PhD-level roles to be exempt from visa cap from Autumn 2019
The government has announced that from Autumn 2019 PhD-level occupations will not count towards the Tier 2 (general) visa cap. In addition, the government will update immigration rules on 180 days absences so that overseas research activity will count as residence in the UK for the purpose of applying for settlement.
The announcement came in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement in which he also confirmed that landing cards will be abolished from June 2019 and citizens of the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan Singapore and South Korea will be permitted to use e-gates at UK airports and Eurostar terminals.
The changes are designed to boost research and development in the UK and make the UK more attractive to international visitors.
With all the negative press surrounding BREXIT, this is a welcomed announcement aiming to show the world that the UK is still open to the brightest and the best.
Posted by Anita de Atouguia
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