News

16.03.2018 - New Home Office fees from 06 April 2018

Home Office has been published new fees for their services. The new fees will come into effect on the 6th of April 2018. There will be a minor increase almost for all categories. Super Premium Service fee remain unchanged and still amounted to £10,500.

15.03.2018 - European Commission proposes new Schengen visa policy

The Commission proposed to reform the EU's common visa policy. The proposed changes to the Visa Code will make it easier for travellers to obtain a visa to come to Europe. 

Proposed changes will include:

  • reduced visa decision making process from 15 days to 10 days;
  • applications could be submitted 6 months before the intended travel date;
  • applications will be filled in electronically;
  • new short term visas at external borders: single-entry visas directly at external land and sea borders. Such visas will be valid for a stay of a maximum of 7 days in the issuing Member State only;...

14.03.2018 - New list of tax havens

On 13 March 2018 the Council of Europe removed Bahrain, the Marshall Islands and Saint Lucia from the list of third country jurisdictions for tax purposes (tax haven) and added the Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis and the US Virgin Islands.

As the result, the updated list includes the following countries:

  • American Samoa
  • Bahamas
  • Guam
  • Namibia
  • Palau
  • Samoa
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • US Virgin Islands

12.03.2018 - 5 April 2018 deadline for Tier 1 General indefinite leave to remain visa applications

Applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK for Tier 1 General visa holders must be submitted by 5 April, 2018 at the latest. Tier 1 General ILR closes on 6 April, 2018 and so this UK settlement route is being withdrawn from this date. You should make sure that you have passed the Life in the UK Test before you apply and in some circumstances you may need to pass an English language test.

Tier 1 (General) category was closed to new applicants in 2011, remaining open until April 2015 only to those making an extension application.

Our advice to holders of a Tier 1 (General) visa ...

06.02.2018 - Publication of White Paper was postponed

The UK government has postponed the publication of key immigration policy until later this year. Originally, immigration white paper was due to be published last summer. Then it was postponed by the end of 2017 and now it is unlikely to be published before October 2018, which is just months before the Brexit date - 29th March 2019.

The delay of the paper will affect many businesses across the country and add more uncertainty over post Brexit immigration rules and future of EU citizens working in the UK.

27.12.2017 - News for self-employed EU citizens

The Court of Justice of the European Union in the case of C‑442/16 Florea Gusa v Minister for Social Protection (Ireland) has found that self-employed EU citizens who become unemployed retain their worker status and right to reside in the same way as people in direct employment who lose their jobs. This means that the EEA Regulations 2016 will need to be amended to reflect this.

This is good news for those EEA nationals who are seeking to demonstrate a right to reside in the UK during periods of economic inactivity, particularly in preparation for a Permanent Residence Card under the EEA Regul...

22.12.2017 - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (2017)

Law Firm Limited team wishes all our clients and friends peace, joy and prosperity throughout the coming year. Thank you for your continued support and partnership and  we would like to express our sincerest gratitude for trusting us on your project. We look forward to working with you in the years to come. This year was very special for all of us at Law Firm Limited. We have opened new office in Dubai and now we welcome clients in three different parts of the world. Let the New Year bring all of us happiness and success. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

21.12.2017 - British passport changes its colour

After the UK leaves EU, British citizens will receive passports in blue colour. This  change will be effective from October 2019. Existing red passports will remain valid until they expire.

Red British passports have existed for almost 30 years since the United Kingdom joined the European Union and adopted a European style of passports.

19.12.2017 - Brexit Negotiations: Agreement Reached on EU Citizens' Rights

The UK Government has just reached an agreement with the European Union on EU citizens’ rights in the UK after the UK leaves the EU on 29th March 2019. There will be reciprocal protections and rights for UK nationals living in the EU. They are as follows:

  • Those who have been living in the UK for 5 continuous years can apply for the new ‘settled status’, meaning they will be free to live in the UK indefinitely, have access to public funds and services and can go on to apply for British citizenship;
  • Those who arrived before 29th March 2019, but have not been in the UK for 5 years will b...

18.12.2017 - News for Masters students

On the 18th of December Home Office announced that it will extend the Tier 4 visa pilot scheme for international Masters students willing to study the course of 13 month or less in the UK. The pilot was launched 2 years ago for four universities: Oxford, Cambridge, Bath and Imperial College London. This pilot was aimed to simplify the visa process for international Masters students and also support those who wish to switch to work visa after graduation giving them 6 extra months to find a job.  According to Tier 4 pilot visa scheme students will not need to submit financial documents or any pr...

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