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Business travel to the UK: Understanding the new UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme

Being a business visitor is often far from straightforward, with plenty of rules, regulations and requirements to consider. What is an ETA? Since 2024, the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, has been rolled out to various foreign nationals, becoming…
Posted on 2nd June, 2025
, in UK 
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Salary Sacrifice into Pensions: What’s not to like?

Changes to the rate of UK employers’ National Insurance from 13.8% to 15% from 6 April 2025 may prompt employers who have not already done so to consider implementing salary sacrifice arrangements, particularly in relation to registered pension plans. What…
Posted on 27th May, 2025
, in UK 
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New UK rules announced for Non-Domiciled Individuals

The UK government is replacing the remittance basis tax regime available to non-domiciled individuals (the “Non-Domiciled Regime”) with a new Foreign Income and Gains tax regime.  The Non-Domiciled Regime has its roots in legislation dating back to the Napoleonic wars.…
Posted on 27th May, 2025
, in UK 
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Abbiss Cadres welcomes immigration specialist Shareena Rahman to the team

We are delighted to announce that Shareena Rahman has joined CELIA member Abbiss Cadres, bringing with her over 13 years of extensive experience in immigration law. Specialising in UK business immigration, Shareena offers a comprehensive range of services to meet…
Posted on 22nd July, 2024
, in UK 
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2023 visa routes to the UK

There are various “work visa” categories in the UK, many of which require sponsoring by a business with a relevant sponsor licence. Since the sponsor licence system was first introduced in 2008, these visa categories have evolved. Some have been…
Posted on 17th March, 2023
, in UK 
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Expanding into the EEA or UK for the first time

What are the main considerations when expanding into the European Economic Area (EEA) or the UK for the first time? We have created a checklist of the top 10 considerations for a business taking its first steps in the EEA…
Posted on 13th December, 2022
, in UK 
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Delays to UK worker visas: what can employers do?

Many employers have struggled with the challenges caused by delayed VISA applications of their workers and a lack of priority appointments in all but a small number of visit visas. This has made it very difficult to reasonably plan when…
Posted on 21st August, 2022
, in UK 
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Right to Work Checks have changed from April 2022

In March 2020 Right to Work checks in the UK were temporarily adjusted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was to make it easier for employers to carry out checks. Temporary changes The following temporary changes were made: checks could…
Posted on 24th May, 2022
, in UK 
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UK GDPR – A new UK personal data transfer mechanism

What’s new? Eight months after the EU released their new standard contractual clauses for personal data transfers outside of the EEA, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) issued its version of the new standard contractual clauses (SCCs). Why? Following Brexit,…
Posted on 3rd January, 2022
, in UK 
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UK – Investor route to a visa closed for those with £2m to invest – but alternatives remain for those wanting to invest in the UK

With the spotlight on wealthy Russians having used the Investor route as a quick path to settlement in the UK the Home Office closed this visa route to new applicants with immediate effect on 17 February 2022. Existing Investor migrants…
Posted on 3rd January, 2022
, in UK 
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Don’t Leave the UK if you have an Outstanding application

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on businesses throughout the last year and a half. Immigration, in particular, has been affected with a multitude of issues arising as a result of travel restrictions. In this case study,…
Posted on 8th January, 2021
, in UK 
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Abbiss Cadres Bolsters Data Protection Service With New Partner Hire

We are pleased to announce the addition of a new partner, Megan Shields, former Associate General Counsel of U.S. headquartered Webroot Inc, the global, anti-malware tech firm. Megan will spearhead the expansion of Abbiss Cadres’s data protection and privacy offering…
Posted on 8th January, 2021
, in UK 
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International Remote Working – A Multidisciplinary Perspective

Are you ready for increased employee choices and flexibility in the workplace? There is no doubt that we are all living through an exceptional period of time, as a result of the pandemic. We have seen a revolutionary and practically…
Posted on 4th January, 2021
, in UK 
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EU Commission Data Protection Adequacy Decision – One Step Closer to Approval

