WORKING IN THE UK
Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: November 2017 (Working in the UK)
The Office for National Statistics has published its Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: November 2017.
The key findings in relation to working in the UK were as follows:
The full report can be viewed or downloaded here.
The key findings in relation to working in the UK were as follows:
- Long-term immigration to work decreased by 51,000 to 261,000 in year ending (YE) June 2017.
- In YE June 2017, those immigrating with a "definite job" remained about the same (187,000); while the decrease was driven by fewer people coming to the UK "looking for work" (drop of 56,000 to 74,000) which was mainly due to less EU citizens coming to look for work (decrease of 47,000).
- The estimate of non-EU immigrants arriving to work was 65,000 in YE June 2017. Of these, 17,000 (26%) arrived looking for work, which was likely attributed to people granted visas under the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme.
- The number of visas granted for longer than 12 months to skilled workers (and their dependants) rose by 2,767 (4%) to 71,607 for YE September 2017.
- There were 93,700 sponsored skilled work (Tier 2) visas granted in YE September 2017, which was 1% lower than the previous year.
- The Tier 5 Youth Mobility and temporary work visas were also broadly stable at 1% lower than previous year at 41,652.
- In YE September 2017, in all work categories there were 164,383 work-related visas (including dependants) granted, around the same level as in the YE September 2016.
- Indian nationals accounted for 57% of total skilled work visas granted (53,009 of 93,700), and the information technology sector sponsored 40% of skilled work visa applications.
- Latest estimates of labour market activity shows that there were 2.38 million EU nationals and 1.21 million non-EU nationals working in the UK during the period July to September 2017
The full report can be viewed or downloaded here.
Illegal working penalties
UKVI have published their quarterly report showing the total number of fines (civil penalties) for illegal working given to employers in each region of the UK.
A total of 432 penalties were issued between 1 April and 30 June 2017 within all regions.
You can download the full report here.
A total of 432 penalties were issued between 1 April and 30 June 2017 within all regions.
You can download the full report here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/illegal-working-penalties-quarterly-totals
Restricted certificates of sponsorship (December)
The Home Office have published a list of the restricted certificates allocated for employer sponsorship in Tier 2 (General) for November 2017.
All valid applications received by 5th November were successful if they scored at least 21 points.
A total of 1,747 restricted certificates were granted in November 2017 with there being at a total of 1,512 available for allocation in December 2017.
You can view further information here.
All valid applications received by 5th November were successful if they scored at least 21 points.
A total of 1,747 restricted certificates were granted in November 2017 with there being at a total of 1,512 available for allocation in December 2017.
You can view further information here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employer-sponsorship-restricted-certificate-allocations
Further information can be viewed here.
Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent)
UKVI have updated the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) guidance with a minor administrative change.
The list of fellowships which qualify for fast track consideration under the accelerated application process for science applicants applying for endorsement by the Royal Society, the British Academy or the Royal Academy of Engineering has been updated (see paragraph A4).
The updated guidance can be viewed here.
The list of fellowships which qualify for fast track consideration under the accelerated application process for science applicants applying for endorsement by the Royal Society, the British Academy or the Royal Academy of Engineering has been updated (see paragraph A4).
The updated guidance can be viewed here.
STUDYING IN THE UK
Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: November 2017 (Studying in the UK)
The Office for National Statistics has published its Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: November 2017.
The key findings in relation to studying in the UK were as follows:
- Study remains the second most common reason for immigration.
- Long-term immigration to study (141,000) for all nationalities decreased by 23,000 from YE June 2016.
- International Passenger Survey (IPS) data shows that of those whose main reason for long-term immigration was study, the majority (95,000 or 70%) were non-EU citizens - this was a decrease of 18,000 compared to the previous year.
- The number of visas issued over the year to YE June 2017 to non-EU students for 12 months or more increased by 5% to 143,735.
- The total sponsored visa applications to study from non-EU nationals (main applicants only) rose by 6% to 212,381.
- Included in this, was a rise for higher education (to 177,961, up 6%) - applications to Russell Group universities rose by 9%. There was also and increase for international schools (to 13,787, up 3%) and English language schools (to 3,755, up 34%). However, there was a decrease for the further education sector (to 14,278, 4% drop).
- More than one-third (39%) of non-EU study visas were granted to Chinese nationals (to 88,258), which was a 15% increase compared with the previous year.
The full report can be viewed or downloaded here.
The key findings in relation to studying in the UK were as follows:
- Study remains the second most common reason for immigration.
- Long-term immigration to study (141,000) for all nationalities decreased by 23,000 from YE June 2016.
- International Passenger Survey (IPS) data shows that of those whose main reason for long-term immigration was study, the majority (95,000 or 70%) were non-EU citizens - this was a decrease of 18,000 compared to the previous year.
