On 13 March 2025, we hosted a webinar on the legislative frameworks for different ways of carrying out cross-border work in the UK. Moderated by Žiga Fišer, Country Trade Director at the British Embassy in Ljubljana, and Sonja Omerza, Senior Manager at A Tax International, the webinar covered key immigration, tax, and compliance requirements when doing business in the UK.

John Kiely, Head of Immigration at Howard Kennedy LLP, provided an overview of visa options, including the Skilled Worker Visa, which requires employer sponsorship, the Innovator Founder Visa for scalable business ideas, and the UK Expansion Worker Visa for overseas businesses expanding to the UK. He also explained the Global Talent Visa for leaders in tech, arts, and academia, and the Scale-up Worker Visa, which is more flexible than the Skilled Worker Visa.

Kiely also covered recent UK immigration changes, which will impact businesses and individuals. Stricter sponsor licence checks and higher fines for illegal working are being introduced, making compliance more critical than ever for employers. The salary minimum for Skilled Worker is increasing to £38,700, making it more challenging for companies to hire non-UK talent under this route. Additionally, border security measures will be strengthened, with the establishment of a new Border Security Command and increased enforcement against illegal migration.

From 2 April 2025, all European visitors, including Slovenians, will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. This requirement applies only to those entering the UK on or after 2 April, travelers arriving before this date do not need an ETA, even if their trip extends beyond 2 April. The application process opened on 5 March 2025, meaning those traveling from April onwards can already apply. The ETA costs £10, is valid for two years, and must be obtained before departure to ensure smooth entry. It usually takes up to 3 working days to obtain an ETA.

On the business side, Meghan Osborne, Tax Senior Manager at Carpenter Box, outlined the key steps for setting up a UK company, including company registration, banking, and tax obligations. Andrew Neuman, Tax Director at Carpenter Box, explained tax compliance, covering corporation tax, VAT, and payroll reporting. He also discussed when a foreign company creates a permanent establishment in the UK, making it liable for local taxes. Additionally, he discussed typical working arrangements in the UK, such as employee relocations, overseas companies opening branches, and international businesses setting up UK companies, highlighting the advantages of a UK-based presence, including better trading terms with local suppliers and easier access to financial services. Thomas Mobee, VAT Director at Carpenter Box, highlighted VAT registration requirements for businesses selling goods in the UK and changes in digital border regulations affecting imports.

The webinar was organised by the British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, SPIRIT Slovenia, and the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport, in cooperation with A Tax International and Carpenter Box.

For further questions and clarifications, please contact A Tax International.