In this issue you'll find up to date news on the new Points Based system for Highly Skilled Migrants, travel visa info, details of our prize draw and more!

Love your visa!

Thinking of taking a trip? February is the perfect time to visit Paris. Romantic long lunches, red wine, café terraces and beautiful cobble stone streets.

Or how about…an Easter break high in the French Alps and taking an adventure packed skiing holiday?

You could win a £100 Eurostar voucher and a French schengen visa for half price!

When you apply for any of our immigration and tax assistance services from 1st February - 31st March we will enter you into our Prize Draw*.

Now that's an offer to get excited about!

*Rules and regulations apply, visit our website for details. www.mysmoothgroup.com

Current UK Immigration News:

It's a new era for UK visas and permits. Where does that leave you?

The UK visa and permit system is changing radically. But what exactly do those changes mean to you? We are here to make life Smoother and to help you understand the changes.

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the new points based system. Our advice is as follows:

The current immigration rules are valid until 28 February 2008. Customers may continue to make applications in the usual way until confirmed changes are announced.

We will continue to keep you up to date on the changes and inform you as soon as announcements are made on 28th February.

The new Points Based System, to be introduced over the next two years, represents the biggest change in UK immigration for the last four decades. Its aim is to make decisions much fairer and more transparent, and applications will be divided into one of five tiers.

• Tier 1, including the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, goes live in March this year, and between June and August more than 30,000 UK employers will register under the scheme. See below for more info on Tier one.
• Tier 2 includes work permit applications. There are no current plans to develop tier 3 (intended to replace the current Agricultural Seasonal Worker Scheme and Sector Based Permits). Because of this, some rather hysterical headlines have announced that there will be no more work permits for non-EU nationals, which is of course complete nonsense.
• Tier 4 will replace the current student visa system, and will place more responsibility on colleges and universities, who will act as sponsors for such applications.
• Tier 5 will include the Youth Mobility Visa, a replacement for the current Two Year Working Holiday Visa. There are no clear guidelines or timescales for this tier yet, although its scope appears set to be global and possibly industry-specific. All except Tier 1 will be sponsored, and will probably include a language requirement.

Our team of professionals are pictured below.

For more information on the new points based system please contact us on 0845 644 1871 or visit our website: www.mysmoothgroup.com

Tier 1 and Highly Skilled Migrants under the Points Based System

The first part of the Points Based System is now being implemented. This is the Tier 1 (General) route for highly skilled migrants, together with provision for their dependants. The route will be open to migrants applying in-country from 28th February 2008, and then open to migrants applying overseas in India from 1 April 2008. The route will be opened to all migrants applying overseas at a later date. Under Tier 1 (General), applicants need only make one application in which all the requirements will be considered. This will make the process easier and more efficient.

Tax Matters

Missed the 31 January deadline for Self Assessment Tax Returns? We can still help you file your return with HM Revenue and Customs. Contact us for an easy, hassle-free experience and avoid further penalties.

In order for us to offer additional services to you, for example how to increase your take home pay, The Smooth Group, a member of Charterhouse Group International may need to exchange information concerning you with other companies within the Charterhouse Group. Your information will only be used within the Charterhouse Group. Please click here if you wish to opt out.

Smooth Group Limited
1 Dock Offices, Surrey Quays, London, SE16 2XU
Tel: 0845 644 1871 Email: info@mysmoothgroup.com
www.mysmoothgroup.com
OISC Registered No: F200300158

You can unsubscribe from these emails instantly by clicking here.