UK 2016 Visa: An Overview

The year 2016 witnessed a significant amount of changes in the immigration policies of the UK government. The introduction of new visa categories, and updates to the existing ones, was aimed at facilitating the entry of skilled professionals into the country while also ensuring that anyone who managed to enter did not breach the government's rules on immigration.

New Visa Categories

A significant change in the UK's immigration policies included the introduction of new visa categories. For example, the government launched the Tier 2 (General) and the Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) categories, which were meant for overseas companies wanting to send their employees to the UK. Additionally, a new Start-up visa was created, which allowed entrepreneurs to establish businesses in the UK if their business plan was endorsed by an approved endorsing body.

Updates to Existing Categories

The UK government also made updates to its existing visa categories, with stricter rules on applications and a greater emphasis on meeting specific criteria regarding qualifications and experience. For instance, the rules for the Tier 1 (Investor) visa changed, and an investment of at least ￡2 million was made mandatory for eligibility. The Tier 4 (Student) visa, meanwhile, saw changes that made it more challenging for students to enter the UK without meeting specific criteria.

Changes in Fees for Visa Applications

Another significant change brought in by the UK government was the increase in the visa application fees. This was part of the government’s efforts to recover the cost of visa processing, and it saw fees rise by around 2%. Not only that, the Immigration Health Surcharge was made mandatory for visa applicants, which meant that they would have to pay a charge in addition to their visa application fees.

Impact on International Students

The changes in immigration policies and updates to visa categories had a significant impact on international students wishing to study in the UK. On the one hand, the UK government made it harder for students to qualify for certain visa categories, but on the other hand, it also introduced the Study Pathways Pilot Program, which allowed international students to apply for a visa extension after finishing a UK degree.

Conclusion

Overall, the introduction of new visa categories, updates to existing ones, changes in fees, and stricter rules on application requirements were some of the major developments that took place in the UK's immigration policies in 2016. These changes had varying impacts on different categories of visa applicants, ranging from skilled professionals to students.