Ad campaign to remind employers of new migrant worker rules

15 August 2008

An ad campaign is due to roll out on national television highlighting the new rules governing immigration that come into force in November.

The new regulations on employing migrant workers from outside the EU are part of a major overhaul of the UK’s economic migration system.

Under the new regime, employers who wish to take on skilled workers from countries outside the EU will require a licence and will have to sponsor the arrival of the employee.

Licences will cost between £300 and £1000, while there will be a fee of £170 for each sponsorship application.

The new vetting process will also involve an assessment of the employee’s ability to match the skills needs of the economy. This will be determined by the number of points the individual gains according to their qualifications and experience.

The Home Office’s Border Agency (UKBA) has said that the vetting process may take as long as two months to complete.

Earlier this year the Home Office unveiled the criteria which businesses will have to meet to become a sponsor under the points-based system.

These mean that any business must register with the UKBA as a sponsor before they can bring foreign workers from outside the EEA into the UK to work, and that, as a condition of keeping their licence, sponsors will need to alert the UKBA if migrants do not comply with their immigration conditions.

To enter the UK under the Tier 2 rules, skilled foreign workers must accrue sufficient points judged on their qualifications and potential earnings; a good grasp of English; and enough money to support themselves for the first month of their stay.

Lin Homer, chief executive of the UKBA, said: “The points-based system is one of the biggest shake-ups to the immigration system in a generation ensuring only those with the skills we need will be able to work or study here, and no more.

“Business benefits from migrant labour but must join us in helping crack down on illegal working and ensure a system which is both firm and fair. We need employers to understand that unless they register by 1 October, when they want to get foreign workers in later in the year they are going to struggle. If you need to register foreign workers get your application in now.”

More information about the licences is available at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/