Articles and information in relation to UK Payroll for business, employers and employees.
Raising the English fluency level will allow migrants to contribute and integrate into British life. Migrants will need to speak English to a higher standard if they wish to stay permanently in the UK, under landmark reforms introduced. They are being given a full year’s notice to prepare – giving the best opportunity to integrate … Continue reading Higher standard of English now required to settle in the UK
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are replacing physical immigration documents with a digital immigration status, known as an eVisa eVisas will replace all visa stickers in 2026 From 12th January 2026, most people granted a visit visa, and some other visa types will be told that they will get an eVisa as well as a visa sticker. Most people … Continue reading Move to eVisas update
Enforcement raids skyrocket by 77% … leading to an 83% increase in arrests. Illegal working arrests and raids have reached the highest level in British history due to relentless activity by the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement teams. Over 17,400 raids were made to dodgy businesses such as nail bars, car washes, barbers and takeaway shops - targeting those attempting to undercut … Continue reading Illegal working – raids reach highest level in UK history
Nationwide takedown of illegal delivery riders leads to over 170 arrests Delivery riders caught working illegally across Britain face being removed following a major operation by the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement teams. During just seven days of action during November 2025, 171 riders were arrested. Of those, 60 were detained for removal from the UK. … Continue reading Illegal delivery riders face removal following enforcement blitz
Digital posters and leaflets are now available in three additional languages for regulated organisations, ambassadors, and charities to download and share. The Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) has updated its range of promotional materials to help advice seekers understand why regulated immigration advice matters, the risks of unregulated advice, and how to report poor or illegal … Continue reading New Resources to tackle unregulated immigration advice
The Home Secretary's statement setting out significant reforms to the UK’s legal migration model. Oral statement to Parliament 20th November 2025 Madam Deputy Speaker, with your permission I will make a statement on a fairer pathway to settlement for migrants. The story of migration in this country is woven through my own. My father came … Continue reading A fairer pathway to UK settlement
Consultation on extending legislation to prevent illegal working (the Right to Work Scheme) to other working arrangements This Home Office consultation is now live. It is open to businesses across the UK and seeks views on how the checks should be implemented in the wider labour market (gig economy, zero hours, flexible working arrangements). This … Continue reading Preventing illegal working (the Right to Work Scheme) to other working arrangements
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are replacing physical immigration documents with a digital immigration status, known as an eVisa. Moving to a digital immigration system UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are developing a digital immigration system. This means replacing physical documents with a digital record of identity and immigration status. This is known as an … Continue reading Update on the move to eVisas
The Home Office have issued guidance for those travelling to Europe from Friday 2nd October 2025. Whether for holiday. Business or visiting family, be prepared. https://twitter.com/ukhomeoffice/status/1971477337888760089?s=12 PAYadvice.UK 29/9/2025
A new digital ID scheme is to help combat illegal working while making it easier for the vast majority of people to use vital government services. Digital ID will be mandatory for Right to Work checks by the end of the Parliament. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces plans for free digital ID for those living … Continue reading Digital ID scheme to be rolled out
More than twice the number of licences were revoked in the first year of this government than the year before, showing delivery of real action to secure our border Record numbers of employers have been banned from sponsoring foreign workers under a crackdown on abuse of the immigration system, as ministers continue to roll up … Continue reading Rogue employer visa sponsor licences revoked
…action led to a 10% fall in student asylum claims. The significant growth in asylum claims from legal migration routes has been stemmed following tough new measures introduced in the first year of this government. The crackdown included a record number of credibility interviews and mandating a genuine study requirement for short-term student routes, as … Continue reading Crackdown on legal visa abuse
Illegal workers arrested in nationwide enforcement surge Hundreds of arrests have been made across the UK following a week-long crackdown on riders working illegally for delivery firms. Operation Equalize Under Operation Equalize, the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement teams launched a nationwide intensification week of activity targeting illegal working hotspots, with a focus on the gig … Continue reading Illegal delivery riders shut down
Most main applicants travelling to the UK on study or work-related visas will no longer need a physical sticker visa in passports from 15th July 2025 The UK Government is replacing physical immigration documents for most student and worker visas with a digital proof of immigration status, an eVisa. An eVisa is an online record … Continue reading New UK eVisas for Pakistani students and workers
New rules to be laid in Parliament see skills and salary thresholds rise, overseas recruitment for care workers end, and more than 100 occupations no longer granted access to the immigration system. These changes, the first to be rolled out from the Immigration White Paper, represent a fundamental shift in the UK’s approach to immigration and restore … Continue reading Immigration reforms restore order and control
Irish people living in the UK can benefit from a new British citizenship route. Irish people living in the UK will be able to apply for British citizenship under a new easier, cheaper route, strengthening the unique relationship between the two countries. Migration and Citizenship Minister Seema Malhotra visited Belfast 3rd July2025 to formally welcome … Continue reading Easier British citizenship route for Irish citizens
Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat commit to further strengthening security checks on delivery riders to prevent illegal working in the gig economy. Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat are to strengthen verification checks on delivery riders to clamp down on illegal working, following talks with the government. The commitment comes after ministers convened the … Continue reading Delivery firms to bolster efforts to stop illegal working
Nationwide clampdown on delivery riders working illegally Ramp-up of arrests and visits set to take place across the UK targeting migrants working illegally in the gig economy The U.K. government Home Office Enforcement teams are gearing up to launch a nationwide blitz targeting illegal working hotspots, with a focus on the gig economy and migrants … Continue reading Delivery riders working illegally!
