Crime and punishment an immigration double act

The second commencement order bringing these and other provisions of the Immigration Act 2016 into effect was made on Monday.

In addition to the provisions relating to business closures, the commencement order confirms that ‘right to rent’ offences, renting residential premises to illegal migrants, will attract criminal penalties of up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine, again from 1 December 2016. The Home Office introduced a programme of civil penalties for ‘right to rent’ offences in February this year, under the Immigration Act 2014. The Home Office then revised its guidance for sponsors of skilled workers such that it can now revoke an organisation’s sponsor licence where an owner, director or authorising officer is liable to pay a ‘right to rent’ penalty in a personal capacity.

If you have concerns about your organisation’s prevention of illegal working systems, please get in touch with Andrew Osborne or another member of the immigration team. We offer a range of services to help your organisation comply with requirements and ensure its fitness for the future, including immigration compliance audits and training. The second commencement order bringing these and other provisions of the Immigration Act 2016 into effect was made on Monday. In addition to the provisions relating to business closures, the commencement order confirms that ‘right to rent’ offences, renting residential premises to illegal migrants, will attract criminal penalties of up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine, again from 1 December 2016. The Home Office introduced a programme of civil penalties for ‘right to rent’ offences in February this year, under the Immigration Act 2014. The Home Office then revised its guidance for sponsors of skilled workers such that it can now revoke an organisation’s sponsor licence where an owner, director or authorising officer is liable to pay a ‘right to rent’ penalty in a personal capacity.

If you have concerns about your organisation’s prevention of illegal working systems, please get in touch with Andrew Osborne or another member of the immigration team. We offer a range of services to help your organisation comply with requirements and ensure its fitness for the future, including immigration compliance audits and training.