Country / Territory
It only feels like yesterday that the Home Office decided to substantially change the UK immigration system on advice from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). Fast forward a few months and it's time to think about how those changes will impact businesses in a practical way.
Impact of immigration changes on businesses
Autumn will see the first set of changes coming into force, namely the increase of salary for Tier 2 and the introduction of the Immigration Health Surcharge for Tier 2 Intra-Company Transferee visa holders; in April, we will also have the Immigration Skills Charge. What is the common denominator? New and increased costs.
Looking at the cost for an individual migrant entering for 5 years as an Intra-Company Transferee, the Government fees for this currently are £1,350.
In Autumn adding the IHS of £200 per year will increase the cost to £2,350. Fast forward to April 2017 with the Skills Charge levy of £1,000 per year and this cost jumps to £7,350.
All these rather eye-watering costs are before employers need to think about increasing pay factor in that the minimum salary will also increase from £24,800 to £30,000 in the autumn and the cost of sponsoring a migrant worker could increase even further. Roll on to Spring of 2017 and the April rule changes will mean that an Intra-Company Transferee will need to be paid at least £41,500. That’s an awful lot of money over five years.
Why the increase? The Government clearly wants to discourage companies from recruiting from outside of the European Economic Area. Practically, businesses will need to start rethinking budgets for recruitment sooner rather than later. Whilst the changes will be happening in Autumn and later in April, business needs to act now rather than react later once the changes have come into force. And of course, the Brexit result on 24 June could change things even more in the coming months.
Country / Territory
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Blog post
Senior Manager Zak Hynes explores the key factors businesses should consider when establishing a presence in the UAE—from operating model and visa requirements to banking, office needs and long-term growth plans—in our new blog. The right structure is the one that best supports your business strategy, not simply the lowest upfront cost.
Video
Partner Catherine Macris highlights key findings from Fragomen’s 2026 regional immigration overviews, including tighter compliance controls, digital border transformation and emerging pathways for global talent.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how the EU's extension of temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens through 2028 will affect employers in Poland.
Fragomen news
Fragomen’s "Immigration Guide for the UK Tech Sector" introduces visa options available for those working and recruiting in the tech sector.
Blog post
Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Senior Director Leah Rogal examines how employers can use the J-1 Research Scholar visa to retain eligible global research talent, support long-term research initiatives and strengthen workforce and immigration planning.
Blog post
In this blog, Middle East and Africa Private Client Practice Director Nofi Mojidi-Bayna explores how evolving residency frameworks across the region are reshaping long-term mobility planning and examines the three global forces transforming immigration strategy for businesses, investors and internationally mobile families.
Blog post
In this blog, Associate Halil Kaya outlines the UK Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups, including eligibility requirements, available funding and key considerations for high-growth businesses recruiting international talent.
Media mentions
Blog post
Media mentions
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler outlines the key compliance considerations for employers with employees working across the EU.
Podcast
Associates Julia Manacher and Stephanie Weaver examine immigration issues emerging in a popular reality television series, including K-1 visa denials, consular non-reviewability, fraud findings and changing adjudication policies.
Media mentions
Blog post
Senior Manager Zak Hynes explores the key factors businesses should consider when establishing a presence in the UAE—from operating model and visa requirements to banking, office needs and long-term growth plans—in our new blog. The right structure is the one that best supports your business strategy, not simply the lowest upfront cost.
Video
Partner Catherine Macris highlights key findings from Fragomen’s 2026 regional immigration overviews, including tighter compliance controls, digital border transformation and emerging pathways for global talent.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how the EU's extension of temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens through 2028 will affect employers in Poland.
Fragomen news
Fragomen’s "Immigration Guide for the UK Tech Sector" introduces visa options available for those working and recruiting in the tech sector.
Blog post
Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Senior Director Leah Rogal examines how employers can use the J-1 Research Scholar visa to retain eligible global research talent, support long-term research initiatives and strengthen workforce and immigration planning.
Blog post
In this blog, Middle East and Africa Private Client Practice Director Nofi Mojidi-Bayna explores how evolving residency frameworks across the region are reshaping long-term mobility planning and examines the three global forces transforming immigration strategy for businesses, investors and internationally mobile families.
Blog post
In this blog, Associate Halil Kaya outlines the UK Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups, including eligibility requirements, available funding and key considerations for high-growth businesses recruiting international talent.
Media mentions
Blog post
Media mentions
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler outlines the key compliance considerations for employers with employees working across the EU.
Podcast
Associates Julia Manacher and Stephanie Weaver examine immigration issues emerging in a popular reality television series, including K-1 visa denials, consular non-reviewability, fraud findings and changing adjudication policies.
