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18 March 2016

In the ever-evolving sphere of UK immigration it is important that UK visa holders and sponsor organisations stay up to date with the latest industry movements.

Below, we explain key UK immigration terminology which will aid every migrant and UK sponsor in their understanding of the system.

The points-based system (PBS)

The PBS is the Home Office’s immigration system for managing applications from people who wish to come to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. UK visa applications accrue points according to a set of strict criteria in order to qualify for consideration.

A licensed sponsor

A licensed sponsor is an organisation licensed by the Home Office’s UK Visas & Immigration department to sponsor Tier 2 or 5 migrants to come to the United Kingdom by way of employment under the points-based system.

Sponsor duties

As a sponsor of skilled migrants under the points-based system, an employer has a duty to comply with the UK Immigration Rules at all times. Employer responsibilities stretch across areas such as record-keeping, reporting, and cooperating with the Home Office, along with other Tier-specific duties.

Authorising officer

This is a role required within a sponsor organisation as a matter of compliance. The authorising officer is responsible for the activities of anyone acting on behalf of the sponsor to issue certificates of sponsorship.

Resident labour market test

Before employing a migrant worker, many sponsor licence holders will need to prove by way of a resident labour market test (RLMT) that no suitably qualified resident worker could be found to take a particular job.

Certificate of sponsorship (CoS)

A CoS is a ‘virtual document’ which is assigned by a licensed sponsor to a migrant who wishes to work for them in the UK. The migrant must quote the certificate of sponsorship reference number when applying for permission to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 2 or Tier 5 of the points-based system.

Tier 2 (General)

This is a UK visa category under the points-based system designed specifically for skilled, non-EEA nationals with a UK job offer.

Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer)

This is a UK visa category of the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work. It’s relevant for sponsors who are transferring employees within an organisation to a skilled job under Tier 2.

Immigration health charge

Commonly referred to as the IHS, this charge was introduced in April 2015 to cover the health costs of Tier 2 migrants during their time in the UK. It has since formed a large part of the UK’s immigration policy and significantly increased immigration costs for both migrants and UK businesses, raising more than £1,000,000 for the NHS in its first six months.

Biometric residence permit

Also known as a BRP, this document is similar to a credit card in size and acts as a migrant’s final proof of his/her right to live, work or study in the UK. Upon receiving UK immigration approval, migrants are issued with a 30-day vignette which allows them to enter the UK and pick up their BRP from a designated Post Office within 10 days of arrival.

Read more UK immigration news in the latest edition of Insight, our quarterly UK immigration newsletter.

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