UK Visas and Immigration

[admin]

British speedway could be forced to start the season without a host of its Australian and American riders as clubs work with UK Visas and Immigration to resolve a number of “administrative issues.”

The BSPA has confirmed that UKVI will be holding an “operational workshop” for teams employing non-EU riders.

According to a letter from Scunthorpe signing Alex Davies, posted on the Scorpions official website, a number of promoters have been asked to attend classes by UKVI to ensure they “are up to speed with the criteria required to retain their sponsorship licences.”

Davies’ letter states that “no Australian or American speedway riders will be granted entry visas into the UK until such time as the workshops are complete and the sponsorship licences are reinstated.”

The confusion could see FIM Speedway Grand Prix stars Chris Holder, Troy Batchelor and Jason Doyle denied permits to race in the UK. They may also be unable to base themselves in the country.

Their right to race elsewhere in Europe is unaffected by the UK visa row as 26 nations such as Poland, Sweden and Denmark are all covered by the Schengen agreement, which the United Kingdom opted out of.

Any Aussies, Americans or non-EU nationals who have been granted the right to settle indefinitely in the UK or hold a British, EU or Swiss passport will not be affected by the crisis.

The BSPA is determined to resolve the matter and ensure all riders affected can start the Elite and Premier League season in mid-March.

A statement released on their official website reads: “A number of speedway clubs who employ migrant riders (non-EU) were asked to attend a meeting with UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) this week.

“This meeting was a result of a number of regular compliance visits to individual clubs as the employers. There are administrative issues which all parties are keen to resolve before the start of the 2015 British speedway season. The UKVI have offered to hold an operational workshop for club officials to assist them in this complex process.

“In the meantime, the BSPA (British Speedway Promoters' Association) and UKVI remain committed to work towards a satisfactory outcome.

“British speedway chairman Alex Harkess said: 'The UKVI have assured us they will work with us with the aim of ensuring all eligible riders are able to compete in the 2015 season.'”

sgp

[admin]

The UK Home Office has confirmed “a number of speedway clubs” failed to follow visa rules as a host of riders including Chris Holder, Troy Batchelor and Jason Doyle sweat over their British speedway futures.

The British Speedway Promoters Association admitted it is working through some “administrative issues” with UK Visas and Immigration after routine inspections into some clubs raised concerns.

If the crisis is not resolved by mid-March, the SGP Aussies and a number of their fellow non-EU riders could be denied permission to race and reside in the UK.


In a statement released this evening, the Home Office says it is working with the BSPA “to help the sector improve its sponsorship processes.”

It also confirmed UKVI “identified compliance failings” by multiple teams. It is unclear which teams have fallen foul of the rules and specifically why the visas have been delayed or suspended.

But it is believed that until clubs successfully complete UKVI workshops to help them comply with immigration rules, all riders without an EU passport or British settlement rights face an anxious time on the sidelines before clubs can re-apply for their visas.

A Home Office spokesman said: "Most sportspeople from outside the European Economic Area must be sponsored by a licensed Tier Two or Tier Five sponsor before they can come to the UK for work.

“It is the responsibility of sponsors to ensure they fulfil their duties in relation to the immigration rules.

"The Home Office continually and routinely monitors all licensed sponsors to make sure that those applying to come to the UK for work are eligible and that a licensed sponsor genuinely wishes to take them on.

“Where we find evidence that sponsors are not fulfilling their duties we will take action to suspend or remove their licence.”

sgp

[Bigcatdiary]

Jan 25, 2015 19:47:36 GMT admin said:

The UK Home Office has confirmed “a number of speedway clubs” failed to follow visa rules as a host of riders including Chris Holder, Troy Batchelor and Jason Doyle sweat over their British speedway futures.

The British Speedway Promoters Association admitted it is working through some “administrative issues” with UK Visas and Immigration after routine inspections into some clubs raised concerns.

If the crisis is not resolved by mid-March, the SGP Aussies and a number of their fellow non-EU riders could be denied permission to race and reside in the UK.


In a statement released this evening, the Home Office says it is working with the BSPA “to help the sector improve its sponsorship processes.”

It also confirmed UKVI “identified compliance failings” by multiple teams. It is unclear which teams have fallen foul of the rules and specifically why the visas have been delayed or suspended.

