WORK PERMIT FORMS CHANGING

In a week when Tory leader David Cameron pledged that a Conservative Government would cut immigration, John Reid seems to be beating him to the punch.

Home Secretary Reid has brought in a raft of immigration restrictions since he replaced Charles Clarke earlier this year, and he’s only just getting started. The entire immigration system is currently being overhauled as part of the Government’s 5 year stategy, which includes the introduction of a new Points-Based Scheme.

This month alone the Home Office announced three important changes to Work Permit schemes and the ‘leave to remain’ process.

On 10th November the Home Office announced that FLR (Further Leave to Remain) forms were changing from 8^th November. That’s right, they published the changes two days after the forms were withdrawn.

This means that if you are dealing with any ‘in country’ Work Permits you will need to download the new FLR forms from the Home Office website www.homeoffice.gov.uk.

The FLR forms were ammended following surprise restrictions to the HSMP (Highly Skilled Migrant Programme) on 7^th November. The previous HSMP scheme was temporarily withdrawn, without notice, pending the introduction of a new sheme on 5^th December 2006. See article: “New HSMP Rules – Even Bill Gates Would Not Qualify” – www.immigrationmatters.co.uk.

On Monday 13^th November it was revealed that the WP1 or Work Permit Application forms will be changing again effective 27^th November. Existing forms will be accepted up until 22 December. The change also applies to WP1X and various other Work Permit forms.

The shortage occupations list has been made even shorter with several occupations being removed including Actuaries and Railway Engineers.

If you should have any questions or views concerning Work Permit, Visa Extensions, Leave to Remain, outsourcing your work permits or finding staff please email

Charles Kelly info@immigrationmatters.co.uk