Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, is launching a new toolkit of information that sets out all of the information that SMEs require to hire international talent.
The toolkit is being provided online through the Mayor’s website and in partnership with the Home Office. It provides direct links to expert help from Home Office advisors ready to help small businesses navigate the visa system. “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,” says Johnson. “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.” From today, any small business in the capital will be able to access the toolkit here. It contains an overview of how to sponsor an overseas worker, advice on how to comply with Home Office standards and answers to frequently asked questions. In addition, businesses will have access to expert help from the Home Office for complex issues or queries. The toolkit will be up and running on a three month trial after which it will be evaluated and businesses using it will be asked for their opinions. The Mayor of London’s Deputy Mayor for business and enterprise, Kit Malthouse, adds: “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.” Photo sourceShare this story