WORKING IN THE UK
Priority change of circumstance service (Tier 2 and 5 sponsors)
The priority change of circumstance service allows Tier 2 or 5 A-rated sponsors to apply for faster consideration of some change of circumstance requests. This is particularly useful if you need to make an urgent request, as normally such requests can take up to 18 weeks for the Home Office (UKVI) to action.
The information has been updated to confirm that when requesting to 'add a representative', you can add the new representative as a new level 1 user as part of the same call. However, this will count as two requests and the sponsor will be charged twice.
The information has been updated to confirm that when requesting to 'add a representative', you can add the new representative as a new level 1 user as part of the same call. However, this will count as two requests and the sponsor will be charged twice.
You can view information about the priority change of circumstance service here.
Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) - International Agreement
The Home Office (UKVI) has published updated guidance to those already sponsoring or looking to sponsor a migrant under the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) - International Agreement sub-category.
The guidance can be viewed here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sponsor-tier-5-international-agreement-workers-appendix-f
Endorsing bodies - Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
The Home Office (UKVI) have updated the list of authorised endorsing bodies for those applying for leave to enter or remain under Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category.
The updated list can be viewed here.
The updated list can be viewed here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/endorsing-bodies-tier-1-graduate-entrepreneur
Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) - updated guidance
Updated guidance has been published by the Home Office (UKVI) for applications under Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme).
The updated guidance can be viewed here.
The updated guidance can be viewed here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-visa-applications-under-tier-5-youth-mobility-scheme
Employer sponsorship: restricted certificate allocations (September)
The Home Office have published a list of the restricted certificates allocated for employer sponsorship in Tier 2 (General) for September 2017.
All valid applications received by 5th September were successful if they scored at least 21 points.
The total number of restricted certificates granted in September was 2,008. There is a total of 1,879 certificates of sponsorship available for allocation in October 2017.
You can view further information here.
All valid applications received by 5th September were successful if they scored at least 21 points.
The total number of restricted certificates granted in September was 2,008. There is a total of 1,879 certificates of sponsorship available for allocation in October 2017.
You can view further information here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employer-sponsorship-restricted-certificate-allocations
The MAC's review will look at the economic and social impacts of international students in the UK, as well as considering their overall impact. It will cover the whole of the UK, including England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The government has asked the MAC to report by September 2018.
The consultation closes on 26 January 2018.
STUDYING IN THE UK
Impact of international students - call for evidence
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published a call for evidence in relation to their government-commissioned study on the impact of international students in the UK.The MAC's review will look at the economic and social impacts of international students in the UK, as well as considering their overall impact. It will cover the whole of the UK, including England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The government has asked the MAC to report by September 2018.
The consultation closes on 26 January 2018.
Further information can be viewed here.
Visa delays for international students
It has been reported that there have been significant delays in the student visa process, which has resulted in many international students receiving their visas at the last minute, or still waiting.
Hong Kong has reportedly been one of the countries which has been most affected by the delays.
Hong Kong has reportedly been one of the countries which has been most affected by the delays.
Further information can be viewed here.
https://thepienews.com/news/intl-students-visa-delays-university-intake/
OTHER IMMIGRATION NEWS
UKVI Assisted Digital services
The Home Office (UKVI) has provided details of a new Assisted Digital service that is available to applicants to complete their immigration application online.
This includes applicants who need telephone support to complete their online visa application form or face to face support at home or at a library to access and complete their online application form.
This includes applicants who need telephone support to complete their online visa application form or face to face support at home or at a library to access and complete their online application form.
This services does not provide immigration advice but simply for those requiring digital help.
Further information about this new service can be viewed here.
Further information about this new service can be viewed here.
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 half-day rate for up to a maximum of 12 persons per session attending.
If you think your organisation would benefit from training in any of these areas, please email enquiries@veristat.co.uk for a quote.
If you would like to discuss the contents or format of our training sessions, or require a bespoke training package delivered, please either call us on 01344 624016 or email us at enquiries@veristat.co.uk.
These training sessions are conducted on the client's premises for a standard half-day rate for up to a maximum of 12 persons per session attending.
If you think your organisation would benefit from training in any of these areas, please email enquiries@veristat.co.uk for a quote.
If you would like to discuss the contents or format of our training sessions, or require a bespoke training package delivered, please either 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 worker with over 30 universities and a significant number of colleges and schools.
Our audit/inspection service is full flexible and can be tailored to individual requirements, and is based on sound practical experience of UKVI's policies, culture and approach.
- 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 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.
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.
If you would like a quote for a file inspection day, please email enquiries@veristat.co.uk or call 01344 624016.
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.
If you would like a quote for a file inspection day, please email enquiries@veristat.co.uk or call 01344 624016.
Presentations for European nationals (Brexit)
We can also 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 going forwards.
If you're interested in booking a session for the European nationals working for you, please call 01344 624016 or email enquiries@veristat.co.uk.
If you're interested in booking a session for the European nationals working for you, please call 01344 624016 or email enquiries@veristat.co.uk.
