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| Fri, 4/7/2008 | ||
There have been further major developments in the new Points Test Based System in the last month.
It is now anticipated that the new Tier 1 category will be rolled out worldwide in July, including the new entrepreneur and investor categories. Up to now, only the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme aspect of Tier 1 has been rolled out in the UK and India. Apparently, there have been very few Tier 1 applications so far from India, mainly because of the difficulty that Indian applicants have had in producing financial information to satisfy the maintenance requirements of Tier 1.
The timetable for introduction of the Tier 2 Skilled Worker category has now slipped to ‘late autumn or early winter’. However, important new information has emerged about the Sponsorship Licensing system. All employers applying for Licences will receive a visit from Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) Officers for a review of their HR systems, and receive a score as a result of this visit, prior to a decision being made on the Licensing application. Employers’ HR systems will therefore need to be robust enough to meet the requirements of the new Licensing system. Currently, licensing applications are taking approximately 6 to 8 weeks to be completed, and the BIA is urging applications to be lodged as soon as possible so that there is no log jam just prior to the introduction of Tier 2.
Graeme Kirk, consultant to Breytenbachs
According to a Statement of Intent for Tier 5 that was released by the UK Government, the new Youth Mobility Scheme will replace the current Working Holiday Visa, when it is implemented in the autumn of 2008.
The Youth Mobility Scheme will operate on the principle of balances. Nationals from participating countries will be allowed to come and experience the UK for two years, provided young UK nationals may enjoy similar opportunities in participating countries. Each year, the UK Home Office will publish a list of countries that qualify for the Scheme, together with the number of places on the Scheme that are allocated to each country.
It remains to be seen as to whether sufficient arrangements are being put in place between the UK and South Africa for the Youth Mobility scheme to apply to South African citizens. However at present it appears unlikely that South Africa will be part of the new scheme at the onset.
Breytenbachs thus advises South African clients that would like to apply for the working holiday visa to contact our offices without delay.
The current Work Permit Scheme will be replaced by Tier 2 of the new Points-Based Immigration System by late autumn or early winter of 2008. Under the new Tier 2, an employer would first need a licence from the UK Border Agency in order to employ citizens from outside the European Economic Area, who would require work permits.
Currently, it seems that the UK Home Office is very concerned about the fact that very few UK employers have registered with the UK Border Agency to obtain a licence.
Following the publishing of the Statement of Intent on Tier 2 setting out the basis of the proposed Sponsorship Licensing system, the Border & Immigration Agency has received a number of comments from interested parties and stakeholders. As a result of this, it is anticipated that there will be some changes to the proposed Licensing application form.
In the meantime, employer clients are advised to get in touch with Breytenbachs, in order to get the licensing process started. Please send your particulars to Laya Breytenbach on laya@breytenbachs.com
Breytenbachs has received a number of queries from clients who are extremely concerned about the news that the UK Government is in the process of overhauling the entire UK Immigration system, in what they promise to be the greatest changes in the UK immigration law for over 40 years.
In order to provide a glimpse of what can be expected from the new immigration system, Breytenbachs has compiled a short guide on what is currently known about the Points Based Immigration System. Please follow this link for the short guide.
The UK Home Office has announced that it has added two new occupations to the national shortage occupation list for work permits and amended two occupational titles.
Occupations added to the list are; electricity generation engineers and high integrity pipe welders. The amendments to the occupational list are quantity surveyor and pharmacist (including pre-registration pharmacists). From 18 July the following occupations will be removed from the list; CAA licensed aircraft engineers and consultant posts in geriatric medicine and rehabilitation medicine.
The implication of an occupation being removed from this list is that work permits can still be issued for these occupations, but employers are now required to advertise these posts. Where the employer can demonstrate, after advertising, that there is no suitably qualified resident or EU citizen candidate available to fill the vacancy, a work permit will still be issued.
The BBC reported that a study by the Work Foundation found that skilled migrants were needed for the UK in areas such as science, healthcare and technology.
The author of the report also said that the UK needed to be seen as an open and attractive place for skilled employees and that hostility towards immigrants could stop companies from attracting highly-skilled workers from abroad. If the UK is deemed to be seen as unwelcoming to highly-skilled migrants, they will go elsewhere to competing countries like the US, Canada and Australia.
The report further found that despite the high-profile immigration debate in the UK, the number of skilled workers moving to the UK was relatively low. According to official figures 167,000 skilled workers came to the UK in 2005, but many more were needed if Britain was to prosper in the global market.
The UK Government has released its latest statistics on British citizenship granted in the year 2007. Please see the table below for the nationalities with the largest grant of British citizenship.
|
|
Nationality |
Number |
Percentage |
|
1 |
Indian |
14,490 |
9% |
|
2 |
Filipino |
10,840 |
7% |
|
3 |
Afghan |
10,555 |
6% |
|
4 |
South African |
8,150 |
5% |
|
5 |
Pakistani |
8,140 |
5% |
Follow this link for more news...