Another positive step towards data adequacy status was reached in February with the publication of the European Commission’s draft adequacy decision. Further progress was made towards UK data adequacy status with the publication of the European Data Protection Board’s (EDPB)…
Posted on 4th January, 2021
, in UK 
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The Pension Schemes Act 2021 Receives Royal Assent

The Pension Schemes Act 2021 (the Act) has received Royal Assent on 11th February 2021. The Act may well have an effect on corporate transactions given that the Act extends the powers of the Pensions Regulator to include the creation…
Posted on 2nd January, 2021
, in UK 
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The Post Brexit Immigration System

The UK officially left the EU on 31 January 2020 the transition period maintaining free movement for EU citizens ran until 31 December 2020. As of now, the Post Brexit Immigration Rules apply to all migrants, including those arriving from the…
Posted on 2nd January, 2021
, in UK 
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Brexit Deal: What’s Changed?

Immigration: Although the transition period has ended, EU Citizens will be able to enter the UK just using their passports until the end of September 2021. Now the transition period has finished, the Frontier Worker system offers EU Citizens who…
Posted on 2nd January, 2021
, in UK 
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Bringing Certainty, 5 ways a Global Mobility Team can support businesses through uncertain times

Currently, it feels like we can’t turn on the news without being faced with yet another event rocking the global stage. From political changes like Brexit, the growing rhetoric between the US and China to the Coronavirus pandemic, the world…
Posted on 9th January, 2020
, in UK 
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Guide to Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Updated 8th June 2020

Last Updated 8th June 2020 Most Recent Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme About the Scheme FAQs Most Recent Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme The government has announced significant changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Under…
Posted on 6th January, 2020
, in UK 
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Immigration in the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK

The UK’s Home Office are now regularly updating their guidance for immigrants in the UK and those wanting to make applications to come here. The latest position is set out in their guidance most recently updated on 26 May 2020…
Posted on 6th January, 2020
, in UK 
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Coronavirus & Global Mobility – Back to Business, the ‘New Normal’

We are all in unprecedented times with changes to the way we live and work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), that no-one could have imagined just a few months ago. With many countries in lockdowns and nearly all international travel paused…
Posted on 6th January, 2020
, in UK 
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Coronavirus Business Support for Employers and Workers

Last updated: 2nd June 2020 9:30 Every day, governments and central banks around the world are announcing new measures to support the economy through the COVID-19 crisis. Set out below is a summary of the UK measures which we will…
Posted on 6th January, 2020
, in UK 
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Job Retention Scheme – deciding when to act

Last updated: 31th March 2020 15:45 Many employers will be considering whether and if so when to take advantage of the Job Retention Scheme announced by the Government on 23 March 2020. The main points of the Scheme are a…
Posted on 6th January, 2020
, in UK 
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The UK Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Strategy – Coronavirus Lockdown

The UK Government has launched its COVID-19 recovery strategy – ‘Our Plan to Rebuild’ on 11th May 2020. The strategy was launched with the caveat that the timetable will be delayed if the Coronavirus is not successfully controlled and if…
Posted on 6th January, 2020
, in UK 
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Coronavirus FAQs

Last updated: 2nd June 2020 12:30 Here to help Effective, regular communication is key to the successful management of your workforce in this crisis.  This is particularly so where your workforce is mainly working remotely and where you are looking…
Posted on 4th January, 2020
, in UK 
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What is replacing the UK’s Tier 1 Entrepreneur visas? Part Two: Innovator Visas

International applicants wanting to start businesses in the UK must use the new Start-up or Innovator visa categories since the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa has been consigned to history. We looked previously at the Start-up category, how family members can…
Posted on 8th January, 2019
, in UK 
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What is replacing the UK’s Tier 1 Entrepreneur visas? Part One: Start-up Visas

As of March 2019, International applicants wanting to start or get involved in businesses in the UK must now use the new Start-up and Innovator categories as Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas have been consigned to history. There is a feeling…
Posted on 8th January, 2019
, in UK 
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Sending employees to the UK – six top tax tips

For those considering sending employees to the UK, there are several ways to reduce the employment costs with careful planning. Our multi-disciplinary team can help arrange UK assignments to allow employers to take maximum advantage of the key planning points…
Posted on 7th January, 2019
, in UK 
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Business Immigration: Opportunities for Overseas Businesses and those wanting to bring in talent to the UK

