HR Articles

As the UK economy continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions of the last 18 months, the number of job vacancies are reaching record highs.

Following positive feedback about the ability to conduct right to work checks remotely, the end date for the adjusted checks has been extended to 5 April 2022.

Following the end of the EU Settlement Scheme on 30^th June 2021, the UK government has announced an upcoming change to the rules on entry for EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals.

Watch our UK immigration specialists Monica Atwal and Rebecca Hone, as they explain the main changes to the UK’s sponsorship system following the overhaul of the points-based system in January 2021 and following the closure of the EU Settlement Scheme on 30 June 2021.

In anticipation of 30th June 2021 (the final day for EU nationals who began their residence in the UK before 31st December 2020 to submit applications to the EU Settlement Scheme), the Home Office heavily advertised that applying to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS/the Scheme) by this date was compulsory for EU nationals in order to retain their right to live and work in the UK.  

As COVID-19 restrictions are eased, businesses throughout the UK are getting back on their feet and new opportunities for investment are appearing once more.  

The deadline for EU (including EEA and Swiss citizens) to apply to continue living in the UK is fast approaching, with the EU Settlement Scheme set to close in less than two weeks’ time on 30 June 2021. UK employers should be working with their EU staff to ensure their registration to the Scheme by this date.  

The UK government has confirmed that the rights of EU citizens living in the UK will remain the same until 30^th June 2021. The Home Office has rolled out the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS/the Scheme), giving EU citizens (who started living in the UK before 31^st December 2020) pre-settled status (the right to live in the UK for 5 years) or settled status (the right to remain indefinitely in the UK).

The Hong Kong British National Overseas (BNO) visa was opened to BNO Passport holders (and their family members) from Hong Kong earlier this year. The route normally requires an application for entry clearance from outside the UK. However, since its announcement, the UK Government has allowed applicants to seek ‘Leave Outside the Rules’ at a UK Border. This concession has now been extended until 21 June 2021. 

Since the launch of the Health and Care visa in August 2020, more than 20,000 individuals have been granted with a visa for the UK under this category.