SIRI updates its practice note on the rule of presumption

Updated practice note · published on 5 October 2026

SIRI has published an updated practice note on the rule of presumption in work-permit cases. It describes current practice based on decisions by SIRI and the Immigration Appeals Board, replacing the November 2021 note. The document is dated 30 September; the announcement was published on 5 October 2026. It covers, among others, the Positive Lists, Pay Limit Schemes and Fast-track Scheme. SIRI may consider application history, understanding of the contract, qualifications, the employer’s finances and rule breaches when assessing whether employment is genuine.

What this means for your case

For the Pay Limit Schemes and Fast-track pay limit tracks, salary more than 20% above the median generally cannot alone justify refusal if the applicant holds or previously held a residence and work permit under a SIRI work scheme. Each case requires an individual assessment.