Question
I have heard that the UK government plans to abolish the ancestry visa. Is this likely to happen and when?
Answer
The UK Ancestry visa provisions, if they continue, will fall outside the new points-based immigration system.
As far as we are aware, no final decision has been taken as to whether the provisions will remain in the future, but there is a distinct possibility that the category will be abolished.
Persons that are currently on the ancestral basis should not be affected by the changes, as any changes will only apply to new applicants.
We advise clients who want to apply for visas or work permits under current immigration rules to do so sooner, rather than later.
Due to popular demand, Breytenbachs is now assisting South African clients to obtain their Two-year Working Holiday Visas. This service is available at Breytenbachs Immigration and Property Services CC in South Africa under supervision of our UK Solicitors at Breytenbachs.
If you want to make use of this service, please do not hesitate to contact us via info@breytenbachs.com
Curious to find out whether you will be able to qualify to live and work in the UK under the new HSMP criteria? Why not find out? Breytenbachs can do an e-evaluation of your circumstances no matter where in the world you are!
Visit our website to find out more about our e-evaluation.
The buy-to-let market in Cape Town is experiencing phenomenal growth due to rate hikes and the imminent 2010 World Cup. Now is the perfect time to invest with the benefit of a very weak Rand. With stunning apartments in Milnerton, Cape Town from as little as £37,000 there cannot be a better investment opportunity. Other developments on offer include apartments and free standing homes in Brackenfell and also home in Burgundy Estate, Plattekloof. Our forthcoming launch in Central London will showcase these developments - BE THERE!!!
A lucky draw in each development where one client can win their unit/apartment or the equivalent of a unit in the development on registration. (Conditions apply)
A rental guarantee of up to R6,000 per unit/apartment. (Conditions apply)
Please RSVP before 15 June 2008 to reserve your seat.
Contact details
Office +27 21 976 0709
Wayne +27 78 773 7120
Anita +27 72 277 7225
durrdurb@mweb.co.za
At Breytenbachs we constantly aim to improve our services to ensure that we give our clients the best service possible.
We value and appreciate feedback on your experience of our services, as this will enable us to improve our services to you and others in 2007.
Thinking of returning to South Africa? Need help to get your non-South African spouse or partner a visa to live and work in South Africa?
Look no further. Did you know that Breytenbachs has a dedicated SA Immigration Department?
For help send your query to info@breytenbachs.com
Alternatively, you can visit our online SA Immigration appraisal form. By filling out this form, we can determine whether you will qualify for a South African visa or permit and provide you with the best advice in your individual case!
Our expert South African immigration advisors are waiting to hear from you!
The BBC reported that according to Halifax, Britain's biggest mortgage lender, house prices have dropped by 2,4% in May 2008. This brings the average price of a UK home to £184,111. Nationwide building society also reported a drop in house prices of 2,5% for the month of May.
The chief economist at Halifax was reported as saying that the decline in house prices were caused by the difficulties for potential house purchasers by the rapid rise in house prices in the last few years, a squeeze on spending power and the reduction in credit availability.
A spokesperson from the Department of Communities and Local Government said that when looking at trends in the market, it is important to remember that UK house prices are 39% higher than five years ago and that the current issue affecting the market is fundamentally about the supply of credit. This is a very different situation to the early 1990s which was about high interest rates and unemployment.
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has decided to keep interest rates on hold at 5%.
This decision was widely expected amid concerns about the rising inflation rate, although there were some calls for cut in interest rates in order to counter the economic slowdown and falling UK house prices. The BBC reported that most analysts expect interest rates to be left unchanged for several more months.
If you are interested in buying property in the UK and would like to
discuss your conveyancing needs.
Please feel free to
e-mail us for more information
Celebrating 10 years in the UK!
Breytenbachs is proud to announce that 2008 is the 10th anniversary of its presence in the UK market!
We will be celebrating this milestone with a number of special events throughout the year.
Watch this space!
It seems to be a new era for the SA Business Club following the launch of their brand new website www.sabusinessclub.com and the announcement of the new 2008/2009 committee. The business club held a brief AGM at the last meeting, on 4 June, which brought about a far more structured organisation consisting of committees and subcommittees which has never been done internally before and will ensure accountability for each function and ultimately growth and success for the entire club.
The new website will have features including a free business listing for all members with special mention for Corporate and Platinum members and it will develop into an outstanding source of business contacts. To meet the young and dynamic committee see the clubs website, which will also list details of how you can get be part of an exciting time in the SA Business Club.
