Major Immigration Rule Revisions for Employers and Skilled Workers

Key Changes to the Immigration Rules:

Updating the Occupational Classification System:

The current Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system from 2010 will be replaced with the newer SOC 2020 system. This update will bring changes to occupation code numbers and job descriptions, affecting various skilled occupations.

Increased Salary Thresholds:

There will be an increase in the salary thresholds for various categories, including Skilled Workers, Global Business Mobility Workers, Scale-up Workers, and Seasonal Workers. These adjustments are crucial for both employers and potential employees to note.

Impact on Applications Post-Changes:

These alterations will influence any application for entry clearance or permission to stay that is supported by a Certificate of Sponsorship assigned on or after the 4th of April 2024. Understanding these changes is vital for successful visa applications under the revised rules.

System Downtime Announcement:

To implement these changes, the sponsor licence application and sponsorship management system (SMS) will be temporarily unavailable from 19:00 hours on 2nd April 2024 until 09:00 hours on 4th April 2024. During this period, certain actions like applying for a sponsor licence, applying for Skilled Worker Defined Certificates of Sponsorship (DCoS), and assigning Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) will not be possible.

Actions Required Before System Downtime:

Employers and applicants need to be aware of the following:

Defined CoS Applications:

Any applications pending at 7 pm on 2nd April will be cancelled and must be reapplied for post-9 am on 4th April.

Undefined CoS Allocations:

Requests for increases or renewals for Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship (UCoS) will also be affected during this period.

Important Reminders for Current Certificate Holders:

CoS Assigned Before Downtime:

These will remain valid and can be used as per the existing rules.

Assigning CoS:

For sponsoring a worker under the SOC 2010 codes, the assignment must be done before the downtime.

The upcoming changes in the Immigration Rules represent a substantial shift in the UK’s approach to immigration, especially for skilled workers and businesses. X Law Limited stands ready to offer expert guidance and support during this transition. If you have questions or need assistance with these new regulations, our expert team is here to offer insight and help you adapt to these changes with confidence.