Important changes to the Immigration Rules (esp switching)

tvt · Post by **tvt** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 11:48 am

Tighter rules to stop temporary migrants in the UK switching into permanent employment are to be introduced to tackle potential abuse, the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, announced today. At the same time he also outlined a new pre-entry English language requirement for ministers of religion.

New restrictions on switching will help ensure that the separation of temporary and permanent migration routes, which is necessary for an effective immigration control, is preserved. Measures include:

Preventing switching into work permit employment and the highly skilled migrant programme except by those already permitted in the rules such as doctors, dentists and graduates - whose skills the UK needs. It is important for the integrity of immigration control that people should generally gain permission to work here before they come.

Permitting foreign nationals who are in the UK on a temporary visa and wish to remain in the UK to study, to switch into degree level courses only. This will prevent visitors claiming that they intend to leave after their holiday and then enrolling in lower level private sector and further education courses.

Reducing the maximum time individuals are allowed to remain in the UK to do successive short courses below degree level from four years to two years. This will address abuse by students taking a long succession of short, low level courses simply to stay in the UK.

Kayalami · Post by **Kayalami** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:33 pm

The Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants etc) Bill has also received Royal Assent.

Tnavon as a lawyer I would be interested to hear your views on the balance between the power of the state and due process for the individual in the bill.

IMHO the bill leaves the average applicant pretty much merciless at the behest of the Home Office. The integration of the two Appeal Tiers into one is quite a shocker - this despite the House Of Commons own Home Affairs Parliamentary Select Committe saying the two tier system protected applicants rights to due process in light of the Home Office consistent poor record on initial decisions.

In any case I excpet yet another bill in time for the next elections

.

Chess · Post by **Chess** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:37 pm

yep,

see link below

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3917057.stm

Chess · Post by **Chess** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:44 pm

Kayalami wrote:
In any case I excpet yet another bill in time for the next elections .

Expect immigration to be a very hot issue from now onwards till the election as Labour 'tries to prove' that they have got immigration under control..

...rather unfortunate aboiut the recent happenings at the assylum detention centre at Heathrow

Kayalami · Post by **Kayalami** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 1:53 pm

Welcome news too that the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS) is now set to be implemented in October 2004.

tvt · Post by **tvt** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:05 pm

Kaya,

Did the final bill remove the possibility of any further appeal (inc. judicial review) on tribunal's decision from courts jurisdiction ?

Chess · Post by **Chess** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:05 pm

Kayalami wrote:Welcome news too that the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS) is now set to be implemented in October 2004.

Kaya,

Where is the link for the SEGS scheme?

AtW · Post by **AtW** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 11:07 pm

Kayalami wrote:The integration of the two Appeal Tiers into one is quite a shocker

I am sure its a shocker to solicitors who are used to milking legal aid funds on pointless appeals....

Here is source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Refugees_in_B ... 71,00.html

AFAIK 1/3 of all legal aid fund is used on asylum claims, not suprisingly this causes great resentment among locals.

Talking of restrictions on switching - new rules sound pretty logical and sensible. The less fraud in the system the better it is for genuine applicants.

zahidhsmp · Post by **zahidhsmp** » Fri Jul 23, 2004 10:18 am

Link of Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS)

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en ... ses/0.html

Regards

Jeff Albright · Post by **Jeff Albright** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 8:21 pm

[quote="tnavon"]
Permitting foreign nationals who are in the UK on a temporary visa and wish to remain in the UK to study, to switch into degree level courses only. This will prevent visitors claiming that they intend to leave after their holiday and then enrolling in lower level private sector and further education courses.
[\quote]

Does this mean that visitors will be able to switch to a student status to pursue study for a Degree whilst in the country?? This means relaxation and not tightening.

mwaitojofu · Post by **mwaitojofu** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:44 pm

Jeff,

I think this is for non visa nationals only, therefore it is tightening the rule.

Jeff Albright · Post by **Jeff Albright** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 5:02 pm

Yeah, you may be quite right.

Immigrationboards.com: Immigration, work visa and work permit discussion board

Important changes to the Immigration Rules (esp switching)

Important changes to the Immigration Rules (esp switching)

Re: Important changes to the Immigration Rules (esp switchin