Limit on the UK Tier 1 Visa Applications from 19 July 2010
From April 2011, the UK government will introduce an annual limit on applications for Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system.
An interim limit will be introduced from 19 July 2010 until the long-term limit is introduced in April 2011. Until the interim limit is implemented on 19 July 2010, applications will continue to be assessed as normal.
The Investor, Entrepreneur and Post-study work categories of Tier 1 will not be included in the interim limit. In-country extensions under Tier 1 (General) will also be excluded.
An updated application form and guidance will be published on 19 July 2010.
What is the interim limit?
From 19 July 2010, the UK government will introduce a limit on the number of applications to Tier 1 (General) that will be considered in any one month. There will also be an increase in the pass mark for Tier 1 (General), from 95 points to 100 points (including 10 points for English language and 10 points for maintenance).
Applications will be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis. If you apply after the limit for one month has been reached, your application will be held and considered under the limit for the following month.
You will be excluded from the limit if you are already in the UK under Tier 1 (General) and you apply for an extension, or if you are already in the UK under another immigration category and you switch into Tier 1 (General).
If you are in the UK in one of the following categories and are applying to extend your stay in Tier 1 (General), you will need to score 95 points:
- Tier 1 (General)
- Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
- Writers, Composers and Artists
- Self-Employed Lawyers
If you are in the UK in any other category, for example Tier 1 (Post-study work), then you will need to score 100 points when you apply to switch into Tier 1 (General).
If you are applying from outside the UK, you will need to score 100 points.
More information about the interim limit will be published by the UK Home Office in due course.
What will happen to my application if the limit is reached?
The UK Home Office will continue to accept applications during the interim limit period, although they will not process applications once the monthly limit has been reached. Applications will be held in a queue, in strict order of their date of application. Applications in the queue will be processed when the following month's limit is opened.
If application numbers look likely to exceed the total limit for the whole of the interim period, the home office will alert you at the point of application that your application may not be considered under the interim limit rules.
The latest information about the monthly limit will be published on the Home Office Waiting times page for Tier 1 (General).
Source: UK Border Agency (Home Office) http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsfragments/27-intro-limit-for-t1-pbs
