News

08.08.2022 - Repeal of requirements to register with the police for visa purposes

The general requirements under the Immigration Rules for certain foreign nationals to register with the police (the "Police Registration Scheme") has ceased. From now nobody is required to register with the police for visa purposes.

This means that the relevant foreign nationals of specified nationalities, aged 16 or over, usually granted more than six months' leave in certain migration categories are no longer obliged to register with the police.

This change applies to those who have already registered with the police and who have a condition to register with the police listed as part of thei...

04.08.2022 - UK interest rates see biggest rise in 27 years

The Bank of England has raised interest rates by the most in 27 years and warned the UK will fall into recession.

Interest rates rose to 1.75% as the Bank battles to stem soaring prices, with inflation now set to hit over 13%.

The economy is forecast to shrink in the last three months of this year and keep shrinking until the end of 2023.

Governor Andrew Bailey said he knew the cost of living squeeze was difficult but if it didn't raise interest rates it would get "even worse".

The main reason for high inflation and low growth is soaring energy bills, driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Ho...

20.07.2022 - The UK has allowed entry of children from Ukraine unaccompanied by their parents

The UK government on Wednesday, 20 July, changed the rules of entry for refugees under the "Homes for Ukraine" program, allowing Ukrainian children to cross the border unaccompanied by their parents.

We would like to draw attention of our readers that we have already published preliminary news on this topic back on 22 June, please see the link.

According to the new rules, a child will be able to enter the UK himself if one of his parents or guardian confirms that "it is in his (the child's) best interests."

Britons who agree to host a child from Ukraine must commit to take him for at least thr...

19.07.2022 - Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukraine Extension Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine): visa data - as of 19 July 2022

Total Ukraine Scheme visa applications received: 194,700

Data is comprised of:

  • Ukraine Family Scheme: 53,700
  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: 141,000

Total Ukraine Scheme visas issued to people: 162,000

Data is comprised of:

  • Ukraine Family Scheme visas: 46,600
  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visas: 115,400

 

All application outcomes as of 19 July 2022:

...

Scheme  

Visas issued

Applications withdrawn

Applications refused

13.07.2022 - UK economy grows but fears remain over rising prices

The UK economy rebounded in May after shrinking in April and March, official figures show.

The economy grew by 0.5% during the month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, higher than the flat growth most economists expected.

Every area of the economy expanded including construction, travel and manufacturing.

However, businesses reported that higher running costs had led to them to put up prices for customers.

And with household disposable incomes set to fall further in the autumn when energy prices are set to rise again, there is "still a real risk" that the economy could fall into a...

12.07.2022 - Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukraine Extension Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine): visa data - as of 12 July 2022

Total Ukraine Scheme visa applications received: 187,800

Data is comprised of:

  • Ukraine Family Scheme: 52,200
  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: 135,600

Total Ukraine Scheme visas issued to people: 155,600

Data is comprised of:

  • Ukraine Family Scheme visas: 45,900
  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visas: 109,700

 

All application outcomes as of 12 July 2022:

...

Scheme  

Visas issued

Applications withdrawn

Applications refused

11.07.2022 - Scotland government to pause super sponsorship scheme from 13 July 2022

A three-month pause on new visa applications for displaced Ukrainians to come to Scotland will be in place from 9:00 am on Wednesday 13 July.

The pause on new applications will not affect anyone who has already made an application or had their visa granted under the “Homes for Ukraine” sponsorship scheme.

With visa applications listing the Scottish Government as sponsor up 21% on the previous week as of 5 July, visas issued up 27%, and arrivals under the super sponsor scheme up 20%, a temporary suspension is needed to ensure safe accommodation can continue to be provided to those who have alre...

11.07.2022 - Comprehensive Sickness Insurance no longer an issue in citizenship applications for students and self-sufficient persons

Past lack of Comprehensive Sickness Insurance (CSI) is no longer an issue for EU nationals trying to get their British citizenship, revised Home Office policy says.

The Home Office has now updated a third document, the Form AN guidance, to say that CSI is in fact a non-issue:

people who did not hold comprehensive sickness insurance under the EEA regulations whilst either a student or a self-sufficient person… can now meet the lawful residence requirement simply by showing you have been granted settled status under the EU [Settlement Scheme]. You also no longer need to explain why you did not h...

06.07.2022 - Home Office to offer extensions to people denied settlement

The Home Office has published guidance on when officials should vary an application for indefinite leave to remain to instead grant an extension of permission to stay (i.e. limited leave to remain). The stated rationale is to ensure that people who apply for settlement and don’t qualify, but who do qualify for limited leave to remain, are not left without immigration status.

The guidance applies to settlement applications made under:

  • Appendix Settlement Family Life
  • Appendix Private Life
  • Appendix Innovator
  • Appendix FM
  • Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas)

When som...

05.07.2022 - Section 3C leave is not there to get people to ten years’ lawful residence

Marepally v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWCA Civ 855 is yet another long residence case, this time concerning a defective refusal notice. The appellant wanted to rely on the defect to argue that he had achieved ten years’ continuous lawful residence in the UK by operation of section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971. The Court of Appeal found that he had fallen a few weeks (if not a few years) short, and noted in passing that “the purpose of section 3C… is not to enable persons to be able to rely on continuations of leave for the purpose of building up 10 years’ continuous l...