Change of rules for seconded workers

There have been significant recent changes in relation to the visa requirements for business visitors to the UK. The UK Border Agency updated rules which appeared to make it very easy for foreign nationals to work in the UK as a business visitor secondee, without the need to qualify under the new Points Based System. Additional guidance has since been issued to close this loophole by drastically limiting the scope of the business visitor secondees route.

Julia Onslow-Cole explains: "The new rules allow for very few workers to enter the UK via this route, which will impact many employers, in particular Indian IT companies and other consultancies who rely on being able to move workers quickly, easily and at low cost across the globe. It is important that they understand the new guidance and follow it carefully. Employers who fail to comply with these rules risk fines of £10,000 per worker, bans on re-entry for the individual for 10 years and the loss of their sponsor license. Should an employer knowingly breach these rules then they may be liable to unlimited fines and up to two years in prison."

View the business visitors update pdf