The government has confirmed that the required funds to support an application for a UK work permit will increase from June this year.
After June 14th 2012, the personal savings required to make a Tier 2 work permit application will increase from £800 to £900. Tier 1 applicants, meanwhile, will need to have £3,100 after the June date rather than the £2,800 that is required at the moment.
Minimum savings will also increase for dependants of Tier 2 applicants. Those who have been in the country for less than 12 months will need to have access to £1,800 rather than £1,600 and all other dependant categories will need £600 to make an application, an increase from the current £533.
However, Tier 1 applicants who are already in the country will only need to show evidence of £900 worth of funds, as opposed to the current £800. Dependants of this work permit class who have been in the country for less than 12 months will require £1,800 instead of £1,600 and – as with Tier 2 applicants – all other dependants of Tier 1 applicants will require £600 instead of £533.
The changes form part of the government's plans to crack down on UK immigration. The coalition hopes to reduce the number of people moving to this country, as well as ensuring that those who are granted work permits or visas will contribute to the UK economy.