Important Updates
Important Updates
October 15, 2025 | United States, United KingdomFinancial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions
October 16, 2025 | JapanJapan: Stricter Eligibility and Documentary Requirements for Certain Visa Types Implemented
October 16, 2025 | United KingdomThe Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban
October 16, 2025 | 🌐Worldwide/Ukraine: Temporary Protection Status - Country-Specific Updates
October 15, 2025 | United KingdomArts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas
October 15, 2025 | United States, United KingdomFinancial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions
October 16, 2025 | JapanJapan: Stricter Eligibility and Documentary Requirements for Certain Visa Types Implemented
October 16, 2025 | United KingdomThe Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban
October 16, 2025 | 🌐Worldwide/Ukraine: Temporary Protection Status - Country-Specific Updates
October 15, 2025 | United KingdomArts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas
October 15, 2025 | United States, United KingdomFinancial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Response to Advisory Committee Recommendations Announced

March 24, 2016

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

United Kingdom

The Home Office has approved several policy changes recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee with the aim of substantially reducing skilled foreign workers entering the United Kingdom.

Tier 2 (Intra Company Transferee) Subcategories to Close

The Skills Transfer Category will close to new applications in autumn of 2016.

The minimum salary for the Short-Term Tier 2 Intra Company Transferee (ICT) category will increase to GBP 30,000 in autumn of 2016 and the category will be closed to new applications starting April 2017. 

Minimum Salary for Tier 2 (General) Category to Increase

The minimum salary threshold for Tier 2 (General) applications submitted starting autumn of 2016 will increase to GBP 25,000 and will increase to GBP 30,000 in April 2017. The current minimum threshold of GBP 20,800 will be maintained for new entrants. Nurses, medical radiographers, paramedics and some secondary school teachers will be exempt from the increases until July 2019.

Other Policy Changes

Other policy changes include:

  • The Immigration Skills Charge will apply starting April 2017.
  • The salary threshold for ICT visa extensions beyond five years will be reduced from GBP 155,300 to GBP 120,000 starting April 2017.
  • The twelve-month experience requirement for ICTs will be eliminated for workers paid over GBP 73,900 starting April  2017.
  • The minimum salary for the Graduate Trainee category will be reduced from GBP 24,800 to GBP 23,000 starting autumn of 2016 and the number of places available for companies to hire under this category will increase from five to 20 per year.
  • Overseas graduates will be given extra weight in the Tier 2 (General) monthly quota starting autumn of 2016.
  • Starting autumn of 2016, in-country graduates will be able to switch roles within a company once they have secured a permanent job at the end of their training program.
  • High-value businesses relocating to the United Kingdom will be given a waiver from the Resident Labour Market Test and priority in the Tier 2 (General) monthly quota starting April 2017.
  • Nurses, medical radiographers, paramedics and some secondary school teachers will be given extra weight in the Tier 2 (General) monthly quota.
  • Nurses will remain on the Shortage Occupation List, but a Resident Labour Market Test will be required.
  • The Health Surcharge for ICTs will take effect autumn of 2016.

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals

Employers should plan their salary structures for foreign workers under the Tier 2 category based on the future increases.

Affected employers and foreign nationals should contact their immigration professional to discuss the impact of the new policies.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

©2016 Fragomen

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions

Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi

Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Learn more

Video

Important Update for Brazil-Bound Visitors | #MobilityMinute

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Learn more

Blog post

Changes to Skilled Worker Dependants: How UK Government’s July 2025 Rules Affect Tech Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Contributes to Third Edition of Einwanderungsrecht

Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Learn more

Blog post

Beyond PERM: Leveraging Schedule A, Group II for Exceptional Ability in the Sciences, Arts and Performing Arts

Associate Matthew Smith discusses how professionals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and performing arts can bypass the PERM process by leveraging Schedule A, Group II for a streamlined green card application.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions

Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi

Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Learn more

Video

Important Update for Brazil-Bound Visitors | #MobilityMinute

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Learn more

Blog post

Changes to Skilled Worker Dependants: How UK Government’s July 2025 Rules Affect Tech Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Contributes to Third Edition of Einwanderungsrecht

Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Learn more

Blog post

Beyond PERM: Leveraging Schedule A, Group II for Exceptional Ability in the Sciences, Arts and Performing Arts

Associate Matthew Smith discusses how professionals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and performing arts can bypass the PERM process by leveraging Schedule A, Group II for a streamlined green card application.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.