KNOWLEDGE

CENTRE

Being Turkish has its benefits - ECAA Turkish Worker Visa

There are two avenues open to Turkish citizens wishing to settle in the United Kingdom: ECAA 1, which is the self-employed Turkish Businessperson visa and the lesser known route, ECAA 2, the Turkish Worker Visa. In...

Upcoming Changes To Tier 2 Immigration Rules

On 16 March 2017, the Government presented a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 1078). Guided by the Migration Advisory Committee’s recommendations, these changes are likely to affect business...

Making an Application for Exceptional Talent/Promise to the Arts Council

The Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise categories are some of the most flexible immigration categories that a person can enter to work in the UK. Home Office guidance states that ‘We recognise...

Tier 2 Immigration Skills Charge to be introduced in April 2017

From April onwards, employers will be charged up to £1000 per annum for each non-EEA worker that they sponsor. Background The new Immigration Act introduces a charge for companies wishing to recruit outside the...

Changes to Tier 2 Immigration Rules Published

In the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules published on 3 November 2016 the Government announced some expected, and some unexpected, changes to Tier 2 applications. The main changes are set out below....

Genuine Earnings and Tier 1 (General) settlement applications

Persons applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK as a Tier 1 (General) Migrant must meet the requirements within paragraph 245CD of the Immigration Rules. Paragraph 245CD(e) and (f) require the applicant...

Business Leaders Criticise Skills Charge

A number of UK business leaders have slammed recent proposals from the UK government to charge businesses £1,000 for every skilled worker hired from countries outside the EU. The proposals, which were...

Government responds to MAC Tier 2 review

In January 2016 the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its review into the Tier 2 visa category. The Government has now published its response.  A number of changes are set out, and all changes...

MAC Advise UK Government to Keep Nurses on UK Shortage Occupation List

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has advised the UK government to maintain the current status of nurses on the Shortage Occupation List to ensure that there is sufficient staff in place. The MAC had been asked...

UK in Top Ten of Most Attractive Countries for Skilled Migrants

The UK has been named as one of the most popular countries for attracting skilled workers with the country being ranked seventh based on its ability to attract, develop and retain highly-skilled foreign workers. The...

Government set to introduce a £1,000 Non-EU Worker Levy

The government are set to introduce a new non-EU worker levy to try and reduce the number of skilled immigrants coming into the country. The proposal, which is part of the long-term aim to reduce the number of...

Financial Sector Requires Non-EU Workers

According to a new data, the UK’s financial sector requires more non-EU workers due to a worsening skill shortage in the industry. The figures regarding the state of the financial sector come at the same time...