New Tier 1 (General) restrictions after April 2015 - hurry to benefit from the last extensions!

By 1st 4Immigration - #1 UK Immigration Experts -
It is with the tears in our eyes that we are seeing off the Tier 1 (General) category, also known as HSMP. Farewell! This category was already closed to the new applicants in April 2011, so until now only extensions were allowed. And until the announcement earlier this year there was no limit on how many extensions a Tier 1 (General) migrant can have. So, it was OK to go and work abroad then come back and extend this visa and then do it again and again – until the time comes to stay for a few years within the limits on absences and get an ILR one day.

Unfortunately, it has been announced earlier this year than last Tier 1 (General) extensions will be accepted on 5 April 2015. So, those who do need an extension should apply before that. And preferably not at the last moment! (OK, OK, we all know it will happen exactly like that). There will be another inevitable rush for same-day service appointments. Our advice is to plan in advance: we offer advice sessions now, over email or at our office (if over email we respond by the end of the next working day).
 
And advice session would help clarify the requirements and decide on the strategy: when to extend and what’s next. We can then help with an application when the time comes (but before 5 April 2015).
 
Furthermore, last Indefinite Leave applications (ILR, permanent residency), which are based on the Tier 1 (General) route, will be in April 2018. Those who  can’t qualify for an ILR by then won’t be able to do it at all.
 
The only way after 5 April 2018 would be to switch to another category which leads to an ILR. Preferably, a category that can be combined with the time spent on Tier 1 (General). We could also advise this at an advice session and we advise to plan in advance, ie ‘now’.
 
For example, a popular suggestion of switching to a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa is not ideal because time spent on an Entrepreneur visa cannot be combined with the time spent on Tier 1 (General).
 
For an individual advice or to make an application please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit www.1st4immigration.com
 If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CPD website: www.1st4immigration.com/training

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