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NEW STATEMENT OF CHANGES ANNOUNCED

The UK government issued a Statement of Changes to the UK Immigration Rules on 10 September 2021, which will undo, increase, and rationalize work and study routes under the UK points-based immigration system. This video update includes modifications relating to the proof of identity and nationality obligations for passengers coming to the United Kingdom, the initiation of the International Sportsperson route, and modifications to the Youth Mobility Scheme.

Proof OF IDENTITY AND NATIONALITY oblgiations

From 1 October 2021, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens—jointly denoted to as “EEA citizens”—will only be able to come to the United Kingdom utilizing their passport to prove nationality and identity. National identity cards will no longer be acknowledged as legal travel documents.

This does not apply to EEA citizens with undecided applications or visas under the EU Settlement Scheme who can carry on to utilize their EEA national identity cards to come to the United Kingdom until at least the end of the year 2025. Please keep in mind that this also does not apply to British citizens of Gibraltar, who may carry on to utilize their national identity cards indefinitely to come to the United Kingdom.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTSPERSON ROUTE

From 10 October 2021, the new International Sportsperson route will substitute T2 Sportsperson and the T5 Creative or Sporting Worker. The new visa route will carry on to provide a devoted option for anyone desiring to come to the United Kingdom for 12 months or less, and bringing together T2 and T5 into one category will make it easier and more uncomplicated for professional sportspeople and their sponsors to access.

As with the preceding visa routes, applicants will require an endorsement from a Sports Governing Body and will need a Certificate of Sponsorship from their sponsor. Corresponding to other immigration routes, the International Sportsperson route will be points based, and applicants will be required to fulfil the English language obligation if they want to live in the UK for more than 12 months.

Moreover, the Tier 5 Temporary Worker routes are being rebranded with the initiation of new application forms and all references to the old T5 system are being eliminated. The division of the old T5 Creative and Sporting Worker route will provide a new Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa, which distinguishes the unique obligations of the sector.

YOUTH MOBILITY SCHEME

From 1 January 2022, the T5 (Temporary Worker) Youth Mobility Scheme will be overhauled and renamed the Youth Mobility Scheme. Iceland is being added to the Youth Mobility Scheme country list as a nation without deemed sponsorship status with an allotment of 1,000 spots. India is being added to the list of nations where invitation to apply arrangements applies with an allotment of 3,000 spots. The scheme is being upgraded to authorize nationals and citizens or the lawful holder of a passport provided by a territory without deemed sponsorship status to apply for this YOUTH MOBILITY SCHEME from any post that acknowledges such applications globally.