We have written the following to try to explain the changes that have been made to the immigration rules in the UK.
Changes to the Immigration Rules
We are not immigration experts, and this information is provided in good faith. You must only use our information as a guide, and check the details with the relevant authorities. We can accept no liability for any consequences of relying upon the information we publish here.
During 2008 and 2009 the Home Office UK Border Agency introduced new rules which impact upon those wishing to travel to the UK as au pairs.
The new rules do not change anything for EEA nationals who wish to come to the UK. The existing requirements for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens remain.
European Union (EU) countries are currently:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
European Economic Area (EEA) countries are currently the EU countries, plus:
Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
Swiss nationals are also able to visit and work in the UK.
The official au pair scheme finished at the end of November 2008. This means that after November 2008 citizens of:
Andorra, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Macedonia, Monaco, San Marino, and Turkey will no longer be able to obtain a visa to visit the UK as au pairs.
An au pair who has lodged an application will be processed under the exisiting rules. An au pair who has a visa in place will be able to complete their term as an au pair under the old arrangements, however they will not be able to apply for an extension once the new rules are introduced.
The UK Border Agency is launching new categories for immigration using a points-based system. There is a category that covers individuals wishing to undertake au pair type work in the UK. It is called Tier 5 - The Youth Mobility Scheme.
There are a number of categories under which the applicants wishing to visit the UK must score minimum points. Migrant applications for Tier 5 of the points based system opened on 27 November 2008.
The current information published on the Border Agency website indicates that the following countries are participating in the Youth Mobility Scheme:
Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand
Further, the following will also be able to apply:
British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen, or British National (Overseas)
Applicants must be over 18 when the entry clearance becomes valid for use, and under 31 on the date the application was made.
The applicant must have £1,600 held in their personal bank account on the date of application.
Other rules also apply, so merely fulfilling the points based criteria does not guarantee entry clearance.
We will try and keep this information up to date as more details are published
See also UK Youth Mobility Scheme |
