Employment and Immigration Law Update – Immigration round up
18 December 2019
A round up of immigration topics, including an EUSS update, Tier 2 Restricted Certificates of Sponsorship and net migration statistics.
EUSS update
The government continues to encourage applications to the EU Settled Status Scheme. However, following a peak in September and October, the number of applications calmed down again in November, with 142,300 applications being made last month.
As at 30 November 2019 the total number of applications received was nearly 2.6 million (2,592,800). As at that date 2,230,900 applications had been concluded. Of these, 59% were granted settled status, 41% were granted pre-settled status, and five applications were refused on suitability grounds.
Tier 2 Restricted Certificates of Sponsorship
We are constantly reviewing the number of Tier 2 Restricted Certificates of Sponsorship (RCoS) requested each month, against the monthly quota. Availability of RCoS remains good, with all eligible requests in November being successful. Whilst we can never guarantee that an RCoS will be awarded, employers looking to hire Tier 2 migrants from overseas in the New Year can take comfort in the fact that the quota is not currently causing any problems.
Net migration statistics
The Office for National Statistics has released its quarterly report on migration statistics.
They found that “long-term net migration, immigration and emigration have remained broadly stable since the end of 2016.” However EU net migration has fallen since 2016, due to a gradual increase in EU citizens leaving as well as a decrease in those coming to the UK, whilst non-EU immigration has increased slightly.
There has been a decrease in immigration for work, mainly due to fewer EU citizens (particularly from the EU8) coming to look for work. Meanwhile there has been an increase in immigration for study, particular from non-EU countries, with Tier 4 visas to study at university now at an all-time high.
This article is from the December 2019 issue of Employment and Immigration Law Update, our monthly newsletter for HR professionals. To download the latest issue, please visit the newsletter section of our website. For more details regarding any of the matters covered in this update, please contact a member of our Immigration Team. Law covered as at December 2019.
The content of this article is for general information only. It is not, and should not be taken as, legal advice. If you require any further information in relation to this article please contact the author in the first instance. Law covered as at December 2019.