The UK immigration system, with its emphasis on societal contribution, plays a crucial role in shaping the country’s economic, cultural, and social landscape. By prioritising individuals who offer not only economic benefits through their skills and entrepreneurship but also enrich the nation culturally and civically, the system seeks to harness the full potential of immigration both to fulfil the immediate economic needs of the country and also to enhance its social fabric and global standing. ‘Societal contribution’, within the context of immigration, encompasses various elements through whic ..read more

The United Kingdom, renowned for its prestigious schools, universities and diverse educational opportunities, attracts thousands of international students each year. To be able to study in the UK, you’ll need to have an appropriate visa. The UK does not have a one-size-fits-all “Study Visa.” Instead, this term broadly refers to three specific types of visas that cater to different educational purposes and age groups. These are the:   a) Student Visa: suitable for adults attending university or college; b) Child Student Visa: designed for children attending independent schools; and c) A sh ..read more

In the United Kingdom, the sponsorship system acts as a critical mechanism that enables employers and educational institutions to lawfully bring non-UK residents into the country for work and study. This structured approach not only supports the UK’s economic and educational sectors but also ensures that immigration is managed in a way that is beneficial and secure for both the country and the migrants. This article delves into the fundamental principles governing the UK’s sponsorship requirements under the relevant immigration and visa regulations. We consider the historical context of sponso ..read more

The UK’s Points Based System (PBS) is a cornerstone of the country’s immigration policy, designed to streamline the process of migrating for work, study, or business. The Points Based System reshaped immigration to the UK, aligning it more closely with the country’s economic and educational aspirations. By assessing applicants against a standardised set of criteria, including skill level, salary, and language proficiency, the PBS ensures that only those meeting the UK’s specific economic and societal needs are granted entry. This structured approach facilitates a more transparent and efficient ..read more

Brexit symbolises a pivotal moment in both British and European history. It marks the culmination of a complex and often contentious relationship between the UK and the EU, characterised by debates over sovereignty, economic policies, and the balance of benefits and obligations of membership. The decision to leave the EU was made through a public referendum on June 23 2016, known as the “Brexit vote”. The outcome revealed a divided nation, with 52% voting in favour of leaving and 48% voting to remain. This result set the stage for years of negotiations, discussions, and sometimes heated debate ..read more

The Immigration Act of 1971 acts as a cornerstone of the United Kingdom’s legislative framework governing the entry and stay of individuals in the country. This pivotal piece of legislation introduced the legal foundations for controlling migration to the UK, establishing who has the right to enter and remain, and under what conditions. Its introduction marked a significant shift in the UK’s approach to immigration, moving away from the relatively ‘open door’ policy that had prevailed since the end of the Second World War, particularly towards citizens of Commonwealth countries. The 1971 Act h ..read more

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes are designed for businesses who need to temporarily deploy individuals to the UK for a work assignment with a linked UK business that cannot be done by a settled worker. In this guide, we examine the rules and requirements that must be met to sponsor a GBM worker, together with the procedure that must be followed to obtain Home Office sponsor approval.   How do you sponsor a Global Business Mobility visa worker? To obtain any one of the new Global Business Mobility visas, a migrant worker will need to be sponsored by a Home Office approved licence ..read more

The Immigration Salary List (ISL) has replaced the Shortage Occupation List with effect from 4 April 2024. This change comes as a result of recommendations by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). In this guide to the UK Immigration Salary List, we share what we know to date about this new feature of visa sponsorship, and what it means for employers hiring sponsored workers.   What is the UK Immigration Salary List? The UK Immigration Salary List is the replacement for the Shortage Occupation List under the Skilled Worker route of the UK’s Immigration Rules. This is the offi ..read more

Further increases to Home Office services have been confirmed by the Government. These increases follow the wide-ranging uplifts that took effect in October 2023, as well as the more recent increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge and the uplift in the minimum salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas.   Increased UK visa & immigration fees from 10 April 2024   Under the Immigration, Nationality and Passport (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, the fees for visa, nationality and passport applications will rise over the coming months. The changes are as follows: Skilled Work ..read more

Pre employment screening checks are a critical part of a business’s recruitment and onboarding process. The following guide looks at the various different types of checks that should be conducted and how to carry these out, as well as the legal, practical and financial consequences of failing to do so.   What are the pre employment screening checks? Pre-employment screening checks allow employers to identify risks associated with an individual before an employment contract is entered into. However, employers often face uncertainty as to what checks should be undertaken and how these shoul ..read more