United Kingdom: ETA Updates and Expansion of Youth Mobility Scheme with New Zealand, Among Other Clarifications and Changes, in New Statement of Changes

March 9, 2023

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Country / Territory

At a Glance

Among other updates, the new Statement of Changes confirms that:

  • The Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme will come into effect in October 2023 for nationals of Qatar and on February 22, 2024 for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates;
  • Under the Youth Mobility Scheme for New Zealand nationals, the age range and allowable length of stay have been expanded;
  • The new Innovator Founder Route (which replaces the old Innovator Route) eliminates the old GBP 50,000 minimum funds requirement and provides more flexible provisions under the program; and
  • The salary thresholds for skilled workers and others have increased.

The situation

The UK government has published a Statement of Changes (SOC) updating its immigration rules in relation to the Electronic Travel Authorisation, the Youth Mobility Scheme for New Zealand nationals and the new Innovator Founder Route, among other changes.

Key changes published in the SOC include the below:

CHANGE DETAILS IMPACT

Updates on the ETA. The ETA is a digital travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers and those using the Creative Worker route for a short stay (except British and Irish citizens).

It is comparable to the ESTA in the United States. The application process should take less than 15 minutes and a decision provided within 78 hours.

 The SOC states that the ETA scheme will come into effect for Qatari nationals starting October 2023 and on February 22, 2024 for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Affected nationals will need to apply for an ETA before visiting or transiting through the United Kingdom.
Changes to the Youth Mobility Scheme for New Zealand nationals. The reciprocal scheme between the United Kingdom and New Zealand (among other countries) allows entrants to live and work in the United Kingdom for up to 24 months.

As expected, the SOC clarifies:

      • age range is expanded from 18-30 to 18-35; and
      • length of stay is increased from two to three years.

These changes take effect from June 29, 2023 for New Zealand applicants and from July 1, 2023 for UK applicants traveling to New Zealand under the program.

 These changes expand the pool of workers who can enter the United Kingdom under the Youth Mobility Scheme, which is crucial at a time when there is a skills and worker shortage in the United Kingdom.
New Innovator Founder Route. This new route replace the old Innovator Route (for overseas nationals seeking entry to the United Kingdom to establish an innovative business).

The SOC confirms that:

      • The new route eliminates the old GBP 50,000 minimum funds requirement.
      • Instead, the new route provides flexible requirements for those with a genuine proposal for an innovative business and sufficient funds to deliver it.
      • The new route relaxes existing restrictions on foreign nationals engaging in employment outside their business, provided such secondary employment is in skilled roles (i.e., at least skilled to Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 3).
      • New initial applications to the Start-Up Route are closed, except where they are supported by endorsements issued before April 13, 2023.
 There is greater flexibility for innovators to enter the United Kingdom, which will benefit the economy during this time of financial turmoil in the country.
Minimum salary levels. Salary thresholds have increased for skilled workers, seasonal workers, individuals in scale-up operations and the global business mobility scheme, among other changes.  
    • Additional guidance has been released regarding salary thresholds for workers with fluctuating work hours week-to-week.
    • It is now mandatory for authorities to deny applications where there are reasonable grounds to believe that the salary threshold does not comply with the National Minimum Wage Regulations or Working Time Regulations.
    • More information on minimum salary updates can be found here.  
 Affected employers will need to comply with the new salary thresholds for all applications submitted on or after April 12, 2023. Employers are also advised to review updated government guidance to avoid penalties related to noncompliance.

Other changes relating to technical aspects of the EU Settlement Scheme, among other changes, are discussed in the government publication.

UK Immigration Rules are often changed several times a year, via Statement of Changes, which lists the amendments that will be incorporated into updated Immigration Rules on the specified implementation dates. 

The ETA scheme is indicative of the government’s intent to continue the digitisation of the UK immigration system and the priority it is placing on enhancing border security. We expect to see further such digital initiatives going forward and will report on related developments.

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].

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