Latest Immigration Rule changes
On 17 July 2023, changes were made to the Immigration Rules affecting the construction and fishing industries, applicants sponsored for General Practitioner (GP) specialty training, and international students:
Good news for construction and fishing industries
The Shortage Occupation list, which offers lower salary requirements and lower visa application fees for jobs identified as being short of staff, and where immigration is a sensible part of addressing that shortage, is being expanded to include the following roles from 7 August 2023:
- 5312 Bricklayers and masons
- 5313 Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
- 5315 Carpenters and joiners
- 5319 Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified
- 5321 Plasterers (includes dryliners)
- 5119 Agriculture and fishing trades not else classified
- 9119 Fishing and other elementary agriculture occupations not elsewhere classified
GP specialty training
A positive change has been made so that applicants, sponsored for GP specialty training, will be granted permission to stay for four months after the end date of their training, to give them additional time to find employment with a GP practice that is a licensed sponsor.
International students
From 17 July 2023, new switching restrictions mean that international students are not able to switch in-country to sponsored work routes until they have completed their course. Students on courses at degree level or above will be able to apply before course completion, as long as their employment start date is not before they have completed their course. Those studying towards PhD will be able to apply before course completion but no earlier than 24 months after the start date of the course.
Please get in touch if you need further information on any of these changes or support with another immigration issue.
Malini Skandachanmugarasan
Malini has specialised in immigration law for well over a decade and is one of the UK's leading immigration experts.
- Partner
- T: +44 (0)20 7778 7224
- Email me
Anita de Atouguia
Anita has specialised in immigration law for over 20 years and is one of the UK's leading immigration experts. She joined Doyle Clayton in 2012 to set up its Immigration service having worked in the immigration practices of some of the UK’s best known full service law firms including CMS and Lewis Silkin.
- Partner & Head of Immigration
- T: +44 (0)20 7778 7233
- Email me
Alfreda Joubert
Alfreda has gained a wealth of knowledge during her 22 years in the field of immigration and she has been recognised by The Legal 500 as a leading expert in both corporate and private immigration.
- Partner
- T: +44 (0)20 7778 7249
- Email me
Posted by Alfreda Joubert
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