Policy In Practice 2013 Report: Now Available
Managing the Global Mobility Function 2012: Now Available
Tag Archive
United Kingdom: New Immigration Bill Proposes Tougher Penalties for Noncompliant Employers and Unauthorized Workers
The bill would increase fines for unauthorized foreign workers and the businesses that employ them, make it easier for the UK government to deport those without valid immigration status, and prevent immigrants from accessing public services to which they are not entitled. Temporary migrants would be required to pay for some health care. The... »
United Kingdom: Home Office to Eliminate UK Border Agency
Executive Summary The UK Border Agency will be replaced by two separate agencies within the Home Office, an immigration and visa processing service and an immigration enforcement service. In a statement delivered to Parliament today, the Home Secretary announced plans to eliminate the UK Border Agency and replace it with two new agencies. One... »
UK: Upcoming Tier 2 Policy Changes Aimed at Improving Immigration System for Businesses
Among the changes taking effect April 6 are a tiered approach to minimum salary requirements for Tier 2 workers; a revised Shortage Occupation List that contains a greater number of engineering occupations; a more flexible labor market testing system; and eased English-language and re-entry restrictions for highly-paid intracompany transferees. The UK Home Office... »
United Kingdom: UKBA Toughens Standards for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Category
Applicants under the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category may now need to demonstrate the credibility of their investment plans by passing a “genuine entrepreneur” test. Entrepreneurs must maintain their investments or retain full access to their funds throughout their stay, not just at the time of application. Applicants for the United Kingdom’s Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)... »
UK: Home Secretary Announces Two New Policies for MBA and PhD Graduates
The UK Home Secretary announced today that the UK will create 1,000 Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visas for foreign MBA graduates who intend to start businesses in the country. No date was given for when these new visas will become available. Additionally, beginning in April 2013, foreign PhD graduates of UK educational institutions will... »
UK: UKBA to Ease Rules for Tier 2 General and Intracompany Transfer Categories
Under new immigration rules, intracompany transferees earning at least £150,000 per year will have a maximum stay of nine years. The relaxed rules clarify when a Tier 2 visa holder will be eligible to begin a subsequent Tier 2 stay and will increase the amount of time a Tier 2 general visa holder can... »
United Kingdom: Visa Applicants in India Will Soon Be Subject to Pre-Entry TB Screening for Long Stays
The UK Border Agency will require visa applicants residing in India to undergo mandatory pre-entry TB screening if they will stay in the UK for more than six months. The new requirement takes effect on August 16, 2012 for settlement applicants and on November 1, 2012 for temporary visa applicants. Visa applicants residing in... »
United Kingdom: UK Border Force Workers Cancel Plans to Strike on Eve of the Olympics
The union representing UK border officers has canceled plans to strike on June 26, the eve of the London Olympics. According to the UK Border Force, there will be adequate staffing at all UK ports of entry. Nevertheless, travelers should prepare for possible entry delays due to the large number of foreign visitors expected... »
United Kingdom: UKBA to Clear Backlog of Requests for Unrestricted Certificates of Sponsorship by May 4
Employers have been experiencing delays in obtaining unrestricted Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to use between April 6, 2012 and April 5, 2013, after the UK Border Agency (UKBA) received an unexpectedly large number of requests for the certificates. The UKBA expects to issue all CoS that were requested before April 6 by May 4,... »
United Kingdom: Government Announces Creation of New Independent Border Control Agency
The UK Border Force will be responsible for border control and inspections services at ports of entry beginning in March 2012. The UK Border Agency will retain responsibility for the administration of immigration benefits. In early March 2012, the UK will create the UK Border Force, a new agency that will assume responsibility for... »