News

15.12.2013 - Tuberculosis testing

From 31 December 2013, residents of the following countries who wish to come to the UK for more than 6 months must be tested for tuberculosis (TB) before applying for a visa: Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Georgia.

If you apply on or after 31 December 2013, you will need to take a TB test if you are applying to come to the UK for 6 months or longer.

If you plan to come to the UK for less than 6 months you do not need a TB test, unless you are applying for a 6 month fiancé (e) visa.

You also do not need to take the test if you are applying to c...

04.12.2013 - Autumn statement 2013

On 5th of December 2013 the chancellor George Osborne gave his autumn statement and we would like to provide you an overview of this statement. 

First of all it would be beneficial to provide a brief summary of key headlines which have been included in the statement documents. 

Economy:  George Osborne stated that " Britain’s economic plan is working – the job is not done yet”. Britain is growing faster than any major advanced economy. He announced that economic growth forecasts for this year have more than doubled from 0.6% to 1.4%. Forecasts indicate no deficit by 2018/19. Bank of England gi...

14.11.2013 - Home Office - Latest News

New immigration rules for members of HM Forces and their families

The new rules came into effect on 1 December 2013. They bring Armed Forces family rules in line with the family Immigration Rules. This means that:

  • a minimum income threshold requirement applies to the members of HM Forces wishing to sponsor a non-EEA dependant to come to or remain in the UK;
  • a basic English language requirement, at A1 level applies to all non-EEA partners seeking leave to enter or remain in the UK as a dependant of a member of HM Forces;
  • to qualify for settlement, all non-EEA partners and children between the ...

20.10.2013 - Help To Buy Scheme

From the 8th of October the Government implemented a new scheme, which suppose to help both first time buyers and home movers on new build homes worth up to £ 600,000

13.10.2013 - Immigration Rules to be simplified for Chinese national visitors

Chancellor George Osborne, during his trade trip in China, announced plans to relax the visa rules for Chinese nationals visiting the UK. The plans include:

  • Chinese applicants will be able to submit just one visa form covering them for both visits to the UK and the EU Schengen agreement countries through selected travel agents;
  • From summer 2014 there will be a new 24 hour ‘super-priority’ visa service;
  • The VIP mobile visa service, currently operating in Beijing and Shanghai, could be expanded to the rest of China.

09.10.2013 - The Immigration Bill was introduced into the House of Commons

The Bill contains the following measures:

  • Significantly reducing the number of rights of appeal;
  • Further reducing the number of work visas and student visas;
  • Foreign criminals to be deported from the UK first and then their appeals to be heard later.
  • End the abuse of Article 8.
  • Private landlords will be required to check the immigration status of their tenants – so as to prevent those with no leave to be in the UK from accessing private rented accommodation;
  • Banks will no longer be able to open current accounts for migrants who have no leave to be in the UK;
  • Driving license’s will no longer b...

07.10.2013 - Home Office refusals and “innocent mistakes” – recently published Home Office instructions

There are many cases where applicants make mistakes on their application form. The implications of this can be massive and can even lead to a ten year ban from the UK, if the application were for Entry Clearance.

The two rules that the Home Office use to refuse applications if they believe there was an attempt to mislead or deceive are as follows :

  • If false representations are made in an application for Entry Clearance to the UK, then there is a mandatory refusal under paragraph 320 (7A) of the Immigration Rules;
  • If there has been a previous immigration breach or a refusal under paragraph 320...

30.09.2013 - Theresa May unveils Tory immigration plans

At the Conservatives Party Conference, Home Secretary Theresa May gave a lengthy speech in which she outlined the Conservatives future plans for immigration in the UK. To summarise they are as follows:

  • To remove the Human Rights Act 1998 – this will mean that migrants would no longer be able to rely on right to private and family life in the UK;
  • Potentially leaving the European Convention of Human Rights;
  • Significantly reducing the number of rights of appeal;
  • Further reducing the number of work visas and student visas;
  • Foreign criminals to be deported from the UK first and then their appeals ...

05.09.2013 - Changes to the Immigration Rules – October 2013

The Home Office have announced some significant changes to the Immigration Rules that will come into effect on 1st October 2013, to summarize they are as follows: 

General and business visitors

  • General and business visitors will be able to undertake up to 30 days of recreational, English language or academic study provided it is not the main purpose of their visit. Recreational study means holiday-type and leisure course such as horse-riding or pottery. Any other study, including English language, can only take place at an institution that hold a sponsor licence under Tier 4 PBS or that i...

04.07.2013 - Minimum income threshold for family migrants

The High Court delivered its judgment on a legal challenge to the minimum income threshold for spouses/partners applying in the family route.

The Home Office has paused decision-making on some spouse/partner and child settlement visa and leave to remain applications to consider the implications of the judgment.

The pause applies to applications which would be refused solely because the rules relating to the minimum income threshold are not met.

Applications which meet the Rules or which fall to be refused on other grounds, such as requirements for English language or a genuine and subsistin...

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