Top 10 Immigration Headlines from UK We remind sponsors that it is important to keep a record on eachsponsored migrant's file as to which version of the sponsorguidance was in use at the time the certificate of sponsorship(CoS) was assigned and we also recommend that sponsors keep copiesof the current and all previous versions of the sponsorguidance. A raft of new measures are due to be implemented by the UK Border Agency designed to ensure that British workers have every possible opportunity to fill vacancies before employers are permitted to recruit migrant workers. Applicants for leave under the Immigration Rules must meet the terms of those rules at the time that the application is decided, not the rules in force at the date the application is made. In our August update we gave details of the changes in the sponsorship guidance notes relating to changes to terms and conditions of employment. Further to our Law-Now publication on 31 July 2009, the UKBA has announced transitional arrangements concerning the implementation of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 (the "Act"). Subject to Parliamentary approval, the UKBA intends to accelerate plans to issue ID Cards to Tier 2 migrants applying for extensions of leave from January 2010. Baroness Scotland, the Attorney General, has provided employers with a salutary warning this week. On Friday 7 August, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) issued new guidance notes for sponsors which include a number of significant changes that are incorporated into the system with immediate effect. On checking the immigration status of Ms Klusova with the Home Office, the council was informed that she did not have permission to work in the UK. The UK Border Agency (UKBA) is refusing increasing numbers of applications under the points based system (PBS). |