9 April 2014
Latest Home Office announcement of measures to tackle illegal working
On 9th April 2014 the government announced its latest plans to tackle a number of additional illegal working practices. The plan to increase the civil penalty for employing illegal migrants from £10,000 to £20,000 came into effect at the beginning of May 2014.
5 March 2014
Immigration Update: Salary rates for Tier 2 to be updated on 6 April
On 4 March the Home Office announced that they intend to update the salary rates set out in the codes of practiced for skilled employees on 6 April 2014. At the same time they will replace the following Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) codes with multiple options to correspond with the various job levels within those occupations, as set out in the codes of practice
20 February 2014
Immigration Update: Home Office Investigates ETS TOEIC and TOEFL English Tests
Following hot on the heels of the introduction of a new English language requirement for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) and naturalisation applications in October last year, BBC Panorama uncovered yet another scam to try and circumvent the new Rules earlier this month. Some examination centres were found to be using fake ‘sitters’ and fraudulent invigilators.
20 February 2014
Watch out: all information provided to the Home Office may now be available to the US authorities
A look at the UK-US Agreement on visa, immigration and nationality information sharing.
5 February 2014
Immigration Update - Penalty for illegal working doubles to £20,000 as government toughens up on employers
On 3 February the Home Office announced proposals for fee changes for visas, immigration and nationality applications which will come into effect on 6 April 2014. In addition, new fees for premium services overseas are due to come into effect one week earlier.