The UK Government has signalled its intention to make all inward migration to the UK subject to the same Rules. This is regardless of whether the applicants are coming from Europe or beyond, so it is a good time for…
Posted on 3rd January, 2019
, in UK 
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10 Considerations for employers ahead of Brexit

Unless there is an agreement to extend the two-year Article 50 period, the UK will be leaving the EU on 29 March 2019. If an agreement is reached before 29 March 2019 then there will a transition period during which…
Posted on 3rd January, 2019
, in UK 
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Immigration in the Brexit scenarios: What could happen?

In light of the UK Government’s recently published guidelines for EU citizens in the case of a no-deal Brexit, Senior Consultant at Abbiss Cadres Jonathan Martin takes a look at the possible options and how immigration may change under each…
Posted on 2nd January, 2019
, in UK 
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UK Budget – key takeaways for HR practitioners

On 29 October 2018, the Chancellor delivered the 2018 Budget. This article provides an overview of the key developments relevant to HR practitioners. Changes in tax rates and allowances Income tax The tax free personal allowance for income tax will…
Posted on 11th January, 2018
, in UK 
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Expansion into the UK – Immigration opportunities for overseas business, investors and entrepreneurs

Currently there are three key immigration routes for businesses and investors looking to expand into the UK. Post the decision to leave the EU, the UK Government is keen to grow its non-EU trade relationships. Given that UK sterling has been trading…
Posted on 11th January, 2017
, in UK 
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The moving target of UK immigration policy: practical steps for workforce planning

UK immigration policy is a constantly moving target, amid the cut and thrust of the UK’s negotiations to leave the EU.  So where are we now, and how can employers in the UK do the right thing by their EEA…
Posted on 7th January, 2017
, in UK 
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BREXIT: a brief timeline

On 29th March, the United Kingdom government triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, following a swift approval process through the UK legislature.  This kick-started the two-year notice period for the UK’s official exit from the European Union. Here’s a…
Posted on 3rd January, 2017
, in UK 
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Brexit: practical steps to plan ahead and keep your workforce happy

Much remains unclear about the future of the UK labour market following its formal exit from the EU, likely to be in March 2019 under the emerging Brexit timetable. However the UK government’s position, set out in its formal White…
Posted on 3rd January, 2017
, in UK 
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Investing in the UK: immigration routes to expansion

The UK’s decision to leave the EU has created uncertainty for businesses in the UK, and those considering a move to the UK.    However, the recent growth figures for the UK economy in Q4 2016 demonstrate that this is…
Posted on 3rd January, 2017
, in UK 
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Brexit – EU Nationals in the U.K.

  It is now nearly six months since the U.K. referendum voting for Britain to leave the EU.  The U.K. government is still arguing that it should not have to ask the U.K. Parliament to trigger Article 50 of the Treaty…
Posted on 12th January, 2016
, in UK 
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Brexit: Landmark High Court Ruling that Parliamentary Approval is Required to Trigger Article 50

The Summary Claimants, including a group known as "The People's Challenge to Article 50", have succeeded in obtaining a declaration from the High Court that the Government does not have the legal power to notify its intention to leave the…
Posted on 11th January, 2016
, in UK 
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Don’t overlook your UK obligations on Modern Day Slavery

Prime Minister, Teresa May, recently announced that the UK will lead the way in the battle against Modern Day Slavery, estimated to affect 20.9 million people worldwide. What many businesses may not realise is that they could have a responsibility under…
Posted on 9th January, 2016
, in UK 
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The UK votes to leave the European Union – What does it mean for Employers?

