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Changes to the Immigration Rules - July 2013


10 June 2013

Today, Monday 10 June 2013, a number of minor changes to the Immigration Rules have been published which will come into force on 1 July 2013.

They include:

  • changes to the documents required for approved English language tests;
  • clarification that 'regulated financial institutions' means those regulated to provide personal savings accounts or student loans;
  • more legal courses are now exempt from the time limit on study for Tier 4 student visas; and
  • a resident labour market test is not needed for applications for a religious worker (Tier 5) extension.

Other changes include:

  • some minor updates and clarifications to the family Immigration Rules;
  • changes to the list of financial institutions in Bangladesh and Ghana from which documents can be verified.
  • Tuberculosis screening is now required in more countries including:
    • China;
    • Ethiopia;
    • Gambia;
    • Hong Kong;
    • Indonesia;
    • Macau;
    • Malawi;
    • Morocco;
    • Sierra Leone;
    • Uganda;
    • Vietnam; and
    • Zambia.

For full details of all changes please see the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC244) and explanatory memorandum on the right side of this page.