Employer sponsorship: restricted certificate allocations (July)
The Home Office have published a list of the restricted certificates allocated for employer sponsorship in Tier 2 (General) for July 2017.
All valid applications received by 5th July were successful if they scored at least 21 points.
The total number of restricted certificates granted in July was 2,440.
There is a total of 2,151 certificates of sponsorship available for allocation in August 2017.
You can view further information here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employer-sponsorship-restricted-certificate-allocations
Independent review on impact of EU migrants on the UK economy
The Home Office has launched an independent review into the impact of EU migrants on the UK economy, including whether British workers are left at a disadvantage because of cheaper labour from the continent.
The Government has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to examine how migration affects the labour market and the wider economy.
Further information about this independent review can be viewed here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/migration-advisory-committee-mac-commissioned-by-government
Brexit and the Labour Market (report by the Economic Affairs Committee)
The Economic Affairs Committee have published a report on Brexit and the Labour Market. The key findings were as follows:
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldeconaf/11/1102.htm
The Home Office has launched an independent review into the impact of EU migrants on the UK economy, including whether British workers are left at a disadvantage because of cheaper labour from the continent.
The Government has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to examine how migration affects the labour market and the wider economy.
Further information about this independent review can be viewed here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/migration-advisory-committee-mac-commissioned-by-government
Brexit and the Labour Market (report by the Economic Affairs Committee)
The Economic Affairs Committee have published a report on Brexit and the Labour Market. The key findings were as follows:
- Increasing reliance has been placed on the migration statistics to formulate and judge government policy. Many of the available measures are inadequate, in particular the widely identified problems with the International Passenger Survey (IPS).
- The Government should prioritise plans for the comprehensive sharing of data across departments. They should develop a systematic understanding of the movement of immigrants within the UK economy.
- It recommends the re-introduction of checks on those leaving the UK to provide an opportunity to count those entering and leaving the UK in a systematic manner.
- The Government should explore how the available data can be combined with other information and used to provide a long-term check to the information provided by the IPS.
- As there is evidence that some EU nationals are beginning to leave the UK, they welcomed the Government’s position that securing an early agreement on the rights of EU nationals currently in the UK is its first priority in negotiations with the EU.
- They strongly recommended that the Government develops a new immigration policy for implementation once the UK has left the EU. They should consult on the needs of business and on a timeframe for implementing the new policy.
- Any new immigration system should not make an arbitrary distinction between higher-skilled and lower-skilled work on the basis of whether a job requires an undergraduate degree.
- British businesses must have access to expertise and skills in areas such as agriculture and construction that would at present be categorised as lower-skilled occupations.
- There may be some merit in a regional immigration system for Scotland and London but this is beyond existing administrative capabilities, therefore before seeking to implement a regional system the Government should carry out a review and be satisfied about its administrative feasibility.
- It recommends that the Government expedites measures to accurately assess the number of students who leave the UK at the end of their university education.
- Future policy should also pay close attention to areas where there are concerns arising from increases in the local population, e.g. pressures on public services.
- The objective of having migration at sustainable levels is unlikely to be best achieved by the strict use of an annual numerical target for net migration. Therefore, it should be implemented flexibly and take account of labour market needs, in particular during the implementation period.
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldeconaf/11/1102.htm
Studying in the UK
Re-Inspection of Tier 4 curtailment process
The Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Bolt, has published a report on the re- inspection of the Tier 4 curtailment process.
The key findings were as follows:
The Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Bolt, has published a report on the re- inspection of the Tier 4 curtailment process.
The key findings were as follows:
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The Home Office previously rejected a recommendation to publish service standards for the
curtailment consideration process. However, due to concerns that the size of the backlog
(c.25,000) and age (5 months+) of the ‘Work in Progress’ (WiP) and severely scaled back
resources allocated to this work, concerns have intensified, so asked the Home Office to
reconsider its original response.
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The WiP is too large and too far behind, which is affecting sponsors, students and follow-up
actions.
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The figure for unaccounted individuals who have remained in the UK illegally has reduced to
24,995 due to a series of data matching exercises. Clear timescales for the completion of this
work is required.
- The Home Office has made progress in a number of areas – for example in improving communication with sponsors and quality assuring the sifting out notifications.
You can view the full report here. The Home Office response to the re-inspection can be viewed here.
http://icinspector.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/07/A-re-inspection-of-the-Tier-4-curtailement-process.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-office-response-to-a-report-on-the-re-inspection-of-the-tier-4-curtailment-process
Quality of long-term student migration statistics
The UK Statistics Authority have conducted a compliance review of the quality of long-term student migration statistics. The review concluded that official estimates of international students remaining in the UK were “potentially misleading” and should be treated with caution.
The following recommendations were made:
https://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/publication/the-quality-of-long-term-student-migration-statistics
Non-European Student Migration (report by The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford)
The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has published a report on non-European student migration to the UK.
