The Threshold for Recruitment of Overseas Workers

The Threshold for Recruitment of Overseas Workers – Edmans Co

It is currently being widely reported in various UK news outlets that the threshold for recruiting overseas workers is to be raised in autumn 2015. Immigration measures announced in the Queen’s speech have alarmed the City amid fears that increasing regulatory burdens could make it harder to hire overseas workers.

The government says an immigration bill, which has yet to be put before parliament, would implement a visa levy on businesses to fund apprenticeships. It is unclear as to what exactly will the planned levy entail. However, various suggestions are circulating in the media, such as an increase to the salary threshold, which should currently be at least £20,800, proposals for further growth in visa fees, a financial levy requiring the companies to pay a specific price on top of the visa fees, NHS Levy and other compliance fees or non-financial levy, such as a requirement to provide a certain number of apprenticeships to EEA Nationals.

Settled Status in the UK refers to the immigration status granted to eligible EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens and their family members living in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period (December 31, 2020). It allows individuals to continue living and working in the UK without immigration restrictions. Settled Status is part of the UK government’s EU Settlement Scheme, which was introduced to protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members residing in the UK after Brexit. Once granted Settled Status, individuals can stay indefinitely in the UK and enjoy various benefits and services.

Whichever the measures the government would want to introduce, even a thought of these has already raised genuine concern in the financial and legal sectors, where companies look to recruit non-EEA nationals to fill skills shortages in specialist practice areas.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, today said that the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) had been asked by the Home Secretary to come up with a package of proposals as part of efforts to cut the numbers of non-EEA nationals coming in, which could potentially be implemented within months.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK is an immigration status that grants an individual the right to live and work in the country without any time restrictions. ILR is also known as settlement or permanent residency. It allows individuals to stay in the UK indefinitely and provides many benefits, such as access to public funds, healthcare, and education.

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