Be Aware UK

News and views from DLA Piper's Employment team

Immigration

UK Immigration White Paper 2025: What employers need to know

/ , / Employment, Immigration

On Monday 12 May 2025, the Government published its long-awaited white paper, containing a blueprint for significant changes to the UK immigration system. These changes are a proposed government policy, and require further legislation before becoming law. We have summarised the changes and key points for UK employers below. Overview The white paper, entitled ‘Restoring […]

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UK Immigration update: immigration fees, UK ETA and eVisa update and the care sector

/ , / Immigration

At a glance Immigration fees: From 9 April 2025, ETA fees will increase by 60% to £16. Sponsor licence fees will rise by 7%, and the cost of assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship will increase by 120% to £525. UK ETA update: From 2 April 2025, all non-visa nationals must have UK Electronic Travel Authorisation

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UK Immigration update: eVisas, ETA and the digital immigration system

/ , , , / Immigration

At a glance From 1 January 2025, the UK Home Office will be transitioning towards a fully digitalised immigration system. Physical visa documents, such as stamps and cards will no longer be required to evidence permission to enter, live and work in the UK. Instead, permission will be held and evidenced via an online record,

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UK immigration update: MAC review of the Immigration Salary List

/ / Employment, Immigration

At a glance In a previous post, we discussed the Government’s proposals to overhaul the salary thresholds for the Skilled Worker route. The proposals mean that the current Shortage Occupation List (SOL) would be drastically cut down and the 20% reduction on salary would be removed. The revised list would be known as the Immigration

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UK immigration update: Illegal working civil penalties are increasing – Is your business compliant?  

/ , , , / Employment, Immigration

At a glance Civil penalties for breaches of illegal working regulations will be tripling on 13 February 2024 to GBP45,000 for a first offence and GBP60,000 for each illegal worker for repeat or significant breaches. From 6 April 2024, all sponsors with a licence expiration date falling on or after 6 April 2024 will no

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UK immigration update: Government issues clarifications on planned spring 2024 changes

/ Employment, Immigration

Yesterday, the UK government published further detail on its five-point plan to reduce net migration figures. The announcement addresses concerns which have been raised by ministers and the public. The clarifications of most interest are as follows: The new Skilled Worker salary threshold of GBP38,700 is set to be implemented in April 2024. Skilled Workers who

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UK immigration update: Anticipated Immigration Health Surcharge Increase

/ Employment, Immigration

At a glance: The implementation date for planned increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) still not certain, however this is likely to be 31 January 2024, at the earliest, or early February. Standard fee for adults increasing from GBP624 to GBP1,035 per year. Annual fee for migrants applying as Students, Student dependants and Youth

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UK immigration update: Changes to Visitor Rules – Business Activities

/ / Employment, Immigration

At a glance: Clarification that business visitors in the UK may work remotely for their overseas employment, provided this is not the primary purpose of the visit. Employees of an overseas-based company with a UK branch may now carry out work directly with clients, provided the activity is incidental to their employment overseas and does

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Government announces five-point plan to cut migration figures to the UK

/ / Employment, Immigration, Reform

At a glance: Minimum salary threshold for Skilled Workers set to increase from GBP26,200 to GBP38,700 per annum (a third) from Spring 2024. The 20% reduction which can currently be applied to a role’s ‘going rate’ salary threshold for occupations that appear on the shortage list will be removed. Care workers sponsored under the Health

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UK immigration update: Increases to immigration fees

/ , , / Employment, Immigration

  On 15 September 2023,  the UK government published changes to immigration fees that will come into effect on 4 October 2023. We have summarised the relevant fee changes below. Visa fee increases Fee category Current fee New fee Fee increase Certificate of Sponsorship (payable for all new Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility visas)

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Employers take note: Modified right to work scheme is ending

/ , , , / Employment, Immigration

An important date is looming for employers. On 30 September 2022, the COVID-concessionary modified right to work scheme is ending. It was temporarily introduced in March 2020 as a response to the Coronavirus pandemic and eased the burden on employers checking physical right to work documents in light of the work from home mandates from

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New visa route may open door to wider talent pool for employers

/ , , / Employment, Immigration

The UK government has announced the implementation of a new visa scheme for ‘high potential individuals’ which is welcome news to employers as the war for talent continues. This new scheme will allow alumni of the world’s top universities to work in the UK for 2 years – or 3 years if they hold a

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End of the Brexit transition period and the UK/EU Trade Agreement

/ , / Brexit, Employment, Immigration

At 11 pm on 31 December, the Brexit transition period will finish and this will mark the end of freedom of movement between the United Kingdom and European Union. For EU nationals already resident in the UK, they can continue to live and work in the UK; however they must make an application under the

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UK government releases immigration Statement of Changes

/ , , / Brexit, Employment, Immigration

With only a matter of weeks to go until the Brexit transition period comes to an end, the UK government has now released its Statement of Changes to the UK Immigration Rules. The update formalises the previous government proposals set out in its July 2020 policy paper. The statement is the most voluminous Statement of

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