Immigration Health Surcharge

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UK: New Tier 2 rules on the way

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New rules relating to the Tier 2 Visa category were presented to Parliament today that will be effective on or after November 24, 2016. Key changes include the following:

  • Closure of the Tier 2 (Skills Transfer) category;
  • Increasing the minimum salary for the Tier 2 (General) category to GBP 25,000 with limited exemptions;
  • Increasing the minimum salary for the Tier 2 ICT (Short Term) category to GBP 30,000;
  • Decreasing the minimum salary toGBP 23,000 for the Tier 2 ICT (Graduate Trainee) category;
  • Increasing the allowable number of places per company from five to 20 per year for Tier 2 ICT (Graduate Trainees);

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UK: Immigration rule changes

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In March this year, the government announced its response to two reviews of Tier 2 undertaken by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in 2015.

At the time of its response, the government said the changes would come into effect in two stages, in autumn 2016 and in April 2017.

Following recent discussions with the Home Office, we understand that the government is working to an implementation date of Thursday 6th October 2016 for the autumn changes.

UK: Forthcoming law to exclude foreign nationals from National Health Service coverage

Foreign nationals will soon be more likely to be charged for most medical treatment received in the United Kingdom, according to a forthcoming law that is yet to be published.  Foreign nationals who have already paid the Immigration Health Surcharge will likely be exempt from the provisions of the new law, however this is subject to change. Foreign nationals who are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge will likely continue to be exempt from these new provisions. Those likely to be most impacted are short-term visitors to the UK.

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UK: Health Surcharge exemption eliminated for Australian and New Zealand nationals

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On or after April 6, 2016, Australian and New Zealand nationals seeking to stay in the United Kingdom for more than six months or renewing their visa in country will be required to pay the immigration health surcharge as part of their visa application.  In April 2015, the UK government introduced an Immigration Health Surcharge to all non-EEA nationals, which at the time exempted Australian and New Zealand nationals who were in the United Kingdom for a year or less.

Australian and New Zealand nationals will still not be charged for emergency treatment.

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UK: Tier 2 restrictions proposed

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The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has proposed Tier 2 restrictions including a higher minimum salary level, an Immigration Skills Charge and a greater work experience requirement, among other recommendations aimed at limiting foreign workers in the United Kingdom.