The UK Border Agency, the department responsible for immigration control to the United Kingdom, has introduced a new points based system to cover migrant workers. The system is designed to replace most of the previous work based categories.
There are new rules for skilled and highly skilled migrant workers who will face tougher tests in order to work in the United Kingdom.
The new Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) is designed to allow farmers and growers in the United Kingdom to recruit low skilled overseas workers to undertake short term agricultural work. The scheme works on a quota basis. Farmers and growers who participate in the scheme are allowed to employ a fixed number of overseas workers through the scheme each year. Participants in the scheme must be a National of either Bulgaria or Romania and will be issued with a work card.
Other temporary workers from outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) can only carry out temporary work for a licensed sponsor.
The new Regulations mean that it is now even more crucial then ever before for those wishing to engage foreign workers to obtain specialist immigration advice.
The new entry requirements are accompanied by bigger fines (up to £10,000) and penalties (up to two years imprisonment) for employers who fail to comply with the legislation.
Stephens Scown is one of the very few law firms based in the south west which is able to provide specialist immigration advice to both individuals and businesses located here.
Working closely with our Employment Team our Immigration Specialists provide a comprehensive service covering all recruitment and employment issues for foreign Nationals so as to ensure that our corporate, agricultural and rural business clients can be confident that they meet all of the regulatory requirements including those designed to prevent illegal working.
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