Following changes to the immigration system at the beginning of January 2010, skilled migrant workers must now apply for ID cards if they wish to extend their employment visas.

The ID cards will provide details on identity, nationality and information regards their right to work or study in the UK under the points based immigration system.   It is important for employers to request proof of all employees ‘right to work’ in the UK during the selection process, therefore these changes should be noted and be applied to all applicant workers from outside of the European Economic Area.

Once the Tier 2 migrant workers have applied for an ID card, the UK Border Agency decides whether or not to grant them another visa as an extension of their current visa.

These new rules will affect any migrant workers who plan to stay in the UK for six months or longer.   They will be required to obtain an ID card proving their right to continued employment   in the UK by April 2011.