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 […]
Police Registration Scheme Closed: Foreign Nationals No Longer Required to Register with Police
The UK’s Police Registration Scheme has officially closed today as of 4 August 2022, the Home Office has confirmed in a statement today. The change means the requirement for certain foreign nationals to register with the police as part of their UK immigration application has been repealed. Under previous rules, foreign nationals of certain of specific […]
UK Visa Delays for Russian & Belarusian Applicants
Current delays in UK visa processing are being attributed by the Home Office to the various visa schemes launched recently for Ukrainians fleeing the conflict in their country. As UKVI are prioritising applications from Ukrainian refugees under these new emergency routes, such as the Homes For Ukraine scheme, applications in other visa categories are experiencing […]
Home Office Warning to Sponsors for Inactive SMS
We’re aware that the Home Office’s Sponsor, Assurance and Investigations Team have contacted some sponsor licence holders by email to warn of inactivity on their Sponsorship Management System. Sponsor licence holders are required to keep their SMS records up to date, or risk enforcement action. This includes ensuring your key personnel details are up to […]