The United Kingdom (UK) Government released new immigration rules on December 22, 2010 which provide that Tier 1 General out-of-country applications will be closed as of December 23, 2010. Any applications for entry clearance submitted before this date will be decided in accordance with the Rules in force before the changes took place even though the decision may be made at a later date. These changes do not affect Tier 1 General applications made from within the UK.

The UK Government also introduced a specified interim limit of 10,832 for Tier 2 (General), which becomes effective on December 22, 2010 and will run until April 5, 2011, when the permanent limits are introduced. Intra company transfers are not affected by this interim limit. The UK Border Agency’s Press Release is located at: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/dec/61-t1g-closure-overseas.

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