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Articles by Shara Pledger
UK Budget 2026: immigration changes offer targeted relief for employers and universities
A series of immigration measures announced by the UK government in its Budget 2026 could provide greater flexibility for employers recruiting overseas talent, despite maintaining the broader objective of reducing net migration, an expert has said.
UK employers review supply chain risks as new Right to Work liability takes effect
Shara Pledger tells HRNews how the extended Right to Work liability rules introduced on 1 October affect supply chains and contractual arrangements. We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. The new Right to Work rules are now in force, extending mandatory checks beyond conventional employees to a wider range of working arrangements.
UK employers prepare for wider Right to Work checks from October
Shara Pledger tells HRNews about the wider Right to Work rules taking effect on 1 October and what they mean for employers and their checking processes. We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. Changes to Right to Work rules are just a week away, extending mandatory checks beyond conventional employees to a much wider range of working arrangements. Until now, mandatory checks have centred on employees.
Spotlight on immigration and workforce mobility across UK and Ireland
For employers operating across both the UK and Ireland, immigration is no longer simply a compliance issue. Increasingly, it’s becoming an important part of workforce planning. Organisations that coordinate their approach across both jurisdictions are often better placed to avoid delays, reduce risk, and support wider business planning. Those that manage cross-border mobility most successfully don’t treat immigration as the final stage of workforce planning – they make it one of the first.
UK Migration Advisory Committee recommends restricting roles for migrant workers
Shara Pledger, an immigration expert with Pinsent Masons, was commenting as the UK's independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its latest review recommending that only 28 occupations should be retained on the government's Temporary Shortage List (TSL).
UK employers review recruitment ahead of expiry of Temporary Shortage List
The UK’s Temporary Shortage List is due to expire at the end of December, potentially closing off access to Skilled Worker sponsorship for a number of occupations that employers rely on to fill hard-to-recruit roles. With just a few months to go, employers that rely on overseas recruitment may need to review their recruitment plans and consider alternative ways to fill key roles. We’ll speak to an immigration expert who is helping a number of clients with that exercise.
International student levy ‘poses risks for UK talent and research’
Shara Pledger of Pinsent Masons was commenting after the government published draft legislation that, if implemented, would provide the legal basis for the levy to be introduced. The provisions are expected to be included in the next Finance Bill this autumn.
UK’s right to work check reforms confirmed for October
The government has confirmed that significant changes to the UK’s right to work regime will take effect from 1 October, following the publication of regulations and a draft Code of Practice setting out how the new framework is expected to operate. The reforms are designed to strengthen the government’s approach to illegal working, but for employers they raise important questions about how responsibility for compliance will operate in practice and whether existing processes remain fit for purpose.
Timeline confirmed for employer check changes as UK right to work revamp revealed
The government confirmed that new immigration law changes would take effect from 1 October, which widen employers’ duties to check staff have a right to work beyond traditional employment roles to cover workers’ contracts, individual subcontractors and online job-matching services.
King's Speech: digital IDs could streamline onboarding of foreign workers
Shara Pledger, an immigration expert with Pinsent Masons, was commenting after the government confirmed it was proceeding with plans to deliver a new voluntary national digital ID to improve access to public services.
Spotlight on workforce planning as UK and Ireland immigration rules evolve
For employers operating across the UK and Ireland, immigration is becoming harder to plan around. Salary thresholds are rising, the systems are different, and the rules can change over time. The result is that employers are not just asking whether they can hire someone today, but whether they will still meet the requirements in the future, particularly where they are managing workforces across both jurisdictions.
UK employers may face wider right to work duties under proposed Home Office code
The draft introduces a series of new definitions that broaden the scope of the right to work regime beyond traditional employment relationships. For the first time, the code formally defines ‘employer’ and ‘worker’ to include not only employees but also individuals engaged through worker contracts, as individual subcontractors or via online matching platforms.
New Home Office sponsor guidance raises compliance bar for employers
Shara Pledger, an immigration expert with Pinsent Masons, was commenting after the Home Office issued new guidance for employers on how to sponsor employees under skilled worker status. The guidance, which was published on 8 April, reinforces and expands on various duties for businesses that sponsor either permanent or temporary workers. The guidance outlines a new framework for how salaries paid to sponsored workers will be calculated and accepted.
