Article by BIC Immigration www.bic-immigration.com
The changes that will apply to new applicants from 9 July 2012 include the following;
- A new minimum income threshold of £18,600 will be introduced to sponsor the settlement of a non-EEA spouse, partner, fiancé, proposed civil partner. This threshold will also increase for any children sponsored, with £22,400 for once child and an additional £2,400 for each further child.
- The minimum probationary period for settlement for non-EEA spouses and partners will be increased from the current two years to five years in order to test the genuineness of the relationship.
- The route to immediate settlement, for migrant spouses and partners where a couple have been living together overseas for at least four years, will be abolished.
- From October 2013 all applicants for settlement will be required to pass the Life in the UK Test and present an English language speaking and listening qualification at B1 level or above.
- Adult and elderly dependents will only be able to settle in the UK where they can demonstrate that as a result of age, illness or disability they require a level of long-term personal care that can only be provided by a relative in the UK.
- Family visit visa appeals will be restricted by narrowing the current definitions of family and sponsor for appeal purposes and later subject to the passage of the Crime and Courts Bill, removing the full right of appeal against refusal of a family visit visa.
In the light of these stringent new measures that are coming into effect soon, BIC would like to advise all clients who want to make use of the family migration route, to do so as soon as possible in order to avoid these stringent new immigration measures.
For more information concact BIC Immigration www.bic-immigration.com
