Search
Contact
Login
Share this article
IMPACT — MEDIUM
The Home Office expects a workers’ strike will cause processing delays for those renewing their passports from April 3 to May 5.
Key Points:
BAL Analysis: Those trying to renew their passports during the strike should expect significant delays. Individuals with urgent travel needs should renew their passports as soon as possible.
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.
The Home Office has announced that it will lift its COVID-19 testing requirements for those traveling from mainland China.
BAL Analysis: The Home Office implemented the testing measures in January amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in China. The government said that COVID-19 has returned to a normal level in China and adjusted its response to the COVID-19 virus as needed.
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.
The U.K. Home Office has announced that it will require travelers who do not need a visa to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization.
Additional Information: ETA will be valid for two years for multiple entries 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 U.K. from Gulf Cooperation Council countries to pay a higher cost for a single-use visit.
The U.K.’s Migration Advisory Committee announced a Call for Evidence in its review of the Shortage Occupation List.
The Call for Evidence seeks to gather employers’ views on:
Employers’ should submit their evidence before May 26. More information regarding the Call for Evidence is available here.
Additional Information: The MAC considers the data and qualitative evidence from stakeholders and compiles a recommended list of occupations for the Shortage Occupation List; however, the Home Office has the final authority in deciding which occupations are selected. The £20,480 minimum threshold is likely, subject to Parliamentary approval, to be increased to £20,960 as part of the Immigration Rules changes expected on March 9.
BAL Analysis: The Call for Evidence allows employers to provide evidence to include certain occupations on the Shortage Occupation List and to provide evidence of conditions limiting access to foreign workers of all skill levels. Stakeholders are reminded that they must respond to the Call for Evidence before May 26.
The Home Office recently resumed priority services for new marriage and family visa applications.
BAL Analysis: The Home Office resumed priority services for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine to reduce backlogs for eligible visa applicants.
The Home Office expects a workers’ strike will cause processing delays at land border crossings, airports and U.K. ports of entry beginning Feb. 1.
Additional Information: Travelers can check airport websites before traveling for the latest information related to possible delays caused by the strike.
BAL Analysis: Those with planned travel to the U.K. from Feb. 1-2 should check the latest travel advice before traveling.
The Home Office recently announced that the Asia-Pacific (APAC) Youth Mobility Scheme ballot will open on Jan. 17.
BAL Analysis: Eligible nationals of APAC countries will soon be able to apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot; however, the availability of these visas is limited to 800 ballot places per country/region. Successful applicants should receive an email by Jan. 20. Those interested in the Youth Mobility Scheme should apply again in July if they are not selected in the first ballot. BAL will continue to monitor Youth Mobility Scheme developments and will provide more information as it becomes available.
The Home Office announced that it will increase the minimum wage by more than 9% in April 2023.
Additional Information: The minimum wage is relevant to all workers in the United Kingdom, whose wages cannot be lower than the minimum wage. Foreign workers must be paid above the minimum wage.
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 when planning their 2023 budgets.
Copyright © 2022 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.
The governments of Switzerland and the U.K. have extended their Services Mobility Agreement until January 2026.
Background: Having provisionally been in effect since Jan. 1, 2021, the SMA maintains ease of access for service providers following the end of the free movement of persons between Switzerland and the U.K. following the U.K.’s withdrawal from the EU. It regulates market access and temporary stays for service providers, such as business consultants, IT experts and engineers.
BAL Analysis: The extension of the SMA between the U.K. and Switzerland is positive news, as it will allow certain professionals and other services workers to continue traveling freely between the two countries to work without work permit approval for up to 90 days a year. This extension gives businesses flexibility when conducting business or providing services between Switzerland and the United Kingdom without complications and delays that would be applicable if an individual required a work permit in either country.
The Home Office recently provided updated guidance for employers sponsoring foreign nationals through the Worker and Temporary Worker immigration programs.
Additional Information: Once a worker receives permission to enter the United Kingdom, they should normally start their sponsored employment within 28 days after the start date on their CoS; the “valid from” date on the worker’s entry clearance vignette; or the date the worker is notified of a grant of entry clearance or permission to stay, whichever is later.
BAL Analysis: BAL will continue to follow changes to U.K. immigration rules and will provide more information as it becomes available.