Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.
New United Kingdom (UK) Immigration Rules raising the academic and financial requirements for highly-skilled foreign workers applying for entry into the T1 (General) and T1 (Post-Study Work) categories will become effective for all applications submitted on or after March 31, 2009. The changes will apply to applicants seeking permission to enter the UK in this category for the first time, or who are applying to transfer into the Tier 1 (General) category from another category.
The resident labor market test, which prevents employers from offering skilled jobs to foreign workers without first advertising them to workers who have already settled in the UK, will also be strengthened. Effective March 31, 2009, an employer wishing to sponsor a foreign worker to do a job under Tier 2 (General) must first advertise the job:
• to settled workers in Jobcentre plus; and
• use one other method permitted by the relevant code of practice.
Full details of these changes are available in the revised guidance for sponsor applications.