UK Businesses Face New Immigration Fees and Rules

Immigration Fees to Increase

The Home Office has confirmed that a rise in various immigration fees will come into effect on April 9th and will add to the ongoing costs of recruiting foreign workers for many companies.

Skilled Worker Visa holders, sponsors and those applying for citizenship will face increases as part of the updated fees.

A major impact for UK businesses will be the rise in the cost of the Certificate of Sponsorship fees for Skilled Workers, Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Workers, Ministers of Religion and International Sportsperson (over 12 months) which will increase from £239 to £525.

For medium and large sponsors, the cost of applying for a Sponsor Licence will increase from £1,476 to £1,579 at the start of next month.

New Skilled Worker Income Deductions

Another change which could impact the ability to recruit staff from overseas is the recent update to permitted deductions when assessing a Skilled Worker’s eligible income.

The Home Office will now consider certain payments when assessing whether a Skilled Worker Visa applicant meets the minimum salary threshold including any repayments of loans.

Therefore, if an employer opts to loan the worker the cost of sponsorship or arranges for visa fees to be repaid through salary deductions, these amounts will now be taken into account when determining whether the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold has been met.

Rule Change For Sponsoring Care Workers from Overseas

From April, care providers in England will need to prove they have attempted to recruit an existing settled worker before being allowed to sponsor staff from overseas.

The change is aimed at ensuring those already in the country and looking for work within the care sector can successfully find employment.

There has been an increase in care workers from abroad who no longer have sponsorship, because their sponsors have been unable to offer sufficient work or have lost their sponsor licences following the Home Office’s increased focus on compliance within the industry.

Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, explained: “As we crack down on shameful rogue operators exploiting overseas workers here in the UK, we must do all we can to get the victims back into rewarding careers in adult social care.

Prioritising care workers who are already in the UK will get people back to work reducing our reliance on international recruitment, and make sure our social care sector has the care professionals it needs.”

How Can an IAS Immigration Lawyer Help Your Business?

For more information on sponsoring overseas workers and ensuring your business is compliant with UK immigration policy contact IAS today.

Our experienced team can help support your recruitment plans and work with your HR department to ensure you are well-placed to attract the most suitable workers from around the world.

Contact us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244 to find out more about our corporate services and how we can help your business and recruitment plans.