Authorised Governing Bodies:

These bodies are responsible for the assessment and endorsement of international athletes seeking to enter the United Kingdom for the purpose of sport. Each body has jurisdiction over its respective sport throughout the entirety of the UK unless otherwise specified, with some bodies having territorial limitations.

The aforementioned list is comprehensive and inclusive, covering a wide array of sports from mainstream activities such as football and cricket to less conventional sports like aikido and kabaddi. This inclusivity ensures that athletes from diverse disciplines are afforded the opportunity to contribute to the UK’s rich sporting culture.

The systematic arrangement of these governing bodies underscores the UK’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive sporting environment. It is a testament to the nation’s dedication to nurturing international talent and promoting a diverse array of sporting events.

This article has been crafted to provide a clear and concise overview of the UK’s sports endorsement bodies, integral to the visa application process for international sportspersons. It serves to guide and inform prospective applicants of the authorised channels through which endorsements can be obtained.

If you have further questions on how to apply for the International Sports Person Visa, get in touch with Morgan Smith Immigration on 02039593335 or email us directly on [email protected]

Let’s delve into the key changes:

1. International Students and Dependents

International students in the UK will no longer be able to apply for Student Dependent visas for their partners and children. Previously, international students could bring their family members with them to the UK. However, starting from 1^st of January 2024, this provision has been revoked. Exceptions apply only to postgraduate research courses and government-funded scholarships.

2. Sponsor Licences Extended to 10 Years

Sponsor licences expiring on or after 6th of April 2024 will be automatically extended for 10 years. Previously, sponsor licences lasted for only 4 years. This change aims to provide stability to employers who sponsor foreign workers. It reduces administrative burdens and ensures continuity in workforce planning.

3. Immigration Health Surcharge Increase

As of 06 February 2024, the immigration health surcharge has been increased. The Immigration Health Surcharge (HIS) rate for UK immigration applications has increased by 66% from £624 to £1035 per applicant. The discounted IHS rate for children, students, their dependents, and youth mobility workers also increased at the same time, from £470 per year to £776 per applicant.

4. Employers’ Civil Penalties for Illegal Working

As of 13 February 2024, the Home Office has announced an increase in the maximum civil penalty for employing an illegal worker:

• For a first offence, the penalty per worker has increased from £15,000 to £45,000.
• For repeat violations, the penalty per worker has increased from £20,000 to £60,000.

5. Care Workers and Dependents

From 11 March 2024, Care workers applying for UK immigration are no longer be permitted to bring their dependents with them. This shift in policy aims to streamline the immigration process and address concerns related to family reunification. In addition to this, Care homes must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to continue sponsoring care workers. This ensures quality standards and accountability.

6. Replacing the Shortage Occupation List

The shortage occupation list is going to be replaced with a new immigration salary list on 4th of April 2024. The government’s primary objective is to reduce net migration to the UK. The Shortage Occupation List, which previously facilitated the recruitment of overseas workers for specific occupations facing shortages, was often used to achieve salary savings on migrant labour. In a nutshell, the transition from Shortage Occupation List to Immigration Salary List emphasises fair compensation and contributes to a balanced immigration system.

7. Salary Threshold for Skilled Workers

Effective from 4th of April 2024, the minimum salary requirement for Skilled Worker visa applicants will rise significantly. The general threshold is escalating from £26,200 to £38,700. This change ensures that employers provide competitive compensation to migrant workers. Existing Skilled Worker visa holders in the UK are exempted from these salary changes. Their current salary arrangements remain unaffected. However, future applications, including visa extensions, role modifications, or sponsor changes, will be subjected to the updated changes.

8. Minimum Income Threshold for Spouse Visas

The minimum income threshold for spouse visas is set to increase on 11th of April 2024. British families aiming to reunite with their foreign national partners will encounter a stricter financial criterion when applying for the visas. Specifically:

• The minimum income requirement will increase from £18,600 to £29,000.
• This modification applies to sponsors of spouse/partner visas.

