As part of the first stage of the launch of the new Points Based System today, the Government launched the register of sponsors.

Under the new Tier 2, to be fully launched in Autumn of 2008, employers will issue their own Certificates of Sponsorship using the online Sponsorship Management System. In order to use the system, employers will need to obtain and maintain their place on the Sponsor’s Register. The ability to remain on the register will depend on the employer complying with and meeting requirements and responsibilities, in areas including record-keeping, reporting, compliance and cooperation (with the Border and Immigration Agency).

The new Tier 2 system, with the employers sponsor’s register being a key part, is intended to bring about more efficient monitoring of employer practices, and greater compliance through close monitoring, stiff, quickly-delivered penalties.

Employers who fail to comply fully with the relevant responsibilities will be down-graded from an A-rating to a B-rating, and given a clear “action plan” to help them to improve the practices and procedures. If the action plan is not met within the time frame set, the employer may face removal from the register.

At the time of registration, employers will need to state the tiers within which they wish to sponsor migrants. They will also need to state the number of Certificates that they expect to issue. The volumes of issued certificates will be closely monitored against previously agreed quantities and types. It will be important for employers to maintain accurate records, particularly where there staffing needs or recruitment strategy are likely to be reviewed on a regular basis.

Large volumes of detailed guidance have been released today regarding the requirements, conditions, and application process relating to sponsor registration, as well as the responsibilities and obligations of sponsors.

UK Work Permits will be offering assistance to employers in gaining a place on the register, as well as acting as the representative, and offering ongoing assistance with respect to the Sponsorship Management System. More details of these services will be published on our website in the next 1-2 weeks.

The new Tier 1 (General) was launched today by the Border and Immigration Agency, for individuals already in the UK seeking leave to remain in this category. The category will replace the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (for in-country applicants) and from today leave to remain under the HSMP category will cease.

Tier 1 (”general” subcategory) will be based largely on the HSMP, and the main scoring areas of Age, Qualifications, Earning Power, and UK experience, will remain. The main differences will be as follows:

-The special MBA provision is being scrapped
-There will be a wider number of ways in which a person can meet the English Language Requirement (with 19 approved English Language tests)
-There will be a maintenance requirement meaning that an applicant needs to have a set amount of funds available (plus extra amounts for any dependents
-The previous two-stage application process has been replaced by a single application process.

The vast majority of people who qualified under the previous HSMP, will still qualify under the new Points Based System. UK Work Permits are continuing to offer both the full application service and our document checking service relating to the new PBS Tier 1.

Our website is being updated with a new Tier 1 PBS calculator and there is also other development work taking place, which is due to be completed within the next 1-2 weeks. We apologise for these technical delays, which are having no effect on the provision of service to our clients (this is continuing without interruption).

UK Work Permits Ltd will, in the coming weeks, be using this section of the website to discuss the upcoming Points-Based System, due to be implemented in 2008. In line with our current focus, we will be focusing firstly on Tier 1 (replacement for the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme) and Tier 2 (which will replace the current Business and Commercial work permit scheme) following with an analysis of the other tiers 3-5.

UK Work Permits Ltd issues an important warning to all clients and users of our website.

Fraudsters are using a URL of www.ukworkspermit.com and have crudely copied the name, logo and main design work from the UK Work Permits Ltd genuine website, reproducing it at the address above in order to extract payments from unwitting victims. This website, and its operators, have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with UK Work Permits Ltd, and are operating purely for the purpose of fraudulently and deceitfully extracting payments from individuals.

It is believed that the rogue website is part of a scam which includes fake, well-paid job offers in the UK, which the fraudsters claim can only be taken up once the individual pays for the processing of their work permit. After the victim has paid they will slowly realise that the work permit, like the job, will never materialise. The UK Work Permits Ltd website has been crudely copied to make this scam more believable to potential victims. Users will notice that the telephone, fax, and email contact details (along with the URL) are very different on the rogue website. The matter is being investigated. In the meantime we strongly urge individuals to make no payments to the criminals who are operating the www.ukworkspermit.com website.

If any person is concerned or unsure about which website is the official website for UK Work Permits Ltd, they should visit the website for the Office of The Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC - industry regulator): www.oisc.gov.uk The website contains the correct details for all registered organisations, and these can be found using the “Adviser Finder” link.

Chartered Quantity Surveyors have been added to the list of UK Shortage Occupation List from 23 July 2007. The list comprises occupations that do not require a resident labour test, and so Quantity Surveyor posts will now not need to be advertised before a work permit is issued.

The addition of Chartered Quantity Surveyors to the shortage list follows “consultation with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and relevant key stakeholders on the Engineering Sector Advisory Panel.” It also follows significant pressure from the construction and engineering industries. Representatives of both have been trying to highlight skills shortages for considerable time.