Join the SA Business Club for the much awaited annual Summer Braai which will be held at Jamies Bar & Restaurant in Holborn on Wednesday 2 July. See details below and get in touch with Scott at reception@sabusinessclub.com
Date: Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Time: 18:00 ‘til late
RSVP: By Friday 27 June 2008 to reception@sabusinessclub.com.
Venue: Jamies Wine Bar & Restaurant 1 Fleet Place, Holborn, London EC4M 7RA
Fees: £25 for members & £35 for non-members (includes wine and food)
More information: www.sabusinessclub.com
Who & What is the SA Business Club? The SA Business Club holds monthly events for its members and endeavours to keep South Africans living and working in London connected to each other and to the country from which they come. With inspirational & relevant monthly talks by successful business people connected to South Africa followed by the opportunity to meet likeminded business men & women over drinks and canapés, kindly sponsored by Deloitte & SA Wines Online, it facilitates networks and ideas that can be carried over to the business environment. Other sponsors Cruga Biltong, Leopard Print & Media Sponsor, the SOUTH AFRICAN newspaper contribute towards making these events possible.
My name is Tommy du Plessis and I am the director of the Potchefstroom Business School at the North West University in South Africa. The purpose of the letter is to inform you about a very exciting project that I am involved with at this moment.
As part of a PhD study, I am doing research on South African Expatriates living and working in the United Kingdom as existing or potential entrepreneurs. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is any merit to pursue a network of entrepreneurs that could be of benefit for both expatriates living abroad as well as family, friends or associates in South Africa.
It would be highly appreciated if you could complete the questionnaire that is posted for your convenience at the following site on the internet: http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/14452g34798
It has been proved to take up approximately 10-15 minutes of your time to complete.
In view of the fact that I am doing “snowball” research, it would also be appreciated if you could forward this letter and internet link to other expatriates in your personal network who are living and working in the United Kingdom.
I want to reiterate that this survey has the potential to be of benefit for both you as an expatriate as well as the South African business community.
Thank you very much for you time and effort.
Tommy du Plessis
Potchefstroom Business School, North West University
We are pleased to report that PPS announced yet another declaration of over R 1, 3 billion to their members for the financial year ended 31 December 2007.
The good news for you as a PPS member is that you are one of the nearly 150 000 members / shareholders!
PPS is also the ONLY financial services company that treats policyholders like shareholders, giving them a share in the net operating profits and investment returns of the company via the Surplus Rebate Account (SRA).
Would you like to know how much your share of the R 1,3 billion was?
You will be pleasantly surprised as to the magnitude of the declaration on your membership.
Your growth will in all probability be more than the premiums you have paid for the year.
This means you had the cover at no cost and even had some capital growth on top.
This amount will be paid TAX FREE to you on retirement or death.
Simply click here
follow this link,
and we will gladly provide you with the amount that your Surplus Rebate Account
(SRA) has grown for the year and how favorably it compared with the premiums you
paid.
Alternatively, visit the J & G Financial Services
website for more
information.
As independent financial services providers J & G Services
are authorised to sell the full range of PPS Insurance products.
The Aardvark Pub - 27 June 2008
Club Zee, Leytonstone - 28 June 2008
All tickets can be bought at the door or you can buy it online from www.satickets.co.uk
'A sleeping giant of a rugby club with strong South African ties and Premiership ambitions is making waves in England’s lower leagues.
London South Africa (LSA) was established three years ago with the vision of progressing from the canvas of the English club scene in the Surrey County Leagues to the Premiership. They gained promotion in their first year and followed that up with another promotion year, which saw them progress to London 4.' - Posted in Super 14
Follow this link for a video on the club's activities or visit their website for more details.
Breytenbachs is proud to support and legally assist the London South Africa club and wishes them all the best in its journey through the leagues of English rugby.
We are a quality organisation working towards Lexcel, a recognised quality assurance standard. This requires accredited third party assessors and consultants to review files in order to check the quality of the work conducted on your behalf. These individuals are themselves subject to confidentiality for your protection. Unless we hear otherwise (either now or in the future) we will assume that you, our client are happy with this arrangement. Thank you for your continued support in our commitment towards excellence.
| Ask the Expert |
| 'I heard rumours that the two-year
working holiday is going to be replaced by a new scheme
and that South Africans will no longer be eligible to
apply for the new scheme. Is this true?' Read all the answers on the latest questions asked by our clients. |
| more >> |
| What our clients have to say |
| I CANNOT thank you enough for all the trouble and hard work you all put into my case - it really means a lot to me and is GREATLY APPRECIATED! Thank you very much! I know it is your job and you get paid to do it, but you have just given me my future and a great deal of happiness! Kim Joubert Do you want to know whether you qualify for a UK work permit or visa? Click here! |
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