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These changes collectively contribute to the government’s commitment to reduce net migration while ensuring a fair and sustainable immigration system. Remember, these updates are subject to further developments, so staying informed is crucial.

How can we help you?

Morgan Smith Immigration is an award-winning firm with over 20 years of expertise in UK Visa and immigration matters and provides top-notch legal services. If you have any enquiries or need assistance, contact us on 0203 959 3335 or send us an email at [email protected]. Stay informed and up to date by following us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Also, don’t forget to subscribe our channel on YouTube.

Cost for an Innovator Founder to Get Endorsed:

The application to be an Innovator Founder costs £1,000, plus VAT if applicable. If endorsed, you have to go to two meetings with the endorsing body which cost £500 each.

Key Attributes Required by Innovator Founder Visa Endorsing Bodies:

• Innovation: The business plan should focus on what makes the business new and different. It should consider the uniqueness of the product or service.
• Research: The business plan should explain how the business meets a need in the market. It is very important to do market research, whether it is qualitative or quantitative. In the business plan, there should be a list of competitors and an analysis of how successful they are compared to the suggested business.
• Evidence: As much as you can, use proof to back up your business plan. This is integral, particularly in the areas of development and research.
• The Individual: You need to explain why you are the ideal individual to establish the business in the United Kingdom. Consider your professional experience, credentials, and specialty disciplines. It may be necessary to outline your direct involvement in the process, particularly if some aspects are outsourced.
• Investment: Although the Immigration Rules do not specify a minimum quantity of funds required to establish a business, you must still demonstrate the business’s financial viability.
• Growth: The business plan should include a growth strategy, which may include financial/sales projections, a hierarchy chart, and plans for hiring additional employees. It should be explicit about its expansion goals within the United Kingdom.

Subsequent Steps After Receiving Innovator Founder Endorsement:

After being endorsed as an Innovator Founder, you will receive a letter of endorsement. This is followed by the submission of immigration application for an Innovator Founder visa. The Immigration Rules stipulate stringent requirements for the evidence that must be submitted in support of an Innovator Founder Visa application.

Eligibility Criteria for Applying for an Innovator Founder Visa:

• The visa application fee is £1,036 for an applicant applying from outside the UK (plus £1,036 per dependent) and £1,292 for an applicant applying in the UK to extend or transfer their visa (plus £1,292 per dependent).
• The standard processing period for an Innovator Founder visa application from outside the United Kingdom is three weeks. It may take up to eight weeks if you register from within the United Kingdom. These are subject to change, and there may be priority services available.

Is Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) Possible for Innovator Founders?

Innovator Founder is on a three-year path to indefinite leave to remain. However, the settlement threshold is high.

Conditions for Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) Application:

• Invested at least £50,000 actively into the business.
• Doubled the number of customers within the last 3 years, surpassing the mean customer count for comparable UK businesses.
• Last year’s minimum gross revenue was £1 million generated by businesses. 
• Generated a minimum annual gross revenue of £500,000 in the last full year, with at least £100,000 from overseas exports.
• The business has created 10 full-time established settled workers
• Created at least 5 full-time positions for settled workers with a mean gross salary of £25,000 (excluding allowances) per year.

If you are concerned about your eligibility for Obtaining Innovator Founder Visa Endorsement, contact us at Morgan Smith Immigration on 0203 959 3335 and our team of specialists will provide you with all the information you required.

Due to recent strikes in the UK, the prime minister announced the increase in visa application fees during a speech on public sector wages. After several months of strike action, the PM announced that teachers would receive a 6.5% wage increase and junior doctors would receive a 6% pay increase. Police officers will also receive a 7% pay rise despite being prohibited from striking. According to Mr. Sunak, a portion of the money earned from immigrants who want to live and work in the UK will be used to pay for the public sector salary hike.

“We’ve done two things to find this money,” he stated. “First, we’re going to raise the fees that we charge immigrants coming to this country when they apply for visas. Therefore, all of these fees will increase, raising almost a billion pounds.”

Sunak made it clear that these salary hikes were the Government’s final proposal and that, despite any future strikes, there will be no more negotiations this year.

How much do UK Visas cost right now?

