Immigration Skills Charge on Tier 2 Visas From 6 April 2017

The UK Government has introduced a new Immigration Skills Charge for Tier 2 visa sponsors. From 6^th April 2017, employers of Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) and Tier 2 (General) visa applicants will be subject to an Immigration Skills Charge.

The Immigration Skills Charge is an additional government charge on any UK organisation with a Tier 2 sponsor licence. The Skills Charge will need to be paid upfront at the point a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) is assigned to an individual.

Employers who recruit skilled workers from outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) through the Tier 2 route will pay the Immigration Skills Charge. The money generated by the skills charge will be used by the Department of Education to address skills gaps in the UK workforce. The skills charge will also help reduce the burden of tax from the Immigration System.

Key Points of the Immigration Skills Charge

• The skill charge will be £1,000 per year for medium or large sponsors.
• The skill charge will be £364 per year for small businesses, charities or a person who employs no more than 50 employees
• An individual coming to the UK whose CoS is issued for two and half years would pay £2,500 for the Immigration Skills Charge.
• The skill charge does not apply to CoS given to individuals before 6 April 2017 or to existing Tier 2 workers already in the United Kingdom before 6 April 2017 who extend their stay or change employer or job.
• The refund process is likely to follow the same provisions as the Immigration Health Surcharge fee where applications are refused or withdrawn.

The Immigration Skills Charge is completely exempt for:

• Dependants
• Tier 2 ICT Graduate Trainee
• Tier 2 worker performing a PhD level role specified by the Home Office
• Skilled workers switching from the Tier 4 visa category
• Any family members of the Tier 2 applicant.
• Skilled workers applying for entry clearance for less than 6 months

Please get in touch with us anytime if you have any queries about the new Immigration Skills Charge.

Visit our blog daily for more updates on UKs' Healthcare System.

Recruitment Synergy is a UK based Medical Recruitment Agency. Remember us for Locum, temporary and permanent jobs across UK. We also provide compliance support   and  migration consultation to our candidates.