UK updates sponsor guidance regarding Certificates of Sponsorship

On 19 March 2024, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) updated relevant sections of the sponsor guidance to clarify how forthcoming changes to the Immigration Rules may affect sponsors and sponsored workers and the actions that must be taken by sponsors. Significant changes to the Immigration Rules are set to go into effect on 4 April 2024, including the following: (i) the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code system will be updated from SOC 2010 to SOC 2020. This change will update the "Appendix Skilled Occupations" and introduce changes to some occupation code numbers and job descriptions; and (ii) the salary thresholds for Skilled Workers, Global Business Mobility Workers, Scale-up Workers and Seasonal Workers will increase. These changes will affect applications for entry clearance or permission to stay that are supported by a Certificate of Sponsorship assigned on or after 4 April 2024.

A Tax Alert prepared by EY's People Advisory Services group, and attached below, provides additional details.

Download this Tax Alert