The amount of a migrant’s visa costs vary according to the type of visa they are applying for, as well as the duration of their stay, the primary reason for their trip, the number of entries they wish to make into the country, the industry they work in, and other factors.

When the immigration health surcharge was originally implemented in March 2015, applicants had to pay £200 each. The fee doubled to £400 in December 2018 before rising once again to £624 for adults and £470 for discounted applicants, which included kids and students, in December 2020.

How much will the updated UK visa fees be?

The UK work and visa fees will go up by 15%, according to the government, while all other visa expenses will increase by at least 20%. When the new fees will be formally implemented is currently unknown. As for the rise in the immigration health fee, it now costs £1,035 per person per year. Students and children who qualify for a discount will pay £776, which is a 66% increase, instead of the previous price.

Please get in contact with our expert immigration team if you need any additional guidance on how rising immigration expenses will affect your firm or assistance with a particular visa application.

Secondment Worker Visa does not lead to the settlement. However, if applicants are interested then they can switch to another immigration route that leads to settlement.

Applicants can also accompany their partner and children. Experts from Morgan Smith Immigration can help you apply for a Secondment Worker Visa and provide tailored immigration advice.

Requirements:

In order to qualify for Secondment Worker Visa following requirements should be met:

• Applicants applying for Secondment Worker Visa have to be currently working for an overseas business that has an agreement with their UK sponsor that has been registered with the Home Office by the UK sponsor.
• They must have worked outside the UK for a cumulative period of at least 12 months for the sponsoring business.
• The employee needs to have an accurate and valid Certificate of Sponsorship that is issued by the employer
• The iob for a Secondment Worker must be at minimum or above skilled level but the good thing is that applicants do not have to satisfy a salary requirement
• From the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship, permission will be granted for 1 year, which will start from the time given on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days.
• In this category of Global Business Mobility Visa, the maximum time that is allowed is 5 years in any 6 years period.

All applicants must remember that the validity period for a valid Certificate of Sponsorship is only 3 months. So a Secondment Worker application should be submitted within that timeframe.

Applicants will need to prove their identity by providing the supporting documents as part of their application for the worker visa.. Upon submitting the application, paying the fees, and submitting your biometrics, a decision will be made within 3 weeks, especially when applicants are applying from outside the UK and if they are applying from inside the country, the processing time will be within 8 weeks.

For more information about the Global Business Mobility routes and our immigration services, please contact us on 0203 959 3335.

By opting for this category of Global Business Mobility one cannot get settlement However, employees have the option of switching to another immigration route, which would directly lead to settlement. Individuals opting for this category can be accompany their dependent partner and children . Specialists from Morgan Smith Immigration can guide you regarding how to apply for the visa and how to extend the senior or specialist worker visa.

Requirements for Senior or Specialist Worker

To qualify for a senior or specialist worker visa, applicants have to satisfy the following requirements:

• Applicants must be aged 18 or over.
• They must be an existing employee of an organisation holding a Sponsorship Licence.
• They must be sponsored for a job that is on the list of eligible occupations.
• They must be paid at least £42,400 per year
• They must have a valid certificate of sponsorship.
• They must have enough funds to support themselves rather than relying on public funds.
• They must provide a valid certificate of TB, if applicable

Other than this, applicants require 60 points to qualify for a senior or specialist worker visa:

• Sponsorship (60)
• Job at an appropriate skill level (20)
• Salary at the required level (60). 

How applicants apply for this visa depends on whether they are inside the UK and switching from a different category. It also depends on applicants whether they want to extend their stay as a senior or specialist worker or you are outside the UK and coming to the UK.

Applicants can apply up to 3 months before the day they start work in the UK. They can find the date of employment on their certificate of sponsorship.

If applicants need an appointment to do this, they might need to allow extra time for this. They will find it out whether they need one or not when they will start their application. Once you get the visa, applicants can stay in the UK for whichever is shorter of:

• The time mentioned on your certificate of sponsorship for 14 days
• 5 years

Applicants can apply in order to extend their visa or apply for another one as many times as they like, up to the maximum total stay. If you are interested in applying for Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist worker visa, Morgan Smith immigration can provide tailored advice on all the visa and immigration matters, contact us at 0203 959 3335.

