immigration

UK Immigration update: MAC review of the Immigration Salary List

At a glance In a previous post, we discussed the Government’s proposals to overhaul the salary thresholds for the Skilled Worker route. The proposals mean that the current Shortage Occupation List (SOL) would be drastically cut down and the 20% reduction on salary would be removed. The revised list would be known as the Immigration …

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UK immigration update: Illegal working civil penalties are increasing – Is your business compliant?  

At a glance Civil penalties for breaches of illegal working regulations will be tripling on 13 February 2024 to GBP45,000 for a first offence and GBP60,000 for each illegal worker for repeat or significant breaches. From 6 April 2024, all sponsors with a licence expiration date falling on or after 6 April 2024 will no …

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UK immigration update: Changes to Visitor Rules – Business Activities

At a glance: Clarification that business visitors in the UK may work remotely for their overseas employment, provided this is not the primary purpose of the visit. Employees of an overseas-based company with a UK branch may now carry out work directly with clients, provided the activity is incidental to their employment overseas and does …

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Government announces five-point plan to cut migration figures to the UK

At a glance: Minimum salary threshold for Skilled Workers set to increase from GBP26,200 to GBP38,700 per annum (a third) from Spring 2024. The 20% reduction which can currently be applied to a role’s ‘going rate’ salary threshold for occupations that appear on the shortage list will be removed. Care workers sponsored under the Health …

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UK immigration update: Increases to immigration fees

  On 15 September 2023,  the UK government published changes to immigration fees that will come into effect on 4 October 2023. We have summarised the relevant fee changes below. Visa fee increases Fee category Current fee New fee Fee increase Certificate of Sponsorship (payable for all new Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility visas) …

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Employers take note: Modified right to work scheme is ending

An important date is looming for employers. On 30 September 2022, the COVID-concessionary modified right to work scheme is ending. It was temporarily introduced in March 2020 as a response to the Coronavirus pandemic and eased the burden on employers checking physical right to work documents in light of the work from home mandates from …

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New visa route may open door to wider talent pool for employers

The UK government has announced the implementation of a new visa scheme for ‘high potential individuals’ which is welcome news to employers as the war for talent continues. This new scheme will allow alumni of the world’s top universities to work in the UK for 2 years – or 3 years if they hold a …

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End of the Brexit transition period and the UK/EU Trade Agreement

At 11 pm on 31 December, the Brexit transition period will finish and this will mark the end of freedom of movement between the United Kingdom and European Union. For EU nationals already resident in the UK, they can continue to live and work in the UK; however they must make an application under the …

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UK government releases immigration Statement of Changes

With only a matter of weeks to go until the Brexit transition period comes to an end, the UK government has now released its Statement of Changes to the UK Immigration Rules. The update formalises the previous government proposals set out in its July 2020 policy paper. The statement is the most voluminous Statement of …

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UK immigration update: New guidance – key takeaways for employers

On 13 July 2020, the UK government provided further guidance on what the new immigration system would look like from 2021 onwards for those individuals who are not eligible for EU Settled Status. The 130 page document briefly sets out various proposed changes and re-branding to existing immigration categories, as well as information on the …

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Government publishes new immigration regime proposals

On Wednesday 19 February 2020, the UK government  published a policy paper setting out its plan for the new UK immigration system for skilled migration. For those who sponsor individuals, key points are: As expected, the government will scrap the resident labour market test (RLMT) and the current cap on skilled worker visas. It will …

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The final countdown: Navigating the EU Settlement Scheme

21 January marks 10 days until Brexit. On 9 January, the Withdrawal Agreement finally passed through Parliament, without much fanfare, by 330 votes to 231 and now Brexit has been fixed for 31 January 2020. The enactment of the Withdrawal Agreement provides a fixed timeline for EU nationals and their family members to apply for …

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Immigration update following UK election result

The Boris Johnson immigration tag line has long been that under his leadership the UK will have an “Australian-style Points Based System”. Now the election results have been counted and it has been confirmed that Boris will continue his tenure in 10 Downing Street, what can be expected from an “Australian-style points based immigration system” …

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Brexit: Deal or no deal? Is the future of the settled status scheme hanging in the balance?

Each day now presents new developments in the Brexit negotiations – and in an update to our article of 20 November 2018, the critical EU Summit has now taken place and the leaders of the EU27 Member States have now agreed the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and the future relationship.   This …

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Draft withdrawal agreement is agreed (for now) – but what next for citizens’ rights?

On 14 November 2018, after many months of negotiations, the UK Government and the EU Commission finally announced that a draft withdrawal agreement (WA) on the legal terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU has been agreed, and at the same time they issued a ‘Political declaration setting out the framework for the future …

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