RELO NEWS
One in three tech companies in London have seen talks with potential international hires fall through due to Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.
According to a survey from industry body Tech London Advocates, nearly two-thirds of London’s tech entrepreneurs believe Britain’s vote to leave the European Union has already damaged the international reputation of the city’s tech sector, although they still said it was the best place for start ups.
In July 2017, the Government commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to advise on the economic and social impacts of the UK’s exit from the European Union and also on how the UK’s immigration system should be aligned with a modern industrial strategy.
The areas outlined below provide a general indication of the information the MAC is reviewing:
Part 1 - EEA Migration Trends
Part 2 - Recruitment Practices, Training & Skills
Part 3 - Economic, Social and Fiscal Impacts
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.
A new decree replaces the current Consular Visa exemption with a new one only for those holding a valid Australian, Canadian, UK or U.S. multiple-entry visa valid for at least one year from the date of entry and used at least once, for stays up to 30 days initially, renewable twice for 30 days each stay through an in-country process. The previous exemption, allowing EU or Schengen country visa holders to qualify for the exemption as well, has been eliminated.
On December 26, 2016, The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy launched a new online portal to accept mandatory notifications from EU and non-EU employers seconding employees to Italy.
Employers are also required to report any updates to their employees’ information within five days of the change, maintain employee documentation for up to two years after the assignment end date, and appoint a company representative.
To comply with the EU Directive on intra-company transferees (ICTs), a proposed law that is set to be implemented in the coming weeks will introduce the new EU ICT Work Permit for non-EU foreign qualified managers and specialists and graduate trainees with at least a Master’s degree sent from a company outside the European Union to an entity in the same corporate group in Luxembourg for a period of more than 90 days.
On or after December 26, 2016, according to a policy change, EU and non-EU employers seconding employees to Italy will be required to submit an online notification through the Labour and Social Policy portal, report any updates to their employees’ information within five days of the change, maintain employee documentation for up to two years after the assignment end date and appoint a company representative.
Following the European Commission report issued in September regarding strengthening the EU’s external border control systems, the European Commission has published a proposal for an electronic European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
EU Legislative Process
The proposal will now be debated by the European Parliament and the Council. The formal adoption of the Regulation is expected in 2017. Once adopted, the technical implementation phase will begin and the system is expected to be fully operational by 2020.
On November 29, 2016, an EU Intracompany Transferee (ICT) Permit will become available for qualified foreign managers, specialists and trainees who are sent from a company outside the European Union to a company in the Netherlands in the same corporate group.
Companies will no longer be able to use the Knowledge Migrant Scheme for such transfers, but the Scheme will still be available for local hires and transferred employees under a Dutch employment contract.
Foreign nationals who hold an EU ICT Permit in one EU Member State will more easily be able to work in other EU Member States under the permit.
Employers based in the European Union/European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland sending employees on assignment to Austria must appoint a document maintenance and information agent by January 1, 2017, according to a new law. For staffing assignments, appointing an agent is optional.
Employers can appoint an assigned employee who is in Austria during the entire project or a lawyer, notary or tax consultant based in Austria as the agent.
Employers must disclose the appointed agent and the document storage location at the beginning of every project, or at the latest with the first KIAB/ZKO filing that has a validity period on or after January 1, 2017.
The Swiss Federal Council has announced that quotas for B- and L-Permit for foreign nationals from non-EU/European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries will increase by 1,000 units in 2017.
This translates to 500 extra units for B-Permits and 500 extra units for L-Permits. Quotas for EU/EFTA nationals on assignment will remain unchanged from 2016. The quotas for Croatian nationals will also remain unchanged.
Effective immediately, a new law delineates several changes related to intra-company transferees (ICTs) in Romania.
New ICT Permit Category
The new rules introduce the term ‘ICT worker’, defined as a non-European Economic Area/European Union/Swiss national who is transferred to Romania for up to three years as a manager or specialist, or for up to one year as a trainee, by an employer established in a third- country in the same corporate group. One of the companies in the corporate group must be located in Romania.
A joint statement by the Cabinet Office, Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office has revealed that the government “fully expect that the legal status of EU nationals living in the UK, and that of UK nationals in EU member states, will be properly protected”.
Employers based in the European Union who send workers to the Netherlands to provide services, transfer workers within a multinational company or who send workers through an employment agency must now comply with Dutch labour laws, according to a new law. The purpose of the law is to prevent companies from setting up fake service provision agreements to avoid Dutch laws.
Following the result of the UK’s EU referendum, which the Leave campaign won with 52% of the vote, there are many questions and uncertainty about the future UK immigration landscape.
The landmark result, which saw more than 30 million people vote, the highest turnout since 1992, has raised a number of concerns for EU nationals living and working in the UK.
Our UK immigration partner is confident that any outstanding or ongoing immigration applications presently with the Home Office for consideration will be unaffected.
Non-EU nationals staying in Belgium for more than three months will be required to submit a signed statement promising to integrate into Belgian society and to respect Belgian laws and values. The signed statement will have to be submitted with the visa application at the Belgian consular post, or at the local Belgian town hall when the residence registration process is started. The rule is expected to be implemented during the summer of 2016.
