Interim CAP on Tier-1 and Tier-2 Visas for UK implemented

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsfragments/27-intro-limit-for-t1-pbs

Few highlights:

1. A total of 5400 Tier-1 visas will be issued, equally divided into monthly installments, from July 2010 till April 2011. The limit will be a little low in July (318 to be precise), but will be 635 for remaining months from Aug till March 2011.

2. Quoted from UKBA site - "The UK Border Agency will operate the system on a first come first served basis with a limit placed on the number of Tier 1 General Visa applications considered in any one month. If an application is submitted after the limit for a month is reached, the application will be held and considered in the following months limit. Applications will continue to be accepted during the period in which the limit has been reached; however the UKBA will not process the application until the next month. Applications will be held in a queue by order of the date on which they were received. Applications in the queue will be processed when the following month's limit is opened. If application numbers look as though they will exceed the total limit for the whole of the interim period, the UKBA will notify the individual at the time of application. Details of waiting time will be announced on the UK Border Agency Website."

3. Those already in UK in another immigration category will not be included in this limit. (Good news !) . So those who want to switch to PSW, or from Tier-2 will be exempt from this limit. Reason being, the rationale behind all this is to limit immigration, and since these people have already migrated, no point in limiting them.

4. However, the points needed for Tier-1 will go up from 95 (75 for age/income/uk exp/education+ 10 for english language + 10 for maintenance) to 100 now !!! Might be a little difficult who just managed to get only 95. This applies for all Tier-1 applicants, even those who are switching from Tier-2 or Tier-4 (to PSW)

5. UKBA expects that the overall applications and visa issued should be on the same levels as last year, as during the same period around 5000 visas were issues. However, the number might go down because of increase in required points.

6. It is estimated that, if assuming applications fall in line with the fall in Tier 1 and 2 grants, UKBA fee income would drop by £920,000. The range here is £510,000 per annum in the lower scenario and £1,320,000 per annum in the upper scenario;

Read more on Tier-1 visa

See how points are awarded in Tier-1

Read more on Tier-1 Guidance