I am a South African and I have heard of some changes coming into force end November. What are some of the changes?

There will be three main changes that will affect the South Africans from 27 November 2008. They are; the new age restriction on a marrige visa has been lifted and the new Tier 2 and Tier 5 will have replaced the work permit and working holiday respectively.

The age at which someone can apply for a marriage visa will increase from 18 to 21 from the end of this November, the Government announced. From 27 November 2008 both parties in a marriage will have to be 21 before a marriage visa can be issued. Raising the age is just one part of the Government’s work to crackdown on forced marriage and on those who attempt to abuse the marriage visa route.

The changes being made to the marriage visa route are part of a package of measures being brought in to deliver the biggest shake-up to immigration and border security in 45 years.

Also the Home Office goes-live with the Tiers 2 and 5 of the points system on 27 November. Under these tiers - which cover skilled and temporary workers - employers will be held accountable for the workers they bring into the country, with a new sponsorship scheme holding businesses responsible for those they employ.

Tier 2 of the points system will ensure that British jobseekers get the first shot at jobs and only those foreign workers we need will be able to come to the UK. Under this tier companies must pass the Resident Labour Market test by proving they cannot fill the post with a resident worker before they can bring in someone from outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

The Tier 5 - youth mobility scheme category will replace the Working Holiday as we know it. Sponsors under the youth mobility scheme are the national governments of the participating countries.

For more information please contact Ultimate Visas Ltd on Tel: 020 706 46764, info@ultimatevisas.com or visit our website at www.ultimatevisas.com