UK Visa Processing Time After Biometrics: A Guide
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 […]
SOC Codes for Skilled Worker Eligible Occupations
Matching the role you are recruiting for with the relevant occupation code, or SOC code, is a crucial step when hiring a new sponsored worker under the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility or Scale Up routes. It will be important for the sponsor to allocate the correct occupation code to avoid issues with the Home […]
Sponsor Licence Suspension
If your organisation has received a sponsor licence suspension notice, you will need to act quickly to get your licence reinstated. If you don’t respond to the Home Office, your licence could be revoked. The Home Office has powers to suspend a sponsor licence where it alleges an organisation has failed to manage its licence […]
Warning: Skilled Worker Visa Holders Face Higher Salary Bar for ILR
Current Skilled Worker visa holders in the UK may face challenges in securing Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the future due to the increases in salary threshold requirements that took effect in 2024. Those who joined the Skilled Worker route before the 4th April 2024, and who are currently earning below the new thresholds, […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
New Sponsor UK System & Sponsor Guidance Updates
The latest updates to the UK’s sponsor guidance, effective from 24 October 2024, bring notable changes for sponsors in the Worker and Temporary Worker categories, particularly as the Home Office begins implementing its new ‘Sponsor UK’ IT system. This update outlines the key changes, the impact on sponsor licence holders and the steps to consider […]
Surge in Sponsor Licence Suspensions & Revocations
Sponsor licence suspensions and revocations have this year reached an unprecedented high compared to figures from previous years. According to recent Home Office data, there has been a 109% increase in suspensions and a 51% rise in revocations since 2023. Beyond sponsor-specific obligations, the Home Office is also clamping down on wider immigration and employment law […]
Immigration Implications of Employment Rights Bill
The newly-published Employment Rights Bill is set to bring significant reform of UK workplace rights. The details of the changes will start to emerge as the Bill passes through the legislative process. For employers, this insight cannot come soon enough, as efforts will need to be made to review the new rules, assess current organisational […]