Topical:
President Trump signed the KIWI Act into law on 1 August 2018. The bill had been introduced by Senators Mazie K. Hirono – Democratic representative for Hawaii - and Mike Lee – Republican representative for Utah, to make it possible for New Zealanders to access US E1 treaty trade and E2 treaty investor visas.
There have been complaints that MPs have reported suspected illegal immigrants to the Home Office. According to the Independent MPs have reported 723 suspected illegal immigrants to the Home Office. Unfortunately, there is also the possibility that migrants such as Tier 2 visa migrants working for an employer with a Tier 2 Sponsor licence could be affected as well. Mistakes can be made.
As we reported recently if you are an employer with a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence and wish to apply to employ Tier 2 visa migrants based outside the UK you should consider applying soon. It is possible that it could become more difficult in future.
The situation has improved enormously for many Tier 2 visa employers with a Sponsor Licence and Tier 2 visa migrants since August 2018. From December 2017 to June 2018 the points requirement for a restricted CoS to employ someone based outside the UK was very high. This meant that many employers simply could not afford to pay the salary required to gain enough points which was about £50,000 plus.
Amid plans to force landlords to check the UK visa and immigration status of prospective tenants, the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) fears that non-UK nationals face ‘serious discrimination.’ The JCWI has in the past challenged the plans in court, arguing that visa and immigration status checks will result in landlords favouring British passport holders.
Major Israeli-US E2 visa developments could potentially bring an end to a saga stretching back years. According to media outlets across the Middle Eastern nation, the Knesset Internal Affairs Committee has finally approved a long-awaited, reciprocal immigration programme for US investors.