New UK Licensing Rules for Employing Foreign Workers
August 24th, 2008 by GilesThe UK Border Agency (part of the Home Office) has announced that from “the end of November” employers who wish to employ skilled migrant workers from countries outside the EEA (i.e. the countries of the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland must first apply for a licence. Charities and small businesses must pay £300 for a licence and all other employers will be charged £1,000.
In addition employers must obtain a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ for each migrant worker at a cost of £170 per certificate. Breach of these regulations may lead to civil or criminal penalties. Employers who wish to apply for a licence are urged to do so before 1st October.
A more detailed guide to this complex area can be found here