
some work whilst in the UK to support themselves during their course, we need to
ensure that the route is not abused by those whose primary intention is to enter the UK
labour market. I am therefore today laying changes to the Immigration Rules which
will:
• halve the amount of time students can work during term time from 20 to 10
hours a week;
• ban students who are studying on courses of six months or less from bringing
their dependants with them to the UK; and
• ban students’ dependants from working unless they qualify in their own right
under Tier 1 (General) as a highly skilled migrant or as a skilled worker under
Tier 2 General, Sportsperson or Minister of Religion.
All of these changes will come into force on 3 March 2010 and all Tier 4 applications
submitted on or after this date will be subject to the new restrictions.
In respect of English language courses, I am also announcing today that, from 3
March, we will change Tier 4 Guidance to raise the minimum level of English
language course which can be studied under Tier 4 from A2 on the Common
European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to B2 – this is roughly the equivalent of
GCSE standard. This is to ensure that Tier 4 is less open to abuse from economic
migrants seeking to exploit English language courses which have low entry
requirements. There will, however, be exemptions from this for students sponsored by
overseas Governments and for students on pre-sessional English language courses
which prepare them for full degree courses, as these students are lower risk.
For the future, we also want to improve the security of the tests by which English
language students are asked to demonstrate proficiency in English language. We are
currently reviewing the criteria that approved providers will be required to meet, and
will be introducing new arrangements for formal English language testing for Tier 4
by early summer.
The review also looked fundamentally at the levels and types of courses which
foreign students should be able to come to the UK to undertake through Tier 4 of the
Points Based System. It concluded that changes needed to be made in a number of
areas.
Firstly, the review highlighted concerns that students were coming to study below
degree level with a very low level of proficiency in the English language. This cannot
be right. In addition, therefore, such students, in addition to those coming for English
language courses, will be required to undertake a test with one of our approved test
providers to demonstrate English language proficiency to at least level B1 on the
CEFR when we introduce this in the summer.
Secondly, in respect of lower level and work placement courses.
The Government has previously set out its intention to introduce a new category of
‘Highly Trusted Sponsor’ under the Points Based System sponsorship arrangements.
This new category of sponsor will be implemented on 6 April following a period of
consultation with the education sector on the criteria against which sponsors wishing
to be rated as ‘highly trusted’ will be judged. In the first instance, publicly funded
institutions will be treated as ‘highly trusted’ but removed from this category should
the UK Border Agency judge that they do not meet the criteria set; privately funded
institutions will need to apply to the UK Border Agency to become highly trusted
sponsors.
Following our review of Tier 4, I can also announce that, from 6 April, only those
with highly trusted status will be able to offer courses at National Qualifications
Framework Level 3 (and its equivalents) and courses with work placements below
degree level. Such courses are attractive to economic migrants and as such we believe
they should only be offered by sponsors with a strong record of student compliance.
These measures will improve our control of Tier 4 but should do little to deter
genuine students whose main focus is study.
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