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New Immigration Rules expand activities allowed for visitors
12 December 2023On 7 December 2023 the Home Office published new Immigration Rules. These expand the range of activities visitors are allowed to do in the UK from 31 January 2024, including remote work, research, provision of legal services and paid engagements. The Youth Mobility Scheme is also amended to include citizens of Uruguay and to restructure the arrangements for Japanese and South Korean citizens.
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UK immigration policies announced to lower net migration
05 December 2023On 4 December 2023 the UK Government announced a ‘five point plan’ to lower net migration, following on from recent high net migration figures. These include raising the general threshold for Skilled Worker visas, abolishing the salary discount for shortage occupation roles and prohibiting care workers from bringing dependants.
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How to avoid a right to work check headache when BRPs are phased out
27 November 2023The Home Office intends to phase out biometric residence permits and other physical immigration documents from 1 January 2025. Although details of the process are still awaited, employers should take the opportunity now to review the volume of repeat right to work checks are due on 31 December 2024 and aim to minimise bottlenecks with processing these.
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The role of immigration law in advancing DE&I initiatives in global mobility
17 November 2023Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives are no longer just buzzwords but are becoming essential elements of success for companies in all industries. Companies are recognising the value of diverse talent and the need to promote equitable opportunities in their global operations. Immigration law is a cornerstone of the legal framework and can play a pivotal role in shaping the demographic composition of a company.
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UK immigration options for competitive esports players
01 November 2023The esports industry is rapidly evolving. As a popular host of international competitive events, the UK needs to continue to attract and retain competitive esports players. An esports visa may be in the pipeline, but for now, esports players should be aware of UK’s available immigration routes.
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Big Immigration Health Surcharge increase for Q1 2024
24 October 2023The Immigration Health Surcharge will increase from 16 January 2024 at the earliest. The new yearly rate for most affected applicants will jump from £624 to £1,035. Employers and affected applicants should consider applying ahead of the rise where possible.
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Further changes to SMS updating requirements for employers
17 October 2023The Home Office has announced two important changes that impact employers who hold a licence to sponsor overseas workers. Authorising Officers and Key Contacts on sponsor licences will be asked to provide their national insurance number. Sponsors registered with Companies House will be asked to provide their Companies House reference number.
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Migration Advisory Committee recommends sweeping changes to Shortage Occupation List
12 October 2023The Migration Advisory Committee MAC released its full review of the Shortage Occupation List for the Skilled Worker route on 3 October 2023. Key recommendations include the abolition of the shortage list and to allow asylum-seekers with the right to work to occupy any job.
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UK immigration fee rises from 4 October 2023
18 September 2023The UK Government has confirmed substantial immigration fee rises will apply from 9:00 am on 4 October 2023. The fee for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has also been set at £10. In this article we focus on what these changes mean for employers.
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UK nationality and immigration for babies of EUSS participants
12 September 2023Individuals with status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) will need to take certain actions for the UK nationality or immigration rights of a new baby to be recognised. The relevant actions depend on the circumstances and in some cases involve meeting short deadlines.
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Sponsorship Compliance Guide 2023
01 September 2023This Sponsorship Compliance Guide is a useful reference for you and your colleagues to guide you through your duties as a sponsor licence holder.
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Three reasons the EU Settlement Scheme is still relevant for employers
21 August 2023It is now over two years since the main application deadline for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). However, recent changes to policies on pre-settled status extensions, late applications and ongoing right to work considerations mean that understanding the EUSS is still very relevant for employers. In this article we flag some aspects for employers to be aware of and act on.
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Monitoring British citizens’ travel in the Schengen Area: EES and ETIAS
15 August 2023Monitoring travel within the Schengen Area is due to significantly improve with the implementation of new IT systems. This article focuses on how the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (‘EES’) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (‘ETIAS’) is likely to affect British travellers.
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UK visa requirements for offshore workers
09 August 2023Employers of workers within 12 nautical miles of the UK landmass must ensure that appropriate UK right to work is in place, and may be required to notify the Home Office of workers arrival in, and departure from, UK waters. All individual workers employed within the 12 nautical miles need a visa unless they are a British or Irish citizen, and are also subject to notification requirements.
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Illegal working civil penalties set to triple from 2024
08 August 2023From the start of 2024, the maximum civil penalty for employing an illegal worker will be raised from £20,000 to £60,000. The Home Office also intends to consult on strengthening sponsor compliance action where illegal working is found. Employers should act now to bolster their right to work checking processes to minimise the risk of incurring penalties and being subject to sponsor compliance action.
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Factsheet - Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker
01 August 2023We have produced a useful factsheet on the visa route designed for overseas workers who have been temporarily assigned to work in the UK.
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The Labour Party’s proposed reform to employment law - article series
26 July 2023Our series of insights explore the Labour Party’s proposals to reform employment law and what these might mean for businesses and workers’ rights.
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Five countries added to UK visa national list
21 July 2023Citizens of Dominica, Honduras, Namibia, Timor-Leste (East Timor) and Vanuatu are required to apply for UK visitor visas with effect from 15:00 BST on 19 July 2023 and direct airside transit visas with effect from 20 July 2023. A four-week transition period applies for individuals who hold a confirmed travel booking arranged before this time.
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Immigration Rules updated with effect from July and August 2023
20 July 2023On 17 July 2023 the Home Office published a Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, with measures restricting Students switching into work routes becoming effective from 15:00 BST on the same date. Changes to the Skilled Worker Shortage Occupation List are due to go live on 7 August 2023, and changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) on 9 August 2023
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UK Government announces significant immigration fee rises
17 July 2023On 13 July 2023, the Government confirmed a raft of immigration fee rises which will place a significant additional cost burden on sponsors and individuals. Although the implementation date has not been announced yet, employers should consider making visa applications early where possible and reviewing budgets and policies for their recruitment and HR.