Monday 6 July 2015

Immigration News: July 2015




Working in the UK


Reducing demand for migrant labour

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday 10 June, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced that the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) would be considering new measures to reduce demand for migrant labour.

The MAC will advise the government by the end of the year on:
  • Restricting work visas to genuine skills shortages and highly specialist experts.
  • Putting a time limit on how long a sector can claim to have a skills shortage.
  • A new skills levy on Tier 2 visas to boost funding to UK apprenticeships.
  • Raising salary thresholds to stop businesses using foreign workers to undercut wages.
Further information can be viewed here.



Illegal working penalties: quarterly totals

UKVI have published their quarterly report showing the total number of fines (civil penalties) for illegal working given to employers in each region of the UK.

The report shows, that from 1 October to 31 December 2014, there were a total of 716 illegal workers found and a total of 478 penalties issued to employers amounting to a total value of £8,147,500.

The latest quarterly figures can be downloaded here.

Long-Term International Migration (Working in the UK)

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has published a briefing on Long-term International Migration flows to and from the UK.

The key points in relation to working in the UK are as follows:

  • 284,000 people migrated to the UK in 2014 for work-related reasons. 28% of these had a definite job and 17% came to look for work.
  • Work reasons are the most common reason for migrating to the UK, although formal study occupied this position between 2009 and 2012.
  • Work-related reasons are also the most common motive for leaving the UK (56% in 2014). 34% of those leaving had a definite job and 21% were going abroad to look for work.
The full report can be viewed here.




Restricted certificate allocations (June 2015)

The restricted certificates allocation for June 2015 published by UKVI can be viewed here. The figures show that all valid applications for restricted CoS which score the minimum 50 points were granted with carry-overs from the previous month(s).





Education


International students and the net migration target

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has published a report about the inclusion of international students in the net migration target.

This analysis looks at where students fit in to the immigration system, their contribution to net migration, and potential effects of taking them out of the net migration target.

The report states that the 3 main arguments in favour of taking students out of the target are as follows:
  • Students are temporary: they arrive for a specific course of study and then leave after a few years, therefore they should not be treated in the same way as people who are more likely to settle permanently.
  • Public opinion does not consider students to be 'immigrants' and are less likely to support measures to reduce numbers of students than other groups.
  • Students bring economic benefits by paying tuition fees and spending money in the UK, therefore a reduction in international student numbers would be economically damaging.
It also states that the two main arguments against taking students out of the target are as follows:
  • Residents who are temporary still contribute in the short term to demand for housing, transportation, and other services.
  • Students are not temporary, and instead stay on to work and settle permanently in the UK.
The full report can be viewed here.




Long-Term International Migration (Studying in the UK)

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has published a briefing on Long-term International Migration flows to and from the UK.

The key points in relation to studying in the UK are as follows:

  • 30% of migrants came for study purposes in 2014. Formal study was the second most common reasons for migrating to the UK in 2014.
  • The total number of people moving to the UK for study purposes was 193,000 in 2014, which was 16,000 higher than in 2013 but still represents a decline of 17% compared to 2011 (232,000).
The full report can be viewed here.




Sickness insurance for family members of EEA students

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have published guidance for family members of EEA national students required to hold comprehensive sickness insurance (CSI) in the UK.

This document contains information about the changes to the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 on 6 April 2015 to bring CSI requirements to family members of EEA students. It also explains how applications for registration certificates, residence cards, permanent residence cards and documents certifying permanent residence will be decided, in line with the amended regulations before and after 22 June 2015.

The guidance can be viewed here.


General Immigration Matters


Long-Term International Migration (Other)

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has published a briefing on Long-term International Migration flows to and from the UK.

