Immigration changes
Over the next 12 months, the government will be rolling out its new Australian-style points based system for overseas workers which forms part of the comprehensive reform of the UK immigration system.
The new system only applies to those overseas nationals who are subject to UK immigration control. Overseas nationals who employers can employ without restriction include nationals from EEA countries and Commonwealth citizens with the right of abode.
From Autumn this year, overseas workers subject to immigration control who want to come to the UK will have to show that they have enough points under the new points based system to qualify. In addition to having sufficient points, an individual who wants to come to the UK to work is likely to need a sponsor in the UK. This will generally be a potential UK employer.
To become a sponsor, employers will need to be licensed and approved in advance by the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA). Once licensed, employers will then have to apply for an individual certificate of sponsorship for each migrant they wish to employ.
Fees announced
The government has now announced the proposed fees for the first part the new points based system..
The proposed fee for medium and large companies (more than 50 employees) to register with the BIA as a sponsor is £1,000. The fee is £300 for small companies. This will be a one-off licence fee.
For each migrant worker the employer wishes to sponsor, an individual certificate of sponsorship will be required. The proposed fee for the certificate of sponsorship is £170.
The current cost of obtaining a work permit is £190. This means that for some employers the cost to them of securing immigration approval to recruit a migrant worker under the new system will increase from £190 to £1,170.