On 19 February, the government published the first details about its proposed new Immigration system planned to be operational on 1 January 2021. The government’s new system is designed to attract “highly skilled workers”, rather than the low skilled workers. Under the new system, employers will have to hold a ‘sponsor licence’ to employ all […]
The Home Office has released updated guidance to deal with individuals affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus (COVID-19). Tier 4 students affected by the coronavirus restrictions Tier 4 students are not normally permitted to undertake distance learning, however if they are forced to due to the current exceptional circumstances, this will not be considered […]
At present, UK Visas & Immigration case working and compliance teams are still functioning and pending applications are being processed, albeit standard processing times are likely to be impacted. Although global travel is mostly on hiatus it is still technically possible to apply for visa online and some visa application centres are still operational, depending […]
The new Points-Based Immigration System will award points for an appropriate job offer, English language skills, and a salary threshold. The education threshold will be reduced to A-level (Higher Secondary School Certificate or equivalent) from degree level, and the general salary threshold is being reduced to £25,600 from £30,000. Applicants will be able to ‘trade’ […]
The Home Office has updated it’s guidance for individuals affected by travel restrictions associated with Coronavirus (COVID-19). Due to travel restrictions because of coronavirus some individuals may be facing uncertainty in relation to the expiry date of their current visa or leave to remain in the United Kingdom. As this is because of circumstances beyond […]
Once the UK leaves the European Union (EU), a new immigration system will be introduced to replace the EU’s freedom of movement rule. The government favours a “points-based system” which can take different factors like skills and language into account when awarding visas. The Migration Advisory Committee recommended the use of points – earned on […]
The Conservatives are planning to introduce a “NHS visa” as part of their proposals for an Australian style points based immigration system should they win the general election. The aim is to ensure that the NHS is able to source overseas doctors and nurses once EU free movement comes to an end post-Brexit. The Home […]
This visa is for leading individuals in the fields of science, humanities, engineering, the arts and digital technology. It has a 2 step process and it is known for its complicated application process. The first process is to make an application for endorsement to the relevant competent body in the applicant’s field. Once that is […]
It seems that these new visa’s which were introduced earlier this year are very difficult and hardly anyone is able to meet the requirements. It has been reported that very few applications have been approved. There are calls to make the system a lot easier. It seems that many migrants are continuing to come under […]
European Temporary Leave to Remain (Euro TLR) is a temporary UK immigration status that will allow EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who move to the UK after Brexit to continue living, working and studying in the UK after 31 December 2020. Applicants will be able to live, work and study in the UK as they […]
The main change will be the amendment of the Shortage Occupation List, with many roles being added to the list and some removed. One advantage of a role being on the Shortage Occupation List is that no Resident Labour Market Test is required when advertising it. Another big advantage of a role being on the […]
There will apparently be a new UK post-study work visa for Tier 4 visa international students graduating from British universities. It will be available for two years from 2020, the government has announced.
In May, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its full review of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), the first time the SOL had been looked at in six years. MAC recommended that they add more IT roles within the list for example, business analyst, systems designers, programmers and software development professionals. What does this mean? […]
There are suggestions that the next Prime Minster should lower the salary threshold from £30,000 to £20,000. Industry experts believe that this will avoid skills shortages. Currently any non-EU citizen working in the UK must earn at least £30,000, but under current proposals this will be extended to EU citizens after Brexit. Many UK industry […]
Boris Johnson has recommended that we move towards an ‘Australian style’ points based system. We already have a points based system in the UK so how would this differ from the Australian one?The Australian system is based upon scoring according to a list of criteria such as language, ability, age, competency, professional qualifications and industry […]
The shortage occupation list (SOL) needs to include other occupations. MAC has published its review of the SOL following an extensive period of consultation. The last SOL was reviewed in 2013. The advantages of being on the shortage occupation list are as follows: Not having to conduct a Resident Labour market test. Exemption from the […]
The Commons Home Affairs Committee said technical issues had ‘blighted’ the scheme with some struggling to navigate the online application system. MPS were not happy with the fact that European residents only get legal status post Brexit if they apply to it. Therefore, they need to take a active step, those who don’t do anything […]
If the UK leaves the EU with no deal, we are now recommending that employers should at least consider sponsoring EU employees under Tier 2 of the points based system.
A new Government online checking service is set to help employers comply with their duty to prevent illegal working in the UK.
The Government has introduced two new visa routes for entrepreneurs. The start-up visa, this visa is for those wishing to establish a business in the UK for the first time. Applicants will have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea which is supported by an endorsing body. The start-up visa is an expanded version of […]
The issues in relation to retaining agricultural workers surmising rotting fruit mountains have been widely reported by the media. Talk of the new schemes, quotas and sponsor licences are incredibly confusing. We have demystified some of the rhetoric.
With so much uncertainty about Brexit, many employers are anxious about the status of their EU employees and employment in the future.
During this year’s London Tech Week, a new visa route aimed at the tech industry was announced. The Start Up visa has been designed following advice from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) and feedback from the tech sector.
Last week the government announced a new nationwide pilot scheme for seasonal agricultural workers from outside EEA countries to come and work in the UK. The scheme is aimed at alleviating the chronic shortage of workers in the farming industry following Brexit. Workers will be allowed to stay for up to 6 months before returning […]
We recently attended an appointment at the Home Office with one of our Windrush clients who has been considerably affected by the Government’s immigration policy. We have been supporting this client for a number of years, whilst he tackled job loss and homelessness, after losing his passport with his Indefinite Leave to Remain stamp.
In a few weeks, data protection rules across Europe will experience their biggest change in the last 20 years. On 25 May 2018, the Data Protection Bill 29017 (that incorporates provisions of GDPR) will come into force in the UK. It will change how businesses and public sector organisations can handle the information of their […]
The Government has published new guidance for undocumented Commonwealth citizens, Amber Rudd has resigned and Sajid Javid has been appointed the new Home Secretary, but will these policy changes and grand gestures actually help Windrush children?
The issue of immigration has featured prominently in the Brexit debate. Following the decision to leave in June 2016, the UK Government announced it would establish new arrangements for controlling immigration. However, 18 months on and still no concrete plans have been announced.