Visa Support
Brexit is going to affect hiring plans.
Increased costs and a slower hiring process for EU to UK placements (and ‘visa versa‘) will become the norm.
We’re working with Fragomen LLP, immigration specialists, to provide a tailored solution for the games industry.
About Fragomen LLP
Founded nearly 70 years ago in the United States, Fragomen is a global immigration specialist law firm who can help you to navigate the many pitfalls of the visa process. As we head into an uncertain future, with stricter rules enforced on the movement of talent between the UK and Europe, their hard-earned knowledge expert advice is now more vital than ever for studios looking to hire the best talent.
The Cost of the New Visa Rules:
If you’re a UK studio the immigration skills charge will vary dependent on how your business is categorised by the Companies Act 2006.
Costs will vary on a case by case basis, dependant on the size of your business, the salary of your new team member and whether they have dependents.
Below are two examples to demonstrate how visa costs can differ.
This first example is for a small company who are looking to hire:
- A Programmer from Spain
- On a Salary of £32,000
- No Dependents
- Want to sponsor for three years
(The company would need to sponsor again after three years to enable a candidate to get to five years total – qualifying for permanent UK residence)
| FEE ESTIMATE | Cost | VAT | Total |
| Government fee, Certificate of Sponsorship | £199.00 | N/A | £199.00 |
| Government fee, Skilled Worker 3 year visa, application fee | £610.00 | N/A | £610.00 |
| Government fee – Immigration Skills Charge (£364 per year) | £1,092.00 | N/A | £1,092.00 |
| Government fee, IHS charge (£624 per application) | £1,872.00 | N/A | £1,872.00 |
This second example is for a larger studio (who will pay a higher rate of immigration skills charge).
They want to hire:
- An artist from the Netherlands
- With a salary of £30,000
- Candidate has a spouse who they are bringing with them
(Based on sponsorship for three years with a review after this period deciding if they wish to continue and allow the candidate to become a UK resident).
| FEE ESTIMATE | Cost | VAT | Total |
| Government fee, Certificate of Sponsorship | £199.00 | N/A | £199.00 |
| Government fee, Skilled Worker 3 year visa, application fee | £1,220.00 | N/A | £1,220.00 |
| Government fee – Immigration Skills Charge (£1000 per year) | £3,000.00 | N/A | £3,000.00 |
| Government fee, IHS charge (£624 per application) | £3,744.00 | N/A | £3,744.00 |
To find out how your studio and your hiring plans will be affected from January 2021 sign up to the Fragomen LLP webinar.
We’re working with Fragomen LLP to bring you a solution tailored for the games industry.
Visa Support Service:
– Webinar series with Fragomen LLP, January to March 2021
- Expert advice on visas and the application process
- Presented by Laurence Keir-Thomas of Fragomen LLP
- Q&A section to discuss general concerns and questions
– Free studio consultation with Fragomen LLP
- All our clients are eligible for a free 1 hour consultation with Fragomen LLP regarding visas and immigration law
- Studios attending one of the webinars we’re hosting with Fragomen LLP are also eligible for a consultation, sign up using the link below
- Can’t make the webinars but would still like information? Contact us using the link below.
– Discounted legal costs
- 20% reduction on Fragomen LLP legal fees for our clients
– Discounted visa and recruitment package
- Contact us to discuss a combined package
– Visa & Immigration Briefings
- Continued updates, advice and guidance on visas and immigration rules
- Created by the experts – Fragomen LLP