But it is believed that until clubs successfully complete UKVI workshops to help them comply with immigration rules, all riders without an EU passport or British settlement rights face an anxious time on the sidelines before clubs can re-apply for their visas.

A Home Office spokesman said: "Most sportspeople from outside the European Economic Area must be sponsored by a licensed Tier Two or Tier Five sponsor before they can come to the UK for work.

“It is the responsibility of sponsors to ensure they fulfil their duties in relation to the immigration rules.

"The Home Office continually and routinely monitors all licensed sponsors to make sure that those applying to come to the UK for work are eligible and that a licensed sponsor genuinely wishes to take them on.

“Where we find evidence that sponsors are not fulfilling their duties we will take action to suspend or remove their licence.”

sgp

Interesting that it chooses not to name them or to reveal what the problem was.

[admin]

SGP stars Chris Holder, Troy Batchelor and Jason Doyle edged a step closer to regaining their UK visas after British clubs were cleared to re-apply for their licence to sponsor migrant riders.

Around 20 Aussie and US riders who do not hold an EU passport or indefinite leave to remain in the UK saw their visas cancelled by UK Visas and Immigration.

This was after various Elite and Premier League clubs were accused of “compliance failings” with immigration rules.

UKVI met representatives of the clubs concerned last Friday to help them resolve the problems. They carried out a workshop to assist promoters with the admin involved in employing non-EU riders.

Following this, clubs can now re-apply for their sponsorship licences, which would then allow the riders affected to re-apply for their visas as they bid to be ready to start the British season in mid-March.

BSPA advisor Dave Hoggart was in positive mood following the meeting. He said: “The promoters attended the workshop on Friday morning. The Management Committee met with representatives of UKVI in the afternoon. The meeting was constructive, conciliatory and very helpful.

“The outcome has yet to be defined because there are a number of procedures to follow before we all reach the desired outcome.

“The next step is UKVI have allowed clubs to re-apply for the sponsors licences. That’s not visas. Riders apply for them. But it’s one very positive outcome from Friday.”

speedwaygp.com (3/2/15)

[Bigcatdiary]

I see Taylor Poole is the latest casualty to be refused, I somehow don't think he will be the only one.

Judging by the Plymouth news Ryan Fisher and Jack Holder are now major doubts.

[Deleted]

Feb 17, 2015 12:31:36 GMT Bigcatdiary said:

I see Taylor Poole is the latest casualty to be refused, I somehow don't think he will be the only one.

Judging by the Plymouth news Ryan Fisher and Jack Holder are now major doubts.

I feel sad for Taylor because he has suffered with injuries plus his father was a loyal servant to the sport in his time but all that appears to count for nothing! A real shame. Meanwhile I wonder how many illiterate non-English speaking benefit scrounging useless individuals have been let into the country in the last 24 hours!!!!!!!!

[Bigcatdiary]

Feb 18, 2015 17:20:21 GMT fenlandfeline said:

Feb 17, 2015 12:31:36 GMT Bigcatdiary said:

I see Taylor Poole is the latest casualty to be refused, I somehow don't think he will be the only one.

Judging by the Plymouth news Ryan Fisher and Jack Holder are now major doubts.

I feel sad for Taylor because he has suffered with injuries plus his father was a loyal servant to the sport in his time but all that appears to count for nothing! A real shame. Meanwhile I wonder how many illiterate non-English speaking benefit scrounging useless individuals have been let into the country in the last 24 hours!!!!!!!!

But as someone else said in 4 seasons he has failed to get a 7.00 plus average

His dad was something else, one of my all time favourites.

[admin]

Feb 18, 2015 17:20:21 GMT fenlandfeline said:

Feb 17, 2015 12:31:36 GMT Bigcatdiary said:

I see Taylor Poole is the latest casualty to be refused, I somehow don't think he will be the only one.

Judging by the Plymouth news Ryan Fisher and Jack Holder are now major doubts.

I feel sad for Taylor because he has suffered with injuries plus his father was a loyal servant to the sport in his time but all that appears to count for nothing! A real shame. Meanwhile I wonder how many illiterate non-English speaking benefit scrounging useless individuals have been let into the country in the last 24 hours!!!!!!!!

We can stop those coming in who we'd like to he here but can't, allegedly, stop those coming in who we don't want to be here. But as long as the politicians can spout statistics at us to suit their argument then that's the way it is!