Changes to Tier 1 PBS April onwards

Muffin, I don't think it will be the case that you wouldn't be able to renew- the government has already lost a very high profile case with the original HSMP holders who didn't meet the new criteria for extension and were kicked out, and are now allowed back in. There will no doubt be transitional arrangements for these cases, or the government will again fall foul of the law and face another expensive litigation that it will lose. The main effect will be on people not yet granted a visa.
London_lad, I think what you say is reasonable for the average American who wouldn't mind living in the US. Personally, this is not something I can tolerate, so I'll just have to deal with what comes along and hope for the best. It's frustrating and rubbish and unfair, but I am still happier here than I ever was and ever could be in the US, so I'll deal.

Official UKBA release here: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/migrantworkerstoughertest

I don't see anywhere in there what they plan to do with folks already in UK on HSMP/ Tier1 General. But as super said, for their own sake it will make sense for them to put in some transitional arrangements. Got my eyes and ears perked up 

Well, I checked another forum, and apparently after the legal victory of HSMP people after previous change in criteria for extensions, they have added a DISCLAIMER to the application form (which I signed - but didn't even notice) stating that you DO NOT ASSUME that extensions will be possible under the current rules

So they are able to do whatever they want with regards to extension requirements

I am going to wait and see, before I move, what transitional arrangements are in place for those already in the system. If none (i.e. if extension would require a Masters degree, which I don't have), I am not going to bother using my visa as I don't want to be planning my move back home already in 2 years time

To be honest, I am not hopeful about any transitional arrangement being in place AT ALL.

And a little bit annoyed. Would like to receive a refund of my GBP 600 application fee So frustrating after all these months of planning and waiting and finally getting my Tier 1 visa, for these changes to be announced NOW before I have even landed!

My other worry is that they put in place a system that prescribes that British citizens be given preference for ALL vacancies, even if the "immigrant" has legal authorization to work. At this stage we cannot rule anything out.

I just hope they announce the details soon so I can plan my life.

  That is vile. Loathing does not cover my feelings.
All the same, since you've spent the money, why not come over anyway? OK, you can't depend on transitional arrangements, but you never know how things will work out, and you may find another way to stay if you like it here. I don't think it's worth giving up on your plans, especially when you have the visa now!

I can't imagine HAVING the tier 1 and throwing it away. I agree with superl. Unless you want to throw that baby my way!

[kidding. Obviously I know that visas are non-transferrable.]

I agree with superl99 and Gottagettolondon - you've spent months trying to get your Tier 1 visa... why waste it?

Who knows what might happen in the next two years - you might find you can extend the visa after all, or maybe you will find a company to sponsor you for Tier 2, or you might even meet someone in the UK and find yourself getting a family-related visa in a couple of years.

At least you have been granted two years that you can spend in the UK... many people can't even get that. Why not make use of the fact that you qualified for Tier 1 before they made the changes and you still have the opportunity to live and work in the UK for some time. Surely two years is better than no years at all?

I'm already living abroad, in Dubai, where I make more money than I could ever in the UK. Other than being an Anglophile, one of my main motivations for moving to the UK is the fact that I am tired of not being able to plan for the future here in Dubai, where there is no route to permanent residence / naturalization, always knowing it is a temporary stop. If I moved to the UK with a Tier 1 visa, knowing that I will not qualify for extension under the new rules, I would find myself in exactly the same situation. Every time you move to a new country you take a step backwards in terms of career, financial situation, social network etc etc, it is a major commitment, unless you are 21 and a backpacker / student. I love being an expat, but I want to be a long term resident, not just a migrant labourer. I don't like the feeling that I may have to pack up and ship out at any moment, because some government official can change a rule (with a major impact on my life plans) impulsively as a reaction to some bad press. Before I invest years of my life I want to know how to meet the requirements.

Muffin, for what it's worth, I understand how you feel about moving around all the time.  I've been moving every year or two for the past six years; for the last two of those I really felt like I was too old to be packing up all the time, never able to set down roots.  But as the others have pointed out, you don't know that you won't be able to renew your visa, and there are lots of things that could happen between now and then.  You could find an employer who's willing to sponsor you for Tier 2, you could decide to marry a Brit (assuming you're not married already, but if you've been an itinerant for a while, I'm guessing you're not).  Anyway, obviously it's your choice, but it does seem a shame that you went to all the trouble and expense of obtaining a Tier 1, just to abandon your plan. 

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide. 

And don't forget that the EU might finally roll out their blue card system. 

Muffin - sounds like there are a lot of factors for your decision to move, and having lived in Europe multiple times before I managed to nail down the permanent residency, I can see where you're coming from.

But it sounds as though the UK still gives you a better chance of permanence than Dubai does, on account of 'possibly' being better than 'no way'.

Whether the requirements will ever stabilise...well, personally, I think they are going to keep tightening.  (I wish I'd thought about that three years ago, but oh well....)  If the Tories come back in, I can't imagine that they won't.

Good luck; it's not the easiest decision.

And don't forget that the EU might finally roll out their blue card system. 

Which, if I am not wrong, the UK doesn't support.  I suspect they will find any reason possible to not participate regardless of it being a good or bad thing for the UK economically.

Which, if I am not wrong, the UK doesn't support.  I suspect they will find any reason possible to not participate regardless of it being a good or bad thing for the UK economically.

For the life of me, I can't imagine this or any other UK government surrendering control over immigration to Schengen/Brussels. Absolutely unthinkable. Think of the "torrents" of blue card waving migrants knocking on Dover's door!

I'm here at uni studying for my bachelor's degree, and I finish in May. So close. My initial plan had been to pick up the Tier 1 Post Study Work visa, get a job, sit on that for 12 months until I had the earnings, and then switch to the Highly Skilled visa and everything would be happy and life would be good. Then she stomps all over that.

The proposed eligibility changes will only affect Tier 1 (General).  No changes have been announced in the eligibility for Tier 1 (Post Study Work) in itself, which gives you up to 2 years to switch into Tier 2 -- and remember you can switch from PSW to Tier 2 after six months in the same job, if you wish.  

For the life of me, I can't imagine this or any other UK government surrendering control over immigration to Schengen/Brussels. Absolutely unthinkable. Think of the "torrents" of blue card waving migrants knocking on Dover's door!

Oh, sort of like the control that UK signed over when they joined the EU... Oh yeah, got it.

It's not that the UK will join the blue card programme.  They probably will not.

But nothing in this world prevents the holder of a T1 visa from simultaneously applying for a blue card and then having the freedom to work anywhere in Europe.