This route of the Global Business Mobility Visa has replaced the contractual service supplier and independent professional provisions in temporary work category. If you need any assistance regarding Service Supplier Visas, experts from Morgan Smith Immigration will be happy to assist you.

Requirements:

In order to qualify for a Service Supplier visa you must meet the following requirements:

• Applicants for a service supplier visa have to be working for an overseas service provider that will provide services to their UK sponsor and have worked outside the UK for a cumulative period of 12 months as a Service Supplier.
• The UK sponsor of applicants must have a contract with an overseas service provider. Contracts should be registered with the Home Office and on which the applicant will work as a Service Supplier.
• Applicants must have an accurate and valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This CoS must be issued by an employer holding a Sponsorship Licence under the Service Supplier category.
• The job has to be an eligible job at or above the minimum skill level. However, applicants do not need to satisfy a salary requirement.
• Other than this, applicants would not have to satisfy the need for an English Language requirement, but applicants must meet the nationality requirement.
• Applicants are permitted to work in the UK for the sponsor in the job that is described on their Certificate of Sponsorship.
•  The maximum time that is allowed in this category is 5 years in any 6-year period.
• The Global Business Mobility-Service Supplier does allow applicants to bring their dependent partner or spouse and their dependent children who are under 18.
• Upon approval, applicants will be granted leave as a Service Supplier for the period of 6-12 months depending on the trade agreement of the Sponsor.
• Under different trade agreements, applicants can return to the UK but care has to be taken not to overstay in the UK than the cumulative time that is permitted in the UK under Global Business Mobility routes.

If you are interested in applying for a Service Supplier visa, Morgan Smith Immigration can provide tailored advise on Service Supplier route. For more information about the Global Business Mobility routes and our immigration services please contact us on 0203 959 3335.

The UK government has implemented a new provision called the Enhancement with EU Settlement Scheme that would automatically extend the pre-settled status of citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, as well as members of their families, by two years if they have not attained settled status by the time their pre-settled status expires

The Home Office will complete the process, and it will automatically show up in the person’s digital status. The extension will then be conveyed to the individual. As a result, nobody’s immigration status will be lost if they fail to submit an application to change from a pre-settled to a settled status.

The Home Office also plans to take action to convert as many eligible individuals with pre-settled status into settled status once they are eligible for it, without requiring them to submit an application. Automated pre-settled status checks will be used in 2024 to confirm their continued continuous residence in the UK. There will be safeguards in place to make sure settled status is not conferred inadvertently.

According to Lord Murray, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Borders and Migration:

“Numerous nationals of the EU, other EEA countries, and Switzerland, as well as their families living in the UK, are protected from losing their immigration status by simply neglecting to apply for settled status thanks to the automatic extension of pre-settled status. By allocating resources to legitimate late applicants and status holders and addressing phoney EUSS applications vigorously, the actions we’ve announced today will help us continue serving the UK public.”

Pre-settled individuals should take the steps to ensure the following:

• They update their online platform if their passport or identification card has changed since they received pre-settled status.
• They maintain track of their absences from the UK and keep records of their residence in the UK, such as council tax invoices, water bills, P60s, or self-assessment tax returns. Their eligibility for settled status may be impacted by absences of more than 180 days in any 12-month period.
•  They record the expiration date of their pre-settled status, which is typically five years after it was granted.
• They keep track of when they are eligible to apply for established status (often five years from their date of arrival in the UK), and they submit their application at that time.
• They create a share code that they provide to their employer either when their pre-settled status has been prolonged or they have been given settled status.

According to estimates, 5.6 million Europeans and families had acquired legal status in the UK as of 31 March 2023 due to the massively successful EUSS, with 2.1 million having pre-settled status and 3.5 million having settled status.

