Figures from the Office of National Statistics confirm that a total of 728,000 people (non EU nationals) came to the UK in the year ending June 2024.

• 52% of the migrants were male and 48% were female
• 82% were between 16 and 64 years old

The top 5 nationalities were:

1. Indian (240,000)
2. Nigerian (120,000)
3. Pakistani (101,000)
4. Chinese (78,000)
5. Zimbabwean (36,000)

The majority of people (417,000) came to the UK to work, followed by study (375,000). 76,000 people came to the UK to join family members.

The routes most significantly affected due to changes in the Immigration Rules were the Health and Care Worker visa and student visa routes, as they are no longer permitted to bring their dependants to the UK.

Deadline for E-Visas – Apply Now!

Over 3 million people have started the process of accessing their e-Visa by creating a UKVI account.

For those who haven’t made the switch yet, Home Office Guidance states that if physical documents, such as a Biometric Residence Permit, have expired, it is still possible to use the expired BRP’s to travel in and out of the UK before 31^st March 2025.

It is advisable to start the e-Visa process as soon as possible so that individuals are able to instantly and securely prove their immigration rights.  The process is free and there is guidance and information available on www.gov.uk for those who are uncertain on how to complete it.

Immigration Salary List – What is it and How Does it Benefit Businesses?

The Immigration Salary List consists of a variety of jobs that the Home Office deem to be key sectors which need to be filled at a lower salary than the minimum requirement of £38,700.

The jobs on the list include:

• Pharmacists
• Graphic designers
• Some farming and fishing roles
• Construction workers
• Vets
• Health and care workers

Businesses in the above sectors can recruit migrant workers provided that they meet the requirements of the immigration rules on sponsorship. The sponsoring company also must ensure that the individual candidates they wish to employ have the relevant number of points needed for the Skilled Worker route.

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Read on to explore the benefits of business immigration and the importance of working with a business immigration specialist to unlock your company’s competitive edge.

What is Business Immigration

Business immigration refers to the process of hiring foreign nationals to work for your business, and includes three main types of immigration: employment-based, corporate, and sponsorship. Employment-based immigration involves recruiting a foreign-based professional for a specific job, whilst corporate immigration refers to the process of transferring an employee from one country to another. Sponsorship immigration, however, is when a company sponsors a foreign national for a work visa. All of these avenues for business immigration are invaluable strategies for businesses looking to access new talent and skill sets, expand their global footprint, and unlock their competitive edge.

How Can Business Immigration Unlock Your Competitive Edge?

There are several key advantages to business immigration, the most notable of which is access to a wider and more diverse pool of talent and expertise. By recruiting skilled professionals from other countries, you can bring new perspectives and ideas to your business which is essential for growth and competition in an increasingly globalised economy. By recruiting international talent with specific skills and experience, you can ensure that your business has the right talent in place to stay competitive in the marketplace.

The transfer of knowledge about industry-specific processes or products, including how these products are received in other countries, can be an invaluable asset. These new professionals will also bring a wealth of information on how industries operate within these cultures, which can help your company to navigate the global market more effectively. This can in turn help your business to expand your operations globally by tapping into new customer bases and increasing your business revenue.

Business immigration is a complex legal process that requires extensive knowledge of immigration law. It is essential to consult with a dedicated business immigration specialist to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and requirements.

Working with a business immigration specialist

If you are considering investing in global talent acquisition to benefit your business, it is essential to consult with a business immigration specialist.

Knowledge of Immigration Law

Firstly, a business immigration specialist will have the expertise and experience to guide and support your business throughout the entire immigration process. Whether you require advice and guidance with visa applications, sponsorship, citizenship or permanent residency, a business immigration specialist will streamline the process and reduce the administrative burden on your business.

Understanding of Cultural Differences

A corporate immigration specialist will also be able to help your company to navigate any cultural and language barriers to navigate the global market more effectively. This will help your company communicate more effectively with international clients, partners and potential employees, ensuring a smooth transition and high levels of employee satisfaction.

Access to a Network of Resources

Finally, a business immigration specialist has access to a network of resources that can help your company with global talent acquisition. They can provide strategic guidance on job postings, recruitment strategies, and visa applications, as well as formulating a comprehensive immigration strategy to access new talent and markets.

Compliance

A business immigration advisor will utilise their extensive knowledge of immigration law and regulations to ensure that your company is complying with all the rules and regulations surrounding the business immigration processes. By contracting a dedicated business immigration specialist to guide your business through the process, you will avoid costly mistakes, delays and any potential legal issues, including fines or penalties, for incorrect or incomplete processes.

