Tag: Visa and Immigration Rules

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Global Relocation Immigration Rules Visas and International Travel

United Kingdom Tier 2 General Visas for Migrants Exceed Monthly Quota in December

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London, England - Panoramic aerial skyline view of London including Tower Bridge with red double-decker bus, Tower of London, skyscrapers of Bank District and other famous skyscrapers at golden hour

The United Kingdom Home Office’s Visa and Immigration Bureau reports that Tier 2 General Visas for Migrants exceed the December 1,500 monthly quota, refusing over 100 applications. Most of these applications are eligible for re-submission in January, but the January quota will remain at 1,500, and the February quota will be 1,000.

Who Does This Affect?

What is the Process to Submit a Tier 2 General Visa for Migrants?

Companies must submit an application for RCoS by the fifth of each month. Applicants receive admission by way of a panel of judges. Those applying for occupations that are short of qualified employees, and those applying for jobs at the PhD level are usually the first priority.

Remaining applications receive priority based on salary level, with higher salaries taking preference. However, if a salary bracket receives 100 or more applicants beyond the number of places, all applications are refused, and must be resubmitted the following month.

What are the Monthly Quotas?

Each annual quota is divided on a monthly basis, with higher figures set aside for months with the highest demand. If there are months where a balance remains, it rolls over and adds to the next month. Currently, the monthly quotas are as follows:

  • March: 2,200
  • April through August: 2,000
  • September through January: 1,500
  • February: 1,000

What Does This Mean?

Since the majority of December rejected applications will be re-submitted in January, there is a strong possibility that the applications will exceed January’s quota as well. Employers should plan accordingly, noting that transferees may not be able to accept relocation assignments in the United Kingdom until a later date.

Conclusion

Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts can help HR teams determine the best plan and course of action on how to submit applications for RCoS in a timely manner, and how to respond if quota limits impact their relocation plans. Contact our experts online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

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Global Relocation Immigration Rules Visas and International Travel

Changes to the United Kingdom Immigration Rules

Close up United Kingdom visa in passport

Employers with transferees in the United Kingdom should be aware that the Home Office published a Statement of Changes to the United Kingdom Immigration Rules on December 7, 2017. These changes might impact transferees and their family members in several ways. Most of the changes are scheduled to take effect starting on January 11, 2018.

What are the Changes to the United Kingdom Immigration Rules?

  1. Currently, Tier 4 General visa students must pass their courses before they are eligible to apply for a Tier 2 General visa. Starting on January 11, 2018, Tier 4 students will be able to pursue a Tier 2 General visa application immediately after they complete their studies.
  1. The rules regarding the relationships for partners of points-based system (PBS) migrants are changing to reflect similar wording used in the rules for spouses and settled migrants, at the time a dependent application is submitted. The wording on relationships is changing from “subsisting” to “genuine and subsisting” and may require evidence of co-habitation as is currently the case for the spousal rule.
  1. A new restriction limiting absences to 180 days per year for partners of Tier 2 General visa and other PBS migrants will apply to all new applications starting on January 11, 2018. Prior to this rule change, a dependent spouse of a Tier 2 General visa holder could spend most of their time outside of the country and still receive indefinite leave to remain in line with their partner.
  1. Currently, entry clearances are attached to a page in an applicant’s passport, also known as a visa. The rules are changing to allow an electronic version to be issued in place of the passport entry. This new electronic format is undergoing testing in a few locations prior to a full implementation.
  1. The total number of Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visas will double in number, from 1,000 to 2,000. These are allocated to the Designated Bodies, which in turn assign them to candidates they believe to be exceptionally talented in their respective fields. Additionally, expedited settlement will be made available to these Exceptional Talent migrants after three years, provided they meet all applicable criteria.
  1. The rules regarding Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa applications are changing to prevent funds or investments used by one applicant from being used by other applicants. This will prevent multiple Tier 1 Entrepreneur applicants from relying on the same funds to enter the United Kingdom. Also, a rule is being clarified to confirm that buying a business from a previous owner does not constitute a qualifying investment for Tier 1 Entrepreneur applicants.

What Does This Mean?

Employers should communicate these broad changes to the United Kingdom immigration rules immediately to transferees and their families. Those who might be impacted should receive guidance on appropriate actions to take regarding their specific circumstance.

Conclusion

Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts can provide guidance and help HR teams communicate and understand the impact of these changes to United Kingdom immigration rules. Global Mobility Solutions can support your company, your transferees and their family members, and we can also help determine the best solution for their specific requirements. Contact us online or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.

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Global Mobility Global Relocation Global Relocation Challenges Relocation Challenges Visas and International Travel

Canada Making Changes to Citizen Act

Are you ready for the changes to the Canada Citizen Act?

The following information is important to all human resource and mobility managers that work in Canada and are looking to hire and relocate talent from other countries. This does not pertain to short-term assignments during which an employee might simply retain the citizenship of their country of origin. This matters to those who you will be onboarding for full-time work in Canada and where the employee hopes to make a permanent home in your country.

What has changed?

Fundamental changes to the Canada Citizen Act (or “Citizenship Act”) were announced on June 19, 2017. The changes were made to reduce previously existing barriers to citizenship and eliminate potential differential treatment of dual citizens. Certain changes will be effective immediately, whereas others will be implemented later on this year.

Who is affected?

  • Dual citizens in Canada
  • Individuals applying to Canada for citizenship, including minors without a Canadian parent

What to expect

Highlights of the immediate changes include:

  • Dual citizens living in Canada who are convicted of crimes such as treason, spying, and terrorism offences will no longer face revocation and will instead be subject to the criminal justice system, as with all Canadian citizens who face criminal charges
  • Intention to continue to live in Canada once granted citizenship is no longer required, thereby allowing citizens flexibility and movement for personal reasons
  • Minors can now apply for citizenship without a Canadian parent, as the age requirement for citizenship has been removed
  • Statelessness has been added as a stand-alone ground that can be considered for a discretionary grant of citizenship
  • Reasonable measures to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities will now be considered
  • Citizenship will not be granted to individuals serving conditional sentences

Changes Expected to Take Effect in Fall 2017

  • Applicants must be physically present in Canada for three (3) out of five (5) years before applying for citizenship (as opposed to four (4) out of six (6) under the previous policy)
  • Applicants must file Canadian income taxes for three (3) out of five (5) years (as opposed to four (4) out of six (6) under the previous policy)
  • Applicants are no longer required to be physically present in Canada for 183 days in four (4) out of the six (6) years preceding their application
  • Applicants may count each day they were physically present in Canada prior to becoming a permanent resident as a half-day toward meeting the physical presence requirement for citizenship, up to a maximum credit of 365 days
  • Applicants between fourteen (14) and fifty-four (54) years must meet the language and knowledge requirements for citizenship (as opposed to eighteen (18) to sixty-four (64) under the previous policy)

 

Modern Mobility Made Easy™

Planning ahead

To learn more about the amendments to the Canada Citizen Act, or any other issues that affect you or your mobile employees, be sure to speak with one of the Global Consultants at Global Mobility Solutions. From pre-decision to visa and immigration to language and cultural training, GMS has the award-winning programs and innovative technology to make relocating your employees and tracking their expenses simple and worry-free.

 

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