Policy, Parliament, and legislation
Immigration policy – inevitably described as especially “complex” and “sensitive” – continues to make the news. The Government finally got its Rwanda scheme over the line with the passing in to law of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024, only for another legal challenge to spring up. The Labour opposition set out a clearer and more detailed alternative policy approach than they have to date with a speech and announcement. Illegal boat crossings from France continue at an alarming level with frequent tragedies.
Skilled Workers, SOC Codes and salary thresholds
Meanwhile business is exercised by the impacts of recent change on its recruitment and retention needs. New Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Codes and much higher salary thresholds since early April are hitting home. Our recent article and podcast explore the immigration and employment law issues this raises for existing sponsorships and gives tips for dealing with them.
Graduate visas at risk?
Employers have extensively used Graduate visas, allowing overseas students a 2-year period of post-study work. The Prime Minister and Home Secretary took a tough stance and ordered a “rapid review” of their future in response to widespread allegations of abuse of the route to enable chain migration of family members to the detriment of UK employees and at negative economic cost.
The Migration Advisory Committee’s recent report did not substantiate this. There is now open disagreement between Cabinet Ministers about which way to go with growing concern from employers (who have found Graduate visas a cost-effective way to onboard a graduate with a view for future sponsorship) with planning resourcing needs.
Digital by default – eVisas
The Home Office has committed to a “digital by default” economic migration system in the UK. Roll-out is getting underway and should be complete by the end of the year. This means that all Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) which migrants currently use to prove the right to re-enter the UK, work and rent a home will cease to be valid and a new secure cloud-based digital status will replace it.
Our article sets out what employers should do to plan. The Home Office has also updated its messaging on this.