Over 6,000 arrests and 9,000 visits carried out in crackdown on illegal working. A major surge in immigration enforcement activity across the UK has led to a 51% rise in the number of arrests as part of a Home Office drive to disable the illegal working trade in the UK. Immigration Enforcement teams have … Continue reading Illegal working enforcement
A dedicated community support will deliver justice for victims of the Windrush scandal, ensure they have their voices heard and receive deserved compensation. Victims of the Home Office Windrush scandal will receive crucial support to access the compensation they deserve under a £1.5 million fund launched by the government today. The Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund (WCASF) … Continue reading £1.5 million fund to support Windrush compensation applicants
..millions have accessed their eVisa, as an extension to the period expired immigration documents can be used for travel is confirmed. Over 4 million UK visa holders have successfully created an account to access their eVisa, according to Home Office statistics published today. An estimated 600,000 people are yet to switch from their physical document … Continue reading Millions have taken action to access eVisa
Most successful January in over half a decade for Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams tackling illegal working. Illegal working A record-breaking January for illegal working enforcement activity has been revealed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper as the government’s landmark Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill returns to Parliament for its second reading Monday 10th February 2025. Tackling … Continue reading Blitz on illegal working
The government has been intensifying raids to tackle illegal working across England since the summer. Officers have been out in force across the UK to disrupt rogue employers who hire migrants illegally and exploit vulnerable people, and to address the promise of illegal jobs that are used by criminal smuggling gangs to sell spaces in … Continue reading Crack down on illegal working
Home Office statistics published show that over 3 million people have now made the switch from using physical immigration documents to an eVisa. eVisas are a key element of the move to a digital, streamlined border and immigration system, replacing physical immigration documents with digital proof of immigration status. This transformation should enhance people’s experience … Continue reading Visa holders should switch to an eVisa now
New data shows illegal working arrests have increased by 25% A crackdown on rogue businesses hiring people to work illegally has led to a significant rise in arrests, new figures published by the Home Office show. Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams have been intensifying operational activity across the UK to stop businesses hiring people to … Continue reading Arrests for illegal working rises
Non-Europeans can now apply in advance for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and will need one to travel to the UK from January 2025. The UK is introducing the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for millions of visitors who pass through the UK border every year, including six million from the USA, Canada, and Australia. From … Continue reading Pre-travel ETA applications for non-Europeans opens
By April 2025, all visitors who do not need a visa will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK. The UK government is taking major steps towards delivering its ambitious aim to digitise the UK border and immigration system and has set out new implementation dates for the electronic travel authorisation … Continue reading UK to expand digital travel to more visitors
Home Secretary commits to a 'fundamental reset' in the government’s response to Windrush. Victims of the Windrush scandal will be better supported to apply for compensation through a £1.5 million fund as the Home Secretary sets out a ‘fundamental reset’ to the Windrush generation. The Home Secretary set out the first steps that the new … Continue reading New support for Windrush victims
Physical immigration document holders urged to take action to access their eVisa now The government is urging all those across the UK who use a physical immigration document to take immediate action to transition to an eVisa, as part of plans to digitise the UK border and immigration system. In addition, up to £4 million … Continue reading eVisa transition
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced last month that the government would crack down on unscrupulous employers who are hiring migrants illegally and exploiting vulnerable people, alongside extensive work to disrupt the criminal networks who bring the workers to the UK. During an intensive week of action from Sunday 18th to Saturday 24th August 2024, … Continue reading Rogue employers targeted in illegal working crackdown
Members of an organised crime group have today been jailed for forging more than 2,000 marriage certificates to allow people to live in the UK illegally. Nigerian nationals Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi and Adekunle Kabir have been jailed for a total of 13 years after a hearing at Woolwich … Continue reading Sham marriage gang sentenced
The changes will ensure that citizens can continue to prove their rights easily, and bring greater clarity for those required to check immigration status. Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme have been announced which will ensure that all those granted pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme can continue to prove their rights easily, and … Continue reading EU Settlement Scheme changes