Alexandra Kaleniuk Immigration Specialists

Working with a business immigration advisor to navigate the complexities of business immigration and global talent acquisition will provide your business with invaluable expertise, support, and guidance throughout the process. If you are interested in exploring the world of business immigration, or you have a requirement for a business immigration specialist, contact us today to learn more about how our business immigration services can help your company succeed in today’s global market.

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If you’re thinking about expanding your business through business immigration, read on to learn more about the importance of business immigration advice and finding the right immigration lawyer for your business.

The Role of a Business Immigration Lawyer

A business immigration lawyer is a legal professional who specialises in providing legal immigration services and advice to businesses. The key role of an immigration lawyer is to guide businesses through the complex immigration system and protect the interests of the business and their potential employees. This primarily involves ensuring compliance with immigration laws and regulations, as well as providing legal and administrative support throughout the process. They can also provide legal representation, help businesses to understand their legal obligations, and assist in the development and implementation of immigration policies and procedures.

The Benefits of Business Immigration Advice

The importance of hiring an immigration lawyer for a company’s business immigration needs cannot be overstated and there are several key benefits of engaging a professional immigration lawyer to assist with your business immigration requirements:

Tailored Advice

A business immigration lawyer assesses the requirements of a business and provides tailored immigration advice and guidance based on these circumstances. Their expertise can help identify suitable visa categories or immigration pathways for their clients whilst helping the businesses maintain compliance with immigration laws and regulations.

Cost-Effective

By hiring a professional immigration lawyer, companies can ensure that their immigration needs are met in a timely and efficient manner. The immigration lawyer will also provide strategic advice on the most suitable visa category or immigration pathway for the client’s needs, which can save time and money in the long run, as well as helping the business avoid potential legal issues and costly mistakes that could result in visa delays or denials.

Expertise and Experience

Additionally, an immigration lawyer can help businesses stay up-to-date on changes in immigration laws and regulations, enabling them to remain compliant and avoid potential legal issues.They can provide guidance and support throughout the process, ensuring that businesses have the best chance of achieving their immigration goals.

Peace of Mind

One often overlooked element of business immigration is the emotional toll the process can take on current and potential employees. By outsourcing the legal aspects of the immigration process to an experienced professional, businesses can reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with navigating the immigration process.

Finding the Right Immigration Lawyer for Your Business

Business immigration lawyers offer a wide range of immigration services to businesses, from obtaining visas for employees, to sponsoring international workers for permanent residency. When searching for the right immigration lawyer for your business, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the type of immigration services that your business requires.

In addition to providing legal services throughout the immigration process, business immigration lawyers also offer a range of support services. These services include preparing and submitting immigration applications, representing clients in immigration proceedings, and advising clients on compliance with immigration laws and regulations. Having a clear understanding of the unique immigration requirements of your business or clients will allow you to choose the right immigration lawyer for your business immigration needs.

Alexandra Kaleniuk Immigration Lawyer

Whether you are a small, medium or large business, let us handle your business immigration needs whilst you concentrate on identifying the ideal international candidates to grow your global reach and improve your team.

Explore our business immigration services here, or contact our experienced team on +44 (0)121 231 7145 today to discuss your business immigration needs.

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The new Scale-Up Visa will launch in spring 2022 to help businesses access talent worldwide. The UK currently benefits from significant international talent- a third of our science Nobel Laureates have been immigrants. Half of our fastest growing companies have a foreign-born founder.

In addition to this is the new Global Talent Network, launching initially in the Bay Area, Boston and Bangalore, which will identify, attract and relocate the best global talent in key science and tech sectors and has the potential to make the UK visa system for international talent the most competitive in the world.

The new Scale-Up Visa is positive news for international graduates. Applicants will need to have passed the language proficiency requirement and have a high skilled job offer from an eligible business in a variety of sectors including academia, science, research and technology, with a salary of at least £33,000.

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UK Employers should remind them of the approaching deadline and cascade the information in the employer toolkit available on GOV.UK. 
From 1 July, new EU, EEA and Swiss employees who are hired will need to demonstrate their right to work either with the pre-settled or settled status, or with a visa under the points-based immigration system

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But what has the impact been on immigration, specifically to the UK and within the UK, and how have the authorities dealt with this very important area of life during a global pandemic?

PEOPLE IN THE UK WHOSE VISA IS EXPIRING

Whilst it is expected that people whose leave is expiring try to leave the UK as soon as possible, if there are no flights available or the person concerned has coronavirus there are options to remain by applying for something called ‘exceptional assurance’ which the Home Office may grant depending on the evidence and reasons provided. A grant of exceptional assurance means that the person can remain in the UK under the conditions they were initially given but is not a grant of leave.