The Global Business Mobility-Graduate Trainee Visa is for the foreign workers who are transferred by their employer to the UK for a work placement as part of a graduate training course.
Graduate Trainee Visa does not lead to the settlement however workers have the option of switching to another immigration category leads to settlement.
Individuals applying for this route can be accompanied by their dependents (children and partner). Dependent Partner must be over the age of 18 and dependent children under the age of 18. The number of graduate trainees that the UK sponsor may sponsor has no limit.
This Graduate Trainee visa has replaced the previously known Tier 2(Intra-company Transfer) Graduate Trainee Visa. Morgan Smith Immigration has vast experience in assisting individuals and businesses their Graduate Trainee Visa and other Global Business Mobility categories. Contact your lawyer on 02039593335 or email you questions on [email protected] to discuss further.

 
Requirements:
In order to qualify for the Graduate Trainee Visa the following requirements should be met:

• Applicants have to be associated with an organisation that is linked to their UK sponsor by ownership or by joint venture.
• They must have worked outside the UK for this particular business for at least 3 months prior to the date of their visa application.
• For the job that applicants are planning to do they need to have a valid certificate of sponsorship issued by an employer holding a Sponsorship Licence under the Global Business Mobility category for Graduate Trainees.
• Applicant’s job has to be an eligible job at or above a minimum skill level and in most of the cases, applicants need to have a salary that equals or exceeds £23,100 per year and 70% of the pro-rata going rate for the occupation.
• The going rate requirement will be 100% of the pro-rata going rate if the applicant is being sponsored for a job in education or health occupation codes. However, they will not have to satisfy the need of an English language requirement.
• Upon approval the applicant will be granted leave as a Graduate Trainee for 1 year under the Global Business Mobility.
• A graduate trainee visa can be extended from within the UK for 1 year. However, applicants have to be careful and not spend more than the cumulative time permitted in the UK under Global Mobility routes.

Applicants are permitted to work in the UK for the sponsor in the job that is described on the Certificate of Sponsorship. Whilst working in the UK, applicants can also do voluntary work or undertake a course of study. If you are interested in applying for Graduate Trainee Visa, Morgan Smith Immigration can provide you with a tailored advice on it. For more information about Global Business Mobility routes and our immigration services please contact us on 0203 959 3335.

The Global Business Mobility-UK Expansion Worker Visa or also known as a Self-Sponsored Visa is primarily for overseas specialist employees and senior managers who wish to travel to the UK on a temporary basis to undertake work related to the expansion of a foreign business in the UK.

This route of global business mobility visa has replaced the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa route. Sponsors are limited to sending a total of 5 employees at a time. Also, important to note, this route can only be used when the business has not yet started trading in the UK. Specialists from Morgan Smith Immigration can help you apply for UK Expansion Worker Visa.

This route does not lead to settlement unlike the old route as it can only be granted for a year at a time for a maximum of two years in total. Once the two years have completed the applicant are advised to switch to the Skilled Worker route. This new path, like a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, requires sponsorship and has a minimum wage and skill requirements.

To qualify for this visa, organisations must prove that they have been trading for at least three years overseas, one year in case of Japanese companies because of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and they also must provide evidence related to their expansion plan in the UK.

Requirements:

Below are the requirements applicants must satisfy to apply for the UK Expansion Worker Visa:

• An applicant as a UK Expansion worker must be working for the sponsor group and have worked outside the UK for the sponsor group for a cumulative period of at least 12 months, unless the applicant is either applying as a high earner or a Japanese national seeking to establish a UK branch or subsidiary of the sponsor group under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
• For the job applicants are planning to do they must have a valid certificate of Sponsorship issued by a worker that is authorised by the Home Office in order to sponsor a UK Expansion Worker. The job that applicants are planning to do must be an eligible job at or above the minimum skill level. Other than this, applicants must be paid £42,400 or above per year. However, applicants will not have to satisfy the English language requirement for this route.
• After the start of the job, permission will be granted for 1 year of the time given on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days.

If you need any advice on the UK’s new Global Business Mobility routes and how the new changes could have an impact on your business immigration plans, Morgan Smith Immigration can help. If you are planning to apply for this route, contact us on 0203 959 3335.