From 6 April 2016 most Tier 2 visa migrants must be earning £35,000 or more to qualify for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the United Kingdom.

In practice, this will make it more difficult for tier 2 migrants to settle.

Those who do not meet the new minimum income threshold will need to either switch into another immigration category. If they cannot do this they can extend their Tier 2 visa by another year, though tier 2 migrants can now only stay here for a maximum of six years unless they have indefinite leave to remain.

The £35,000 earning requirement will not apply to anyone in an occupation on the shortage occupation list or to scientists and researchers in PhD level occupations. Other Tier 2 migrants may also be exempt depending on when they first entered the Tier 2 route.

If you would like to discuss these requirements in more detail, then please click here for a call back or message us your enquiry. Our Immigration law team are specialists in all applications under the Point Based System.