New developments include the Migration Advisory Committee announcing its findings regarding Tier 2 of the Points-Based System, a requirement for private landlords to conduct right-to-rent checks, and changes to UK immigration application fees.
The UK Government’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published its findings on Tier 2 of the Points-Based System. In reviewing Tier 2, the MAC sought to balance the Government’s objective to reduce volumes with its desire to ensure that Tier 2 remains open to the “brightest and best workers who will help Britain succeed”.
The MAC has made the following recommendations to the Government:
We are waiting to hear whether the Government will adopt these recommendations in full and how they will apply to Tier 2 migrants in practice. We will release an additional LawFlash once the Government announces the changes to the immigration rules.
Starting 1 February 2016, all private landlords will be required to conduct right-to-rent checks and to request documents that confirm prospective tenants’ right to reside in the UK. Individuals must provide evidence of their right to rent in the UK up to 28 days before their tenancy’s start date.
Where employees move or transfer from overseas and have not yet travelled to the UK, a landlord can elect to enter into a “conditional agreement” in which an individual provides evidence of his or her right to rent after arrival and before occupying a property. Individuals who provide a Biometric Residence Permit as evidence of their right to rent in the UK will need to present the permit to their landlord before they can occupy a property.
The following agreements will be exempt from the right-to-rent checks:
The UK Government recently set out proposed changes that will take effect beginning 6 April 2016 to the fees for visas, immigration and nationality applications, and associated premium services, with the aim to make the services self-funded by those who use them over the next four years. The changes include the following:
Fees for all sponsor licensing applications will remain at the current rates.
View a comprehensive table that details of the indicative fees.
If you have any questions or would like more information on the issues discussed in this LawFlash, please contact any of the following Morgan Lewis lawyers:
Washington, DC
Eric S. Bord
Eleanor Pelta