LIVERPOOL-based JST Lawyers has launched a specialist business immigration division to help the city’s employers get to grips with changing legislation and avoid unlimited fines – and even potential prison sentences.
New measures introduced by the Home Office to tackle illegal migrant workers came into effect on at the end of February in what specialists believed marked the biggest immigration shake-up in a generation.
Employers who employ migrant workers without visas will face penalty fines of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker and a criminal conviction which could lead to a two-year prison sentence. This month also sees the introduction of the points scoring system for migrants from outside the EU.
The system comprises five tiers and will evaluate the skills of migrants applying to work in the UK. Initially, only highly skilled migrants, entrepreneurs and innovators will be affected. The full system will be rolled-out throughout 2008.
Employment lawyers Neil Gouldson and Peter Mellody are heading up the new business immigration division at JST.
Mr Mellody said: “Liverpool’s Capital of Culture status and the North West’s strong, diverse economy make the city and region an appealing place to live and work. A wide variety of sectors ranging from sport and leisure to healthcare employ migrant workers from across the globe. We’ll be working closely with employers to ensure that personnel recruitment continues to benefit their bottom lines and does not jeopardise their livelihoods.�
JST Lawyers’ new business immigration division specialises in work permit application and extensions, training and work experience permits, entrepreneur and working holiday maker visas.
Mr Mellody added: “The points scoring system replaces the existing highly skilled migrant programme and the UK Work Permit scheme. The first tier is designed to attract entrepreneurs with significant sums to invest in British business as well as highly qualified people who the government believe will boost the economy. The remaining tiers will help plug skills gaps in the UK labour market.
“While the new system should benefit companies throughout the city, immigration laws are complex and can leave employers entangled in red tape. We’ll be focusing on helping employers to complete the stringent application process and all the necessary background checks on migrant workers to ensure that they’re legally able to work in the UK.