The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has welcomed the one-year extension by the UK Home Office of the concession to UK Immigration Rules concerning workers joining vessels engaged in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind projects.
According to IMCA, this decision has provided clarity and certainty in planning and executing existing projects, which are critical to delivering renewable energy capacity in the UK, and allows time for industry to adjust to the new regime.
As reported earlier, the 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.
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.