UK Extends Offshore Wind Immigration Rules Concession to April 2020

The UK has again extended the Offshore Wind Immigration Rules concession to workers essential to the construction and maintenance of wind farms within UK territorial waters which will now run until April 2020.

The concession, introduced in June 2017, and extended by a year in October 2017, and in May 2018, allows the employment of non-European Economic Area nationals who are joining vessels engaged in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind projects in UK territorial waters.

This concession will be time-limited and leave to enter under the terms of the concession will no longer be granted to expire after 21 April 2020, the government said.

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, a visa issued for this purpose (if needed) or 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.