Employers of non-EU workers are being urged to sign up to the UK Border Agency’s newly-launched register of sponsors to comply with new legislation that will replace the current work permit system.

Under new rules, employers who wish to relocate workers from outside the EU must apply to sponsor the employee and appoint a “senior, responsible, honest and competent” member of staff who will take on sponsorship compliance duties.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has urged employers to "make sure" that they have completed a licence before the legislation comes into force.

Elaine McIlroy, an associate in the employment law team of law firm Dundas & Wilson, told the legal news website Workplace Law network: “The UKBA is taking a tough stance on illegal working generally and the new regime is far more rigorous than the system it replaces, so there will be no quarter for firms who aren’t aware of the new obligations or don’t think they apply.”