Blog
FCA case against CACEIS UK raises points of interest for practitioners
James Alleyne
12 May 2015
Home Office reporting delays in issuing Biometric Residence Permits
The Home Office is reporting a delay in the issuance of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) for Tier 2 (General), Sportsperson and Ministry of Religion applicants, following changes introduced in late April 2015 in the recording of National Insurance (NI) numbers on the BRP. For in-country applicants in these Tier 2 categories, they will require a NI number when making their leave to remain application in the UK. Before issuing the BRP, the Home Office will need to check the NI position with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and it is this additional check which is currently causing delays of up to 10 days.
18 March 2015
Passport checks on leaving UK to be introduced at Eurotunnel and ferry ports
With effect from 8 April 2015 Eurotunnel and all ferry operators will be required to scan the passports of those leaving the UK and send this information through to the Home Office.
18 March 2015
Biometric Residence Permit – International Rollout Schedule
Following up on our previous updates in 29 January and 3 March 2015, the Home Office has now published guidance together with the dates for the phased roll-out of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs). BRPs for non-EEA nationals travelling to the UK for more than six months will begin to be issued from the 18th March 2015, starting with applications made in Pakistan. The rollout will continue in three further phases from mid-April (inc. China and India), end of May (inc. Australia, the US and Japan) and end of July (the rest of the world).
6 March 2015
British Consulate-General in New York lauches Super Priority Visa Service
Following the roll out of the Super Priority Visa Service (“SPVS”) in India and China, the British Consulate-General in New York has announced that it will also adopt the service, effective of today. The service is available for a fee of £600 (roughly equivalent to $936) and can be purchased online from the VFS Global website.
6 March 2015
Closure of Tier 1 (General) extension is imminent
By way of a follow-up note, we wanted to remind you that after 6 April 2015 it will no longer be possible to submit a Tier 1 (General) extension application. All those who are able to do so, should submit their extension application prior to this date in order to ensure they may continue to reside and work in the UK under this category. Applicants will be granted sufficient further leave to bring their total leave up to five years, at which point they will be eligible to apply for settlement, otherwise known as indefinite leave to remain, subject to meeting all the other requirements. Applicants may continue to apply for settlement any time prior to 6 April 2018, after which point it will no longer be possible to obtain settlement in this category.