PEOPLE WHO WISH TO REMAIN IN THE UK

For those people who wish to remain in the UK, they will need to apply for leave to remain if they meet the relevant requirements.

The terms of current permission will remain the same until the application is decided. If the applicant is switching into work or study routes they may be able to commence work or study whilst their application is under consideration, depending on the terms of their current permission.

An applicant is also able to apply for permission to stay to remain in the UK if they have been issued with an ‘exceptional assurance’. The application must be submitted before the expiry of ‘exceptional assurance’.

If an applicant has overstayed their leave

If a visa or leave has expired between 24 January 2020 and 31 August 2020 there will be no future adverse immigration consequences if an application isn’t made to regularise your stay during this period. However, if an applicant has not applied to regularise their stay or submitted a request for an exceptional assurance they

Application and service centres in the UK

As immigration and visa services are an essential service applicants can still travel to attend appointments and enrol biometrics.

Most UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS) have reopened for existing customers. Applicants can check which UKVCAS centres are open and book an appointment if they have not already done so.

UKVCAS Service Points are essential services and will remain open throughout the UK so customers can continue to book and attend appointments to progress their visa applications. Service and Support Centres (SSCs) are essential services and will remain open. SSCs are offering a reduced number of appointments because of coronavirus

Applications for a visitor visa, visa in transit or direct airside transit visa (DAT)

The application decision may be delayed if the application is being made from a country where travel to the UK is suspended. In this case, an applicant will receive their visa when suspension of travel is lifted if the application is successful.

If travel to the UK is suspended but an applicant needs to travel urgently for compassionate reasons, they still need to apply for a visa in the usual way, including submitting biometrics at their chosen Visa Application Centre (VAC). The applicant should clearly explain the compelling or compassionate reasons for their visit in the application form and alert the VAC staff during biometric submission. The applicant should then be contacted by UKVI once your application has been received.

DELAYS

Obviously one of the main effects of the pandemic has been the delay in various factors associated with UK Immigration. Applicants for citizenship, for example, are having to wait longer for the citizenship ceremony when they will pledge allegiance to Queen and country. Whilst some ceremonies have taken place virtually, the rule regarding numbers who are permitted to gather together for various events means that actual ‘live’ ceremonies are not currently happening.

Entry clearance applications have also been affected.

Application decisions may be delayed if the application is from a country where travel to the UK is suspended. Applicants will receive their visa when suspension of travel is lifted if their application is successful.

If travel to the UK is suspended but applicants need to travel urgently for compassionate reasons, they still need to apply for a visa in the usual way, including submitting biometrics at their chosen Visa Application Centre (VAC).Applicants should clearly explain the compelling or compassionate reasons for their visit in their application form and alert the VAC staff during biometric submission. They will then be contacted by UKVI once the application has been received.

Applications to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life

If an applicant is unable to travel back to the UK due to coronavirus travel restrictions and thei leave has expired, a short break in continuous residence will be overlooked. Applicants are expected to make their next application as soon as possible.

There will be no future adverse immigration consequences if there has been a short break of continuous residence if leave expires between 1 March 2020 and 31 May 2021. However, if an applicant returned to the UK and did not make a valid application to stay upon their re-entry, they must now make arrangements to leave.

If an applicant intends to leave the UK but has not been able to do so and they have a visa or leave that expires between 1 December 2020 and 31 May 2021 they may request additional time to stay, known as ‘exceptional assurance’.

If an applicant’s leave expires after 31 October 2020, they can make their application from inside the UK where they would usually need to apply for a visa from their home country if either one of the following applies:

• The application is urgent, for example if there is a family emergency and cannot apply from outside the UK
• The applicant cannot apply from outside the UK due to coronavirus

If an applicant is in the UK with 6 months’ leave as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner and the wedding or civil ceremony has been delayed due to coronavirus they may request additional time to stay, also known as ‘exceptional assurance’, and providing evidence of when the wedding or civil partnership ceremony will take place.

Otherwise, an applicant can apply to extend your stay for a further 6 months to allow the ceremony to take place.

Changes to the minimum income and adequate maintenance requirement

If an applicant has experienced a loss of income due to coronavirus up to 31 May 2021, the Home Office will consider employment income for the period immediately before the loss of income, provided the minimum income requirement was met for at least 6 months immediately before the date the income was lost.

If an applicant’s salary has reduced because they have been furloughed the Home Office will take account of the applicant’s income as though they are earning 100% of their salary.

If an applicant is self-employed, a loss of annual income due to coronavirus between 1 March 2020 and 31 May 2021 will usually be disregarded, along with the impact on employment income from the same period for future applications.

For further information regarding any other categories that you might personally be affected by because of the pandemic please contact me by email alex@akic.co.uk or telephone 0121 231 7145 and I will be happy to advise.

