Watch our UK immigration specialists Monica Atwal and Rebecca Hone, as they explain the main changes to the UK’s sponsorship system following the overhaul of the points-based system in January 2021 and following the closure of the EU Settlement Scheme on 30 June 2021. ...
In anticipation of 30th June 2021 (the final day for EU nationals who began their residence in the UK before 31st December 2020 to submit applications to the EU Settlement Scheme), the Home Office heavily advertised that applying to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS/the Scheme) by this date was compulsory for EU nationals in order to retain their right to live and work in the UK. ...
As COVID-19 restrictions are eased, businesses throughout the UK are getting back on their feet and new opportunities for investment are appearing once more. ...
In reaction to the Government’s decision to extend the date for the easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions by four weeks, the Home Office has announced a further extension of the temporary COVID-19 adjusted right to work check period....
The deadline for EU (including EEA and Swiss citizens) to apply to continue living in the UK is fast approaching, with the EU Settlement Scheme set to close in less than two weeks’ time on 30 June 2021. UK employers should be working with their EU staff to ensure their registration to the Scheme by this date. ...
The UK government has confirmed that the rights of EU citizens living in the UK will remain the same until 30th June 2021. The Home Office has rolled out the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS/the Scheme), giving EU citizens (who started living in the UK before 31st December 2020) pre-settled status (the right to live in the UK for 5 years) or settled status (the right to remain indefinitely in the UK). ...
The Hong Kong British National Overseas (BNO) visa was opened to BNO Passport holders (and their family members) from Hong Kong earlier this year. The route normally requires an application for entry clearance from outside the UK. However, since its announcement, the UK Government has allowed applicants to seek ‘Leave Outside the Rules’ at a UK Border. This concession has now been extended until 21 June 2021. ...
Since the launch of the Health and Care visa in August 2020, more than 20,000 individuals have been granted with a visa for the UK under this category. ...
With the Covid-19 vaccine being rolled out on a global scale, on the whole, immigration to the UK appears to have resumed, with exceptions. Within the UK, visa application centres (UKVCAS Service Points) are classed as an ‘essential service’ and therefore remain open despite any Covid-19 measures in place....
The British government has put rules in place banning travel from certain ‘red list countries,’ which currently include: ...
Monica Atwal, managing partner of law firm Clarkslegal, says there are a number of questions an employer should ask if it is looking to adopt a ‘work from anywhere’ strategy. “The reality is that the business will need to do a detailed assessment of the consequences to both them and the employee,” she advises....
The end of the Brexit transition period has led to a steady increase in sponsor licence applications. The licence, which is required to now sponsor EU nationals for work, is subject to compliance checks by the Home Office. As a part of this compliance, the Home Office routinely make announced or unannounced compliance visits. ...
The UK Home Office has granted more than 2,000 sponsor licences to eligible organisations since July 2020. The total number of licenced sponsors has now increased to 33,000, which allows them to sponsor a worker under either the Skilled Worker or the Intra Company Transfer visa. ...
The Hong Kong BNO (or British National Overseas) visa route is now officially open. The route is specially aimed at residents of Hong Kong who hold a British National Overseas passport. Importantly the visa allows its holders to live, work and study in the UK. ...
The unified immigration system came into force in 2021, coinciding with the end of free movement. As the dust settles, many businesses have now begun to grapple with the consequences of the end of unrestricted mobility to the continent. In this article we look at the key immigration routes for 2021. ...
The Government has updated its policy for all new arrivals entering the UK from next week. Those entering the UK using any mode of travel will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken less than 72 hours from arrival. ...
The Government has now published detailed guidance on applying for a Frontier Worker permit following the end of the Brexit transition period. The scheme is open to Frontier Workers who have worked in the UK prior to 31 December 2020....
The Sponsorship Management System (SMS) is a key part of a Sponsor Licence. The system is undergoing an essential upgrade in preparation for the new immigration system that is to commence from 1 December 2020....
Last month our article discussed the employment law implications to consider if your employees are working from abroad during the pandemic....
The Home Office has now published their policy guidance for the new immigration system which goes live on 1 December 2020. The new policy guidance update covers the Skilled Worker and the Intra Company Transfer routes....