KNOWLEDGE

CENTRE

Tier 2 Changes of Employment

Those in the UK as Tier 2 General migrants need to be sponsored by an employer – but this does not mean that they have to stay with the same employer throughout their time as a Tier 2 General migrant. They may...

The benefits of being Turkish: Tier 1 Entrepreneur v the Ankara Agreement

Turkish businessperson visa holders are able to switch to an Ankara Agreement visa from any other immigration category and must meet the 1973 business requirements, which are far less stringent than the UK Immigration...

Are UK Immigration Controls on Skilled Workers Too Strict?

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Kingdom’s immigration controls on highly skilled workers are too restrictive and limit the country’s productivity....

Migrant Workers Bring Improvements to Businesses

Migrant workers have brought various benefits to their employers that have led to productivity boosts and company expansion, according to a recent study published by the Government. The benefits brought by migrants...

Home Office announces important changes to Tier 2 Immigration Rules

In its latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, the Home Office has introduced broad and sweeping changes across many categories in the Immigration Rules. The majority of changes will come into force...

MAC Reviews Shortage Occupation Lists

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published a report on a partial review of the shortage occupation lists for the UK and for Scotland. The report highlights that allowing small digital technology firms...

The Exceptional Talent Route for Tech Experts

In recognition of the expanding tech sector and to further the government policy of encouraging the best tech talent to come to the UK, in April 2014 the Immigration...

Is Immigration Policy a Threat to London’s Prosperity?

London First and the London Enterprise Panel have recently published a report warning that current approaches to immigration within the UK could prove to be costly to London and the rest of the UK. The report,...

Applying for a Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa

If you are a senior employee of an overseas business that is seeking to establish a commercial presence in the UK, you may qualify to live and work in the UK as a sole representative of an overseas business. Initial...

The Genuine Vacancy Test for Tier 2 General and Tier 2 ICT migrants

On 6th November 2014, the Home Office published new Immigration Rules which have introduced a number of changes to the business immigration categories. One of the most important changes for employers to be aware...

Should Immigration be Devolved to a City Level?

A recent report from thinktank RSA has called for more power and responsibility to be devolved from Whitehall to UK cities at the same time that additional devolved powers are being negotiated for Scotland. According...

Scientific Discoveries in the UK Restricted by Immigration Laws

The Government's policy on immigration is having a negative impact on scientific discoveries in the UK, in the opinion of John O'Keefe, recipient of the...