Support for staff on immigration matters
The University is introducing a package of measures aimed at supporting colleagues who may have queries or concerns about immigration matters.
We are an international university with an outward-looking approach and we are determined to attract and welcome staff and students from across the world and to do our best to support them when they are here.
To this end, we are offering a range of practical measures to support all staff with queries or concerns on immigration matters.
The package includes:
- Monthly legal briefing sessions throughout the Brexit negotiations. These will be led by external lawyers Simpson Millar LLP and are open for all staff to attend. Keep an eye on the Event Highlights section of the For Staff homepage, on staff notice boards, and on the @UniLeedsStaff Twitter feed for dates and times;
- Individual consultations with an external immigration adviser. These will be available during July, August and September. Each 20-30 minute meeting will enable you to discuss personal queries, including those related to residence or citizenship applications. Keep watching the same channels for further details about these consultations from mid-June onwards;
- Free legal immigration clinics with Simpson Millar LLP. These take place every Monday at 10am in their Park Place office on a first come, first served basis (no appointment is required but demand is high);
- Preferential rates for legal advice from Simpson Millar LLP. If, after attending a legal briefing session and an individual consultation, you still need some further advice you can contact an external lawyer. This will be at your own expense. Of course you are free to contact any lawyer you choose, but we have negotiated preferential rates for staff with Simpson Millar LLP. Services offered by external lawyers include detailed advice (followed up in writing), an application checking service, through to an application management service;
- Financial support. We will offer an interest free loan of up to £5,000 to staff wishing to apply for residency documentation or British citizenship, to help spread the cost of application and legal fees. There will be further information about the scheme, the eligibility criteria and the loan application form on the HR website from mid-July (if you would like to register your interest in this, please email Caroline Langham);
- Evidence of employment and earnings in a ‘To whom it may concern’ letter. We will confirm the essential information needed for a permanent residence and/or citizenship application. If you need evidence of earnings, you will be able to request duplicate P60s or monthly pay information (please allow seven working days for information to be provided);
- Updates. As well as the updates that we will continue to provide on this website you may find the Universities UK’s Brexit FAQ webpage useful. You can also register for the Simpson Millar Brexit update service.
If you have any queries about any of these measures, or require HR support or advice, please contact your HR manager.
Posted in: University newsBrexit