The key findings were as follows:
You can view the full report here.
http://www.migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/non-european-student-migration-to- the-uk/
Other immigration news
Naturalisation as a British Citizen: Concepts and Trends (report by The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford)
The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has published a report on naturalisation as a British Citizen: Concepts and Trends.
The key findings were as follows:
http://www.migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/naturalisation-as-a-british-citizen-concepts-and-trends/
Update on Brexit
The Brexit negotiations are still ongoing and the Home Office has confirmed there will be no change to the status of EU citizens living in the UK whilst the UK remains in the EU.
Further information including the policy paper setting out the UK government’s offer to EU citizens and their families in the UK, can be viewed here.
The Home Office will update this page with the latest information about the status of EU citizens. You can also sign up to receive email updates from the Home Office via this page.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/status-of-eu-nationals-in-the-uk-what-you-need-to-know
Reports published by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
The following reports have been published this month by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Bolt:
http://icinspector.independent.gov.uk/inspections/inspection-reports/2017-inspection-reports/
Veristat Services
http://icinspector.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/07/A-re-inspection-of-the-Tier-4-curtailement-process.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-office-response-to-a-report-on-the-re-inspection-of-the-tier-4-curtailment-process
Quality of long-term student migration statistics
The UK Statistics Authority have conducted a compliance review of the quality of long-term student migration statistics. The review concluded that official estimates of international students remaining in the UK were “potentially misleading” and should be treated with caution.
The following recommendations were made:
- To aid user interpretation and understanding of the student migration estimates, ONS should present additional information about the estimates and the uncertainty around them.
- To inform users of the appropriateness of the IPS departure questions, ONS should publish details on how it tested responses to these questions and the steps taken to address any potential sources of bias and error.
- ONS should clearly label the former-student emigration estimate as experimental statistics in all upcoming student migration statistics outputs.
- ONS should continue its work in collaboration with the Home Office on exit check data.
- ONS should use the data from the new ONS/UUK/CPC survey to improve its understanding of
how the IPS might be identifying former-student emigrants, and clearly document the methods used and the quality issues of the data.
https://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/publication/the-quality-of-long-term-student-migration-statistics
Non-European Student Migration (report by The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford)
The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has published a report on non-European student migration to the UK.
The key findings were as follows:
- The number of international students coming to the UK has fallen since 2010.
- 7 out of 10 sponsorships for international students in 2016 were made by UK higher education institutions.
- Data sources on the extent to which students remain in the UK after their studies point indifferent directions.
- Students bring fewer dependents to the UK compared to other pathways such as labour migrants.
http://www.migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/non-european-student-migration-to- the-uk/
Other immigration news
Naturalisation as a British Citizen: Concepts and Trends (report by The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford)
The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has published a report on naturalisation as a British Citizen: Concepts and Trends.
The key findings were as follows:
- In 2016, just over 149,400 foreign nationals naturalised as British citizens. This is an increase from 2015 – which saw the lowest annual number since 2002 – but it is lower than the period between 2009 to 2013.
- 8% of citizenship applications were rejected in 2016. The majority of refusals since 2002 have been because of failure to meet either the residence or the ‘good character’ requirements. English language requriements and the Life in the UK test account for a small percentage of rejected naturalisation applications but may deter additional potential applicants.
- 5.2% of naturalisations in 2016 were from foreign nationals who have lived in the UK for the required five years, plus one additional year as a settled resident. Most of the other 48 per cent was split between spouses and civil partners of British citizens and minor children registering as citizens.
- Amongst those naturalizing in 2016, the largest groups in terms of previous citizenship were from India (16% of 2016 total), Pakistan (11%), Nigeria (7%) and South Africa (3%). Only 12% were to EU nationals, though applications from EU nationals were at their highest.
http://www.migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/naturalisation-as-a-british-citizen-concepts-and-trends/
Update on Brexit
The Brexit negotiations are still ongoing and the Home Office has confirmed there will be no change to the status of EU citizens living in the UK whilst the UK remains in the EU.
Further information including the policy paper setting out the UK government’s offer to EU citizens and their families in the UK, can be viewed here.
The Home Office will update this page with the latest information about the status of EU citizens. You can also sign up to receive email updates from the Home Office via this page.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/status-of-eu-nationals-in-the-uk-what-you-need-to-know
Reports published by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
The following reports have been published this month by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Bolt:
- An inspection of entry clearance processing operations in Croydon and Istanbul – The full report can be viewed here and the Home Office response can be viewed here.
- An inspection of Country of Origin information – The full report can be viewed here and the Home Office response can be viewed here.
- An interim re-inspection of family reunion – The full report can be viewed here and the HomeOffice response can be viewed here.
- A re-inspection of the Administrative review process – The full report can be viewed here and the Home Office response can be viewed here.
- A short inspection of the Home Office’s application of the good character requirement – The full report can be viewed here and the Home Office response can be viewed here.
- A re-inspection of the complaints handling process – The full report can be viewed here and the Home Office response can be viewed here.
- An inspection of Border Force operations at Gatwick – The full report can be viewed here and the Home Office response can be viewed here.
