UK Immigration News, Articles and Practical Advice

Russian immigration explained (part one)

educationandrelocation — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:40:32 +0000

In part one of a three-part article, Sophy King, of immigration consultancy Emigra Inc’s Consulting and Compliance department, looks at why Russia is on the up as a global relocation destination despite its complex immigration processes.

Russia, renowned for its complexity and impenetrability, presents many faces to the world. It is a country people fall in love with, a fascinating place to live and work in, but, for many Western companies, deciphering the relevant laws and regulations involved in doing business can be a nightmare. Russia was ranked 120 (out of 181 countries) in Doing Business in 2009, a report which ranks economies worldwide for their ease of doing business, and which is issued jointly by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. Nowhere is this difficulty more evident than in the convoluted, and often contradictory, immigration system. Russian immigration has been particularly hot news in recent months, with several changes discussed and protectionist reactions reported to the global financial crisis.

For the full article see Russian immigration explained (part one).

Tier 2 of the Points Based Immigration System: 6 months on

educationandrelocation — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:23:07 +0000

Kathryn Denyer, of specialist immigration firm Newland Chase, considers how Tier 2 of the Points Based System is working and offers employers some advice on avoiding the pitfalls.

As most UK employers will be aware, Tier 2 of the UK’s Points Based System, which covers sponsored skilled workers, has been in place since 28 November 2008. In the six months since Tier 2 was introduced, it has become apparent that Tier 2 has brought with it a range of issues that UK employers using the system should be mindful of.

via Tier 2 of the Points Based System: six months on.

Think tank criticizes government bill on UK immigration restrictions

educationandrelocation — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:10:24 +0000

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has warned the economic downturn could be longer and deeper if Government plans to restrict immigration are implemented.

The think tank said placing restrictions on migrants who plug skills gaps, or take jobs which Britons will not do, will damage the economy

It criticized proposals in the Immigration and Citizenship Bill, which will be published on Thursday, including the proposal to end the automatic right to stay after five years’ residence and replace it with “earned citizenship”. This would see migrants who want to settle becoming “probationary” citizens to show they are contributing to the country.

But the IPPR claims the number of people coming to Britain for work would reduce “naturally” as the economy slowed and more could be put off by the new proposals.

Readv full news item at Think tank criticizes government bill on immigration restrictions.

Goldman Sachs CEO criticizes US visa legislation

educationandrelocation — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:08:23 +0000

Lloyd Blankfein, chief executive of Goldman Sachs, has attacked new US laws preventing financial groups from hiring foreigners. In a speech to the Council of Institutional Investors, he described recent legislation for banks receiving government aid as “protectionist and self-defeating”.

The $787 billion stimulus bill will make it difficult for any financial institution what has received funds from the taxpayer to apply for the necessary H1-B visas to employ skilled immigrants, if they have made US employees redundant.

The legislation has already been blamed for Bank of America’s retraction of job offers to foreign students studying at business schools in the US.

Mr Blankfein said, “The US has always been a magnet for many of the most talented, hungry and qualified people in the world. Do we really want to tell individuals who will help companies to grow and innovate – ultimately creating more jobs – that they should go work elsewhere?”

He said Goldman Sachs had 200 employees who are in the US on H1-B visas, and 2,000 staff who worked overseas but paid US taxes. He expressed a worry that those people could be targeted by other governments with retaliatory measures.

via Goldman Sachs CEO criticizes US visa legislation.

UK Immigration Points Based System; Statement of Intent for Tier 2 and Tier 5

educationandrelocation — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:01:21 +0000

The Government has yesterday published a Statement of Intent for both Tier 2 and Tier 5 of the new Points Based System for UK immigration (“PBS”). Although the Government reserves the right to change the detail, these anxiously awaited Statements of Intent set out the road map for how UK employers will be able to bring skilled workers and temporary workers to the UK under the PBS. The Government has announced these Statements as “strict new criteria” that will allow for “much tighter skilled and temporary worker migration” – indeed they estimate that a total of 20,000 fewer migrants will be allowed into the UK next year by applying this criteria. Whether the impact is significant for larger employers remains to be seen, as much replicates the existing work permit system albeit with the new burden of “sponsorship” being placed on the employer.

Please see below for the headline details of each Tier:

via UK Immigration Points Based System – Statement of Intent for Tier 2 and Tier 5.

UK Immigration – Employing migrants under the new points-based system

educationandrelocation — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:58:24 +0000

James Walters of Smith Stone Walters examines the implications for both workers and companies.

As most UK employers are now aware, a new obligation has been placed upon them by the UK government to apply for a license to sponsor and bring migrants in to the United Kingdom under the new UK immigration points-based system. Your company shall need to apply for a licence if you intend to employ migrants that are not nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) from the end of November 2008.

The UK Border Agency’s newly-formed Sponsorship Management Team is primed to deal with each licence application. However, despite the register being open since February 2008, the number of applications actually filed has been much less than anticipated. It is widely considered that the slow uptake in companies applying can be contributed to the arduous process involved in filing an application, and the fear of current HR systems being potentially audited by a member of the UK Border Agency.

Read full article at UK Immigration – Relocate Magazine.

UK Immigration – Call for action regarding potential reforms to Tier 1 and 2

educationandrelocation — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:54:12 +0000

Cameron McKenna are urging employers mobilise themselves to ensure that their interests are represented and the valuable routes into the UK for migrant workers are preserved. Responses from the IT sector will be dealt with by Intellect, which represents the interests of the UK technology industry. Therefore, to ensure that your views are considered, they strongly encourage employers who could be adversely affected to complete the online survey as soon as possible, and by 22 May at the latest, detailing the detrimental effect the proposed changes would have on their business. You can access the online survey through Intellect’s website.

The Secretary of State has requested that the Migration Advisory Committee (“MAC”) advise on potential further restrictions to Tier 1 and 2 of the Points Based System.

via UK Immigration Articles at Re:locate Magazine