Mayor Boris Johnson has launched a new online ‘toolkit’ designed to help London’s small businesses understand the UK’s immigration and visa policies.
The toolkit provides an overview of how to sponsor an overseas worker, advice on how to comply with Home Office standards and answers to frequently asked questions.
It is being trialled for three months in partnership with the Home Office and is available on the City Hall website at london.gov.uk/sme-visa-support.
The Mayor said: “Small businesses have told me they want to bring the top talent from around the world to London to work with them, but they often do not have the same access to expert legal support that larger companies enjoy, and they can struggle to negotiate their way through the visa process.
“I want to break down those barriers and that is why we are testing a new approach that we believe can help these companies tempt the sharpest minds to come to London and play their part in helping our great city to thrive.”
Deputy Mayor for business and enterprise, Kit Malthouse, added: “Small businesses need to move fast to attract the best brains from around the world.
“If we do not make it as easy as humanly possible for them to access the worldwide talent pool we risk losing out to our global rivals. This toolkit, following our London Visa proposal, is a good start.”