Kanye West UK travel case contains lessons for businesses
The case provides lessons for businesses that may rely on an ETA to facilitate UK business trips for people – as well as business leaders themselves who may make seek to travel to the UK for business reasons. An ETA is required for nationals of visa-exempt countries, including US nationals like Kanye West, who wish to travel to the UK. It is not a visa, but it is mandatory, and it can be refused.
Employers plan ahead as shifts in UK immigration policy impact recruitment
The Government’s immigration policy is changing fast and it’s a challenge for employers to keep pace with their international recruitment demands. The latest example is the government’s visa break, which comes into force today, allowing certain Student and Skilled Worker visas applications to be refused on nationality grounds. Employers that don’t plan ahead risk hiring decisions today that no longer work as the rules evolve.
Education providers review international recruitment as UK imposes visa brake
The Government has announced a new “visa brake” mechanism allowing the Home Office to refuse certain visa applications based on nationality alone. The measure has initially been applied to four countries and will take effect on 26 March 2026. It is designed to allow the immigration system to respond quickly where there are concerns about abuse of particular visa routes.
UK to apply visa break to student applicants in new immigration rules shift
The UK government will launch a visa break later this month, which will suspend applications for student visas and skilled worker visas from some countries. Under the terms of the break student vias applications from nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan would be refused after 26 March, while skilled work visa applications would also be refused for Afghani nationals from that date.
UK scales back digital ID plans amid rising right to work checks
Shara Pledger, an immigration expert with Pinsent Masons, was commenting after the government confirmed it was scrapping the proposed mandatory digital ID scheme aimed at cutting down illegal working in the UK. The scheme, announced in September, would have made it mandatory by 2029 for all individuals to hold a digital ID to prove their right to work in the UK.
Increased sponsorship costs for UK firms under ‘earned settlement’ route
The Home Office has opened a consultation on major changes to the UK’s settlement rules that will increase the standard qualifying residence period for Indefinite Leave to Remain from 5 years to 10 years. It’s a fundamental change and for employers it means more visa applications, higher costs, and a much longer period of compliance responsibility. So, looking ahead, how should employers plan, budget and manage sponsorship? We’ll ask an immigration expert that question.
UK government consults on ‘revolutionary’ expansion of right to work checks
The Home Office has opened a consultation that could reshape right to work compliance. It looks at extending the checking scheme far beyond traditional employees and into a whole range of other working arrangements. If that happens, it means more checks, more administration, and a significant rise in exposure to civil penalties, all at a time when enforcement has never been tougher. We’ll speak to immigration lawyer Shara Pledger about what this could mean for employers.
New English language rules set to impact immigration applicants
The government is planning to raise the bar on English language skills for people applying to live and work in the UK, and the changes could have a direct impact on employers. Under proposals set out in the Immigration White Paper, the required standard of English will increase across multiple visa routes, including Skilled Workers and adult dependants.
Spotlight on UK immigration compliance for US employers
Shara Pledger tells HRNews about what US employers, with a presence in the UK, should consider when hiring workers in the UK. We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. If you’re a US business with operations in the UK, you might assume that hiring foreign workers and managing immigration compliance works in a similar way to the US system. But the UK has fundamentally different rules, and employers who don’t understand them can quickly find themselves in difficulty.
UK immigration fee increases require recruitment budget adjustments
The change affects a wide range of visa categories, settlement applications, and other immigration-related services, impacting both individuals and businesses. Shara Pledger, immigration law expert at Pinsent Masons, was commenting following the changes announced on 19 March. The amendments, the first increases to a number of charges in some time, will come into effect from 9 April. The increases include a 10% rise to visitor charges.
Right to work checks confusion over extent of UK employers’ responsibilities
Alex Wright tells HRNews about a misunderstanding which has arisen from a change in emphasis in recent Home Office guidance on right to work checks We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. In September, the Home Office issued guidance on conducting right to work checks but it seems a number of employers have misunderstood the extent of their responsibilities when it comes to checks for agency workers and contractors.
UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme to roll out worldwide in 2025
Alex Wright tells HRNews about the latest extension to the ETA rollout with effect from 7 January 2025 and how it affects employers. We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. The government’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, scheme has reached a key milestone. From January 8, 2025, it became mandatory for certain non-European nationals visiting the UK, marking a significant shift in border security and immigration controls.
UK Home Office clarifies fees recoverable by sponsoring employers from skilled workers
A wide range of costs will be incurred when an employer in the UK sponsors a migrant worker from overseas under certain visa routes, such as the skilled worker visa. As the number of sponsored migrant workers rises in the UK, employers increasingly need to consider the cost of sponsorship, including what and when they can expect a sponsored worker to pay, according to corporate immigration law expert Shara Pledger at Pinsent Masons.
UK government bans sponsors from passing on certain immigration costs to skilled workers
Alex Wright tells HRNews about updated Home Office guidance on sponsors passing on certain immigration fees to sponsored workers. We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. The Home Office has published updates to its guidance for sponsors of Skilled Workers, with key changes linked to Certificates of Sponsorship issued on or after 31 December 2024.
Increased fees on immigration products and services to impact UK employers
Shara Pledger, corporate immigration law expert at Pinsent Masons, was commenting following an announcement from the government setting out its intentions to raise fees on selected immigration products and services at the earliest opportunity. These measures include significant price hikes on various immigration products and services, as well as changes to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) rules for airside transit.
Digital advancement at forefront of UK immigration law developments
This is also true for other countries across the globe, with jurisdictions worldwide exploring the growing trend of digitalisation in immigration law.
UK expands its Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme
The government has published details of its expansion of the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme. The new rules confirm that the scheme will be fully rolled out to all applicable countries by April 2025 – later than the original end of 2024 deadline. So, by April 2025, all visitors who do not need a visa will need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK. We’ll speak to an immigration expert about this significant development.
European and US business visitors to face new UK travel requirements
International companies need to start preparing for the upcoming changes in border requirements to avoid potential disruption to travel plans, a corporate immigration expert said. The expanded ETA travel scheme involves an online application process and a £10 fee.
Plan now for transition to eVisas, warns immigration lawyer
Shara Pledger tells HRNews about the Government’s eVisa rollout which will replace physical immigration documents from 31 December 2024 We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. The UK Government is in the process of developing a digital immigration system - so-called eVisas. They will replace physical documents, such as such as Biometric Residence Permits (‘BRPs’) with an online record of immigration status.
UK employers urged to ensure smooth digital immigration status transition
The Home Office will discontinue BRPs and implement eVisas by 31 December 2024, with both employers and employees required to ready themselves ahead of the deadline.
UK employers must be mindful of offers of employment for migrant workers
Shara Pledger, commercial immigration expert at Pinsent Masons, said: “It remains crucial that employers plan carefully if they decide to apply for a sponsor licence and to sponsor migrant workers.
UK seaman visa guidance gives clarity to offshore employers
The Home Office recently updated its caseworker guidance for seamen arriving in the UK, which sets out the guidance and the process for seamen arriving in the UK as operational crew or passengers joining a ship as crew members. Maria Gravelle, immigration law specialist at Pinsent Masons, said: “The correct position, while undesirable for many employers, has now been clarified.
European Commission proposes UK/EU youth mobility scheme
Alex Wright tells HRNews about a plan to make it easier for 18-30-year-olds to study and work abroad We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. The European Commission has outlined plans to strike a deal to allow 18–30-year-olds to come to the UK for a limited time without needing a visa sponsorship.
EU-UK youth mobility scheme may help fill post-Brexit employment gap
The European Commission outlined plans to make progress with the scheme that would allow young people, usually between 18 and 30 years old, to come to the UK for a limited time without needing a visa sponsorship. The suggested time frame could be up to four years, potentially simplifying immigration for EU students, interns and workers as well as extending opportunities for UK nationals looking to study or work across the EU.
Home Office study evaluates the Global Talent visa
Shara Pledger tells HRNews about the many advantages of the Global Talent route designed to attract the ‘brightest and best’ to the UK We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. The Home Office has published new research on the Global Talent visa, the route designed to attract to the UK talented and promising individuals in the fields of science and research, digital technology, and the arts.
