Immigration update – July 2024

Updates to right to work checks

In the Home Office’s updated ‘Right to work checks: an employer’s guide’, changes have been made to the way biometric cards are used to evidence right to work. Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) card holders are required to evidence their right to work using the Home Office online service only. Therefore, employers cannot accept physical cards for the purpose of a right to work check, even if it shows a later expiry date.  

In line with this guidance, biometric cards have been removed from the list of acceptable documents used to conduct a manual right to work check.  

In the guidance, it has also been clarified that employers do not need to re-check an employee’s right to work, where the employee has a physical Biometric Residence Permit expiring on 31 December 2024, providing that a valid check has been undertaken and the visa expiry date has been diarised.  

Changes to the Life in the UK test 

Individuals who are applying for settlement or to naturalise as British citizens in the UK must pass a Life in the UK test ahead of submitting their application.  

Currently, the test is being run by a third-party provider – PSI Services (UK) Limited, however, from 1 October 2024, this will be replaced by Reed in Partnership. Therefore, from August 2024 onwards, individuals will be directed to the Reed in Partnership website.  

The Home Office has confirmed that the test will remain unchanged and that there will be no changes to the Life in the UK handbook or to the Government website. 

Changes to UKVI commercial partners 

Currently, the Home Office is working with third-party company Sopra Steria to enable biometric appointments and for the submission of supporting documents for visa application. It has been announced that TLS will be replacing Sopra Steria, and therefore individuals will be directed to TLS to book biometric appointments and provide supporting documentations.  

The benefits of the change to TLS are said to bring better availability of free appointments and a reduction of time spent at the Visa Application Centre or UKVCAS Service Point. Processing times and services provided at Visa Application Centres or UKVCAS Service Points remain unchanged.  

For overseas nationals, individuals are currently directed to either TLS or VFS in order to provide biometrics, it has been confirmed that all TLS locations will be removed and replaced with VFS locations.  

Labour announces ‘Skills England’ to reduce reliance on migrant workers 

The Prime Minister and Education Secretary have announced the launch of Skills England to bring together the fractured skills landscape and create a shared national ambition to boost the nation’s skills and reduce reliance on migrant workers. This will include sector skills training plans and better immigration compliance from sponsors. Further detail is expected to be released in due course. 

Home Office makes it easier for Irish nationals to obtain British citizenship 

Irish citizens already have the right live and work in the UK without needing any immigration status. However, under prior rules, most Irish citizens seeking British citizenship had to make a formal application for naturalisation as a British citizen under the British Nationality Act 1981. This process required a significant fee and the passing of the Life in the UK test. New laws provide an alternative pathway, allowing Irish citizens to apply to register as British citizens. In January 2024, the Government committed to changing fee levels and process for Irish nationals to safeguard the union – it’s expected the new fee will be lower and no Life in the UK test will be required. Further details will follow in due course.