Leading food delivery companies will introduce enhanced security checks on their apps to prevent the market being abused by illegal workers, following discussions with the government. Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats are taking steps to protect the British public’s safety by preventing exploitation of account sharing by those looking to work. Michael Tomlinson, the Minister … Continue reading Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats to enhance checks to prevent illegal working
Millions invited to switch from physical immigration documents to an eVisa – a key step in creating a modernised and digital border. The next stage in the government’s plan to modernise the border and introduce a digital immigration system is under way, as the Home Office moves closer to the implementation of eVisas for nearly … Continue reading eVisa rollout begins
Income required to bring family to the UK increased as final measure of package to reduce legal migration comes into force. The Home Secretary claims to have delivered on the promise to transform the UK’s immigration system, cut unsustainable and unfair levels of migration, and ensure those arriving here do not burden the taxpayer. The … Continue reading Family visa tightened
Twelve immigration offenders have been arrested following a Home Office raid on a bedding and mattress factory in the West Midlands. Immigration Enforcement officers descended on the business, acting on intelligence that illegal working was taking place on site. They arrested 7 men – all Indian nationals – for suspected illegal working. Four more Indian … Continue reading Twelve arrested after Home Office raid
Changes now in force to slash migration and prevent the undercutting of British workers by employers looking to recruit cheap labour from overseas. UK businesses are now required to pay overseas workers coming to the UK on a Skilled Worker visa significantly more, as the government clamps down on cut price foreign labour and continues … Continue reading New laws to cut migration and put British workers first
The owner of a Cumbria pizzeria and takeaway has been banned as a company director for six years after hiring two illegal workers. Dondu Ozmicco hired two illegal workers without conducting right-to-work checks at the pizzeria in Cumbria The workers were found during a visit from Immigration Enforcement, who handed the business a £20,000 fine … Continue reading Six-year ban for boss who employed illegal workers
The Home Office has published an updated Code of Practice for the Right to Work Scheme, which will come into force on the 13th February 2024. It can be found at: This sets out the prescribed checks and information that must be retained by employers to obtain a statutory excuse against liability for a civil … Continue reading Right to work code update from 13th Feb 2014
From 1st January 2024, ….. most international students can now no longer bring family members to the UK. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that net migration was 672,000 from June 2022 to June 2023. In the year ending September 2023, 152,980 visas were issued to dependants of students, a more than 930% rise … Continue reading Student Visa action comes into force
Plan to deliver the biggest ever cut in net migration and curb abuse of the immigration system. The Home Secretary has announced plans to slash migration levels and curb abuse of the immigration system, delivering the biggest ever reduction in net migration. Together, this package will mean around 300,000 people who came to the UK … Continue reading Plans to cut net migration
Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat urged to end unchecked account sharing to protect the public. Food delivery firms have been urged to conduct checks on all delivery drivers, to protect the British public and prevent illegal working. Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has demanded Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat end the practice of unchecked … Continue reading Food delivery account sharing concern
11 agency workers were arrested by Immigration Enforcement at the London Marriott Hotel Regents Park The intelligence-led operation uncovered illegal working and exploitation of agency staff at the 4 star hotel in London. Home Office teams found 11 people employed illegally as cleaners, porters and maids, working 15 hours a day through third party recruitment … Continue reading Illegal workers arrested at Central London hotel
Increases to immigration and nationality fees …. are set come into effect on 4th October 2023. According to the UK government, increases to the immigration and nationality fees are to ‘pay for vital services and allow more funding to be prioritised for public sector pay rises’ are set come into effect on 4th October 2023, … Continue reading Increased VISA fees from 4th October 2023
The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has commenced an inspection of illegal working enforcement activity. The scope of this inspection will focus on Immigration Enforcement’s use of powers and policy and the planning processes for operationalising enforcement activity. The inspection team anticipates reporting to the Home Secretary by November 2023. David Neal Independent … Continue reading Home Office’s illegal working enforcement activity inspection
