Changes to the British Immigration Rules announced on September 6 will give greater flexibility to business visitors and to businesses that employ and sponsor international migrants, according to the UK Immigration Ministry.

"The UK is open for business: we are building an immigration system that works in the national interest and supports growth," the UK Immigration Minister Mark Harper said.

The changes will also make the UK more attractive to international students by allowing them to take up corporate internships after completing their degree and making it easier for graduate entrepreneurs to take up skilled jobs.

“Today’s changes will ensure that the UK continues to attract global talent to work for British businesses and study at our world-class universities," Harper said.

“Immigration reform is working; we have tightened immigration routes where abuse was rife, while still encouraging the brightest and the best to come to the UK,” Harper added.

The changes to the business visitor route will allow employees to undertake corporate training in the UK where it is delivered by an external company.

Global organisations will now be able to bring their own auditors to the UK on a business visitor visa, making it easier for them to complete international audits.

Business visitors will also be able to do a short course of study while they are in the UK.

The Home Office has also made changes to the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) route to enable employees already on this visa to extend it without having to take a language test.

The ICT route is already well regarded with business customers telling us that it is “the most user-friendly in the world”.

Individuals on Graduate Entrepreneur visas will be able to switch to a skilled workers visa more easily under the new rules, ensuring that the best global talent is able to stay in the UK to work. They will be able to switch visas for a job with a “new entrant” salary and the sponsor won’t have to complete a Resident Labour Market Test.

Colleges and UK tourism will benefit from changes to the general visit visa, which will enable tourists to complete courses, including leisure and English courses.

 It will mean those coming to the UK primarily to visit family or for tourism won’t have to apply for a student visitor visa to take a short course, for instance in activities like sailing or horse riding.

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