Key information about Certificate of Sponsorship
Published on 21st March 2024
The Home Office on 19 March 2024 added a new Annex 2 to the Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors Part 2: Sponsor a worker – general information which provides that from 4 April 2024, the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2010 will be replaced with the SOC 2020 system – this will mean changes to some occupation code numbers and job descriptions. Further the increase in the salary thresholds for Skilled Workers, Global Business Mobility Workers, Scale-up Workers and Seasonal Workers will also take place from 4 April 2024.
To implement the changes, the sponsor licence application form and the sponsor management system will be inaccessible from 7pm on Tuesday 2 April until 9am on Thursday 4 April. The Home Office aims to process as many Defined Certificate of Sponsorship applications as possible before 7pm on 2 April 2024.
Any applications outstanding at that time will be voided, requiring a new application based on the updated codes and salary thresholds after 9am on 4 April 2024.
Certificates of Sponsorship issued using SOC 2010 occupation codes must be assigned before 7pm on 2 April 2024, as they cannot be assigned after 4 April 2024.
Any Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship marked as "work in progress" or "ready to go" and not assigned by 7pm on 2 April 2024, must be updated with the relevant SOC 2020 occupation code and salary thresholds before assignment.
Certificates of sponsorship assigned to workers before 7pm on 2 April 2024, will remain valid for the usual three-month period. Applications for entry clearance or permission to stay using these certificates will be processed under the regulations in place before 4 April 2024, even if the application is submitted on or after that date.
It is well known in the legal sphere that the Home Office have been overwhelmed with applications for Defined Certificate of Sponsorship since the announcement of the skilled workers salary threshold increase to take effect from 4 April 2024. If you have an application for a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship approved prior to the restriction on the sponsor management system on 2 April 2024, it is crucial for sponsors and sponsored workers to act swiftly and diligently.
If you have any queries about these changes and the impact they may have on your application, please do not hesitate to contact Migration Advisory Service.
Our Community Investment Programme - Supporting Our Communities Through Pro Bono
Published on 14th March 2024
Improving access to immigration advice is a strategic priority and has been a focus of Migration Advisory Service’s community investment programme. We recognise the value that our immigration knowledge and expertise can bring to some of the most vulnerable people in society, and pro bono legal advice being one of the most valuable contributions we can make to our communities. This is why we have partnered with Citizen’s Advice North Lincolnshire in providing a monthly immigration advice clinic.
The clinic is held at:
Scunthorpe Central Library,
Carlton Street,
Scunthorpe.
To book an appointment please contact Citizens Advice North Lincolnshire’s phone line using the details on their website which can be found here
Our new office in Portsmouth is now open!
Published on 7th March 2024
Migration Advisory Service, a boutique immigration law firm in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, is delighted to announce the opening of our new Portsmouth office.
The new office is located conveniently at:
908 Victory Business Centre,
Sommers Road North,
Portsmouth,
Hampshire,
PO1 1PJ.
The decision to establish an office in Portsmouth reflects our dedication to providing accessible and high-quality immigration services to the local community in Portsmouth and beyond, provides a comprehensive range of immigration services to both private individuals and businesses.
As we celebrate the opening of our new Portsmouth office, we remain committed to providing outstanding immigration services. Clients can expect a personalised service and tailored solutions backed by a wealth of UK immigration experience to achieve the best outcomes.
Development to UK Immigration Rules Spring 2024
Published on 15th February 2024
Further to the Home Secretary, James Cleverly's announcement of his five point plan to which further details can be found in our earlier post, there is now further development to the five point plan.
Development:
Point 1: Newly arriving care workers will not be able to bring their immediate family members from the 11 March 2024.
Point 2: The minimum salary for skilled workers will increase on 4 April 2024, with the new baseline minimum increasing from £26,200 to £38,700.
Point 3: There will be changes to the shortage occupation list which are also due to take place in April 2024
Point 4: The minimum income for a spouse/partner visa will increase to £29,000 on the 11 April 2024, it will then increase to around £34,500 later on in the year with the date to be confirmed and eventually to £38,700 by early 2025, again the date yet to be confirmed.
Point 5: A review of the Graduate visa was due to be commissioned by the Migration Advisory Committee, however this has not taken place as of yet
If you have any queries about these changes and the impact they may have on your application, please do not hesitate to contact Migration Advisory Service.
