Skip to main content

Insights & News

Search for Insights & News

  • New in-country UK immigration processes contain a potential pitfall for travellers

    30 November 2018

    On 5 November 2018 the Home Office launched a new process for immigration applications submitted in the UK, in commercial partnership with Sopra Steria. The new partnership affords access to a range of new user pay services, including access to a premium lounge, on-demand mobile application services for both small and large groups of applicants and priority processing on a next working day or 10 working day basis.

  • Sports Q&A - How might Brexit affect sports immigration?

    28 November 2018

    As things stand, the UK will leave the EU on 29 March 2019. The UK will adopt a new immigration system post-Brexit, under which free movement of European nationals and their family members will cease. There will be a period of transition until the end of 2020, during which free movement will continue, and a new “settlement scheme” will be rolled out for European migrants. Free movement will end completely from January 2021. All British businesses will be affected by these changes. However, Brexit poses some particular challenges to the sports sector.

  • MAC calls for evidence on labour shortages in the UK

    20 November 2018

    On 13 November the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) launched a call for evidence from employers and other interested parties to feed into its full review of the shortage occupation list. Jobs on this list are currently exempt from resident labour market testing requirements and from meeting the minimum salary otherwise required at the point of applying for settlement (currently £35,500).

  • The one thing that is settled in the Brexit deal - Settled Status System for EEA nationals testing phase results

    13 November 2018

    Whether we have a Brexit deal on 29 March 2019 or not, the UK is more than likely to be going full steam ahead with the Settled Status System (“SSS”). Largely because there are no realistic options for a new system at this stage; all the time and money available has already been invested into the SSS. The Home Office themselves are the first to admit this and assure anyone that asks, that they can be fairly certain to rely on the SSS going ahead regardless.

  • The MAC report: EU nationals will need work permits if they want to get jobs in the UK post Brexit

    18 September 2018

    The Migration Advisory Committee has released today its long awaited report into the impact of EEA migration in the UK. The report is a key indicator of what the Government may do when they reveal their plans for the new immigration system which will govern how EU nationals are able to live and work in the UK after the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December 2020.

  • MAC proposals will switch it up for Tier 4 students wanting to work in the UK

    17 September 2018

    September marks the start of what is likely to be a busy few months in the world of immigration law, with the eagerly awaited Migration Advisory Committee’s report into the impact of EU workers on the UK economy likely to be released in the next few weeks and the long overdue immigration white paper following in October.

  • UK immigration system “almost impossible to navigate”

    04 September 2018

    Last week The Guardian published an article about the volume of UK immigration laws and the frequency of changes and amendments to them. This was sparked by some damning remarks from Lord Justice Irwin who said that the system is “something of a disgrace” and almost impossible to navigate.

  • Residents of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau will not require work permits when they are hired by enterprises on the Chinese mainland potentially as soon as September 2018

    10 August 2018

    On 3 August the State Council in China made an announcement to the effect that residents of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau will not be obliged to apply for work permits in order to be employed by enterprises on the Chinese mainland, under a new proposal set to operate from September 2018.

  • Science and technology committee calls for free movement of skilled workers

    31 July 2018

    To some of us, science has an ethereal power. It creates and changes the rules rather than simply being bound by then. So it comes as no surprise that the science and technology committee has suggested free movement of scientists (and all skilled workers) to the UK. Albeit for only 180 days.

  • Five in 5

    15 May 2018

    A series of five hints, tips and thoughts you should definitely remember as part of your sponsor reporting obligations.

  • The half way point to Brexit: 12 months down, 12 months to go

    29 March 2018

    Today marks the one year anniversary since Article 50 was triggered on 29 March 2017. The last 12 months have seen a number of key developments. Following the end of the first stage of negotiations in Brussels, there is now an agreement in place for the rights of EU nationals and their family members living in the UK. Last week saw the announcement that the UK and EU have finally agreed a deal on the transition period.

  • The road to nowhere: Brexit and labour shortages

    26 February 2018

    In an opinion piece in the Guardian by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Director General Adam Marshall warns of an imminent recruitment crisis.

  • China's new "R Visa" for high-level talent

    01 February 2018

    Effective from January 2018, the new “R visa” now allows successful applicants multiple stays in China of up to 180 days per visit, with a validity of up to 10 years.

  • Changes to continuous residence rule for ILR applicants

    08 January 2018

    From 11 January 2018 new provisions are coming into force that will affect how the Home Office assesses continuous residence for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) applications.

  • The Art of the Brexit Deal

    11 December 2017

    On Friday the UK Government and the European Commission issued a joint report on the rights of EU citizens and their family members in the UK following the conclusion of the first stage of Brexit negotiations.

  • Immigration in the tech industry - by any measure; a positive immigration story

    29 November 2017

    Representatives from some of the leading companies across the industry joined forces to host a Migration Advisory Committee (“MAC”) roundtable on 13 September, coordinated by Lewis Silkin and techUK.

  • Brexit: from a slow drip to a full-on leak

    27 September 2017

    On 5 September 2017, the Home Office Post-Brexit Immigration Document was leaked to the public. The document – the exact publication date of which we do not know – provides a screenshot of government policy towards EU nationals and their non-EU family members. The document talks about how those individuals will be affected at three separate stages: (1) those in the UK ‘before exit’, (2) those who come to the UK during the ‘implementation phase’, and (3) those who arrive ‘after the implementation period’.

  • New guidance published for employers conducting right to work checks

    22 September 2017

    In August we also saw the publication of amended Home Office guidance for employers conducting right to work checks. Here are some of the highlights:

  • April 2017 changes

    22 September 2017

    In April we saw the introduction of the Government’s much heralded immigration skills charge. The charge is in essence a penalty fee payable by Tier 2 sponsors for relying on non-resident rather than local workers.

  • Gimme 5

    22 September 2017

    A series of five hints, tips and thoughts to help keep your sponsor licence healthy.

Back To Top