Sponsor licence obtained at short notice

A UK film company had been commissioned to produce a short clip of London's New Year's Eve celebrations for an international film distributor. Shortly before the date filming was due to commence, the film company sought to complete work permit applications for two essential, highly specialist cameramen working out of the US.

On noting that the work permit scheme had been abolished, the company contacted us. We arranged an expedited sponsor licence approval and ensured that Certificates of Sponsorship were issued enabling the two cameramen to enter the UK under tier 5 of the Points Based System in time for the shoot. Part of our advice included an examination of the new business visitor regime and liaising with UKBA officials to see if the cameramen could enter by that method. Our request was rejected on the basis that the shoot was not 'on-location' and the film was being produced by a UK company.

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