Get The Visibility Your Company Needs
Reduce compliance risks and mobility costs while managing individual and project-related travel with ImmiSMART: the solution that unifies your travel and mobility programs.
United Kingdom Immigration Services
With offices in London, Newland Chase UK provides corporations and individuals operating in the United Kingdom with complete support for all their immigration and visa needs – inbound to the UK and outbound to more than 190 countries around the world. Our full spectrum of services allows us to manage all of your business visa and employee immigration needs.
The UK’s migration laws are complex and constantly changing. Newland Chase’s team of highly qualified consultants, regulated and accredited by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), provides unparalleled expertise in the complexities of UK visa rules and regulations. Our team of UK immigration specialists provides the most up-to-date, comprehensive advice and expertise to clients across all sectors, delivering tailored solutions customized to our clients’ business needs.
Immigration Summary
The Skilled Worker Visa process is for applicants who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce that cannot be filled by a settled worker. After five lawful and continuous years of residence this category may lead to settlement. Salary should be paid according to the relevant Code of Practice for the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code or a minimum of GBP 26,200 per annum - whichever is higher.
The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility) process is for employees transferring between commonly owned entities. It allows a maximum duration of stay in the UK of five years in any six year period or nine years in any 10 year period for employees earning GBP £73,900 annually, but does not lead to settlement. This visa has replaced the Intra-company Transfer visa, previously the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa.
The applicant must have been employed by the sending company for a minimum of 12 months. Note that this requirement is not applicable to applicants paid GBP £73,900 and above. Salary should be paid according to the relevant Code of Practice for the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code or minimum salary of GBP £45,800, whichever is higher.
The Graduate Trainee Visa (Global Business Mobility) process is for graduate trainees transferring between commonly owned entities and coming to the UK temporarily as part of a structured graduate training programme with progression towards a managerial or specialist role within the organisation. This route allows a maximum duration of stay in the UK of 12 months and must not be used to fill long-term posts. The applicant must have been employed by the sending company for a minimum of three months. Salary should be paid according to the new entrant rate in the relevant Code of Practice for the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code or minimum salary of GBP £24,200, whichever is higher.
The Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange scheme is designed specifically to allow undergraduates and graduates to gain experience working in UK industry as an intern in a skilled temporary role. Note that the work that the intern will do should be additional to the UK entity's normal staffing requirements and that the sponsorship of this category will go through a government approved sponsor, rather than the host entity. This category may also be used for academics and researchers with some slight variations. This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange visa (T5). Applicants will be granted a maximum period of 12 months on this status and may not renew beyond this point.
Applicants travelling to the United Kingdom to undertake certain limited activities for a maximum of six months may, in some circumstances, do so on Standard Visitor Visa status. Applicants should remain on home contract and payroll throughout the assignment and are recommended to seek expert advice if in any doubt about whether their activities qualify as "visitor" activities or not.
The applicant must not have a local contract in the United Kingdom and must not receive payment from a UK source for any activities undertaken in the UK, except for reasonable expenses to cover the cost of their travel and subsistence.
Due to the Common Travel Area, Nationals of Ireland do not need a visa or residency permit to live, work, or study in the United Kingdom. Irish and British citizens can travel freely between each other’s countries without any immigration process. Note that Irish citizens are able to apply for a Frontier Worker Permit (either digital or physical card); however, this is not required and is optional only. Note that no posted worker notification is required. Note that no posted worker notification is required.
From 1 January 2021, companies must be a Home Office licensed sponsor to recruit foreign nationals (including EU citizens). Schedule a consultation now.
Currently and until the upcoming changes on 1 January 2021, employers must register with the Home Office for a sponsor licence before they are permitted to employ skilled non-EEA nationals under Tier 2 of the points-based system. Once obtained, the licence is an endorsement by the Home Office that an organization has the necessary systems, policies and processes in place to effectively manage and monitor its UK-based, non-EEA national workforce. With an increasingly mobile workforce, a sponsor licence is a key tool to attracting and retaining top global talent.
Once the Home Office has deemed an organization suitable for a sponsor licence, access to the Sponsor Management System (SMS) – and the ability to sponsor skilled workers – will be granted for a period of four years. During this four-year life cycle, an employer can utilize the various routes within the Tier 2 scheme, but must continuously meet strict compliance obligations imposed by UKVI for any existing overseas workers, as well as new hires.
In return for access to the SMS and ability to sponsor foreign talent, the sponsoring company must continuously comply with comprehensive and ongoing duties and responsibilities in respect to those foreign employees. Any failure to comply with these requirements and responsibilities risks the revocation of the licence and with it, the work permission of all sponsored non-EEA workers.
Your Business and Newland Chase
Given the complexities of obtaining and maintaining a sponsor licence, it is vital that employers approach the sponsor process with as much knowledge and support as possible to acquire and retain the licence, and unlock its full potential as a critical business tool.
Newland Chase has an unrivalled understanding of the sponsor licence process. We offer a full range of services to prepare you for the application process, including full system audits and recommendations tailored to your business. Our team of experts will support you through the entire application process and, once the licence is in place, provide tailored assistance with visa applications and immigration management of your employees, ensuring a fully compliant program.
Newland Chase appreciates how important it is to have the right people and partners in place to maximize your company’s potential. Like your organization, our strength is built on the skills, experience, and expertise our of team members – we welcome you to contact our experts today to learn how having Newland Chase as your trusted business adviser can help your business succeed in the United Kingdom.
Our UK team members are highly qualified and dedicated professionals with extensive experience in all aspects of UK immigration. They come from the best of legal, consulting, in-house corporate and government backgrounds and bring a breadth of experience and insight both in immigration and a multitude of industry sectors. With a dedication to service and a consultative approach, our people act as your trusted advisors and partners in achieving your business goals in the United Kingdom.
Our United Kingdom leadership team directs over 100 immigration experts working for you in the UK. Meet our United Kingdom leadership team:
