Brokers

Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors – Brokers –UK Visa Applications

Hiring skilled and experienced brokers is key to the success of the Global Financial Services industry – and despite the UK being at the centre of that industry, restrictions on the international recruitment of brokers across all sectors of the market can frustrate business strategies and, ultimately, revenue generation.

Recruiting high calibre brokers in an increasingly competitive global market can prove a challenge for UK-based firms because of serious skills shortages in STEM subjects and foreign languages in the UK labour force.

Duncan Lewis business immigration solicitors can advise companies on the international recruitment of brokers, who are eligible to work in the UK under the regulations covering occupations skilled to NQF Level 6.

Duncan Lewis business immigration lawyers frequently advise corporate clients wishing to recruit brokers from overseas on Tier 2 applications – as well as advising on recruiting recent overseas graduates who have qualified in the UK and wish to take up appointments in the UK’s financial services sector.

Any Tier 2 applicants can be sponsored for jobs in certain occupations – and the government has drawn up a list of eligible occupations for brokers wishing to apply for a Tier 2 visa to take up a position in the UK.

UK Visas & Immigration regulations set out in the Codes of Practice for Skilled Workers such as brokers.

Under the regulations, the sort of roles within a company that would be eligible for a Tier 2 visa application include:
 

• Foreign exchange dealer
• Insurance broker
• Investment administrator
• Stockbroker
• Trader (stock exchange).

UK Visas & Immigration rules also set out the types of duties a broker might undertake to qualify for a Tier 2 visa, including:

• advises client on the suitability of particular insurance schemes and places insurance on behalf of client
• discusses buying and or selling requirements of client and gives advice accordingly
• analyses information concerning market trends for commodities, financial assets and foreign exchange – and advises client and employer on the suitability of a particular investment
• records and transmits buy and sell orders for stocks, shares and bonds and calculates transaction costs
• provides independent advice on the suitability of insurance schemes and places insurance on behalf of client
• arranges for the production of auction catalogues, fixes reserve prices, attends auction and bids on behalf of client – or negotiates purchase/sale by private treaty of goods not sold at auction
• obtains cargo space, fixes freight charges – and signs and issues bills of lading
• collects freight charges from client and undertakes all necessary formalities concerning customs and the loading/unloading of cargo.

The current minimum salary range for a broker applying for a Tier 2 UK visa would be £26,600 for an experienced candidate – and  £20,500 for a new entrant.

Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2013.

Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors – UK Visa Applications & Appeals – Brokers

Applying for a Tier 2 visa for a broker joining your UK operation requires expert legal advice on the preparation of the visa application to ensure no delays occur.

Companies should be aware that any delays in the Tier 2 visa application process might potentially jeopardise the timely take up of a broker appointment.

Duncan Lewis immigration experts are one of the UK’s leading specialist immigration and business immigration solicitors, with a highly successful track record in advising companies and individuals on business immigration and the UK visa application process.

Duncan Lewis immigration lawyers have offices nationwide and in most major cities – and our national and London immigration lawyers regularly advise companies wishing to recruit high-calibre brokers from overseas on:

• Tier 2 Licence
• Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsor (CoS)
• Tier 2 Visa Applications
• Tier 2 Intra Company Transfers
• Standard UK Visa for Business Visits.

Duncan Lewis business immigration experts are also able to advise on visa appeals for brokers wishing to take up appointments in the UK.

As immigration specialists, Duncan Lewis is ranked by Legal 500 2015 for its business immigration services.

For further information on UK visa applications for Brokers, call Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors in confidence on 0333 772 0409 for a FREE initial consultation.