UK Immigration Policy Changes Ahead
Businesses in the UK who employ foreign workers have in recent years felt the impact of increasingly protectionist UK immigration policy changes. The introduction of the Immigration Skills Charge; closure of multiple visa routes; increases in the minimum salary requirement for Tier 2 skilled workers. Raising the cost, eligibility criteria and narrowing options for migrant […]
New UKVI charges for overseas visa applications
With effect from 1 June 2017, UKVI is charging for all email communications relating to visa applications made from outside the UK. The charge is in addition to existing application fees and telephone charges. UKVI has now switched the handling of overseas customer enquiries to a new provider, Sitel UK. The Home Office advises the […]
Big Data & Global Mobility – Why Bother?
Why organisations should leverage big data to enable evidence-based global mobility decisions If your organisation isn’t making the most of data to drive its global mobility programmes – you are missing out. As with all areas, HR & mobility teams are under pressure to demonstrate value, performance and contribution to overall business objectives. Big data – handled properly – […]
Barista Visa – Solution to Labour Shortages or a Bitter Tonic?
Reports of shortages of labour in specific sectors and an exodus of EEA workers as a result of Brexit are fuelling speculation about potential changes in the UK immigration rules. With the General Election now upon us and taking all political focus and energy, we do not expect any clarification on the future immigration status of EEA […]
New Immigration Charge on Care Homes Employing Tier 2 Foreign Workers
In the Government’s latest move to reduce net migration and revive the domestic labour market, as of 6 April 2017, employers will have to pay an ‘Immigration Skills Charge’ to bring skilled foreign workers to the UK on a Tier 2 visa. Under the new charge, all organisations, including care home providers, that hold a […]
Immigration & UK Digital Strategy: The Missing Link?
In its newly published ‘UK Digital Strategy’, the Government has laid out its vision to digitally transform Britain through a long term plan of investment, training, education, and collaboration with the private sector. Amidst the optimism however, there are concerns that the strategy overlooks fundamental issues impacting the UK digital sector – crucially, immigration. The […]
Immigration Skills Charge & Rising Costs of Hiring Skilled Migrant Workers
The latest planned changes to UK immigration rules take effect in April 2017. They bring with them considerable financial implications for employers of skilled workers from outside the EEA, namely those hiring under the Tier 2 route. New Immigration Skills Charge From 6 April 2017 organisations who sponsor Tier 2 migrant workers will have to pay […]
Planned changes to UK Immigration Rules April 2017
As a reminder, the following changes affecting business immigration take effect on 6 April 2017: Tier 2 salary threshold increases The second stage of minimum annual salary increases announced last year will be implemented from 6 April, raising the threshold from £25,100 to £30,000 for experienced workers. Applicants initially granted leave to enter or remain […]
Global Mobility & Business Immigration Trends 2017
What are the trends UK employers and HR teams can expect in global mobility and business immigration in 2017? HR compliance The Home Office is taking an increasingly tough stance with employers for failing to comply with their immigration duties. Civil and criminal penalties are being issued to larger, household-name employers for non-compliance and failure to […]
Overseas Criminal Record Certificates Extended to Tier 2
From 6 April 2017, Tier 2 skilled worker applicants within education and healthcare required to provide overseas Criminal Record Certificate New duty placed on education and healthcare sector employers to inform applicants of requirement Rules for Overseas Criminal Record Certificates Currently, individuals applying for entry clearance under the following routes are required to provide an overseas criminal record certificate: […]