UK immigration changes

EU workers reluctant to relocate for a UK job

Employers in the UK are finding it harder to fill jobs after the steepest decline in candidate availability for 16 months, according to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC).

The REC report which compiled data from 400 recruitment companies shows Brexit influence on the jobs market as workers become more reluctant to move jobs and EU nationals less likely to relocate to the UK due to uncertainty over future immigration rules.

UK & India: Qualifying Indian nationals soon to be eligible for Registered Traveller Scheme and Great Club

Qualifying Indian nationals will be eligible for the UK Registered Traveller Scheme, which allows certain frequent travellers to the United Kingdom to utilize expedited entry e-passport gates at the UK border, and the Great Club, which allows select businesses to liaise with a UK Visas and Immigration account manager to facilitate the streamlining of visa applications and migrants’ entry into the UK.

The Registered Traveller Scheme

Registered Traveller Scheme users can enter the United Kingdom via e-passport gates (including the UK/European Economic Area passport lines) and avoid completing a landing card, the review of which can delay the entry process.

UK: New Tier 2 rules on the way

New rules relating to the Tier 2 Visa category were presented to Parliament today that will be effective on or after November 24, 2016. Key changes include the following:

  • Closure of the Tier 2 (Skills Transfer) category;
  • Increasing the minimum salary for the Tier 2 (General) category to GBP 25,000 with limited exemptions;
  • Increasing the minimum salary for the Tier 2 ICT (Short Term) category to GBP 30,000;
  • Decreasing the minimum salary toGBP 23,000 for the Tier 2 ICT (Graduate Trainee) category;
  • Increasing the allowable number of places per company from five to 20 per year for Tier 2 ICT (Graduate Trainees);