The Home Office recently released an updated version of ‘Continuous Residence’ guidance to address absences under the 10-year Long Residence applications.
Essentially, the guidance clarified that any absences from the UK that started before 11th April 2024 would be considered towards a limit of 184 days in any single absence and not more than 548 days in total for any part of the qualifying period before 11th April 2024.
This contrasts with the previous version, suggesting no such cap exists.
Applicants who will be applying for ILR under the 10-year route should review their travel history before 11th April 2024 and the new qualifying requirements before applying.
eVisa Update
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. You will need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa. Visa holders will note that their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) will expire on 31st December 2024.
The Home Office website has been updated and confirms that anyone with a Biometric Residence Permit expiring at the end of 2024 can now create a UKVI account.
Applicants can refer to the Home Office website for updates.
Round up of Statement of Changes – 14 March 2024 (Business Immigration only)
- Sponsor licences expiring on or after 6 April 2024 will be renewed automatically for ten years.
- Appendix Skilled Occupations has been updated per the Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on median Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data. A transitional arrangement will apply to those under the Skilled Worker visa route (As well as relevant GBM routes) before 4 April 2024.
- The general salary threshold for Skilled Workers has been raised from £26,200 (based on 25th percentile UK earnings in eligible occupations) to £38,700 (based on the median UK earnings in eligible occupations).
- A new Immigration Salary List has replaced the Shortage Occupation List.
- The Salary requirement for other work visa routes was also updated in line with the changes to the latest ONS pay data:
- Senior or Specialist Workers in GBM routes: the general salary threshold is raised to £48,500 from £45,800.
- Graduate Trainees in GBM routes: The general salary threshold has been raised to £25,410, and the going rates remain based on 70% of the 25th percentile of the latest ONS pay data.
- Scale-up route: the general salary threshold is being updated to £26,300, and the going rates are updated using the latest ONS pay data
