UK Immigration Minister Announces Changes to Tier 2 visa system

Mark Harper, the UK immigration minister announced a series of proposed changes to the UK immigration system on Thursday 14th March 2013. He told the House of Commons that the changes will be introduced on April 6th 2013. The most significant changes will be made to the Tier 2 visa scheme, the tier visa of the UK's five tier points-based immigration system that is for skilled workers with a job offer. Mr Harper announced a series of changes including Cap for Tier 2 (General) visas fixed at 20,700 per year until further notice An update of the Shortage Occupation List. Some medical occupations are removed from the list. Some engineering occupations are added Amendments to the Code of Practice for Employers Changes to salary thresholds...

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Posted in: Immigration News , immigration tips , UK Embassy , UK Immigration , UK Visa

Filing H-1B Visa Petitions

As of April 1, 2013, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting H-1B petitions for Fiscal Year 2014 (FY2014). Petitions for FY2014 will allow foreign nationals to work for petitioning employers as of October 1, 2013. USCIS will continue to accept new H-1B petitions after April 1, 2013, until the H-1B cap has been reached. At this time we encourage you to identify any employees who may require H-1B sponsorship so that a petition may be filed well before the H-1B visas for the next fiscal year are exhausted. Congress has placed a numerical limit, or “cap,” on H-1B visas. For FY2014, the limit is 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas available for foreign nationals who have earned a U.S. Master’s degree...

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Posted in: Immigration News , travel news , US Embassy , US Visa