Fines are to be more than tripled for employers and landlords who allow illegal migrants to work for them or rent their properties. Fines are to be more than tripled for employers and landlords who allow illegal migrants to work for them or rent their properties, in the biggest shake up of civil penalties since … Continue reading Tripling of fines for those supporting illegal migrants
Members of a gang which recruited illegal migrants to work as cleaners across a string of Sainsbury’s supermarkets have been sentenced. Members of a criminal gang which recruited illegal migrants to work as cleaners across a string of Sainsbury’s supermarkets in Oxfordshire and the south-west have been sentenced. Five defendants were sentenced at Oxfordshire Crown … Continue reading Crime leader who recruited illegal workers to clean at Sainsbury’s jailed
The Home Office deployed over 300 immigration officers on over 150 enforcement visits in one day to crack down on illegal working across the UK. The Home Office confirms that it conducted a record number of visits targeting illegal working in one day, as part of a nationwide operation. During the operation, which took place … Continue reading Over 100 illegal workers arrested
New government restrictions to student visa routes to cut net migration while protecting the economic benefits students bring to the UK. New government restrictions on student visa routes are claimed to substantially cut net migration by restricting the ability for international students to bring family members on all but post-graduate research routes and banning people … Continue reading Changes to student visa route to reduce net migration
All employers in the UK have a responsibility to prevent illegal working. Employers can be jailed for 5 years and could pay an unlimited fine if they are found guilty of employing someone they knew or had ‘reasonable cause to believe’ did not have the right to work in the UK. Following an increase in … Continue reading Illegal working moped delivery drivers targeted
Arrests made by the Home Office during an intelligence-led, pre-dawn immigration operation. Six arrests have been made as part of a Home Office investigation into illegal working in the care sector. Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams executed six warrants at properties on Alma Road, Southampton in a pre-dawn visit on Wednesday 1st March 2023. Immigration … Continue reading Operation targeting illegal working in care industry – six arrested
The Home Office has ramped up immigration enforcement activity in the month since the Prime Minister’s pledge to boost raids on illegal working. A total of 1,152 immigration enforcement visits have taken place across the UK to identify illegal working since 11th December 2022, marking an almost 10% rise on visits completed in the previous … Continue reading Tackling illegal working
The UK’s top high-growth businesses will have greater flexibility and power to entice the world’s top talent through the new Scale-up visa, the government announced 22nd August 2022. UK businesses experiencing success will be eligible to sponsor talented individuals, from scientists and engineers to architects and programmers, to support their growth and contribute to boosting … Continue reading Scale-up visa to propel high-growth businesses
It is now free for those with indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK to make a No Time Limit application. From 6th April 2022 it is free for those with indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK to make a No Time Limit application, the Home Office has announced. A … Continue reading Fee removed for No Time Limit applications
Home Office announce further funding to help vulnerable EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members applying to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). The additional £2.5 million funding will go to a network of 68 grant funded organisations located throughout the UK which help people to apply to the EUSS who have vulnerabilities such … Continue reading Support for vulnerable applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme
The Home Office have issued an updated draft version of Employer's Guide to Right to Work Checks' to reflect changes in legislation coming into force on 6th April 2022. Employers Guide to Right to Work Checks What Right to Work checking changes? The updated guidance includes: changes in the way Biometric Residence Card Biometric Residence … Continue reading Updates to Employer Right To Work guidance for April 2022
UK individuals, charities, community groups and businesses can now record their interest in supporting Ukrainians fleeing the war through the government’s new Homes for Ukraine scheme. The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, has 14th March 2022, launched a webpage for sponsors to record their interest, ahead of Phase One … Continue reading ‘Homes for Ukraine’
The adjustments to right to work checks, which were made due to COVID-19, will now continue until 30th September 2022. This follows the government's announcement enabling employers to use Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT) to carry out digital checks on behalf of British and Irish citizens who hold a valid passport (or Irish passport card) … Continue reading Right to Work Scheme COVID-19 Adjusted Checks Update
