Tuesday, 2 September 2014

Immigration News - September 2014




Education


Quarterly Migration Statistics (Studying in the UK)

The latest quarterly migration figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed that net migration into the UK has increased by more than 38% to 243,000 in 2013-14.

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

  • Immigration for study remained stable (177,000) in the year ending March 2014.
  • Three-quarters of long-term immigration and two-thirds of long-term emigration to and from the UK are people migrating to work or study.
  • There were 218,295 visas granted for the purposes of study (excluding student visitors) in the year ending June 2014 - an increase of 7% (+13,885), reflecting higher levels of university sponsored applications.
  • There was a 5% increase for the university sector (UK-based Higher Education Institutions) and falls of 25%, 4% and 5% respectively for the further education sector (tertiary, further education or other colleges), English language schools and independent schools in total for the year, compared to the previous year.
  • There was an 8% increase in student visitor visas granted, to 78,109. Recent data showed a fall of 12% in student visitor arrivals (falling 36,100 to 263,000 in 2013).
  • Formal study is the second most common reason for migrating to the UK, although it was the most common reason between 2009 and 2012.
  • The main nationalities to show an increase in the number of study visas granted (excluding student visitors) in the year ending June 2014 were Chinese (3,979, +7%), Brazilian (2,649, +115%), Malaysian (1,852, +23%) and Libyan (1,550, +64%) nationals.
  • There were also decreases for other nationalities such as Pakistani (-2,511, -35%) and Indian (-1,711, -12%).

You can read the full Migration Statistics Quarterly Report here.




Updated Modernised Guidance - Tier 4

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have updated their modernised guidance for how they consider applications from people to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system.

The updated guidance can be viewed here.

Updated guidance for Tier 4 applicants

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have updated their guidance for those applying to come to or stay in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system.

The updated guidance can be viewed here.


    Tier 4 Interviews and genuine student rule (GSR) - updated guidance

    UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have updated their guidance on Tier 4 interviews and the genuine student rule (GSR) when handling applications made outside the UK.




    Report on Student Migration

    The Think Tank, British Future, and Universities UK have published a report on international student migration.

    The key findings were as follows:

    • 59% felt the government should not reduce international student numbers, even if that limits the government's ability to cut immigration numbers overall.
    • 66% of Conservative voters are opposed to reducing student numbers.
    • 60% consider that international students bring money into their local economy.
    • 61% agreed that Britain's universities would have less funding to invest in top-quality facilities and teaching without the higher fees paid by international students.
    • 75% felt that international students should be allowed to stay and work in Britain after graduating from British universities, using their skills for the benefit of the economy.
    • 78% felt that international students should not be counted as 'migrants'.
    The report has made the following recommendations:
    • The removal of international students from any net migration target.
    • Launch of an international student growth strategy, backed by investment, to promote British universities overseas, build new international partnerships and attract more international students to Britain.
    • A renewed effort by the government to communicate a consistent message that Britain welcomes international students.
    • Enhanced opportunities for qualified international graduates to stay in the UK to work and contribute to the economy.
    The full report can be viewed here.




    English Language courses - report by Demos

    The Think Tank, Demos, has published a report on the way English Language courses are delivered to immigrant communities in the UK.

    It argues that a national strategy is needed for the provision of English Language courses.

    The following recommendations were also made:

    • Employers should be encouraged to contribute towards the cost of ESOL provision to improve productivity, cohesion and staff retention.
    • Introduction of government match-funding employer contributions to help share the burden between employers, learners and the state.
    • Alternative ways for learners to earn ESOL 'credits', such as volunteering or opting to mentor other ESOL students through their early stages.
    • Money saved by local authorities from cuts to translation services should be put back into ESOL provision.
    The press release by Demos can be viewed here and the full report can be viewed here.






    Working in the UK



    Quarterly Migration Statistics (Working in the UK)

    The latest quarterly migration figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed that net migration into the UK has increased by more than 38% to 243,000 in 2013-14.

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

    • Three-quarters of long-term immigration and two-thirds of long-term emigration to and from the UK are people migrating to work or study.
    • The most commonly stated reason for immigrating to the UK is work-related.
    • Work visas granted increased by 10% (+14,799) in the year ending June 2014, compared to the previous year.
    • The increase in work visas granted was largely accounted for by higher numbers of skilled workers (Tier 2, +11,744).
    • There were also increases for Youth Mobility and temporary workers (Tier 5, +3,992), increases for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur (+836) and Tier 1 Investor (+484) categories.
    • The increase in work visas granted was partially offset by fewer visas granted in the two categories that have now been closed to new entrants: Tier 1 Post-Study (-2,292) and Tier 1 General (-1,283).
    • There was a significant increase in immigration for work (up 38,000 to 228,000) driven by increases for EU15 and EU2 citizens. Estimated employment of EU citizens was 17% higher in April to June 2014, compared to the same quarter in 2013.
    • Approximately 60% of all EU immigrants arriving for work-related reasons have a definite job to go to (the remainder stated they were looking for work). 
    • In the year ending June 2014, the highest numbers of work-related visas were issued to Indian (35%), Australian (10%) and United States (9%) nationals.
    You can read the full Migration Statistics Quarterly Report here.


