UK issues clarification on police registration

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The U.K. government has clarified the police registration requirement for certain nationalities, where the requirement has not been endorsed on visas.

What does the change mean? The police registration condition no longer appears on biometric resident permits, but rather on 30-day entry clearance vignettes that are issued to allow entry into the U.K. Those requiring police registration must bring the vignette and a copy of the letter approving their leave to remain in the U.K. to show the police when registering. The U.K. government has clarified that those who have already traveled to the U.K. with a vignette with an incorrect endorsement must apply to have it amended.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Who is affected: Migrants required to register with police upon arriving in the U.K.
• Impact on processing times: Migrants who fail to register with police within seven days of arrival or who enter the U.K. with a vignette with an incorrect endorsement may face unnecessary delays.
• Business impact: Businesses should familiarize themselves with the rules and contact BAL for help in ensuring that employees do not face any unnecessary delays due to a mistake in the police registration process. Vignettes should be amended before travel where possible.

Background: Police registration is required for migrants from a number of countries who plan on coming to the U.K. for more than six months, who extend their current leave or who obtain a different type of visa. Some exemptions exist, including for family members of EEA nationals. For those for whom it is required, registration must be completed within seven days of arriving in the U.K. Migrants must bring their vignette and a copy of the letter approving their leave to remain when registering. It is advised that the vignette be amended before travel where possible due to the requirement to register with the police within seven days of arrival.

BAL Analysis: Employers should take note of the requirement and work with BAL to ensure that affected employees register with the police within seven days of arriving in the U.K. BAL is available to review visas before travel and to provide assistance if visas have not been properly endorsed.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in the United Kingdom. For additional information, please contact uk@bal.com.

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