Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules
30 September 2021
On 10 September 2021 the Home Office published their Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules.
Changes announced include:
- prohibition on the use of EU national ID cards as valid travel documents for entry to the UK – passports will be required with effect from 1 October 2021 (unless the traveller holds EU Settlement Status). This was an expected change and was announced previously as a planned post-Brexit policy change
- consolidation of the T2 Sportsperson and T5 Sporting Worker visas into a single ‘International Sportsperson’ route from 11 October. The requirement to evidence English language proficiency will remain for those applying for permission to stay for more than 12 months and Governing Body Endorsements remain mandatory
- from 1 January 2022, Iceland and India are being added as eligible for the T5 Youth Mobility Scheme visa. 1,000 and 3,000 places will be available respectively on an annual basis and permits entry to the UK to work for up to two years. Indian nationals must hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification or alternatively have three years work experience to be eligible to apply. he qualification / work experience requirement does not apply to Iceland or other country nationals eligible to apply under the Youth Mobility Scheme. There is no indication at this time that there will be a requirement to demonstrate proof of English language proficiency
- easing of the applicable endorsement criteria for the Global Talent route
- changes to EU Family Permit rules where non-EU nationals, that are family members of EU nationals with EU Settlement status, must apply for a family permit to remain in the UK. From 6 October, the ability to switch to the family permit from visitor status in the UK will be removed
- an amendment to the Visitor rules to permit employees from overseas companies to enter the UK to install, service or advise on machinery/hardware or software that has been purchased by a UK company, has been broadened to clarify that associated third parties may also benefit from this provision – not just the two direct contracting parties of the sale agreement.
This article is from the September 2021 issue of Employment and Immigration Law Update, our monthly newsletter for HR professionals. To download the latest issue, please visit the newsletter section of our website. For further information please contact a member of Birketts’ Immigration Team.
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Sacha Wooldridge
The content of this article is for general information only. It is not, and should not be taken as, legal advice. If you require any further information in relation to this article please contact the author in the first instance. Law covered as at September 2021.