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New UK visa rules help Aussie businesses and students
Recent changes to the UK's visa rules will make it easier for Australian businesses and students to secure the visas they need.
Changes to UK immigration rules will give greater flexibility to business visitors and businesses that employ international migrants, including Australians.
The changes will also make the UK more attractive to Australian students by allowing them to take up internships after their degree and make it easier for graduate entrepreneurs to take up skilled jobs.
UK immigration Minister Mark Harper announced that:
today’s changes will ensure that the UK continues to attract global talent to work for British businesses and study at our world-class universities. Immigration reform is working… encouraging the brightest and the best to come to the UK.
Some of these changes include:
Changes to the UK business visitor route to allow employees to undertake corporate training in the UK where it is delivered by an external company.
Global organisations can now bring their own auditors to the UK on a business visitor visa, making it easier for them to complete international audits.
Removing the rule which blocked skilled working visa applicants who earn over £152,100 from owning more than 10% of the sponsor business’s shares.
Changes to the general tourist visa now allows tourists to complete short leisure courses in activities such as sailing or horse riding without needing a separate visa.
Individuals on Graduate Entrepreneur visas will be able to switch to a skilled worker visa more easily.
Allowing Tier 4 students who have completed degrees in the UK to switch visa categories to undertake corporate internships which directly relate to their degrees.
Changes to Family Rules, making it easier for British citizens to bring their Australian spouses and children to the UK by allowing greater flexibility in meeting the financial threshold
Expanding the ‘Tier 1 Exceptional Talent’ visa category to artists with exceptional promise.
New temporary routes specifically for the families of Commonwealth Games athletes.