Home Office Provides Support for SMEs Recruiting International Talent

For many small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), the sponsorship process appears time consuming, bureaucratic and inflexible. The Home Office guidance on sponsorship is extensive and as a result it may be difficult for smaller businesses, with limited resources, to find the information they need. This can ultimately hinder the ability for SMEs to recruit the international talent and skills that would help their business grow.

Listening to the needs of small businesses:
To tackle this problem, the Greater London Authority (GLA) is working closely with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department to drive an agenda that supports SMEs by better understanding their needs when recruiting international staff. The three month pilot launched on September 23rd will provide SMEs with an online support structure.

An easy to use toolkit is now available on the GLA website. This includes an overview of the most common mechanisms for recruiting overseas workers so businesses know the entire process upfront and can plan accordingly. There is a best practice guide to help businesses ensure they comply with UKVI standards when employing overseas workers, and a frequently asked questions reference section based on common mistakes and issues faced by other SMEs.

For queries of a more complex nature, expert advice is available from the Home Office - this will provide clarity and ensure businesses are complying with the law. For those small and medium sized recruitment agencies looking to hire international talent or provide client support, go to www.London.gov.uk/sme-visa-support for more information.