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
Director Willys Mac’Olale shares the impact the AfCFTA will have on Kenya’s economy and immigration policies.
Video
Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio explains the process for posting foreign workers to France during the eagerly awaited 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce shares how a Supreme Court visa denial case could impact challenges to employment-based visa denials.
Awards
Partner Kevin Miner is selected by the Daily Report as a finalist in the “Legal Innovators” category of the publication’s 2024 Southeastern Legal Awards.
Blog post
This blog considers how employer sponsorship of long-term residence permits in Europe could be a means for retaining their talent.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni and Senior Associate Xiaodan (Susan) Song help international commercial enterprise investors make informed decisions by explaining the differences between EB-5 rural projects and high unemployment projects.
Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses how those planning to attend the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games in Paris can prepare for their trip from an immigration perspective.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of immigration programs and relief options by USCIS for Venezuelan nationals amidst the political and economic crisis in Venezuela.
Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés shares why Ireland needs a standardised visa system that’s faster and more consistent.
Media mentions
Director Willys Mac’Olale shares the impact the AfCFTA will have on Kenya’s economy and immigration policies.
Video
Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio explains the process for posting foreign workers to France during the eagerly awaited 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce shares how a Supreme Court visa denial case could impact challenges to employment-based visa denials.
Awards
Partner Kevin Miner is selected by the Daily Report as a finalist in the “Legal Innovators” category of the publication’s 2024 Southeastern Legal Awards.
Blog post
This blog considers how employer sponsorship of long-term residence permits in Europe could be a means for retaining their talent.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni and Senior Associate Xiaodan (Susan) Song help international commercial enterprise investors make informed decisions by explaining the differences between EB-5 rural projects and high unemployment projects.
Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses how those planning to attend the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games in Paris can prepare for their trip from an immigration perspective.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of immigration programs and relief options by USCIS for Venezuelan nationals amidst the political and economic crisis in Venezuela.
Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés shares why Ireland needs a standardised visa system that’s faster and more consistent.