27 March 2015
Restructuring your business or investing in a UK business? Mind the immigration traps
As the UK economy emerges from recession, it is an exciting time to be doing business here. We have seen a significant increase in clients coming to us following mergers with questions about immigration matters. Whatever the outcome of the 2015 General Election in May, the new Government will be working with a stronger economy and encouraging businesses to invest in the UK which will have an impact on immigration. This blog explores some of the practical considerations in respect of immigration rules that companies should be aware of.
19 March 2015
NHS Health surcharge to be introduced on 6 April 2015
Following up on our alert on 2 September 2014, the Home Office has announced today that the planned NHS surcharge will be implemented with effect from 6 April 2015. This will apply to all non-EEA migrants applying for permission to enter the UK for more than 6 months and also to those migrants wishing to extend their existing limited leave to remain within the UK. As previously stated the surcharge will be £200 per annum per applicant, payable in full at the applicant stage, for all migrants except students, for whom the charge will be £150 per annum.
18 March 2015
Passport checks on leaving UK to be introduced at Eurotunnel and ferry ports
With effect from 8 April 2015 Eurotunnel and all ferry operators will be required to scan the passports of those leaving the UK and send this information through to the Home Office.
18 March 2015
Biometric Residence Permit – International Rollout Schedule
Following up on our previous updates in 29 January and 3 March 2015, the Home Office has now published guidance together with the dates for the phased roll-out of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs). BRPs for non-EEA nationals travelling to the UK for more than six months will begin to be issued from the 18th March 2015, starting with applications made in Pakistan. The rollout will continue in three further phases from mid-April (inc. China and India), end of May (inc. Australia, the US and Japan) and end of July (the rest of the world).
10 March 2015
The challenges in obtaining the UK Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa and staying compliant with the rules
“Britain is open for business” – a campaign driven by many successive UK governments attracting talented entrepreneurs worldwide to set up or invest in an existing business in the UK. The Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa is the natural visa to obtain for those wishing to start or invest in a business they will actively be involved in running in the UK. To qualify under this route, you must show you have access to at least £50,000 in capital from a registered venture capital firm, seed funding competition or government department or £200,000 of personal wealth, which can include third party backing.