Fundamental Changes to UK Immigration Rules – April 2022

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Background
As of 6th April 2022 a number of new UK immigration rules came into effect.

The Tier 1 (investor) visa had already been closed to new applicants on 17 February 2022.

A summary of the key changes is detailed below.

Overseas Representatives Business Category
The Overseas Representative Businessperson category, commonly known as Sole Representative will no longer exist. The Overseas Media Person category will remain unaffected. Those currently holding permission under the Sole Representative category will be unaffected.

Global Business Mobility Routes
The Intra-Company Transfer routes have been revamped and will be known as the Global Business Mobility routes. Those under this category will not be eligible for permanent residence.

The new Global Business Mobility route creates 5 sub-categories as set oman mobile database out below. It means that a sponsor licence holder will need to hold licences under the relevant sub-categories to be able to be a sponsor:

The Senior or Specialist Worker which replaces the Intra-Company route and is applicable to senior managers or specialist employees who are being assigned to a UK linked entity for a temporary assignment.
Graduate Trainee which replaces the Graduate Trainee Intra-Company route and is designed for those on a dedicated Graduate programme outside of the UK, and who are required to be assigned to the UK for part of the programme.
UK Expansion Worker which is for senior managers or specialist workers being assigned temporarily to the UK to establish an UK entity or to undertake work related to a business expansion to the UK. The applicant would need to meet the points criteria (60 points) and be granted a Certificate of Sponsorship. This will mean that the employer must obtain a sponsor licence by requesting a provisional rating, with the applicant holding the role of authorising officer. The maximum stay allowed would be 5 years in any 6-year period.
Service Supplier which is for overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK, where the worker is either a contractual service supplier employee or a self-employed independent professional. The applicant would need to meet the points criteria (40 points) and be granted a Certificate of Sponsorship. There are no requirements to meet the salary point requirements. The maximum stay allowed would be 5 years in any 6-year period.