    Updated Tier 1 Guidance

    UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have updated the following guidance for those applying under Tier 1 of the points-based system:

    Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) of the Points Based System Policy Guidance

    Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) of the Points Based System Policy Guidance


    Updated Modernised Guidance - Tiers 1 & 2

    UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have updated their modernised guidance for how they assess English Language requirements for Tiers 1 & 2 of the points-based system.

    The updated guidance can be viewed here.



    Landlord Immigration Checks

    UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have added a section on landlord immigration checks to their policy guidance.

    The Immigration Act 2014 means that some private landlords will need to check that new tenants have the right to rent in the UK. Landlords who rent to illegal immigrants without doing these checks will be liable to a civil penalty of up to £3,000.

    Landlord Immigration checks will come into force in one part of the UK in late autumn 2014.

    The updated guidance can be viewed here.




    Updated Guidance - Tier 2 (Skilled Worker)

    UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have updated their guidance for those applying under the Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) category.

    The updated guidance can be viewed here.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-2-worker


    Employer Sponsorship: restricted certificate allocations (August 2014)

    UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have published allocation figures for August 2014 for restricted certificates of sponsorship.

    The updated guidance allocation figures can be viewed here.




    Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) - applications to extend stay in UK (leave to remain)

    UKVI have updated their guidance for those applying to extend their stay in the UK (leave to remain) under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP).

    The updated guidance can be viewed here.


     Preventing illegal working - updated modernised guidance

    UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have updated their guidance for how they detect illegal workers.

    The updated guidance can be viewed here.



    General Immigration Matters



    Quarterly Migration Statistics (Other)

    The latest quarterly migration figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed that net migration into the UK has increased by more than 38% to 243,000 in 2013-14.

    The key points in relation to 'other' immigration matters are as follows:

    • Whilst net migration has increased since the most recent low of 154,000 in the year ending September 2012, it remains below the peak of 320,000 in the year ending June 2005.
    • 560,000 people immigrated to the UK in the year ending March 2014, a statistically significant increase from 492,000 in the previous 12 months. Two-thirds of this increase is accounted for by immigration of EU citizens (up 44,000 to 214,000).
    • An estimated 316,000 people emigrated from the UK in the year ending March 2014. Long-term emigration has been relatively stable since 2010.
    • 28,000 EU2 (Romanian and Bulgarian) citizens immigrated to the UK in the year ending March 2014, a statistically significant increase from 12,000 in the previous 12 months.
    • 265,000 non-EU citizens immigrated to the UK in the year ending March 2014 - ending the steady decline since the recent peak of 334,000 in 2011.
    • There were 23,479 asylum applications (main applicants) in the year ending June 2014, similar to the previous 12 months (23,523), but low relative to the 2002 peak (84,132).
    • 35,762 family route visas were issued in the year ending June 2014, an increase of 6% compared with the previous year ending June 2014 (33,710).
    • The number of applications for asylum, excluding dependants, in the year ending June 2014 (23,479) was slightly lower than the year ending June 2013 (23,523).
    • The largest number of asylum applications in the year ending June 2014 came from Pakistan (3,081), Eritrea (2,115), Iran (2,041) and Syria (1,716).
    • The third most common reason (after work and study) for migrating to the UK is to accompany/join family and friends. In the year ending March 2014, 83,000 people migrated to the UK to accompany or join others - a significant increase compared to 59,000 who migrated for this reason in the year previously.
    You can read the full Migration Statistics Quarterly Report here.




    Applications for settlement in the UK

    UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have updated their guidance for those people applying for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the UK.

     The following guidance has been updated:





    Knowledge of Life and Language in the UK

    UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have updated their modernised guidance for how they decide applications for naturalisation and indefinite leave to remain that need to meet the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirements.

    The updated modernised guidance can be viewed here.





    Veristat Services



    Compliance checks and reducing visa refusals


    Veristat's HTS Health Check is a one or two day objective, external review covering key areas likely to arise during a Home Office visit together with examples of good practice drawn from over 5 years' experience of conducting compliance audits for schools, colleges and universities.

    For further information please contact don@veristat.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 £400 regardless of the number of people attending. If you think your organisation would benefit from training in either or both of these areas, please contact us for a no commitment discussion of your requirements by telephone on 08443351619 or by email at enquiries@veristat.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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