Charles Kelly Bison UK

1
Charles KellyBison UK

• IMMIGRATION UPDATE
• EMPLOYING OVERSEAS STAFF

2
Introduction

• Background
• Immigration Changes
• What documentation is required?
• Tips to avoid pitfalls

3
Immigration, Asylum Nationality ACT

• Royal Assent 30 March 2006
• Purpose to strengthen UK borders and prevent
  illegal working
• Part of 5 year strategy to overhaul the system

4
Tackling Illegal Working

• Introducing new penalties of 5000
• Possible 2 year custodial sentence found
  knowingly to use or exploit illegal workers
• Compliance Checks

5
In Practice

• Employers must ensure employees have the right to
  work in the UK and
• Employed strictly in line with the Work
  Permit Conditions

6
Proposed Changes

• New Points Style System
• ID Cards
• Only Skilled Workers allowed to settle
• English language and UK knowledge
• Visa Fingerprinting

7
MIGRATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

• A new Body will be set up to advise the
  Government of skills shortages, employer needs
  and the wider impact of immigration
• Who will represent us?

8
New 5 Tier Points System

• Tier 1 - Highly Skilled/Business (2008)
• Tier 2 Skilled (2008 2009)
• Tier 3 - Low Skilled
• Tier 4 - Student and Specialist
• Tier 5 - Other categories

9
Sponsors

• Employers will be asked to register as sponsors
• Additional responsibilities
• Fees will be charged

10
Employer Responsibilities

• Ensuring that migrants comply with the
  requirements
• Reporting early leavers
• Financial Bond for high risk migrants

11
Home Office Compliance

• Compliance Checks
• Post Issue Checks on Work Permits
• Some Work Permits have been cancelled
• Are you compliant?

12
Recent Changes

• Qualifying period Indefinite Leave or Residency
  changed from 4 to 5 years as from April 2006
• General Nurses off the Home Office Shortage
  List 14th August 2006
• British and Language Test for applicants for
  Indefinite Leave from April 2007
• Fees Increase from April 2007

13
Are you employing anyone illegally?

• What documentation should you and employer check?
• Home Office Employer Helpline
  
• 0845 010 6677

14
What Documentation?

• Valid Passport
• Valid Visa or Leave to Remain
• Work Permit

15
Job Movers

• Work Permit holders changing jobs need a new Work
  Permit from their employer and
• Further Leave to Remain

16
Work Permits and Visas

• Never let a Work Permit or Visa Expire
• Apply for extensions well in advance
• Renewing/changing not a formality

17
Tips to Avoid Pitfalls

• Check original documentation
• Check Home Office letters/supporting documents
• If in doubt check it out - dont assume

18
New EU Members

• New EU Citizens (A8) are allowed to work in the
  UK.
• Workers Registration Scheme if they have worked
  here less then 12 months
• www.workingintheuk.gov.uk

19
Bulgaria Romania

• EU Members with right to enter UK
• Not the same as previous A8 EU members
• Can study or register as Self Employed
• Nurses and Carers need a Work Permit

20
What does this all mean to you?

• Tighter Controls
• More responsibility
• Work Permits and Visas harder to obtain
• Transparent system

21
Can we Help you?

• Bison can check your files and provide
  immigration advice
• Outsource Work Permits to Bison?
• Free Consultation 0208 905 1822

22
What services we offer?

• Work Permits and Visas
• Dependants
• Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
• Domestic Workers
• Settlement / Residency
• Citizenship
• Students

23
How2 Come to the UK

• HOW2 COME TO THE UK
• TO LIVE WORK STUDY OR VISIT
• Why we wrote this book

24
Contact Details

• Charles Kelly - Bison UK
• 020 8905 1822
• info_at_immigrationmatters.com
• www.immigrationmatters.com