The UK Border Agency has increased the funds required to satisfy the maintenance requirement with effect from June 14 2012.
Tier 2 migrants must now show increased funds of £900 for the main applicant and £600 for each dependant. However, as sponsors may certify maintenance on the certificate of sponsorship, this will affect only those migrants whose sponsor is unwilling to certify maintenance. With effect from April 6 2012, A-rated sponsors have been entitled to certify maintenance for dependants for the first month of their leave. This avoids the need for dependants to evidence funds if they enter the United Kingdom more than one month after the main applicant.
For Tier 1 General migrants who are resident in the United Kingdom, on extension the maintenance requirement will also be £900 for the main applicant and £600 for each dependant.
For the Tier 1 Entrepreneur category, the funds required will increase to £3,100 for the main applicant and £600 for each dependant when applying for initial entry clearance. However, if the migrant is applying to switch into this category from within the United Kingdom, the funds required will be £900.
As the funds must be held in a bank or savings account for each day of the 90-day period before the date of the visa application, the agency has delayed the implementation date until June 14 2012 to allow migrants sufficient time to hold these funds for 90 days before submitting a visa application. The agency has confirmed that these increases are in line with cost of living rises in the United Kingdom.
For further information on this topic please contact Ilda De Sousa at Kingsley Napley by telephone (+44 20 7814 1200), fax (+44 20 7490 2288) or email ([email protected]). The Kingsley Napley website can be accessed at www.kingsleynapley.co.uk.