Tougher Stance on Work Visas – What You Need to Know

Taxation changes are one thing, but the UK’s stance on work visas is a growing issue that many businesses aren’t fully prepared for. If you employ foreign workers with UK work visas, you need to pay attention. The Home Office has been ramping up its compliance checks, and without the proper procedures in place, you could find yourself facing unnecessary headaches down the line.

What’s Changed?

To sponsor foreign workers in the UK, you must hold a sponsor licence. But in the last six months, the Home Office has sharpened its approach. Employers are being penalised more frequently for not reporting certain changes—things like a change of address, key personnel, or even changes in ownership. If you haven’t kept up with the reporting requirements, you could find yourself in breach of the rules without even knowing it.

On top of that, the Home Office is carrying out more audits to make sure sponsors are keeping their records up to date. If your business has a poor track record with National Minimum Wage compliance, or if you’ve had issues with VAT penalties in the past five years, you may be under even more scrutiny. The Home Office and HMRC are sharing information now, meaning any red flags can be picked up quickly.

What’s at Risk?

The worst-case scenario is that your sponsor licence could be revoked. If that happens, any visas issued for your foreign workers would become void, and they’d have just 60 days to leave the UK or find a new employer with a valid sponsor licence.

More likely, though, you’ll face delays when it comes to renewing visas for current staff or applying for new ones. Why? Because you’ll first need to get your sponsor compliance up to date before a new visa can be granted, potentially causing significant delays and operational disruptions.

What’s Changing from 9 April?

As of 9 April, there are a few important changes you should be aware of:

• Increased Visa Fees: For example, a skilled worker visa for over three years will rise to £1,519 (from £1,420).

• Salary Thresholds: The salary requirements for skilled workers will rise slightly.

• Salary Deductions: The Home Office will now consider salary deductions when determining if the minimum salary requirement for a work visa is met, using the post-deduction salary in their calculations.

How We Can Help You Stay Ahead

If you employ foreign workers, it’s crucial to get your compliance up to scratch now—before it’s too late. If you’re not sure where you stand or if you need guidance on the new rules, get in touch. We’ll connect you with the right people to assist you.

Email enquiries@a4g-llp.co.uk or call 01474 853 846 today.