The UK government has extended immigration rules concerning non-European Economic Area nationals who are joining vessels involved in the offshore wind industry to 21 April next year.
The concession will allow non-EEA workers leave to enter the UK until 21 April 2020 for the purpose of joining a vessel engaged in the construction and maintenance of a wind farm within UK territorial waters.
However, the government said leave to enter under the terms of the concession would not be granted beyond 21 April next year.
It said: “Firms involved in the construction or maintenance of wind farms within territorial waters should look to regularise the position of their workers.
“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 the current concession the requirements are a valid passport, a visa or seaman’s book compliant with ILO Convention 108 or ILO Convention 185 and a letter from the employer stating that the person is employed in the construction or maintenance of a wind farm.