How can businesses prepare for the new immigration system?

The U.K. Home Office’s recently published quarterly and annual immigration statistics show there were 2.1 million visas granted in the year ending June 2020, a 29% decrease compared with the previous year. In their article “How can businesses prepare for the new immigration system?” immigration counsel Claire Nilson and associate Hodon Anastasi analyze these statistics and explain what employers can do to prepare for post-Brexit arrangements.

Nilson and Anastasi expect immigration numbers for next year to increase as a result of the new immigration system, applications by EU citizens (who have not had to apply previously so, until now, have not appeared in this data), and the removal of the cap on numbers in certain work visa categories.

They also suggest businesses prepare by identifying European employees (and their European family members) and supporting them in securing Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status; securing or renewing a Sponsor Licence; and planning their recruitment strategy with the new immigration system in mind.