Skip to main content

Insights & News

Search for Insights & News

  • UK immigration fee rises from 4 October 2023

    18 September 2023

    The UK Government has confirmed substantial immigration fee rises will apply from 9:00 am on 4 October 2023. The fee for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has also been set at £10. In this article we focus on what these changes mean for employers.

  • UK nationality and immigration for babies of EUSS participants

    12 September 2023

    Individuals with status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) will need to take certain actions for the UK nationality or immigration rights of a new baby to be recognised. The relevant actions depend on the circumstances and in some cases involve meeting short deadlines.

  • Sponsorship Compliance Guide 2023

    01 September 2023

    This Sponsorship Compliance Guide is a useful reference for you and your colleagues to guide you through your duties as a sponsor licence holder.

  • Three reasons the EU Settlement Scheme is still relevant for employers

    21 August 2023

    It is now over two years since the main application deadline for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). However, recent changes to policies on pre-settled status extensions, late applications and ongoing right to work considerations mean that understanding the EUSS is still very relevant for employers. In this article we flag some aspects for employers to be aware of and act on.

  • Monitoring British citizens’ travel in the Schengen Area: EES and ETIAS

    15 August 2023

    Monitoring travel within the Schengen Area is due to significantly improve with the implementation of new IT systems. This article focuses on how the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (‘EES’) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (‘ETIAS’) is likely to affect British travellers.

  • UK visa requirements for offshore workers

    09 August 2023

    Employers of workers within 12 nautical miles of the UK landmass must ensure that appropriate UK right to work is in place, and may be required to notify the Home Office of workers arrival in, and departure from, UK waters. All individual workers employed within the 12 nautical miles need a visa unless they are a British or Irish citizen, and are also subject to notification requirements.

  • Illegal working civil penalties set to triple from 2024

    08 August 2023

    From the start of 2024, the maximum civil penalty for employing an illegal worker will be raised from £20,000 to £60,000. The Home Office also intends to consult on strengthening sponsor compliance action where illegal working is found. Employers should act now to bolster their right to work checking processes to minimise the risk of incurring penalties and being subject to sponsor compliance action.

  • Factsheet - Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker

    01 August 2023

    We have produced a useful factsheet on the visa route designed for overseas workers who have been temporarily assigned to work in the UK.

  • Five countries added to UK visa national list

    21 July 2023

    Citizens of Dominica, Honduras, Namibia, Timor-Leste (East Timor) and Vanuatu are required to apply for UK visitor visas with effect from 15:00 BST on 19 July 2023 and direct airside transit visas with effect from 20 July 2023. A four-week transition period applies for individuals who hold a confirmed travel booking arranged before this time.

  • Immigration Rules updated with effect from July and August 2023

    20 July 2023

    On 17 July 2023 the Home Office published a Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, with measures restricting Students switching into work routes becoming effective from 15:00 BST on the same date. Changes to the Skilled Worker Shortage Occupation List are due to go live on 7 August 2023, and changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) on 9 August 2023

  • UK Government announces significant immigration fee rises

    17 July 2023

    On 13 July 2023, the Government confirmed a raft of immigration fee rises which will place a significant additional cost burden on sponsors and individuals. Although the implementation date has not been announced yet, employers should consider making visa applications early where possible and reviewing budgets and policies for their recruitment and HR.

  • Factsheet - Innovator Founder

    06 July 2023

    We have produced a useful factsheet on the Innovator founder requirements.

  • Factsheet - International Sportsperson Dependant

    06 July 2023

    We have produced this factsheet on the International Sportsperson Dependent visa.

  • How to deal with a civil penalty notice for illegal working

    03 July 2023

    The Home Office is currently focusing on identifying and penalising illegal working. Where illegal working is found, an employer may be liable to pay civil penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker, and may also suffer adverse consequences for their business. It is therefore beneficial for employers to understand how to deal most effectively with a civil penalty if received.

  • Labour party proposals to strengthen rights and protections – spotlight on employment status

    03 July 2023

    In this article in our series exploring the Labour party’s proposals to reform employment law in the event of a change in government at the next general election, we spotlight their proposals on employment status. If implemented, these proposals will have a significant impact on all businesses, but particularly those with flexible business models heavily reliant on workers.

  • How will my UK immigration permission be issued if I am a Skilled Worker or Creative Worker?

    03 July 2023

    The below table provides a general summary of when an applicant for UK immigration permission as a Skilled Worker or Creative Worker will receive physical evidence of their status and when they will receive digital status only. It does not cover all forms of UK immigration permission (notably under the EU Settlement Scheme) and does not constitute legal advice.

  • Changes to SMS updating requirements for employers

    29 June 2023

    The Home Office has confirmed that Key Personnel on sponsor licences will be asked to provide their national insurance number, and also that (contrary to sponsor guidance that was updated in March 2023) sponsors are not required to report hybrid working arrangements for their sponsored workers.

  • A seat in Immigration

    31 May 2023

    The team advises on all aspects of UK immigration law, with a focus on business immigration, and works with an exciting and wide range of clients and sectors, including tech, sport, professional services, and various creative industries. It’s a great option for a Trainee seat due to the high degree of responsibility, ownership of work, and client contact that Trainees experience in this seat.

  • Supinder Singh Sian comments for HR Magazine on the low-skilled vacancy gap

    Press

    24 May 2023

    Supinder Singh Sian has commented in an article for HR Magazine discussing the impact of post-Brexit restrictions on hiring migrant workers.

  • Selecting and using a third-party provider for right to work checks

    18 May 2023

    Since the Home Office introduced digital right to work checks in 2022, UK employers have had the option of engaging an Identity Service Provider (IDSP) to assist with these. There has also been renewed interest in using a third-party to assist with the process for online and manual checks. In this document we outline some of the issues arising and provide guidance for employers who are considering using these services.

Back To Top