Pictured above: Marian Dixon of Wright Hassall

Businesses will need to battle through the 'migration minefield' after a stream of changes to the UK's regulations for employing overseas workers, a Midlands lawyer has warned.

Changes to tiers one and two of the immigration system, made on April 6, will have a significant effect on the category of foreign worker businesses can bring in.

The main focus of the new rules is at attracting higher skilled workers - with the minimum annual earnings level now £20,000 under tier 2 and £25,000 under tier 1.

But Marian Dixon, head of business immigration at Wright Hassall solicitors, says the complexity of the changes could leave firms unaware that they are breaking new laws - and lose them the right to hire from abroad.

"These new changes to tiers 1 and 2 are about making sure foreign workers coming to British companies are highly skilled and talented at their jobs - with their salary reflecting ability.

"But there have been a lot of smaller changes - in areas such as age, education level, English language ability and maintenance requirement - and, quite frankly, there's a lot in there to confuse firms.

"There is a definite danger that businesses - particularly SMEs - who bring in non-EEA staff - will not realise they are falling foul of new regulations, and the result could be a ban on employing foreign workers or even a fine.

"It's important that companies dedicate time to understanding these changes and that, if they are uncertain, they take advice to make sure everything is above board."

For more information on Wright Hassall LLP please visit their website at www.wrighthassall.co.uk