A number of changes to UK visa regulations have come into force from today (Monday, July 1st).
An announcement from the Home Office confirmed that UK immigration rules in a number of areas have been adapted slightly from today. These include the documents required for approved English language tests; several adjustments to exemptions for supernumeracy researchers in Tier 2 for the resident labour market test and the removal of a resident labour market test for religious workers in Tier 4 applying for extensions.
Various other adaptations have come in to force today, but one of the biggest changes is the extension of the TB screening programme. People coming from Ethiopia, Gambia, Indonesia, Malawi, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia will need to be screened. In addition, settlement applications from China, Hong Kong and Macau will also require screening before they are approved.
Changes to the immigration law weren't the only thing brought in today. The Home Office has also confirmed that the fee for the priority visa service for Japan will increase today to ¥12,100 for each application. Meanwhile, settlement applications will rise to ¥37,205 for each application.
A fee change for certain types of EEA documentation applications was also confirmed, following the receipt of Parliamentary approval.
Minor updates to visa regulations are happening on a regular basis at the moment as the government continues to push towards its target of lowering net migration to the tens of thousands by the end of this term. These regular adjustments can make a UK immigration lawyer all the more useful for those attempting to negotiate the system.