A new ‘Brexit Freedoms’ Bill will be brought forward by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to mark the two-year anniversary of Getting Brexit Done. ‘Brexit Freedoms’ Bill will be brought forward to end to the special status of EU law and ensure that it can be more easily amended or removedMajor cross-government drive to cut £1 … Continue reading Brexit Freedoms Bill to cut EU red tape
Employers, Landlords and letting agents will be able to use certified new technology to digitally carry out vital right to work and right to rent checks aimed to crack down on abuse of the immigration system. The government has announced that, from 6th April 2022, certified identity service providers (IDSPs) will be able to use … Continue reading New digital identity checking for employers to tackle immigration abuse
The following case study is issued by UK Visas and Immigration as example of how an employer can employ someone from outside of the UK and the steps they will take to apply for a sponsor licence. Blooms florists Employing someone with settled status Sole proprietor florist with a small high street shop, trading as … Continue reading Blooms – How an employer can employ someone from outside of the UK
Seasonal Worker visa route extended until end of 2024, to allow foreign workers to come to the UK for up to six months to pick both edible and ornamental crops. The visa scheme which allows seasonal workers to come to the UK will continue, but the government has demanded a plan from the sector to … Continue reading Industry given certainty around seasonal workers but told to focus on domestic workforce
Care workers, care assistants and home care workers to become eligible for Health and Care Visa for 12 month period Care staff to be added to the Shortage Occupation List in response to pandemic pressuresVisa Boost complements £462.5m investment in Workforce Recruitment and Retention Fund Thousands of additional care workers can be recruited to boost … Continue reading Health and Care Visa scheme expanded
First intensive short courses in HGV driving under way to help tackle skills shortages and support 11,000 people launching new careers in the logistics sector. Free courses to train as HGV drivers are under way as part of a package of measures to ease driver shortages and support supply chains for Christmas and beyond. Skills … Continue reading More help to train and test new HGV drivers
The Home Office has announced a further £3 million to help vulnerable and at-risk EU citizens apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). The money goes to a network of grant funded organisations, which supports people across the UK in applying to the EUSS who have vulnerabilities such as language barriers or limited access to … Continue reading Further boost for people applying for EU Settlement Scheme
From Friday 1st October 2021, most EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will need a valid passport to enter the UK as the government stops accepting national identity (ID) cards as a travel document. ID cards are considered some of the most abused documents seen by Border Force officers and, last year, almost half of all … Continue reading ID cards phased out as acceptable travel documents into U.K.
The end date for the temporary adjusted checks has now been deferred to 5th April 2022 (inclusive). The Home Office have made the decision to defer the date following the positive feedback received about the ability to conduct checks remotely. They initiated a review of the availability of specialist technology to support a system of … Continue reading Right to work virtual checks acceptability extended
EEA citizens and their family members who apply late to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) will have their rights protected as the Home Office continues to support those wanting to stay in the UK. More than 6 million applications were made to EUSS before the 30th June 2021 deadline for those resident in the UK … Continue reading Temporary protection for more applicants to the Settlement Scheme
If you have missed the deadline, see if you can make a late application. Click on the graphic above. The deadline for applying for most people was 30 June 2021. You can still apply if that deadline did not apply to you, or you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for not applying by the deadline. If you’re applying … Continue reading EU Settlement date has passed – what are the options
Not before but on 1st July with little to no preparation time for U.K. employers, the Home Office have issued a revised Right To Work checklist for employers. Revised guidance for the changes required from 1st July were only issued late on Friday 18th June 2021 with employers only having less than 13 days to … Continue reading Right to Work Checklist changed 1st July 2021
At the eleventh hour, the Home Office have, at last, issued revised guidance (18th June 2021) on the changes required by UK employers in conducting right to work checks on new employees. Employers will need to ensure that their on boarding processes are reviewed and revised. The most significant updates contained in this updated guidance … Continue reading Home Office issues revised Right To Work guidance for 1st July 2021 and onwards
Service personnel from non-UK nations could be offered indefinite leave to remain in the UK for free under a new public consultation launched today by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel. Service personnel from non-UK nations who have served in the British Armed Forces could be offered indefinite leave to remain in … Continue reading Consultation launched to waive visa fees for non-UK military personnel