Business Immigration and Regulation
The complete legal service for Business Immigration and Regulation
Introduction
- Economic migration to the United Kingdom has increased significantly over the last few years.
- More businesses than ever are dependant on employing labour from the European Union and elsewhere.
- The number of foreign nationals working in the UK was estimated by the Department of Work and Pensions to be 2.1 million in 2007 up from 1.5 million in 2005. In October 2006 the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (DBEER) reported that “according to the Labour Force Survey in 2006, 11.3 per cent of people employed in the UK were born overseas”.
- There are recognised skills or labour shortages in many areas particularly agriculture. Many Employers and Recruitment Agencies recognised that foreign labour may provide the solution.
- The Rules relating to the admission and employment of foreign workers are complex particularly with the advent of the new “Points based system” introducing 4/5 Tiers of potential employees and the requirement for certain employers to be licensed as Sponsors.
- Employers have a responsibility to check the entitlement to work in the United Kingdom of all new employees in order to establish a defence against criminal conviction, or an excuse against payment of a civil penalty, for employing an illegal migrant worker. The penalty for knowingly employing workers without permission can include imprisonment.
The Business Immigration and Regulation team at Leathes Prior is able to assist both actual and prospective employers and employees with any visa, immigration or employment issues they may face.
Employers/Employees
- We can assist employers and employees with any visa or immigration issues.
- We are able to liaise with the UK Border Agency in the UK as well as Visa Application Centres at British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates abroad.
- We can advise on the requirements to be met for compliance with the Immigration Rules and assist with the process from lodging the application to dealing with the grant or refusal of Entry Clearance or Leave to Remain.
- We provide representation before the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Tribunal and all Appellate Courts
- In particular we can assist with applications by or for
- Highly Skilled Workers
- Inter-company transfers
- Sponsored Skilled Workers
- Temporary Workers
- Entrepreneurs
- Investors
- Special categories including Sports people, Post Graduate Doctors or Dentists
- Dependants
Employers
We are able to assist employers comply with their legal obligations.
In particular we can advise on:-
- Obtaining a Sponsorship Licence and compliance with the Codes of Practice
- Employing foreign labour including:-
- All applicants eligible to work under any of the 5 Tiers
- EU Citizens
- Inter-company transfers
- Working holiday-makers
- Other permitted categories under the Immigration Rules
- Checking and recording all employees’ entitlement to work in the UK including representation on investigations/prosecutions for alleged breach of the relevant requirements
- Registration with the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and compliance with Codes of Practice
Entrepreneurs/Investors/Self Employed
We can assist those planning to set up or invest in a business in the UK.
In particular we can advise on:-
- • Obtaining a visa or leave to remain as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur or Investor
- Company Incorporation
- Partnership Agreements
- Contracts
- Employment
- Property acquisition
- Licensing requirements
Immigration help and advice
Our Business Immigration and Regulation team offers useful and informative seminars for you and your business. For more information or to organise a seminar please see our relevant page - http://www.leathesprior.co.uk/resources/seminars/
"I would like to thank you and your team for taking the time to deliver your presentation, regarding Tier 4 immigration and our sponsor duties, to senior colleagues within the University. The presentation was extremely informative and very powerful. My colleagues also valued the opportunity to speak freely with you about their concerns regarding PBS and the recent immigration changes which have affected both students and staff at UEA. We were all very grateful that you took so much time to answer our questions and your visit has already been discussed at a number of strategy meetings. Also, thank you for the advice and guidance that you have given to my team of international student advisers throughout the last year. We look forward to working with you in the future in order to improve our immigration services and this will undoubtedly enhance the experience of our international students."
[Jane Amos, Head of the International Student Advisory Team, University of East Anglia]
If you have any enquiries, please contact Tim Cary or Dan Chapman – or alternatively please call us on 01603 610911.