Other key points are as follows:

  • Net migration to the UK (difference between immigration and emigration) was 318,000 in 2014: an increase of 109,000 since 2013 (209,000).
  • Inflows to the UK for 2014 were 641,000, up from 526,000 in 2013. Outflows from the UK were 323,000, which was comparable to the 317,000 in 2013.
  • There has been continuous net emigration of British citizens since at least 1991. In 2014, about 56,000 more British citizens moved abroad than came to live in the UK.
  • In 2014, non-EU citizens accounted for 45% of all inflows to the UK (including inflows of British citizens). The share of EU citizens in total inflows increased from 22% in 2004 to 42% in 2014.
The report can be viewed here.

Naturalisation as a British citizen - updated guidance

Revisions have been made by UKVI to 'Booklet AN', which provides specific information about applying for naturalisation as a British citizen. The updated booklet can be viewed here.



Registering as a British citizen

UKVI have published updated guidance on registering to become a British citizen for a person born before 1983 to a British mother. 'Guide UKM' can be viewed here.

An updated 'Form UKF' and accompanying 'Guide UKF' have also been updated by UKVI. This application/guidance relates to persons born before 1 July 2006 to a British father and whose parents were not married. The revised form and guidance can be downloaded here.

Transfer of Conditions

UKVI have updated their modernised guidance for how they decide applications to transfer a visa to a new biometric residence permit/ The revised modernised guidance can be viewed here.


Police Registration

Revisions have been made by UKVI to their modernised guidance about the police registration requirement (part 10 of the Immigration Rules, paragraphs 325 and 326). These changes include: update of OVRO address; update on administrative review; and other minor housekeeping changes.

The updated modernised guidance can be viewed here.

Immigration Act 2014: Withdrawing decisions and conceding appeals

New guidance had been published by UKVI on withdrawing decisions and conceding appeals in relation to the changes brought in to the appeal process by the Immigration Act 2014.

The new guidance can be viewed here.




HR Immigration Services



Audits and Inspections


We have been providing audits/inspections of compliance for Tier 2/5 and Tier 4 for the past 6 years. In the education sector, we have worked with schools, colleges and over 20 universities; we have also worked with numerous employers, including well-known brands, on Tier 2/5 and "right to work" requirements. We are now also operating in association with John Vine, formerly the first Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration.

Our audit/inspection service is fully flexible and can be tailored to individual requirements. And our approach is based on sound practical experience of the reality of the UKVI system.

- For employers, we offer inspections of Tier 2 compliance in whatever level of detail is required, as well as on-site inspections (which can be announced or unannounced to simulate a UKVI visit) of compliance with "right to work" checks and requirements.
- For education providers our service ranges from a "lite" health-check to a comprehensive review of Tier 4 activities, identifying compliance - or otherwise - with UKVI requirements, as well as any omissions or areas which can be improved. Alternatively, it can comprise inspection of a specific issue, such as visa refusals, or relationships with partner institutions.

Our audit/inspection service is fully flexible and can be tailored to individual requirements. And our approach is based on sound practical experience of the reality of the UKVI system.

On completion, we provide a comprehensive, evidence-based report together with an assessment of how well the institution or business is prepared to withstand scrutiny by UK Visas and Immigration. We will support the introduction of change if required and offer a 'spot check' follow up service at a later date to reassure management that recommendations have been implemented.

Contact us today to talk over any issues or concerns you have, confidentially and without obligation.
T: 0844 335 1619
E: enquiries@hrimmigration.co.uk
W: www.hrimmigration.co.uk



Training for employers


We are increasingly being asked to provide training on Right to Work and/or Tier 2 sponsor duties. These are normally half day courses conducted on your premises for a standard charge of under £600 regardless of the number of people attending so that the charge per person will generally be less than £100 without them having to spend the day away from the office.

We also offer an online review of employer right to work checks with a self-assessment.

If you think your organisation would benefit from training in any of these areas, please contact us for a no commitment discussion of your requirements at enquiries@hrimmigration.co.uk


LinkedIn 'HR Immigration' Group


We have set up a 'HR Immigration' group on LinkedIn, which aims to provide a networking space for UK employers and HR/recruitment professionals to share and discuss news and best practice about current UK immigration issues.

To join this group please go to http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=6537658

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