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IMPACT — MEDIUM
The Home Office has announced several immigration-related updates, including the submission timeline for the second ballot of the India Young Professionals Scheme, the allowance of 10- and 11-year-old children to use passport eGates, and the end of visa-exempt travel to the United Kingdom from five countries.
Key Points:
Additional Information: As BAL reported last week, the U.K. has also announced significant increases in some immigration fees and the immigration health surcharge. Officials have not yet announced when these measures will take effect, though it is likely they could take effect in Fall 2023. Employers may consider pushing through applications between now and then to take advantage of the current, lower fees. BAL will continue following the pending increases and will provide information as it becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
IMPACT — HIGH
In a recent speech, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced significant increases in some immigration fees and the immigration health surcharge.
Key Points:
Additional Information: Officials have not yet announced when these measures will take effect. The fee increases will be used to help fund pay raises for certain public sector jobs. BAL will continue following the pending increases and will provide information as it becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
The Home Office announced that the second APAC Youth Mobility Scheme ballot will open on July 24.
BAL Analysis: Eligible nationals of APAC countries will soon be able to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot; however, only a limited allocation of these visas is available. Successful applicants should receive an email by July 31. Those who are unsuccessful in the second ballot will receive an email within two weeks of the ballot closing. BAL will continue to monitor Youth Mobility Scheme developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.
The Home Office announced changes for the information required when adding Level 1 users on the Sponsor Management System.
Additional Information: Requests may be denied for those who do not have a valid reason for not having a NINO or do not provide evidence that they have applied for a NINO.
BAL Analysis: Individuals should add their NINO as soon as possible to avoid possible complications and delays. U.K. authorities are planning to introduce similar requirements for Authorizing Officers and Key Contacts later this year. BAL will provide more information as it is made available.
The Home Office has provided additional guidance for travelers required to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization.
Additional Information: ETA will be valid for two years (or to the expiration date of the applicant’s passport, if sooner) for multiple entry into the country. Individuals who are denied ETA must apply for a Standard Visitor visa, Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa or transit visa. More information regarding ETA is available here.
BAL Analysis: The Home Office is introducing ETA to increase border security and improve travel for those who do not need a visa to enter the country. ETA is set to replace the current Electronic Visa Waiver Scheme, which requires visitors to the United Kingdom from Gulf Cooperation Council countries to pay a higher cost for a single-use visit.
The U.K. Home Office plans to introduce new restrictions to student visa routes to reduce migration.
Beginning in January 2024, authorities plan to:
Additional Information: U.K. authorities do not plan restrictions on graduate visa routes at this time.
BAL Analysis: The new government restrictions to student visa routes aim to cut net migration by restricting the ability for international students to bring family members on all but post-graduate research routes and banning people from using a student visa to work in the United Kingdom.
The Canadian government has announced that it will introduce new passports with enhanced security features and online passport renewal.
Additional Information: Canadian nationals can use the Passport Application Status Checker to see the status of their application.
BAL Analysis: Canadian authorities introduced the new passport design with enhanced security features to protect the personal information of Canadian citizens and streamline the passport renewal process.
The U.K. Home Office has published its list of endorsing bodies for the Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas.
Additional Information: Foreign nationals who have been offered an endorsement by an organization that is not on the endorsing bodies list can report it through this website.
BAL Analysis: Applicants and immigration advisors should refer to the information on gov.uk for general queries regarding the Innovator Founder route. Those who need further information should contact U.K. Visas and Immigration.
The U.K. Home Office has granted eligibility concessions to some individuals applying for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) status.
BAL Analysis: The Home Office has granted concessions under the Hong Kong BN(O) route to make the program more inclusive and waive requirements that were deemed unfair to certain family members and adult children.
The Home Office will increase the minimum salary requirements for some visa categories on April 12.
Additional Information: Sponsors must pay at least the minimum salary requirement or the going rate for the role for certificates of sponsorship assigned on or after April 12. The new going rates are available here on page 39. Sponsors must also pay above the minimum hourly rate, which is £10.75 per hour, increased from £10.10 per hour for Skilled Worker and Scale-up applications.
BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new wage minimums into account and adjust their 2023 budgets if necessary.