Right to Work Checks: How-To Guide for Employers
Section A: What are Right to Work Checks? Right to Work checks are a central part of the UK’s enforcement framework against illegal working. Employers are required to complete these checks for every new hire. The obligation applies across all sectors, regardless of size or recruitment model. The Home Office expects a high, […]
Immigration Skills Charge Guide 2026
Section A: What is the Immigration Skills Charge? The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is a fee payable by most UK employers when sponsoring workers under either the Skilled Worker or the Senior or Specialist Worker visas, with limited exemptions. It was introduced on 6 April 2017 under the Immigration Skills Charge Regulations to address […]
Right to Work Documents: Which Are Acceptable in 2026?
Section A: What are Right to Work Documents? Right to Work documents are official records that confirm an individual’s legal entitlement to work in the UK. They act as evidence that a person has either an unrestricted right to work, such as British or Irish citizens and those with indefinite status, or time-limited […]
ATAS Certificate: Advice for Visa Applicants in 2026
Section A: What is an ATAS certificate? Applying for a UK visa can involve additional security-related requirements depending on the course or research area involved. One of the most commonly misunderstood of these is the ATAS certificate, which can become a decisive issue in whether a Student visa or researcher work visa application […]
Employing Ukrainian Refugees in the UK: Rules & Right to Work 2026
UK employers continue to employ significant numbers of Ukrainian nationals under special immigration arrangements introduced following the invasion of Ukraine. While many of these routes were designed as humanitarian measures, they operate within the UK’s mainstream immigration control framework and are actively enforced by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). For employers, this means that employing […]
Skilled Worker Visa Fees & Sponsor Costs 2026
Section A: Skilled Worker Visa Fees in 2026 The Home Office Skilled Worker visa application fee varies, depending on whether the application is made from outside the UK (entry clearance) or from inside the UK (permission to stay). The fee also changes depending on whether the Certificate of Sponsorship has been assigned for […]
UK Skilled Worker English Requirement 2026: Tests, Levels & Exemptions
Section A: What is the Skilled Worker English Language Requirement? If you’re applying for the UK Skilled Worker visa, you are required to meet an English language requirement as part of the Immigration Rules. Under the Immigration Rules in force from 8 January 2026, the Skilled Worker English language requirement is set at […]
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Cost & Rules 2026
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is often treated as an applicant-facing fee, delegated to migrant workers or outsourced advisers. For UK employers and sponsor licence holders, that assumption is a compliance risk. In practice, the IHS directly affects application validity, visa grant timing, right to work continuity and sponsor licence exposure. Errors in IHS assessment […]
Apply for a British Passport: Eligibility & Steps 2026
A British passport is issued to people who hold British nationality and is used as proof of identity and citizenship for international travel and a wide range of legal and practical purposes in the UK. Applying for a British passport is often straightforward, but eligibility is frequently misunderstood, particularly where nationality status is complex or […]
UK Visa Processing Times: How Long Each Visa Takes 2026
The length of time it takes for your application to be processed can be an important factor in deciding when to apply and when to make travel arrangements. But UK visa processing times vary considerably, depending on factors such as the type of visa being applied for, the country or Embassy where the application is […]