UK Work Permits Ltd has launched a new HSMP Document Checking Service. The service sits between the free initial assessment and the full application service. It will be a suitable option for those wishing to have their supporting documentation thoroughly checked before deciding whether to pursue a HSMP application, either directly, or through an advisor. It will be possible to “upgrade” from the DCS to our full HSMP application service, by paying only the relevant difference between the two services. Information on this service can be found on the general HSMP information page.

19/12/06:

The Government has recently confirmed arrangements for Romanian and Bulgarian nationals. The arrangements are designed to regulate the flow of new workers into the UK. Both nations are set to join the European Union on 1 January 2007, forming the EU-27.

Romanian and Bulgarian nationals will have the right to reside in the UK for the first three months of their residence. Those wishing to remain in the UK for certain purposes may now have permission to do so under the European Union Treaty. The Treaty enables individuals to enter and remain in the UK for the following purposes:

Study

Self employment

As a self sufficient individual

Most individuals coming to the UK in order to work, however, will have access only to the existing current routes. The current routes include low skilled quota based options in the agricultural and food processing sectors, and the existing work permit, and HSMP routes (for those who qualify). The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) will be reserved from now on only for nationals of Romania and Bulgaria.

Romanian and Bulgarian nationals who qualify under the HSMP, SEGS or Fresh Talent Scheme will be recognised as being highly skilled and will be issued with a registration certificate confirming that there are no restrictions on working. Those exercising treaty rights may also apply for registration certificates. Other workers will be issued with an accession worker card (for example, after a UK employer has successfully obtained a work permit). As an additional route, some specific workers will be eligible for accession worker cards (which will be employment-specific). Eligibility for a card without employer sponsorship will be restricted to specific work, work placements and professions.

These transitional arrangements will enable the government to assess the impact of the most recent enlargement of the EU before lifting restrictions any further. The impact may also influence the government’s planned wider immigration reforms. Workers from Bulgaria and Romania are to be provided with “gradual” access to the UK labour market after their accession to the EU on 1 January 2007.

More information on the arrangements for Romanian and Bulgarian nationals will be uploaded soon to the UK Work Permits Ltd website.

The revised Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) scheme was launched today following a short period of suspension. Applications are now being accepted for initial HSMP approval, and for extensions under this category. Extension applications will now be subject to the full new points-based assessment.

The new points criteria have been designed to better reflect the likelihood of migrants’ labour market success. The changes also bring the HSMP closer in line with Government’s aims for migration, including supporting an objective set by the IND Review (July 2006), to boost Britain’s economy by bringing the right skills to the UK from around the world.

The changes are designed to reflect the Government’s desire for “improved transparency and objectivity”. The operation of the new scheme is likely to influence the fine tuning of some aspects of the new five-tiered Points-Based System aimed for implementation by April 2009.

UK Work Permits Ltd’s HSMP points calculator was revised in line with the new system earlier in November, and remains available for those wishing to assess their own eligibily under the revised Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.

UK Work Permits Ltd have revised their fee structure for the preparation of HSMP applications. For those claiming points for earnings relating to salaried employment, our standard fee will now be £750 +Vat. For those claiming earnings relating to self employment, our fee will be £850 +Vat.

Further discounts: files opened by 4 December 2006.

UK Work Permits Ltd are pleased to confirm that for any file that is opened by 4 December 2006 our fees will be reduced by a further 20%. This will temporarily reduce our fees to £600 (salaried) and £680 (self employed). This is a further reduced fee, due to the recent upheaval relating to the HSMP changes. The move is designed to smoothen the expected influx of applications after 5 December. Files opened by UK Work Permits Ltd before this date are intended to be submitted very soon after the scheme is resumed.

Those taking advantage of the reduced fees will still (following a free initial assesmsent) benefit from our 110% refund guarantee.

Anybody interested in pursuing a HSMP application should begin by taking our free online HSMP points calculator. Our list of testimonials includes many comments from past HSMP clients. If any person has any questions in the meantime, they should feel free to contact us.

The Home Office made a shock announcement today that the HSMP scheme was being suspended with (almost) immediate effect. The programme is being overhauled in the meantime, and will be resumed in its revised form on 5th December. The key scoring areas of work experience, significant achievements, skilled partners, and the special arrangements for GP priority applications will all be removed in the HSMP revision. The new scoring areas will include academic qualifications, previous earnings, age, and bonus points will also be available for previous work and / or study in the UK. A new minimum English Language requirement will also be introduced (IELTS level 6).

Any applications submitted and received by the payment processing department on or before 7th November 2007 will be considered against the old criteria.

Between 8th November – 4th December no applications will be considered under the old criteria or the new criteria. Those wishing to make applications in the near future are being advised to wait until after 5th December. Any applications received on 5th December will be given priority over any applications received during the suspension period.

UK Work Permits Ltd will be revising their HSMP points calculator as soon as possible to reflect the changes in the programme. Please check again soon if you want to establish your eligibility under the new scheme.