Increase in Fees to Assign Certificates of Sponsorship
Among the latest increases in Home Office fees announced last week, the cost of assigning Certificates of Sponsorship will rise from 4 October 2023. The change impacts sponsor licence holders assigning all types of CoS to sponsored workers. Most notably, the cost of a Certificate of Sponsorship for a Skilled Worker is rising to £239 from […]
Increase in UK Visa Fees from 4 October 2023
The Home Office has announced increases in UK visa, settlement and nationality fees that will take effect from 4 October 2023. The increases are affecting a wide range of applications, covering UK entry clearance, indefinite leave to enter, indefinite leave to remain as well as applications for leave to remain in the UK including many […]
Statement of Changes to Immigration Rules September 2023
Home Office updates Immigration Rules The Home Office has published a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, HC 1780, 7 September 2023. The new rules cover a broad range of areas, most of which are technical in nature. The vast majority of changes take effect on 5 October 2023. The key changes are […]
Illegal Working Civil Penalty Fines Tripling from 2024
The Government has announced a threefold increase in the level of civil penalties it can impose on employers that breach their duties under the prevention of illegal working regime. From the start of 2024, civil penalties for illegal working will increase from £15,000 per illegal employee to £45,000. Repeat offences will result in a fine […]
Home Office Statements of Changes July 2023
The Home Office has issued its latest Statements of Changes to the Immigration Rules, HC 1496 (17 July 2023) and HC 1715 (19 July 2023). We highlight the key changes relating to UK work visas, student visas and the EU settlement scheme. New roles added to UK Shortage occupation list The UK’s Shortage Occupation List has […]
UK Offshore Wind Workers’ Concession Expired
The UK’s offshore wind workers’ concession ended on 30 April 2023. Wind workers relying on the concession were required to leave the UK by 30 April 2023, and apply for entry clearance before returning to the UK for work. Offshore worker duty to notify the UK Home Office As of 12 April 2023, offshore […]
Immigration Rules Changes 2023
In its Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules HC1160, the UK Home Office has set out a broad range of amendments and updates affecting sponsors, workers and those making UK visa or settlement applications. When do the new Home Office rules take effect? The work-related visa changes will in most part take effect […]
Global Mobility Trends 2023
There are several trends in global mobility that are expected to continue in 2023, subject to factors such as world events, economic conditions, and advancements in technology. These include: Domestic skills shortages resulting in increased overseas recruitment Digital nomadism Increased use of technology Sustainable travel Emerging destinations Rental market challenges Greater safeguarding of mobile employees International […]
What Tech Nation’s Closure Means For Global Talent Visas
Tech Nation has announced that it is to close its operations from 31 March 2023, ending its role as endorsing body for tech applicants under the Global Talent route. The announcement comes after the organisation lost its government funding to Barclays. The Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport formally awarded the £12 million Digital […]
COVID-19 Testing for Arrivals from China
Temporary safeguards are now in place affecting travellers arriving into England from mainland China, following guidance from the UK Department of Health and Social Care, the Department of Transport and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). What are the new rules? Under the new rules, from 5 January 2023, if you are travelling to […]