12.06.2026 - Apply for entry clearance for victims of transnational marriage abandonment
Since 31 January 2024, victims of transnational marriage abandonment can apply for a visa to return to the UK. This follows the landmark case of R on the application of AM v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWHC 2591 (Admin).
What is transnational marriage abandonment?
Transnational marriage abandonment is the phenomenon by which a sponsor or their family member abandons their visa-holding partner abroad and takes steps to prevent their return to the UK. It is recognised as a form of domestic abuse in and of itself. In the overwhelming majority of cases, there has been ...
10.06.2026 - General grounds for refusal: criminal convictions, public good, character
Criminal convictions and other signs of poor character can, unsurprisingly, negatively affect applications for leave to enter or remain in the UK. More recently, the Home Office cancelled electronic travel authorisations of two leftwing political commentators, Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker, because their presence would not be ‘conducive to public good’.
By their nature, blanket rules can give rise to harsh results, individual hardship and injustice. Some of those convicted of criminal offences later redeem themselves in some way or are convicted in dubious or exceptional circumstances. They...
20.05.2026 - Proposed £5 Million UK Investor Visa: Reported Plans, Current Rules and What to Watch Next
Bloomberg has reported that the UK is considering a new invite-only investor visa requiring a minimum investment of £5 million into priority areas of the UK economy.
If developed, this could mark a significant shift in the UK’s approach to attracting high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs and strategic international investment.
However, it is important to be clear: this is not currently an open visa route.
The previous Tier 1 Investor visa remains closed to new applicants. At present, there has been no formal Immigration Rules change or published Home Office route confirming a new £5 millio...
14.05.2026 - HMRC’s £175m AI Deal Signals New Era in Britain’s Fight Against Fraud
The UK government is making one of its biggest bets yet on artificial intelligence, after HM Revenue & Customs agreed a £175 million long-term partnership with British technology company Quantexa to modernise tax enforcement and fraud detection systems.
The decade-long agreement represents more than just another public sector technology contract. It reflects a wider shift inside government toward data-driven decision-making, as officials face increasing pressure to reduce financial losses, improve efficiency, and modernise ageing systems.
Under the arrangement, Quantexa will help HMRC connect ...
14.05.2026 - Student visa holder can sit as the member of the Scottish Parliament
In an unprecedented intersection between immigration law and the Scottish Parliament, a foreign-national Student visa holder has been returned as a member of the Scottish Parliament in the May 2026 Scottish Parliamentary election.
Q Manivannan, an Indian citizen, has been formally declared as a member of the Scottish Parliament for the Edinburgh and Lothians East region, as one of the Scottish Green Party’s regional list members.
Manivannan is reported to hold an imminently expiring Student visa linked to their PhD at the University of St Andrews. On completion of their PhD, they will be able ...
13.05.2026 - Immigration legislation re-announced in King’s Speech
It was the King’s Speech this morning, which sets out the government’s legislative agenda for the next year. The speech itself just covers the headlines. In the case of immigration legislation, this was all we got:
Legislation will be introduced to increase confidence in the security of the immigration and asylum systems.
But the government also released a more detailed briefing afterwards which does give us a bit more detail.
There are three sections to the briefing.
Asylum system
The legislation will ‘introduce a new asylum model based on contribution, integration, and respect for UK laws...
13.05.2026 - King’s Speech 2026: What the Tax Agenda Could Mean for the UK
The 2026 King’s Speech was presented as a roadmap for growth, investment and national renewal. Ministers spoke confidently about modernising Britain, rebuilding public services and stimulating economic recovery through infrastructure, housing and business reform.
Yet behind the optimistic language lies a much bigger question — how will all of this be funded?
While the government carefully avoided announcing major headline tax rises, the speech strongly suggested that Britain may be entering a new era of tighter tax enforcement, expanding digital oversight and growing pressure on businesses, la...
24.04.2026 - The adequate maintenance and accommodation requirement
Several immigration routes require applicants to show that they can be adequately maintained and accommodated in the UK without recourse to public funds. This is a separate financial test from the minimum income requirement that applies to most spouse and partner visa applications. It applies to certain family applications under Appendix FM, but also to other routes including the UK ancestry visa.
Unlike the minimum income threshold, adequate maintenance has no fixed threshold. It is a fact-specific test that depends on the size of the family and their housing costs. Although the require...
15.04.2026 - Changes to sponsor right to work checks
On 6 March 2026, the Home Office updated its guidance for sponsors to include new duties around right to work checks. The changes appeared to extend the duty to conduct right to work checks beyond sponsored workers, potentially capturing anyone ‘engaged’ by the sponsor. ‘Engaged’ was not defined.
A further change on 8 April has clarified this to mean ‘direct’ engagement, but confusion remains. The guidance now contradicts itself in places and the grounds for revocation have been expanded in a way that means sponsors could be penalised even where they have done everything right.
What ch...
