Nxt Manchester — Nov./Dec. 2008 - (Page 6)

Shiva Shadi Immigration Specialist Davis Blank Furniss NXT CHALLENGE Q: I own a restaurant in Manchester. We employ migrant workers. I heard a new system will be introduced by the UK Border Agency. How will it impact my business and what should I do in preparation? Shiva Shadi answers: The Points Based System (PBS) goes live in November 2008. From this date, the old system will be closed and any new applications or renewals of permits must be made under the new system. Employers must register as sponsors. To do this, organisations must register online and complete an online application form. Once this form has been completed, the submission sheet should be printed and sent to the Border Agency, accompanied by the required fee and supporting documentation. These will then be checked by the Border Agency and, upon approval, the name of the organisation will be published on the Register of Sponsors. Employers who register must pay a license fee ranging from £300 to £1,000 depending on the size with licenses valid for four years unless revoked by UK Border Agency. record in employing migrant workers. Each rating will be published on the Register of Sponsors, which is in the public domain. An A-rated sponsor is an organisation that has all the required systems in place and demonstrates no evidence of abuse. The B-rating indicates either a Border Agency officer has found that the organisation does not have adequate systems and procedures in place to satisfy its duties, or that there have been previous evidence of abuse. The Border All sponsors must fully coopAgency has the discretion to erate with the Border Agency. downgrade an organisations’ An organisation must allow rating. Border Agency staff onto the premises on demand. Visits In the event of a breach, may be unannounced and sponsors could face severe during these visits, the Border penalties. The civil offence of Agency will be looking to employing a person subject assess an organisations’ com- to immigration control can pliance with the new require- generate a maximum fine ments, such as record keepof £10,000 for each illeing, compliance rules and gal employee. The criminal any tier-specific duties. offence of knowingly employing a person without permisThe Border Agency will use sion to work could result in an a rating system to manage unlimited fine and/or a maxisponsors. The ratings will mum of two years’ imprisonreflect an organisations track ment for the employer. T X chal N

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Nxt Manchester — Nov./Dec. 2008

Nxt Manchester – Nov./Dec. 2008 Contents Editor's Notes Nxt Challenge Scott Hider BNW: Angels Den BNW: Pink Ladies BNW: EEF BNW: CarbonZero BNW: Dennis Turner Nxtbook Stateside Nxtbook Europe MP Arlene McCarthy Career Profiles In The Spotlight Avoiding Business Fraud News Nxt News Events Listings (Nov./Dec.) Do the Nxt Challenge

Nxt Manchester — Nov./Dec. 2008

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