The UK government has extended the recently introduced concession to the immigration rules to allow the employment of non-European Economic Area nationals who are joining vessels engaged in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind projects in UK territorial waters.
This concession, initially time limited until 21 October 2017, has now been extended by one additional year and leave to enter under the terms of the concession will no longer be granted after 21 October 2018.
The concession relates to vessel workers ”essential to the construction and maintenance of wind farms within UK territorial waters.”
During this period, firms involved in the construction or maintenance of wind farms within territorial waters should look to regularise the position of their workers, the government said.
British and EEA (European Economic Area) nationals do not require leave to enter the UK. Those who require leave to enter the UK should have the appropriate permission to do so under the Immigration Rules.
In order to qualify for this concession and maintain border security, workers who are seeking leave to enter the UK should produce at point of entry a valid passport, an ILO108-compliant or ILO185-compliant (having previously ratified ILO108) seamen’s book, and a letter from their employer stating that the worker is employed in the construction or maintenance of a wind farm project within UK territorial waters.