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Changes to the Immigration Rules come into effect on 6 April 2012.
05 April 2012
As previously announced, a number of changes to the Immigration Rules are coming into effect on 6 April.
These include changes for migrants coming to the UK under the following routes of the points-based system:
* Tier 1 - high-value migrants.
* Tier 2 - skilled workers, including: new arrangements for students switching into Tier 2 and confirmation that the limit for non-EU skilled workers allowed into the UK will remain at 20,700 for the next 2 years.
* Tier 4 - students.
* Tier 5 - temporary workers.
In addition to these changes the government is also increasing from 6 April, the funds that applicants will need to provide evidence of, in order to meet the maintenance requirements for Tier 4 and Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme). Changes to the level of funds needed for applicants in Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 5 (Temporary worker) will come into effect on 14 June.
Changes are also being made to:
* Curtailment (cutting short the leave you have if you fail to start, or have ceased your work or study).
* The visitor rules, with the creation of a new visitor route for permitted paid engagements to allow a small group of professionals, artists, entertainers and sportspersons who are to come to the UK to undertake short-term remunerated activities, for up to 1 month without formal sponsorship.
* The overseas domestic worker routes.
* The extension of leave to remain, so that Tier 2 migrants can now extend for a further 3 years, to take their stay up to a maximum of 6 years in total.
A more detailed summary of the changes can be found in the UK Border Agency news story published on 15 March and the news story published on 4 April, when the changes to the rules were laid in Parliament.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/april/22-immigration-rules-changes
(don't know why?!!) 
