United Kingdom – New Applications Forms for Applicants from Outside U.K.

U.K. – New Applications Forms for Applicants

This report covers the addition by the U.K.’s Home Office of Tier 2 and Tier 2 dependant applications to Access UK, its new portal for applying for U.K. visas.

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denise-osterwald

Solicitor, Senior Manager - Legal Services Immigration

KPMG in the UK

Email
Flash Alert 2018-047

The Home Office has added Tier 2 and Tier 2 dependant applications to Access UK, its new portal for applying for U.K. visas.1  

WHY THIS MATTERS

Assignees will need to use the new portal to make their applications and the questionnaires their advisers require to complete forms on their behalf will need to be updated.  

People named to the Home Office as being responsible for the sponsorship of Tier 2 migrants have received e-mails about the new system. 

Background

The U.K. uses online systems to make all applications for visas from overseas.  The existing portal for doing so is called visa4uk.  Typically the system requires an applicant or his adviser to complete and submit an application form online.  The applicant then attends an appointment to have photographs and fingerprints taken.  Supporting documents and passports are either taken from the applicant at the appointment or separately sent by the applicant to the relevant processing office. 

Access UK was launched to 2016 to replace visa4uk for visitor visas.2  The system has the same look and feel as the system for online applications to remain in the United Kingdom.  This is not the case with visa4uk.  However it does not remove the need to attend appointments or provide documents.  Access UK is now being extended to cover Tier 2 visa applications and applications for Tier 2 dependants.

Tier 2 applicants can apply by clicking here.

Dependents can apply by clicking here.

KPMG LLP (U.K.) NOTE

For Tier 2, Access UK has slightly shorter application forms than those on visa4uk.  For example, the number of past trips that needs to be specified is shorter.  The flow of the questions is also more intuitive and dynamic, meaning that questions which are not relevant based on earlier answers do not appear at all.  Allowing premium services (for example priority processing) to be purchased is another improvement under the Access UK system.  Previously, such services had to be bought separately through the websites of the Home Office’s commercial partners.

Visa4uk remains available, but we expect it to be closed to Tier 2 applications in future.  We are therefore updating clients with new questionnaires in order to allow a seamless switch to Access UK.  

FOOTNOTES

1  See “Confirm Your Visa Type” and additional information by clicking here.

2  To see “New digital visa application service now available worldwide,” click here.

The KPMG Legal Services – Immigration Team has a wealth of experience in transactional, advisory, and compliance assurance services.  We will be able to advise your business in relation to practical considerations in light of the above changes, as well as what this means for your long-term recruitment and compliance strategies.

Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.  

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the United Kingdom.

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