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Private servants in diplomatic households - changes to the handling of applications
23 January 2009
The UK Border Agency has announced changes to the treatment of applications for private servants in diplomatic households. This follows a commitment by Ministers that settlement provisions will be retained for those entering the United Kingdom (UK) under tier 5 of the points-based system.
The following arrangements will apply:
Private servants in diplomatic households working in the UK on or before 26 November 2008
We previously introduced transitional arrangements for private servants in this category. Applications approved were eligible for a one-off grant of leave to remain of up to five years, which is the current threshold for settlement.
To ensure that all those who were eligible to apply under the transitional arrangements have an opportunity to do so, we will exceptionally continue to accept applications under these arrangements for a further 18 months, until 26 May 2010.
New entrants to the UK
Under changes which came into force on 27 November 2008, new private servants in diplomatic households applying to enter the UK need to apply under the tier 5 temporary worker - international agreement sub-category of the new points-based system.
Under this category they will be eligible to extend their stay in the UK, as outlined in the immigration rules and guidance for both migrants and sponsors.
These private servants may be granted further extensions to their leave for periods of up to 12 months at a time, up to a total of six years. They will now be eligible to apply for settlement once they have reached the required threshold, which is currently five years. This will be reflected in the immigration rules at the next formal change in March 2009.