29 November 2012
Immigration update: Managing compliance and sponsor renewal
In this PLC article, as Tier 2 sponsors face renewal of their sponsor licences for the first time, Helen Smith explains Tier 2 of the UK’s points-based system for immigration and the related sponsor duties and compliance requirements.
Now, more than ever, it is vital that businesses are aware of their duties as registered sponsors, and have systems in place to ensure compliance and that those systems are complied with at all
levels in the organisation.
29 November 2012
Immigration Alert: Youth Mobility Scheme 2013 for Japanese Nationals
On 26 November, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) announced that the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) for Japanese nationals will be open for applicants in January.
22 November 2012
Immigration Alert: New Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has today laid new Immigration Rules before Parliament, the majority of which are due to come into force on 13 December 2012. Some of the changes represent a relaxation of current rules whilst others are in response to abuse.
20 November 2012
Employing migrant workers: A checklist for compliance
Supermarket giant Tesco has recently been fined £115,000 for employing foreign students who were breaking the conditions of their visas. This follows shortly after the decision by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to suspend the Tier 4 sponsor licence of the London Metropolitan University, due to the non-compliance with its sponsor licence duties.
These high profile cases along with other recently reported cases on the UKBA website clearly show that the UKBA will not hesitate to take action against employers or academic institutions, whether big or small, who fail to comply with their licence obligations.
Ilda de Sousa provides a checklist for how employers can ensure that they are compliant.
8 November 2012
Immigration Alert: Changes to the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006
On 8 November 2012 the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 will change. The amended regulations will set out the rights of EEA nationals and their family members to enter and reside in the UK and will also confirm the criteria for rights to permanent residence.