UK Immigration - What we are seeing this month

What's happening in UK immigration news this month?

This month, sponsored licence holders and sponsored workers themselves are facing delays on two fronts; delays in the issuance of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and delays in the approval of Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (DCoS) requests. This blog will delve into the impacts of these delays.

Organisations and sponsored workers relying on the issuance of BRPs are facing unexpected challenges due to delays in production by the Home Office. These delays are due to issues with the issuance of National Insurance (NI) numbers by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) causing inconvenience and potential disruption for those awaiting their permits.

The Home Office typically advises delivery of BRPs within 7 working days post biometric appointment. However, recent client experiences reveal that some individuals are encountering significant delays in receiving their permits, leading to heightened anxiety and uncertainty, especially for those with travel plans over the festive period. Please refer to our recent blog on the importance of keeping BRPs safe when travelling. 

The impact of the delays in BRP delivery

These delays hold implications for both individuals and organisations. Notably, delays in BRP delivery can impact right-to-work checks and hinder travel plans, as the BRP is required for re-entry into the UK. As a precautionary measure, individuals are advised against making travel arrangements outside the UK until their BRP is in hand. 

To address right-to-work concerns during this period, individuals are encouraged to request their employers to use the Employer Checking Service. The Home Office will then directly confirm their right to work to the employer, facilitating the temporary fulfilment of sponsorship duties.

To address right-to rent concerns for workers, individuals are encouraged to use the Landlord’s Checking Service. The Home Office will then directly confirm their right to right to rent.

Sponsor Licence holders are also grappling with increased delays in the approval of Defined Certificate of Sponsorship requests by the Home Office. Once approved, the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a document issued by an organisation in the United Kingdom that wishes to sponsor a migrant worker. It contains information about the job and the personal details of the migrant worker. The worker needs this certificate when applying for a visa to work in the UK.

While these requests typically see a 48-hour turnaround, recent weeks have witnessed prolonged waiting periods, further elongating the visa application process.

UKVI has acknowledged delays in the processing of Defined Certificate of Sponsorship requests, attributing them to an increase in abusive applications from certain sectors. The current average time to resolve DCoS requests is around two weeks. As of 27 November 2023, the Home Office will implement a technological change to segregate DCoS requests of concern from the wider pool, aiming to reduce delays. Additionally, the Home Office will onboard extra staff to address the backlog of applications, with the goal of shortening the processing time for these applications and bringing non-flagged applications into the normal timeframe.

As the situation evolves, staying updated on official guidance and being prepared for potential delays remains crucial when recruiting from overseas. If you have experienced.

Contact Migrate UK Immigration Specialists

If you have any questions or would like more information regarding any of the above, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team here at Migrate UK.

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