How to Avoid Employing Illegal Immigrants

Employers across all sectors may find themselves falling foul of immigration compliance and facing allegations of employing illegal immigrants. Under current immigration rules, employers operate under specific duties under the prevention of illegal working regime. Where employers are found to be in breach of their immigration compliance duties and are alleged to be employing illegal […]
Form FLR IR: Extend Your UK Stay

It’s important to apply to extend your leave before it expires, to avoid overstaying and becoming unlawfully present in the UK. Form FLR IR is used to apply to extend your stay in the UK where you fall within certain visa categories. What is Form FLR IR? The FLR(IR) application, or Further Leave […]
Guide to UK Ancestry Visa Renewal: Steps & Tips

The process of making a UK ancestry visa renewal application is rarely straightforward, due to the eligibility criteria and supporting documentation required. The following guide looks at the criteria for UK ancestry visa renewal and how to maximise your prospects of being granted further leave to remain in the UK. What is the UK […]
UK Tier 5 Visa: A Complete Temporary Visa Guide

Tier 5 visas are no longer available in the UK. Tier 5 as a category has been replaced by UK Temporary Worker visas, which cater for specific types of workers being sponsored for specific types of jobs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of what was formerly known as the Tier 5 Visa, now the […]
Workplace Harassment Guide for UK Employers

Workplace harassment is a form of unlawful discrimination. Under the Equality Act 2010, employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent harassment in the workplace and ensure the wellbeing of their workforce. Following a change in the law from 26 October 2024, employers must be proactive in mitigating the risk of sexual […]
Voluntary Redundancy: Guide for Employers

Voluntary redundancy is an option for employers to consider as an alternative to making compulsory redundancies. For employers, it is important to understand the legal and personnel issues of offering voluntary redundancy to avoid complaints and potential legal claims. In this guide, we explain what voluntary redundancy means and how it works in practice, as […]
Section 3C Immigration Act 1971 & 3C Leave

For many visa holders in the UK, Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 is a little-known but important safeguard. It automatically extends a person’s visa while a decision is pending on their immigration application, preventing them from becoming an overstayer through no fault of their own. On paper, this sounds like a straightforward protection, […]
Positive Action: Guide for Employers

Employers are under a legal duty not to discriminate against prospective or existing employees, either negatively or positively. However, that is not to say employers cannot take ‘positive action’ to assist certain groups of people that are potentially at a disadvantage or under-represented within their workforce. In this article we examine what amounts to taking […]
Overview of the UK Immigration Act 1988 Explained

The primary objective of the Immigration Act 1988 was to ensure that the UK’s immigration framework was updated to reflect the socio-political and economic conditions of the time. Building on previous acts, the 1988 set new provisions regarding the rights of non-British citizens, including the conditions of entry, residence, and deportation. This Act was particularly […]
Labour Immigration Policy: Blair to Starmer’s Era

The Labour Party’s approach to immigration has evolved significantly through the decades, reflecting broader changes in the political, social and economic landscape of the United Kingdom. Historically, Labour has balanced the ideals of promoting social welfare and inclusivity with addressing economic needs and public sentiment. This balance was particularly evident during Tony Blair’s leadership (1997-2010) […]