Business Immigration – A Guide For Employers

This guide sets out a summary of the UK's business immigration system (including the Points Based System) and the main routes for employers to consider

Introduction

In this guide, we provide a summary of the key issues for employers to consider when recruiting overseas nationals under the Points-Based System.

The UK's immigration system

Since 1 January 2021, everyone (except for UK and Ireland nationals) has required immigration permission if they want to work in the UK.

Following Brexit and the end of freedom of movement, EU, EEA and Swiss nationals (and certain family members) who arrived in the UK before 11pm on 31 December 2020 had until 30 June 2021 to apply for (pre-)settled status under the EUSS in order to retain the right to live and work in the UK. It is still possible to apply under the scheme if individuals meet one of the criteria for a late application, or have 'reasonable grounds' for not applying before the deadline, but this will only