Changes to Sponsor Guidance January 2025
The Home Office has issued updated sponsor guidance, with a number of key changes to the visa sponsorship regime impacting UK organisations that hold, or are applying for, sponsor licences. Revised Rules on Recovering Sponsorship Costs Employers are no longer allowed to transfer or recover certain sponsorship-related expenses from sponsored employees. The prohibited […]
Home Office Launches Passenger Helpline for eVisas
The Home Office is launching a new passenger support helpline to deal with queries from those who will be travelling from 31 December 2024, in light of the extended transition to eVisas. Under the temporary extension, airlines and other carriers are allowed to accept expired biometric residence permits and cards from those returning to the […]
Latest eVisa Travel Advice as System Rollout Delayed
The UK government has postponed the full transition to eVisas due to concerns about potential disruption for people travelling and proving their immigration status. eVisa Transition Deadline Postponed In a written statement published on 4 December 2024, Seema Malhotra, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship, announced that expired biometric residence […]
Home Office eVisa Transition Information for Employers & BRP Holders
The Home Office has issued much-needed information and resources about the ongoing transition from physical immigration documents to the eVisa digital system. With an expiry deadline of 31 December 2024 for physical documents, there remains considerable progress to be made over the coming months to ensure those affected by the changes do not fall foul […]
How to Report an eVisa Error
The Home Office has launched a new online form to report any eVisa-related problems, such as difficulties viewing an eVisa or if the status displayed is incorrect. eVisas will become the standard for immigration status verification in the UK in 2025. If you currently hold a BRP (Biometric Residence Permit), BRC (Biometric Residence Card), or […]
Figures Show Home Office Focus on Illegal Working & Immigration Offences
The Home Office has been increasing efforts to tackle illegal working across the UK, leading to a significant rise in enforcement action. Illegal working & immigration offences According to figures released by the Home Office on 2 December, Immigration Enforcement teams conducted 3,188 visits between 5 July and 31 October 2024, resulting in […]
ETA Phase Two: Applications Now Open for Non-European Nationals
Phase Two of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme officially begins on 27 November 2024. From this date, nationals from a range of non-European, visa-exempt countries can begin applying for an ETA in preparation for the 8 January 2025 deadline. After this deadline, travellers from these countries must have an approved ETA or a […]
Changes in Home Office Visa Processing Providers
The Home Office has provided further information about changes to the commercial partners operating some of its visa application centres in the UK and overseas. Visa application centres are managed by private companies, or ‘commercial partners’, on behalf of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), the Home Office department responsible for administering the country’s visa system […]
Case Study: Sponsor Licence Suspension Cancelled
As the Home Office forges ahead with efforts to crackdown on employer non-compliance, sponsor licence holders are advised to take action to ensure their immigration compliance is in order. One recent case that typifies this current climate of enforcement saw DavidsonMorris engaged to help a care home group deal with a sponsor licence suspension. The […]
31 Dec 2024: Right to Work & End of BRPs
From 1 January 2025, the UK’s new eVisa system will replace physical documents, including Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs), vignette stickers and stamped endorsements, as proof of immigration status. Individuals holding these documents are required to register for a UKVI account before this deadline to access their eVisa. The account will enable […]