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Whilst immigrants from India, the Philippines and other non EU countries work tirelessly as doctors, nurses and health professionals in hospitals and care homes and to care for and look after people suffering with the virus, thousands of ‘unskilled’ workers are carrying out critical work that is essential to the running of vital services throughout the country.

Care staff, food processing staff, supermarket workers, and delivery drivers are all helping to make this period as bearable and manageable as possible. Without them the country would be in a far worse state so the very least that can be done is for the government to acknowledge and recognise that low skilled workers are just as important and are entitled to the same security as their higher skilled counterparts whose visas can be automatically extended for up to a year if their current visas expire before October 2020.

The events of the past few months have proved how integral a role all foreign employees have in UK society-any new points based system which could eliminate this essential part of our workforce is prejudicial, insensitive and potentially disastrous to the economy and overall well-being of the country as it continues to deal with the impact of the biggest crisis we have seen since World War 2.

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There is guidance on http://www.gov.uk regarding individuals who are in the UK legally, but whose visa is due to, or has already expired, and who cannot leave because of travel restrictions related to COVID-19. They will not be regarded as an overstayer, or suffer any detriment in the future.
A visa will be extended to 31 May 2020 if an individual cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus (COVID- 19). Individuals must contact the Coronavirus Immigration Team email to advise of their situation.

The Coronavirus Immigration Team contact details are:

Email: CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk
Individuals should include the following in their email:
Full name (include any middle names) o DOB(dd/mm/yyyy)
Nationality
Existing visa details
Reason that has required them to extend their stay (for example, the
suspension of all flight to their place of permanent residence)

The email must be in English.

Telephone: 0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) Calls are free of charge.
The Coronavirus Immigration Team will update relevant details on UKVI databases. Individuals will be advised that UKVI have noted their details; they will not be subject to enforcement action; and this period will not be held against them in future applications.

This requirement to contact Coronavirus Immigration Team applies to individuals of any nationality whose leave expires between 24 January 2020 and 30 May 2020.
Individuals who cannot leave the UK due to travel restrictions or self-isolation and wish to stay in the UK in the long-term would ordinarily need to apply for a visa from their home country.
Where individuals would normally be required to return to their country of residence to apply for a visa in a different category, they’ll now be able to apply from the UK to switch.
Individuals will need to be switching from/to a published eligible route and will need to meet the same visa requirements and pay the same application fee.
This includes those whose leave has been auto-extended to 31 March 2020.
Applicants can apply online as usual and select a biometric submission appointment to attend if they are able to in line with public health guidance. We will process applications as quickly as we can but there are likely to be delays due to Covid-19. The terms of their leave will remain the same until their application is decided.
Individuals will not be regarded as an overstayer or be subject to enforcement action if they are unable to attend a biometric appointment due to Covid-19 or if there are delays in processing your application.

Please check http://www.ukvcas.co.uk for up to date advice on UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres.

Further information regarding Tier 4 students and Tier 2 and Tier 5 workers is available at: gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19- advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents

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Sopra Steria, which runs all UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres within the United Kingdom, has the following message on its website:

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE 1 If you have Coronavirus symptoms and should be self-isolating, or if you have Coronavirus, you must not attend your appointment. Please email admin.ukvas@soprasteria.com with ‘COVID-19’ and your UAN in the subject to say that you cannot attend. We will refund your fee and will tell the Home Office.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE 2 If after your visit to us, you develop symptoms, or have Coronavirus, please email admin.ukvas@soprasteria.com with ‘COVID-19’ and your UAN in the subject and details of your appointment.

Outside the UK

UK visa application centres in China are closed. VFS Global, which runs the centres, has stated that it is returning passports held in those visa application centres to customers by courier where requested. Those who want to ask for their passport back can “contact VFS Global directly by emailing feedback.ukcn@vfshelpline.comto discuss available options. Please include your GWF number and the city where you made your application in your email”.

VFS has a dedicated coronavirus page listing application centre closures worldwide. As of 17 March 2020, it reports that:

The UK has stopped accepting visa applications in China (except Xi’an), Tehran (Iran), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Manila (the Philippines), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Kingston (Jamaica), Georgetown (Cayman Islands), Bridgetown (Barbados), Nassau (Bahamas), Castries (St Lucia), Lima (Peru), Caracas (Venezuela), and Albany and, Fargo, Virgin Islands, Oakland, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Salinas, Santa Rosa in the (US), Quito, Guyaquil (Ecuador), North Mumbai (India), and Hamilton (Bermuda).

In addition, it says that the “UK has stopped accepting Priority Visa applications in Japan, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Brunei”.

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