Home Office publishes further details of new immigration system

On 16 July 2020, the Home Office produced further guidance for employers on the new points based system due to come into force in January 2021.

The changes include the removal of the Tier system, as follows:

• Tier 1 will become the High-Value migrants category
• Tier 2 will become the Skilled Worker category.
• Tier 3 will become the Unskilled Worker category.
• Tier 4 will become the Student category.
• Tier 5 will become the Temporary Worker category

It is worth noting that Irish citizens will be exempt from this new system.

Employers need to be aware that they may need to sponsor EU citizens from the beginning of next year. Employers without a sponsor licence in the categories required should apply for one as soon as possible. Due to the likely increase in demand for licences it is likely that there will be delays in the application processing times.

Recruitment costs could increase significantly from January 2021, on top of the visa application fees and the Immigration Skills Charges.

It is likely to take longer for an EU citizen to obtain a visa, so employers should recognise that the recruitment process is, therefore, likely to take longer as well.

For further information and advice about issues relating to the above, please refer to our specialist immigration team.