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 […]
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 […]
King’s Speech 2024: Immigration Reforms
At the State Opening of Parliament on 17 July 2024, marking the first session since the most recent UK general election, King Charles presented the new Government’s upcoming legislative agenda. In this update, we set out the main provisions relating to UK immigration. Section A: Business Immigration The speech referred to the introduction […]
UK Visa Processing Times (Latest from UKVI)
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 […]
Care Home Sponsor Licence Revocation Overturned on Judicial Review
As the Home Office continues its heightened scrutiny of the health and social care sector, the recent Judicial Review case of New Hope Care Ltd v Secretary of State for the Home Department will be of interest to care providers – as well as sponsor licence holders in other industries – where procedural failings have […]
Immigration Salary List 2024
The Immigration Salary List (ISL) has replaced the Shortage Occupation List with effect from 4 April 2024. This change comes as a result of recommendations by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). In this guide to the UK Immigration Salary List, we share what we know to date about this new feature of visa sponsorship, […]