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Three female housing support workers holding folders.

08 Oct 2020

Employers

The way you hire people from the EU is changing

From 1 January 2021 the UK will introduce a new points-based immigration system which will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally. Anyone coming to the UK to work, excluding Irish citizens, will need to apply for permission in advance.

Under a points-based immigration system, anyone coming to the UK for work must meet a specific set of requirements for which they will score points. Visas are granted to those who gain enough points.

This represents a significant change for employers recruiting from outside the UK labour market. To support employers the Home Office has produced a guidance pack providing an overview of the new system to help you prepare.

Read the Employer Partner Pack here.

Reimbursement of the immigration health surcharge

Most non-EEA nationals applying for temporary leave to enter or remain in the UK for longer than six months must pay an immigration health surcharge (IHS) to the Home Office at the point of visa application.

On 21 May 2020, the Prime Minister announced plans to exempt health and care workers and their families from the IHS. These exemptions are backdated to 31 March 2020.

Find out more about the Reimbursement of the immigration health surcharge here.

Contact information

Sandra Wilson
Communications Officer
Scottish Social Services Council
communications@sssc.uk.com