News

14.09.2020 - Coronavirus and the UK immigration system (as of 15 September 2020)

General immigration policy rules

Some people who were in the UK when the pandemic hit were unable to leave before the expiry of their visa because of travel restrictions. The government had been extending people’s visas through a simplified online application process, but that concession is now pretty much at an end.

People requesting exceptional indemnity/assurance need to contact the coronavirus helpline to explain why they can’t leave by 31 October. The guidance emphasises that anyone whose leave expired before 31 August is too late to apply for exceptional assurance and “must make arrange...

10.09.2020 - Lockdown grants welcome but more support needed, say business groups

The government's announcement of new cash grants for businesses affected by local lockdowns has been welcomed by business groups, including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Businesses in England that are required to shut because of local interventions will now be able to claim up to £1,500 per property every three weeks.

However, both the CBI and the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) have warned that more targeted help is still required.

Payments are triggered by a national decision to close businesses...

10.09.2020 - New Immigration rules for students

The changes relate to students: what have so far been known as the Tier 4 (General) and Tier 4 (children) routes will now be Student Visa (for adult applicants) and Child Student Visa (for applicants aged below 16 years old).

In terms of timeline, the changes will take effect on 5 October 2020 at 09 am. Applicants made before then will be considered in line with the Rules in force at the time.

What is new for students?

  • Brexit did happen, and we are coming to the end of the transition period. This means that the rules will apply to EEA nationals. EEA nationals applying in-country will only...

08.09.2020 - The Government of the UK may break international law over Brexit negotiations

Boris Johnson has urged MPs to support a bill which modifies the Brexit deal he signed with the EU in January. The PM said that the Bill would ensure the integrity of the UK internal market and hand power to Scotland and Wales, as well as it would protect the Northern Ireland peace process.

Concerns had been raised about legislation being brought forward which could change parts of the withdrawal agreement, negotiated last year.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis conceded it would go against the treaty in a "specific and limited way". Senior Conservatives have warned it risks undermining...

07.09.2020 - Coronavirus: Up to £3.5bn furlough scheme claims may have been wrongly paid out

The government believes it may have paid out up to £3.5bn in wrong or fraudulent claims for the furlough scheme.

Jim Harra, the top civil servant at HM Revenue & Customs, said that his staff had calculated for the possibility that from 5% to 10% of the money might have gone to the wrong places.

The government has so far made £35.4bn in furlough payments, according to the latest figures. It means that somewhere between £1.75bn and £3.5bn could have been paid out wrongly.

Mr Harra said HMRC would not be seeking to root out employers who have made legitimate mistakes but will instead be focusing ...

06.09.2020 - New Brexit law will not ‘tear up’ EU trade plans

The government will introduce a new law that could change post-Brexit customs plans with the EU – but No 10 denied it would “tear up” the existing treaty.

The two sides agreed in 2019 on the terms of the UK’s exit, including on future trade in Northern Ireland.

Reports suggested a new law could “override” the legal force of that deal – the withdrawal agreement, but the government said it would only make “minor clarifications in extremely specific areas” and confirmed the new UK Internal Market Bill will be published on Wednesday.

The EU said the “full implementation” of the withdrawal agreemen...

06.09.2020 - UK visa updates for international students: Here’s what you should know

The UK will implement a points-based immigration system from 2021 onwards, as announced earlier this year by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), the division of the Home Office responsible for the country’s visa system. Following this announcement are a host of UK visa updates for visa applicants and temporary residents. Here’s what you should know as an international student.

You can apply for Tier 4 visa six months ahead

Under the latest UKVI guidelines, students can apply for a study visa as soon as they gain admission into the university and confirm their UK travel. This is a welcome change t...

02.09.2020 - UK Immigration and Citizenship launch biometric identity verification app to speed up applications

UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) has been working with UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) to develop a new biometric identify verification (IDV) application that allows users to register facial images and travel documents.

“In some cases, UKVI is allowing biometrics (fingerprints and photographs) to be reused, if they have already been recorded in a previous application. UKVI and UKVCAS have been working together to create a way of submitting facial images using a new Identity Verification (IDV) app,” the legal practice Herrington Carmichael notes.

The initiative comes as resp...

01.09.2020 - Plans for independence vote for Scotland to be published in draft bill

The Scottish government is to set out its plans for a second independence referendum in a draft bill at Holyrood.

Ministers have accepted that there is "clearly" not time to hold a fresh vote before the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2021.

However, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said a draft bill would be published setting out the timescale and potential question for a new referendum.

The SNP will then "make the case" for this plan in the election campaign.

Opposition parties hit out at the move, with Scottish Conservatives accusing Ms Sturgeon of putting independence "front and centre" ...

01.09.2020 - Government launches £2 billion kickstart scheme to get young people back to work

A £2 billion scheme to help young people into work has been launched by the UK Government today (2nd September).

Businesses are now able to sign up to be part of the Kickstart scheme, giving unemployed young people a future of opportunity by creating high-quality, government-subsidised jobs across the UK.

Under the scheme, announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of his Plan for Jobs, employers can offer young people aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit a six-month work placement.

The new KickStart jobs initiative will see the Government pay 100% of each person's National Minimum Wa...

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