Wednesday, 7 September 2016

Immigration Notes: September 2016



Studying in the UK


Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: August 2016 (Studying in the UK)

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published its Migration Statistics Quarterly Report - August 2016.

The key points in relation to studying in the UK were as follows:
  • Long-term immigration to the UK for study was estimated to be 164,000 in total (that is, including EU, non-EU and British citizens) in YE March 2016, the lowest estimate since YE December 2007 and a significant reduction (28,000) from 192,000 in YE March 2015.
  • The visa data for non-EU applicants to study in higher education in YE June 2016 was 163,338 (2% decrease compared with previous year).
  • 23% of those arriving for study in YE March 2016 were EU citizens and 72% were non-EU citizens (the remaining 5% being British citizens).
  • There was a statistically significant decline in the number of non-EU citizens migrating to the UK to study, from 134,000 in the previous year to 111,000.
  • Of the 111,000 72% were citizens of Asian countries, though there was a statistically significant decline in citizens of South Asia, with the number coming to study having almost halved.
  • 206,125 visas were granted to non-EU nationals for the purpose of study in YE March 2016 (excluding short-term students). This was a fall of 5% compared with YE March 2015.
  • In YE June 2016, sponsored visa applications (as opposed to grants) from non-EU nationals (main applicants only) to study fell by 3% to 197,979. There were falls in visa applications to study for main applicants for: universities (to 163,338, -2%); English Language schools (to 2,445, -25%); and further education sector and other educational institutions (to 15,848, -8%).
  • One-third of non-EU study visas were granted to Chinese students and together the 4 largest nationalities made up half of the non-EU foreign students granted visas in YE June 2016.
  • The top 5 nationalities for study in YE June 2016 were as follows: Chinese (70,194; 34%), United States (14,245; 7%), India (10,664; 5%), Malaysia (9,478; 5%) and Hong Kong (9,069; 4%).
  • There were 82,318 visas granted for short-term students (formerly known as "student visitors"), a rise of 28%.
The full report can be viewed here.




Working in the UK


Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: August 2016 (Working in the UK)

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published its Migration Statistics Quarterly Report - August 2016.

The key points in relation to working in the UK were as follows:
  • Work remains the most common reason for long-term immigration (303,000). This was the second highest estimate on record for immigration for work (YE December 2015 being the highest at 308,000).
  • Of the 303,000 who immigrated for work in YE March 2016, 176,000 (58%) had a definite job to go to and 127,000 (42%) arrived looking for work.
  • Of the 77,000 EU citizens specifically for work, 40% (31,000) were EU15 citizens, a statistically significant increase from 20,000 the previous year, possibly in part reflecting weaker labour market conditions in some southern EU15 states.
  • Of the non-EU immigrants who arrived for work-related reasons, 51,000 (72%) had a job to go to.
  • There were 631,000 National Insurance number (NINo) registrations by EU nationals in YE June 2016 and 193,000 by non-EU nationals, with both showing a fall from YE June 2015, though latest quarterly figures show NINo registrations remaining level.
  • In YE June 2016, the number of sponsored skilled work (Tier 2) visas rose by 1% to just less than 94,000, including dependants.
  • There were 166,544 work-related visas (including dependants) granted in all work categories in YE June 2016, down 1% (-1,961), but the total number of work visas granted to non-EU national main applicants increased by 1% to 123,172.
  • The fall in total work visa numbers may be accounted for by the continued reductions in the Tier 1 (General) visa route following the closure of that scheme.
  • Indian nationals accounted for 57% of total skilled work visas granted (53,548 of 93,935), with USA nationals the next largest nationality group (10,019 or 11% of the total).
The full report can be viewed here.




Restricted certificate allocations (August 2016)

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

 The 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 had been successful than in recent months. A total of 1,952 CoS were granted in August 2016. There are 743 CoS available for allocation in September 2016.



General Immigration Matters


 Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: August 2016 (Studying in the UK)

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published its Migration Statistics Quarterly Report - August 2016.

Other key points were as follows:
  • The net migration estimate for the YE March 2016 is +327,000 (down 9,000 from YE March 2015 but not statistically significant), comprising +180,000 EU citizens, +190,000 non-EU citizens, and -43,000 British citizens.
  • Net migration for EU citizens was estimated to be 180,000 in YE March 2016 (compared with 184,000 in YE March 2015).
  • In YE March 2016, non-EU migration was 190,000 compared with 200,000 the previous year.
  • The latest immigration estimate for YE March 2016 was 633,000 (down 11,000 from YE March 2015, but not statistically significant).
  • Immigration of EU citizens (268,000) remains lower than that of non-EU citizens (282,000), although the gap has narrowed partly due to increases in immigration from EU15 and EU2 citizens in recent years (EU2 immigration now at a record high of 69,000).
  • Emigration = 306,000 (down 2,000 from YE March 2015 but not statistically significant)
  • In YE March 2016, 13% (80,000) of long-term migrants arrived in the UK to accompany or join others, similar to the 84,000 the year before.
  • 38,805 family route visas were granted in YE June 2016, an increase of 10% compared with YE June 2015 (35,159), but almost half the peak level in YE March 2007 (72,894).
  • There were 44,323 asylum applications (including dependants) in YE June 2016, the sixth successive annual increase - although the number is less than half the level of the peak in 2002 (103,081).
  • The top 5 nationalities from which the highest number of asylum applications was received from in YE June 2016 were as follows: Iran (5,466; +2,920), Pakistan (3,980; +648), Iraq (3,948; +2,756), Afghanistan (3,460; +1,520) and Eritrea (2,818; -805).
  • There were also 2,806 asylum applications from Syrian nationals (including dependants) in the YE June 2016, the sixth highest nationality and an increase of 15% compared with the previous year (2,436).
  • The number of non-EEA nationals granted permission to stay permanently in the UK fell by 36% to 67,414 in YE June 2016.
The full report can be viewed here.



New digital visa application service now available

The global rollout of the Home Office's Access UK visa service is now complete. It has now been made available for customers applying to visit the UK in over 80 countries and 10 languages.

Further information can be viewed here. 



Applying for a UK visa: approved English Language tests and test centres

UKVI have updated the list of tests and test centres approved by them to show that applicants have the required level of English for their visa.



EU citizens already living in the UK (report by The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford)

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has published a report on the status of EU citizens already living in the UK, following the recent referendum.

The key points were as follows:

  • Brexit negotiations are still in early stages, so the government has not yet laid out any registration process for EU citizens.
  • It is possible that the registration process will be similar to the current permanent residence application for EEA citizens, but it is also possible that a different or simpler procedure will be introduced.
  • If the current rules for determining that a person has been exercising their treaty rights in the UK were used as the model for any new post-Brexit application process, there would be groups of people who would not qualify despite having lived in the UK for several years.
  • This is a complex area of law that has received relatively little attention to date, and it is envisaged that the administrative task facing the Home Office is formidable.


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 £650 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

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