AFB Seminar: A Review of Proposed Changes to the UK Immigration Rules and their Effect on Employers

You are invited to attend an in-person seminar hosted by Fox Williams, focused on the proposals to change the visa and settlement rules contained in the UK Government’s White Paper, ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’, published in May 2025. This sets out reforms aimed at reducing net migration and strengthening border control.

Why attend?

The White Paper signals a significant tightening and changes to the immigration rules relating to employers and sponsors as well as employees, family members, students and other categories. This session will look at the details of the proposals, what banks need to consider and what they should do to prepare for the changes.

The numerous proposed changes will be covered in the presentation, with a focus on:

• An explanation of the key changes to the immigration rules affecting the recruitment and retention of overseas talent, and changes to the Skilled Worker visa requirements
• Sector-specific insights for financial services employers to guide them through the proposals
• Consideration of the proposed increase in the Indefinite Leave to Remain qualifying period
• Practical steps for HR, compliance and legal teams to deal with the proposed increase in compliance obligations for sponsors

The implementation of these requirements and changes in the law are envisaged for early 2026, prior to which the Government will consult with employers and sponsors.

Who should attend?

This session will be valuable for HR leaders, in-house counsel, compliance officers, and senior managers in financial services who have responsibility for recruitment, sponsorship, and workforce planning.

Speakers

Sacha Schoenfeld, Partner and Head of Immigration team

Sacha works with clients to assist across the full range of immigration matters, with an emphasis on the provision of bespoke and tailored solutions to often complex immigration issues. She has expertise in supporting professional service providers, start-ups, SMEs, making applications for senior and highly specialised individuals, as well as advising on the crucial immigration-related compliance issues that arise in corporate transactions.

She works with businesses of every size to assist with all aspects of the immigration space, from entry and residence to settlement and citizenship. She advises on all business immigration queries, including international secondments, intragroup transfers and regularly assists clients to navigate the practical implications for employers of the frequently changing legislation and rules.

As well as providing strategic immigration planning and assisting with the development of global mobility policy, Sacha regularly advises banks and those in the financial services space on issues relating to their strategy and expansion, including advising their non-UK national staff and assisting with compliance advice and guidance, ranging from employment authorisation to right to work legislation to Home Office compliance audits.

Sacha will be accompanied by Yawar Abbas, a Senior Associate in the immigration team, an experienced practitioner who also regularly advises clients in the financial services sector.

Please note you will receive a confirmation of your booking via email within 24 hours. Should you not receive a confirmation, please contact AFB to double check if your booking was successful.

Logistics

Fee: Included in AFB membership (no fee)
Date: Wednesday 8 October 2025
Time: 08:30 – 10:15 (registration & refreshments from 08:30 – 09:00)
Location: Fox Williams, 10 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1AF

There will be ample opportunity for questions throughout the seminar. However, if you would like to submit a question in advance or have any specific questions or areas that you would like the session to address, please send them to AFB at secretariat@foreignbanks.org.uk as soon as practicable. You will receive details on how to join this in-person session a week before the event.