News

02.02.2012 - Migrant Settlement

Immigration Minister, Damian Greene, gave a speech at the Policy Exchange think tank yesterday outlining plans for reform to migrant settlement.  Mr Greene stated an intention to deny settlement to migrant workers who are earning less than £31,000 a year after five years in the UK.  He also stated there would be a review of the annual limit on skilled economic Tier 2 migrants and spoke about the changes to migration already being considered.  He went on to mention ultimately replacing the current Points-Based System with a contribution-based system so that migrants must, presumably, economical...

06.11.2011 - New policy guidance on the marriage visa age of 21

Following the judgment of the Supreme Court in Quila and Bibi  the minimum age requirement for entry clearance or leave to remain applications as a spouse, fiancee, unmarried partner, same sex partner, civil partner and proposed civil partner will be reduced to 18 from 28th November, 2011.

Those applicants who were refused on the basis of their age between 27 November 2008 and October 2011 can apply for a review of the decision by 31st May 2012.  The UKBA has issued policy guidance for previous applicants affected by the judgment.

22.09.2011 - Non-EEA national parents of British children can apply for a right of residence

The UK Border Agency has announced it will now accept applications for a right to reside in the UK from those who are the sole carers of dependent British nationals when that carer has no other right of residence in the UK and removing the carer from the UK would mean the British citizen would have to leave the European Union.

Applicants will be issued a certificate of application, which will enable them to work in the UK whilst the application is outstanding, if they are able to provide adequate evidence that they are responsible for the care and support of a British national.

The Immigration...

30.08.2011 - ISO 9001: 2008 Certification

Law Firm Limited has been assessed and certified by the British Assessment Bureau as meeting the requirements of ISO 9001: 2008 Quality Management Systems in respect of immigration services, business consultancy, property search and educational services.

The International Organization for Standards publishes international standards in respect of quality management systems and ISO 9001 sets the requirements that have to be met in order for an organization to be certified as compliant. ISO 9001 was first introduced in 1987 and requires organisations to demonstrate that they do what they say they...

19.07.2011 - Tier 1 Exceptional Talent

UKBA announced the final criteria for applicants under the new PBS category Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent). In particular, the list of competent bodies has been approved and published, as well as their Eligibility and Assessment criteria for the applicants. For detailed information please visit here

12.07.2011 - Extending the probationary period before partners can apply for settlement

 

The government announced on 13th July, 2011, it has launched a 12-week consultation on family migration.  Its key proposals include:

  • introducing a minimum income threshold for sponsors of partners and dependants;
  • extending the probationary period before partners can apply for settlement in the UK from 2 years to 5 years;
  • requiring partners and adult dependants aged under 65 to demonstrate that they can understand everyday English (B1 level on the Common European Framework for Languages) when they apply for settlement;
  • defining more clearly what constitutes a genuine and continuing marriage,...

15.06.2011 - Next set of changes to student visa rules is announced

Next set of changes to student visa rules to come into force in 4th July, 2011

Work entitlements for students

From the 4th July, only those students at studying at higher education institutions (HEIs) and publicly funded further education colleges will be allowed to work.

What is a higher education institution (HEI)?

An HEI is a recognised body, or a body in receipt of public funding as an HEI from the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales or the Scottish Funding Council. This...

06.06.2011 - Legacy Casework and Citizenship

The UK Border Agency has come under criticism in its handling of the backlog of asylum cases known as the Legacy Casework.  The Home Affairs Committee has stated that 40% of cases dealt with under the Casework resulted in a grant of leave to remain and it “amounts to an amnesty”.

In 2006, the then Home Secretary, John Reid, notoriously declared the Home Office immigration sytem as “not fit for purpose” after a backlog of an estimated 400,000-450,000 unresolved asylum cases came to light.   These cases were termed “legacy” cases.  As a result, the UK Border Agency was established and a new “Cas...

19.05.2011 - PBS applicants will not be able to provide new evidence for appeal


From Monday 23 May, 2011, Immigration Judges, in most circumstances, will not be able to consider evidence submitted after an application has been made, in appeals relating to applications made in the UK under the points-based system. The Tribunal may consider evidence adduced by the appellant only if it was submitted in support of, and at the time of making, the application to which the immigration decision related.

This restriction of evidence will relate only to points-based system appeals brought on the following grounds: that the decision is not in accordance with immigration rules; that ...

05.05.2011 - News for EEA nationals


Limited appointments will become available later in May 2011 for a premium service in respect of EEA 2, 3 and 4 applications only at the Liverpool Public Enquiry Office. There is no charge for EEA applications in respect of the postal service but there will be a charge for this premium service, although the UK Border Agency has not yet stated what the charge will be. This premium service will be in addition to the existing postal service.

EEA 1 applications, free of charge, can also be dealt with at the Liverpool Public Enquiry Office but only if submitted with an associated EEA 2 or 4 charged...

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