Wednesday, 20 July 2016

Immigration News: July 2016



Studying in the UK


Applications for a Tier 4 sponsor licence

UKVI have published revised guidance on how they decide applications for a sponsor licence under Tiers 2, 4 and 5 of the points-based system.

The key changes are as follows:
  • The 'Intel referral form', 'DC overseas document verification referral' and 'DC RCCD domestic referral form' have been replaced with a new template, 'TM verification referral form'.
  • References changed from Liverpool to Sheffield on verifying supporting documents page.
The updated guidance notes can be viewed here.



Biometric residence permits: overseas applicant and sponsor information (Studying in the UK)

UKVI have updated the general information they provide for overseas applicants and sponsors on biometric residence permits and the international rollout schedule.

The updated guidance notes can be viewed here. 


Working in the UK

Skills Shortage: Teachers

The Home Secretary wrote to the chair of the Migration Advisory Committee on 26 May 2016 and commissioned it to examine whether there is a shortage of teachers or teachers in specific subjects, which it would be sensible to fill through non-EEA migration. The MAC has subsequently issued a call for evidence in relation to this commission.

Further information can be viewed here. Evidence must be submitted by Friday 16 September 2016.





Applications for a Tier 2 or 5 sponsor licence

UKVI have published revised guidance on how they decide applications for a sponsor licence under Tiers 2, 4 and 5 of the points-based system.

The key changes are as follows:
  • The 'Intel referral form', 'DC overseas document verification referral' and 'DC RCCD domestic referral form' have been replaced with a new template, 'TM verification referral form'.
  • References changed from Liverpool to Sheffield on verifying supporting documents page.
The updated guidance notes can be viewed here.




Biometric residence permits: overseas applicant and sponsor information (Working in the UK)

UKVI have updated the general information they provide for overseas applicants and sponsors on biometric residence permits and the international rollout schedule.

The updated guidance notes can be viewed here. 





Applications under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)

UKVI have updated their guidance for how they consider applications in the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category of the points-based system (PBS).

The following amendments have been made in line with the Immigration Rules update of 6 April 2016:

  • Provision for applicants applying with funding from a UK Seed Funding Competition or a UK Government Department
  • Provision on invested funds to demonstrate investment
  • Additional documentation for applicants applying with venture capital funds
  • Clarifications on job creation
  • Amendments to English Language section
  • Accountants requiring a valid licence to practice or practising certificates
The updated modernised guidance can be viewed here.




Overcoming the national skills shortage - report by the UK Commission on Employment and Skills (UKCES)

The UK Commissions on Employment and Skills has published a report on the Employer Skills Survey of 91,000 employers undertaken in 2015.

This report concludes that the UK is not producing enough young people with the skills to meet the needs of UK employers, and that the skills they have are well below the levels of our international competitors.

The full report can be downloaded here.


https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2016/feb/18/uk-skills-shortage-universities-employers-industry


Right to Rent - updated guidance

UKVI have published an updated guide for landlords, letting agents and tenants on conducting right to rent checks.



Domestic workers in private households

UKVI have made revisions to their guidance on how they consider applications for leave from domestic workers in private households under paragraphs 159A-159H of the Immigration Rules.

Restricted certificate allocations (June 2016)

The restricted certificates allocation for May 2016 published by UKVI can be viewed here. 

These figures show that all valid applications for restricted Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) which scored at least 21 points were granted with carry-overs from the previous month(s) indicating that more applications with lower salary levels have been successful than in recent months. There are 2,722 CoS available for allocation in July 2016.


General Immigration Matters

Biometric residence permits: overseas applicant and sponsor information (Other)

UKVI have updated the general information they provide for overseas applicants and sponsors on biometric residence permits and the international rollout schedule.

The updated guidance notes can be viewed here. 



Naturalisation as a British Citizen

UKVI have updated their guidance (Guide AN and Booklet AN) for people applying for British Citizenship by naturalisation.

You can download the updated Guide AN and Booklet AN here.




Long-Term International Migration Flows to the UK - briefing by The Migration Observatory

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has published a briefing on the geographical distribution and characteristics of long-term international migration flows to the UK.

The key points were as follows:

  • In 2014 about 29% of all migrants entering the UK stated their usual occupation prior to migration was professional or managerial. The professional or managerial occupation includes managers, administrators and migrants with technological and professional qualifications.
  • The share of incoming migrants previously in clerical and manual occupations was about 25% of the total in 2014.
  • A third of migrants coming to the UK in 2014 said they had previously been students.
  • The share of migrants who reported as being a student prior to migration has been on an upward trend since 1991, reaching 37% and 39% in years between 2010 and 2013 after which it decreased to 33% in 2014.
  • London remained the most popular destination for long-term migrants (32% of the total going to England in 2014). However, the share of incoming migrants going to London has decreased from the peak of the late 1990s (48% in 1998).
  • Close to 87% of migrants coming to the UK in 2014 were between ages 15 and 44, a share that has increased over time. Migrants between 25 and 44 years of age represented about half (46%) of migrant inflows during the last decade.
  • Half of migrants coming to the UK in 2014 were male. This contrasts with the early 1990s, when women represented the majority of migrants coming to the UK.
  • The majority (67%) of incoming migrants were single in 2014 and this share has been increasing over time.
You can read the full briefing here.




Applying for a registration certificate or residence card for a family member - Form EEA (FM)

An updated form has been published by UKVI for those applying for a registration certificate or residence card for family members. This form is for family members of EEA nationals who are exercising Treaty rights in the UK.

The updated form EEA (FM) can be viewed here. This form is for use on or after 10th June 2016.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-registration-certificate-or-residence-card-for-a-family-member-form-eea-fm




Life in the UK test - updated guidance

UKVI has updated their guidance explaining the applicant's obligations and what they can expect when booking an taking the 'Life in the UK' test. 

The updated guidance can be downloaded here. The modernised guidance has also been updated and can be viewed here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-booking-and-taking-the-life-in-the-uk-test





Veristat Services



Audits and Inspections


Veristat has 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 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.
- 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.

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: +44 (0)1344 628521
E: enquiries@veristat.co.uk
W: www.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 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@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


Support for migrant projects


Veristat is supporting MIGFUNDER, a crowdfunding platform dedicated solely to migration, refugee and human rights projects worldwide. Please see www.migfunder.com and share with your colleagues and networks.

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