12 January 2016
The government announces immigration fee changes effective 6 April 2016
On 11 January 2016, the government set out its proposed changes to the fees for visas, immigration and nationality applications and associated premium services from 6 April 2016.
The government is proposing to set maximum levels on the amounts for broad categories of fees that can be charged by the Home Office over the next four years. There are no current plans to raise fees to the maximum levels. However, the stated goal is to make the border, immigration and citizenship system self-funded by those who use it.
11 December 2015
UK Immigration Bill 2015 and anticipated changes in 2016
Immigration Bill 2015 – Illegal working
If enacted in its current form, the provisions in the Immigration Bill relating to illegal working will require ever more vigilance on the part of Sponsors and migrants to avoid falling foul of the new measures, including severe criminal sanctions.
The Bill proposes the creation of a new criminal offence of illegal working, which will affect migrants in circumstances where they are either working in the UK without permission, or continue to do so once their permission has ceased to have effect, or they are subject to a condition preventing them from undertaking the work they are doing. The offence will be punishable by imprisonment for up to 51 weeks, or by a fine, or both. A migrant convicted of the offence may also have their earnings seized.
26 November 2015
Key changes to the Tiers 2 and 5 Sponsor Guidance
Following the publication of the latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, as of 19 November, a number of changes have been made to the Tiers 2 and 5 Sponsor Guidance. Many of these are confirmations of practices already in existence but there are also a number of key changes.
5 November 2015
Home Office publishes its latest changes to the immigration rules – how will these impact Tier 2 Sponsors?
On 29 October 2015, the Home Office published its latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. The most relevant for points based system Sponsors are those relating to Tier 2. These changes are due to become effective from 19 November 2015.
23 October 2015
Landlords’ Right to Rent check obligations – mind the data protection, equality and criminal sanctions traps
The Home Office announced on 20 October 2015 that from 1 February 2016 all private landlords in England will have to check that new tenants have the right to be in the UK before renting out their property. The new scheme will not apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland for the time being.