NON EU CITIZENS & THE MODERN WORKPLACE

The United Kingdom (UK) is home to people from almost every nation on earth. Although some historical rights and privileges remain for citizens of former British Empire and Commonwealth countries, generally the same requirements apply to non-EU citizens wishing to work in the UK, no matter their country of origin.

Since 2006 the UK has tightened it‘s regulations on the entry of non EEA citizens to work in the UK. Some of the new regulations have retrospective effect.

For example:- a graduate permitted to stay after graduation under the 'Fresh Talent Initiative,' would require to seek a new Visa under the new system introduced in 2008.

The Government has made it clear that unless an employer can establish a pressing need, no unskilled labour will generally be granted a Visa except other than on short-term schemes, e.g. for fruit or vegetable picking. From late 2008 any UK employer seeking to employ non-EEA citizens in the UK must first obtain registration as a Sponsoring Employer for which a substantial fee is payable. Generally when employers think of non-EU labour, their thoughts turn to the traditional UK recruiting grounds of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines. Although we have entered into agency partnership agreements with companies in each of these countries and are always delighted to promote their candidates, more and more we are bringing into our Candidate database, people from former parts of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries not yet within membership of the EU. In particular we have an excellent portfolio of candidates from Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Croatia, F.Y.R. Macedonia and Russia itself.


If you are seeking candidates from a particular nationality because of their acknowledged skills or expertise, we will be happy to try and secure them on your behalf. Where you may wish to employ non-EEA citizens in the UK. we strongly advise you to consult the website of the 'Borders and Immigration Agency' which is the Government department overseeing these matters.