Updated Right to Work Guidance & Illegal Working Fines Increasing from 13 February 2024
The UK Government has implemented significant changes to the Right to Work regime which apply to verification checks conducted on or after 13 February 2024. These updates encompass both revised guidance for employers conducting checks as well as a significant increase in civil penalty fines for illegal working. Changes in Right to Work Guidance […]
Important Dates for UK Immigration Changes 2024
Implementation dates for a number of upcoming immigration changes in the UK have now been formally confirmed in a statement made by Tom Pursglove, the Minister of State for Legal Migration and the Border. These follow previous announcements, notably in relation to the government’s new 5-point immigration plan. The key dates are as follows: IHS […]
MAC Rapid Review into New UK Immigration Salary List
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been commissioned by the Home Secretary to undertake an initial, ‘rapid review’ of the UK Shortage Occupation List (SOL), which is to be renamed the Immigration Salary List (ISL). The review follows a formal undertaking by the Government to overhaul the SOL in light of the MAC’s October 2023 report, […]
Immigration Health Surcharge Increase From 6 February 2024
The increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge will come into effect on Tuesday 6 February 2024. This follows Parliament’s approval of the Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order on 16 January. The surcharge is paid by most applicants when submitting their visa application form electronically. How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge in 2024? For […]
Minimum Income for Spouse, Partner & Family Visas Revised to £29,000
The UK Home Office has revised plans announced earlier this month for raising the minimum income requirement for Spouse, Partner, and Family Visas. At the start of December, the Home Office announced a significant increase from the current £18,600 income threshold to £38,700. This was to take effect in Spring 2024. However, the announcement was […]
5 Point UK Immigration Plan Announced
On 21 December 2023, the Home Office issued a revised plan in relation to the salary threshold for family visas, superseding corresponding sections of the below announcement. Read our summary here for the latest on the new threshold for family applications. The UK government has announced a new 5-point immigration plan, with the aim of […]
MAC Proposes Reforms to Shortage Occupation List
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published its latest review of the UK’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL). The review was originally commissioned in August 2022 and covers information from the MAC’s own research as well as input from wider stakeholder engagement through a Call for Evidence. In its report, published on 3 October 2023, the […]
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 […]