21 October 2010

On 19 July 2010, the UK government introduced a limit on the number of visas that can be issued to overseas applicants under Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system until 31 March 2011. The limit does not affect applications from dependents, applications to switch into Tier 1 (General) from a different immigration category, or applications to extend existing Tier 1 (General) visas.

The UK Border Agency administers the limit on a monthly basis. In order to avoid breaching the visa allocation for October 2010, we will not issue any more visas for successful Tier 1 (General) applications made overseas until the limit allocation reopens on Monday 1 November 2010.

Applicants outside the UK
If you are applying under Tier 1 (General) from abroad, you can still submit an application for Tier 1 (General) during this closure period. But if your application is successful, we will not issue a visa to you until the limit re-opens.

If you currently have an outstanding Tier 1 (General) application, there may be a short delay in issuing your visa if your application is successful. For more information, see the Visa services section.

Applicants inside the UK
If you are applying to extend your permission to stay in the UK under Tier 1 (General), or to switch into Tier 1 (General) from another immigration category, the limit does not affect you. If your application is successful, your permission to stay will be issued as normal.

soucre:http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/oct/52limit-reached-tier1-oct