2025 12 FEB
The Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (HC 733) is presented to the UK Parliament on March 12, 2025.
A. Visa Requirement introduced for Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago
• Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago will no longer be eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Instead, they will need to apply for a visitor visa application before coming to the UK.
• This change is in response to an increasing number of asylums claims from nationals of Trinidad and Tobago, which have been deemed to impact border security and the asylum system.
B. Extension of Ukraine Scheme
• The UK is extending its immigration provisions for Ukrainian nationals who have been affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, extension scheme launched on 04 Feb 2025. This includes allowing Ukrainians and their families to extend their stay in the UK under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.
• The aim is to offer further support for displaced persons from Ukraine, in alignment with the UK’s humanitarian response to the crisis.
C. EUSS Scheme
• The Non-EEA Applicants will be able to use the Biometric Residence Card up to 18 months from expiry on 31 December 2024 as a proof of identity and nationality.
• The person with a Pending Administrative Review under the EUSS will not be removed from the UK.
• The EU nationals who became EU nationals after the transition person cannot sponsor an EUSS Family Permit application.
D. Skilled Worker
• Changes are being made to the provisions for care and senior care workers. These changes are being made because there are workers in the category who do not have sponsorships because their sponsors are unable to offer sufficient work or have lost their licences.
• Any new sponsors who are seeking to employer sponsor workers will be enforced to prove that they have tried to recruit workers from relevant regional or sub-regional partnerships that they have tried to recruit and are unable to find a suitable worker. This only applies to England and does not impact workers, who had been working for at least 3 months lawfully with their sponsor.
• Changes to Minimum Salary Threshold: The salary threshold is being raised from £23200 to £25000 to be above national living wage, which will be increasing in April 2025
• New Entrant Salary reduction based on training towards a recognised qualification must be a UK qualification
E. Short Term Student Visa:
• There are minor amendments to the requirements for short term student visas who come to study English Language, will need to prove that they have genuine intention to study and will return after their studies.
• The UK government also aims to regulate the quality of international students to avoid abuses of the system.
F. Youth Mobility Scheme
• Quota Increase for Certain Countries: The Youth Mobility Scheme allows young people from certain countries to live and work in the UK for up to two years. The new rules may expand quotas for some countries under this program, providing more opportunities for exchange and cultural engagement.
E. Global Talent Route Adjustments
• The Global Talent Visa route, which is designed to attract highly skilled individuals in areas such as science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), will be adjusted to make it more streamlined and responsive to the needs of the UK's innovation and academic sectors.
• There are modifications to the endorsement process, which is required for applicants seeking to qualify under this route.
• Applicants who hold a qualifying prize can qualify without the need to obtain an endorsement from one of the Global Talent endorsing bodies. In the opinion of our expert bodies, the prizes listed demonstrate irrefutable evidence of prize holders being at the pinnacle of their profession.
• The list will be kept under review and may be revised in future updates to the Immigration Rules.
G. Administrative Review
• The changes will require the applicants must remain in the UK who have applied for administrative review inside the UK, this will be introduced as a validity requirement.
• The free out of country error correction team will be expanded to in country applications too where there has been an error in connection with the length of grant.
H. PhD Student
• PhD students will no longer needs to show academic progression requirement and will allow them to apply from within UK where they are following their academic supervisor to another education sponsor to complete their Studies.
Other Minor Changes
Appendix FM – The divorce Absolute to be referred as final order in accordance with Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020
ETA will not be applicable to British National (Overseas)
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