29 February 2008

The biggest shake-up of the immigration system in 45 years got underway today with the introduction of a points based system (PBS), new licenses for businesses who want to employ migrants and large on-the-spot fines for those not obeying the rules and found hiring illegal workers.

Only the first Tier of the PBS has been launched, with new rules for the highly skilled foreign nationals currently working in the UK and who want to extend their stay. The Government is also today introducing a licensing system for employers who want to recruit from overseas and bring skilled workers into the UK. No company will be granted a sponsor's licence without being approved in advance by the Border & Immigration Agency. Employers bringing in skilled workers under Tier 2 of the scheme which takes effect this autumn can now start applying for that licence.

Employers in the UK will from today face civil penalties of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker they employ (further details can be found in our update). Those found to have knowingly hired illegal workers could incur an unlimited fine and face a term of imprisonment.