After months of debate the wait is over.  Although the UK might feel like a very different place today, in reality very little will change immediately. With no precedent, and after 40 years of integration, there is much left to…
Posted on 6th January, 2016
, in UK 
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Modern day slavery reporting obligations kick in for businesses in the UK

The UK government has taken an increasingly proactive stance to try and address the global issue of human trafficking, slavery, servitude or forced or compulsory labour which is estimated to affect 20.9 million people worldwide.  Improved knowledge of the size…
Posted on 3rd January, 2016
, in UK 
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Court confirms decision to include commission in holiday pay

The Employment Appeal Tribunal has confirmed that an employee’s holiday pay should take into account the contractual commission they would have received had the employee been able to work during their holiday period. The history The ongoing saga of whether…
Posted on 3rd January, 2016
, in UK 
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UK tax authorities crackdown on remuneration tax avoidance

In February 2016, the UK tax authorities (HMRC) announced that they will be cracking down on certain types of remuneration arrangements which seek to convert what would otherwise be taxable employment income into capital gains.   Taxation of employment income UK…
Posted on 2nd January, 2016
, in UK 
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Major employment changes: 2015’s changes and what to expect in 2016

2015 saw many legislative changes and announcements for 2016 that impacted not only UK resident companies and their employees, but also international businesses with a presence in the UK.  In this article we review what happened in 2015, and what…
Posted on 1st January, 2016
, in UK 
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UK Government update on economic progress: changes impacting HR professionals

Introduction The UK Government revealed its plans for the British economy in the Autumn Statement on 25 November 2015, which included some key tax announcements that will impact HR practitioners and companies with employees in the UK. In this article…
Posted on 11th January, 2015
, in UK 
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Market value of shares subject to restriction on sale

The First-tier Tax Tribunal has ruled that the valuation of shares acquired by an employee, which were subject to a restriction on sale, should be reduced to take that restriction into account for the purposes of calculating the employee’s income…
Posted on 10th January, 2015
, in UK 
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Summer Budget 2015 – Key announcements relevant to UK Employers

The second budget of 2015 in many ways continues previous trends as the UK government looks to incentivise people into work, reduce state benefit and deficit bills and promote the UK as “open for business”. However there was one major…
Posted on 7th January, 2015
, in UK 
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Pensions auto enrolment is starting to hit small and medium-sized employers in the UK

In October 2012 pension changes were introduced in the UK requiring all employers to automatically enrol their employees in a pension scheme.  The changes are being phased in and until now have only affected large employers.  However, with most large…
Posted on 7th January, 2015
, in UK 
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Mandatory gender pay reporting to be introduced in the UK

Mandatory gender pay reporting to be introduced in the UK Just before the UK parliament was dissolved for the forthcoming general election, the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill received Royal Assent.  One element of this new Act is to introduce…
Posted on 4th January, 2015
, in UK 
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UK – HMRC annual share plan returns – 5 top tips to ensure you are ready for 6 July 2015

A new online registration and filing regime for share plans came into force on 6 April 2014; the first annual filing deadline under the new regime will be 6 July 2015.  Set out below are 5 top tips for companies…
Posted on 1st January, 2015
, in UK 
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New rules for holiday pay in the UK could cost employers more

Changes to the way in which holiday pay is calculated in the UK will bring additional expense to many employers in 2015. Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, all UK employees are entitled to 28 days’ paid holiday per annum,…
Posted on 1st January, 2015
, in UK 
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UK Finance Bill 2015 to simplify taxation of benefits and expenses for employers

The UK Government has published the first draft of the Finance Bill 2015, which includes most of the legislative changes announced by the Chancellor in his Autumn Statement. Building on the previous recommendations of the Office of Tax Simplification, the…
Posted on 1st January, 2015
, in UK 
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Shared parental leave brings new complications for employers

From 1 December 2014 (and not 1 October as originally anticipated), the new Shared Parental Leave (SPL) regulations will come into force in England and Wales. These will be provided alongside the current Maternity and Parental Leave regulations 1999, giving…
Posted on 10th January, 2014
, in UK 
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Paying commission during holiday

The recent case of Lock v British Gas Trading Limited has caused concern amongst employers. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) decided that Mr Lock's holiday pay should include a sum in lieu of the commission that he might have…
Posted on 7th January, 2014
, in UK 
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Collective redundancies and transfer of undertakings in the UK – what has change

On 31 January 2014 changes were made to the UK legislation which implements the European Acquired Rights and Collective Redundancies Directives. The new Collective Redundancies and Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (unattractively shortened to CRATUPEAR) state:…
Posted on 3rd January, 2014
, in UK 
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