- An inspection of Border Force operations at east coast seaports – The full report can beviewed here and the Home Office response can be viewed here.
http://icinspector.independent.gov.uk/inspections/inspection-reports/2017-inspection-reports/
Veristat Services
Training for employers and education providers
We provide bespoke training on all aspects of immigration matters, including Right to Work, Tier 2 sponsorship, Tier 4 sponsorship, and identification of fraudulent documents.
These training sessions are conducted on the client’s premises for a standard charge of £680 (for up to a maximum of 12 persons attending).
*all prices are subject to VAT
If you think your organisation would benefit from training in any of these areas, please contact us for a no commitment discussion either by telephone on 01344 624016 or by email at enquiries@veristat.co.uk.
We provide bespoke training on all aspects of immigration matters, including Right to Work, Tier 2 sponsorship, Tier 4 sponsorship, and identification of fraudulent documents.
These training sessions are conducted on the client’s premises for a standard charge of £680 (for up to a maximum of 12 persons attending).
*all prices are subject to VAT
If you think your organisation would benefit from training in any of these areas, please contact us for a no commitment discussion either by telephone on 01344 624016 or by email at enquiries@veristat.co.uk.
Presentations for European nationals (Brexit)
We provide sessions targeted at European nationals currently living and working in the UK. We can come to your premises and speak directly to your EU/EEA and Swiss employees, outlining their position now, and the likely situation they may find themselves in following Brexit.
These practical sessions are designed to clarify the situation and more importantly their options moving forwards.
If you’re interested in booking a session for the European nationals working for you, please call us on 01344 624016 or email us at enquiries@veristat.co.uk.
We provide sessions targeted at European nationals currently living and working in the UK. We can come to your premises and speak directly to your EU/EEA and Swiss employees, outlining their position now, and the likely situation they may find themselves in following Brexit.
These practical sessions are designed to clarify the situation and more importantly their options moving forwards.
If you’re interested in booking a session for the European nationals working for you, please call us on 01344 624016 or email us at enquiries@veristat.co.uk.
Audits and Inspections
Veristat is hugely experienced at providing compliance audits across all immigration tiers. We have worked with hundreds of employers, ranging from small family businesses to multi-nationals, high street retailers and professional sports clubs. In the education sector, we have also worked with over 30 universities and a significant number of colleges and schools.
Our audit/inspection service is fully flexible and can be tailored to individual requirements, and is based on sound practical experience of UKVI’s policies, culture and approach.
Veristat is hugely experienced at providing compliance audits across all immigration tiers. We have worked with hundreds of employers, ranging from small family businesses to multi-nationals, high street retailers and professional sports clubs. In the education sector, we have also worked with over 30 universities and a significant number of colleges and schools.
Our audit/inspection service is fully flexible and can be tailored to individual requirements, and is based on sound practical experience of UKVI’s policies, culture and approach.
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For employers, we offer on-site Tier 2 compliance inspections (with staff aware or unaware to
simulate a surprise UKVI visit). We also offer right to work compliance visits.
- For education providers, our service ranges from a “lite” health-check to a comprehensive review of Tier 4 activities, assessing compliance with UKVI requirements and sharing best practice. We also offer targeted inspections covering specific issues, such as BCA, policies, relationships with partner institutions, etc.
On completion, we provide a comprehensive, evidence-based report, together with an
assessment of how compliant the business or institution is with UKVI’s requirements. We will support
the introduction of change if required and offer a ‘spot check’ follow up service at a later date if
required to reassure management that recommendations have been implemented.
If you’re interested in booking an audit/inspection, please call us on 01344 624016 or email us at enquiries@veristat.co.uk.
If you’re interested in booking an audit/inspection, please call us on 01344 624016 or email us at enquiries@veristat.co.uk.
File Inspection Days
If you’re unsure whether you require a full compliance audit or specific training but would like an independent check of your files to ensure they are fully compliant with Home Office requirements, we can provide a UKVI file compliance inspection of either your staff or student files.
Depending on the number of employees/students you have, we would either check all files or an agreed sample. After the inspection has taken place, we would provide a written report outlining any risks, feedback and recommendations.
For further information or a quote for our file inspection days, please call us on 01344 624016 or email us at enquiries@veristat.co.uk.
To view or download a PDF file of this update, please go to the following URL:
http://www.veristat.co.uk/CMS/FILES/Monthly_Update_August_2017.pdf
If you’re unsure whether you require a full compliance audit or specific training but would like an independent check of your files to ensure they are fully compliant with Home Office requirements, we can provide a UKVI file compliance inspection of either your staff or student files.
Depending on the number of employees/students you have, we would either check all files or an agreed sample. After the inspection has taken place, we would provide a written report outlining any risks, feedback and recommendations.
For further information or a quote for our file inspection days, please call us on 01344 624016 or email us at enquiries@veristat.co.uk.
To view or download a PDF file of this update, please go to the following URL:
http://www.veristat.co.uk/CMS/FILES/Monthly_Update_August_2017.pdf