- The number of visas issued over the year to YE June 2017 to non-EU students for 12 months or more increased by 5% to 143,735.
- The total sponsored visa applications to study from non-EU nationals (main applicants only) rose by 6% to 212,381.
- Included in this, was a rise for higher education (to 177,961, up 6%) - applications to Russell Group universities rose by 9%. There was also and increase for international schools (to 13,787, up 3%) and English language schools (to 3,755, up 34%). However, there was a decrease for the further education sector (to 14,278, 4% drop).
- More than one-third (39%) of non-EU study visas were granted to Chinese nationals (to 88,258), which was a 15% increase compared with the previous year.
The full report can be viewed or downloaded here.
OTHER IMMIGRATION NEWS
EEA/EU nationals: applying for settled status
The Home Office have published further information for EEA/EU nationals applying for settled status.
This confirms that EU citizens and their family members living in the UK will need to make an application to the Home Office to get their new settled status.
A system is being developed, which will use existing government data, such as employment records held by HMRC, to help reduce the amount of evidence applicants will need to provide.
Caseworkers will also contact the applicant if they make a mistake with their application, and will help them fix the error or ask them to provide additional evidence, before making a decision on their application.
The new online application system is expected to go live in 2018.
This confirms that EU citizens and their family members living in the UK will need to make an application to the Home Office to get their new settled status.
A system is being developed, which will use existing government data, such as employment records held by HMRC, to help reduce the amount of evidence applicants will need to provide.
Caseworkers will also contact the applicant if they make a mistake with their application, and will help them fix the error or ask them to provide additional evidence, before making a decision on their application.
The new online application system is expected to go live in 2018.
Further information can be viewed here.
Assisted Digital service
The Assisted Digital service is now available to applicants if they need support to complete their immigration application online.
This service includes:
Further information about this assistance, as well as the participating libraries who provide this service can be viewed here.
This service includes:
- Telephone support to enable applicants to complete their online form.
- Face-to-face support at home or at a library to access and complete the online form.
Further information about this assistance, as well as the participating libraries who provide this service can be viewed here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assisted-digital-uk-visas-and-immigration
The updated guidance can be downloaded here.
Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: November 2017 (Other key findings)
The Office for National Statistics has published its Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: November 2017.
The key findings in relation to studying in the UK were as follows:
- Net long-term international migration was estimated to be +230,000 in YE June 2017, down 106,000 compared to the previous year. Immigration was 572,000 (down 80,000) and emigration was 342,000 (up 26,000).
- Over three-quarters of the decrease in net migration can be accounted for by EU citizens (down 82,000 to +107,000).
- The decrease of 80,000 in immigration included falls for both EU citizens (down 54,000 to 230,000) and non-EU citizens (down 28,000 to 263,000).
- EU emigration increased by 28,000 to 123,000 in YE June 2017.
- In YE September 2017, a total of 15,618 people were granted asylum, resettlement or an alternative form of protection. This was similar in comparison to the previous year.
- The largest inflow of immigrants to the UK were from Romania (50,000) and the largest outflow of British citizens emigrating was to Australia (25,000) and of non-British citizens was to Poland (20,000).
The full report can be viewed or downloaded here.
The Office for National Statistics has published its Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: November 2017.
The key findings in relation to studying in the UK were as follows:
- Net long-term international migration was estimated to be +230,000 in YE June 2017, down 106,000 compared to the previous year. Immigration was 572,000 (down 80,000) and emigration was 342,000 (up 26,000).
- Over three-quarters of the decrease in net migration can be accounted for by EU citizens (down 82,000 to +107,000).
- The decrease of 80,000 in immigration included falls for both EU citizens (down 54,000 to 230,000) and non-EU citizens (down 28,000 to 263,000).
- EU emigration increased by 28,000 to 123,000 in YE June 2017.
- In YE September 2017, a total of 15,618 people were granted asylum, resettlement or an alternative form of protection. This was similar in comparison to the previous year.
- The largest inflow of immigrants to the UK were from Romania (50,000) and the largest outflow of British citizens emigrating was to Australia (25,000) and of non-British citizens was to Poland (20,000).
Nationality policy guidance: good character
UKVI have updated their guidance on assessing the good character requirement in nationality applications.
The updated guidance can be downloaded 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.
To download this month's update as a PDF document, please go to the following URL then save this:
http://www.veristat.co.uk/CMS/FILES/Monthly_Update__December_2017.pdf
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.
To download this month's update as a PDF document, please go to the following URL then save this:
http://www.veristat.co.uk/CMS/FILES/Monthly_Update__December_2017.pdf