UK employers face complexities due to immigration sponsorship changes
The new rules went live as expected on 4 April meaning that, in effect, there are now two sets of rules impacting sponsored workers running alongside each other.
Graduate visa at risk with ‘rushed’ MAC review
Shara Pledger tells HRNews about the current uncertainty surrounding the Graduate visa immigration route We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. Is the Graduate visa at risk? In March the government commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the Graduate visa and we await its report which is due on 14 May amid concerns that the route is being exploited and abused. We’ll speak to an immigration expert about the future of this important route. A reminder.
Changes to UK’s work visa routes from 4 April 2024
Shara Pledger tells HRNews about a significant raft of changes to the immigration rules which will affect all sponsored workers in the UK from 4 April 2024 We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. A raft of changes to the immigration rules take effect in a few days’ time on 4 April as part of the government’s drive to cut net migration. The overall impact will be significant - to make it harder for roles to qualify for skilled worker sponsorship.
Civil penalties triple for employing illegal workers
The civil penalties an employer may face for employing an illegal worker has tripled. From 13 February 2024 the maximum civil penalty for employing an illegal worker rose from £15,000 to £45,000 per worker for a first offence and from £20,000 to £60,000 per worker for repeat violations. It means there is now a significantly higher financial risk to employers of failing to carry out compliant right to work checks. We’ll speak to an immigration specialist why so many employers are getting this wrong.
UK and EU employers gearing up for new travel authorisation schemes
The European Union is planning to introduce two separate but interconnected travel authorisation schemes that will affect non-EU citizens travelling to most EU countries, including for business-related reasons.
UK employers issued update on right to work check requirements
The update (66 pages/ 883 KB), published earlier this month, increases the penalty for employers from £20,000 per illegal worker to a maximum £60,000 depending on circumstances. The update also includes new guidance requiring employers to take additional steps to ensure compliance where they engage sponsored workers for so-called ‘supplementary work’.
Changes to UK’s Visitor Visa rules now in force
Shara Pledger tells HRNews about recent changes to the immigration rules expanding the range of activities visitors are allowed to perform in the UK We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. On 7 December 2023, a number of changes to the immigration rules were announced by the UK government, with the increased salary thresholds for Skilled Workers and those on spouse visas making the headlines.
Ireland’s work permit salary threshold increases come into effect
The increases came into force on 17 January after being announced last month, and some employers may now face issues when taking on new starts whose salaries are now too low.
Change to UK’s Graduate visa dependants rule now in force
On 1 January new restrictions to student visa routes came into force. It means international students in the UK will no longer be able to bring dependants on their student visa unless they are studying a postgraduate research programme. The change, first announced back in May last year, is part of a wider raft of measures designed to drastically bring down the high numbers of migrants coming to the UK, and to crack down on those who take advantage of the flexibility of the UK’s immigration system.
UK immigration update develops rules for business visitors
The immigration rule update (47 pages/424 KB) offers greater flexibility to business visitors, including the explicit inclusion of remote working as a general business activity. Considering the latest update, corporate immigration expert Shara Pledger of Pinsent Masons said the changes will appear “quite minor” but will in fact have a significant impact on those to whom they apply.
UK government unveils 5-point-plan to cut net migration
Shara Pledger tells HRNews about a raft of immigration changes set to affect employers from spring 2024 We're sorry, this video is not available in your location. The government has announced a 5-point plan to cut migration levels and curb abuse of the immigration system. In a statement, the Home Secretary, James Cleverley, said it will deliver the biggest ever reduction in net migration and will mean around 300,000 people who came to the UK last year would now not be able to come.
Government net migration plans ‘squeeze’ legal immigration routes
Home secretary James Cleverly announced measures on Monday as the government aims to deliver the biggest ever reduction to net migration. The five-point plan is “more robust” than any previous stance on migration, according to Cleverly. The measures will see the base salary requirement for a skilled worker visa rise from £26,200 to £38,700 and an increase to the minimum income for sponsors of family visas to £38,700 from £18,600.
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