In a major change to the Regulations, the Government has announced that all prospective employers of persons who are subject to immigration control and who need permission to take employment must themselves have been licensed by the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) before they may even begin the process of trying to bring someone to the UK under the new Points based System.
MDN Fusion is running a number of half day seminars for both the business and charitable sectors, click Perplexing points made simple to book on line.
The date of commencement for these major change has not yet been announced but it is said to be in the third quarter of 2008. However, the system of licensing employers has already begun. We anticipate as time goes on that there will be a considerable rush by informed organisations and businesses to become licensed and a backlog of applications may well build up with the result that those prospective employers who have not registered in advance and who eventually find that they wish to import a foreign worker may be subject to delay.
The licensing process will involve your business or organisation having to show that it meets certain standards. Integrity is a prime consideration and as a key part of the process officials will need to be satisfied about the genuineness of the business or organisation and that it is capable of keeping appropriate records etc. Once a business or organisation is licensed then it will be able to issue any number of certificates of sponsorship to prospective employees up to a pre-determined maximum. However, licensed employers will be expected to behave responsibly and licences will be withdrawn if there is abuse.
On receipt of a certificate of sponsorship a prospective employee will be able to apply overseas for an entry clearance. This will be issued only if the applicant has shown that he can accumulate the required number of points.
The important thing at this stage, however, is to be aware that if your organisation or business has not been licensed then it will not be able to issue certificates of sponsorship and will not be able to even try to bring a foreign worker to the UK. This will apply to all categories including intra company transfers.
If you are the sort of business or organisation who has employed, or who may wish to employ, someone from abroad it will be in your interests to apply for a licence as soon as possible. There will be an official fee payable to the (BIA). The cost of a licence for a small employer and a charity is set at £300 and £1000 for a large employer. Normally licences will be valid for four years.
MDN Fusion is in a position to help you through the licensing processes. If you wish to consider asking us to help you with them and the associated checks then please let us know and We shall be happy to give you details of our charges.
copyright © 2007-2008 MDN Fusion Ltd.