28 February 2023
India Young Professionals Scheme visa: A one in a million chance…. literally……
The ballot to apply for the India Young Professionals Scheme visa opens today. Besides having strict requirements i.e., a degree qualification, it only has 2,400 visas available. This roughly equals 1 visa for every 60,000 - 80,000 eligible nationals.
22 February 2023
The risk of visa applications being treated as withdrawn due to travel
It is common for immigration lawyers to advise clients in the UK that travelling outside the Common Travel Area (CTA) when an immigration application is pending will result in the application being treated as withdrawn (cue fiddly explanations to clients as to what constitutes the CTA). It is also common for immigration lawyers to advise clients that travelling into the UK whilst an entry clearance application is outstanding may in certain circumstances also cause difficulties. This article looks at when you are and are not able to travel, and how important your location is to your application.
22 February 2023
A warm welcome for some, ramped up hostility for others – reflecting on a year of two halves for those in need of international protection
It’s hard to believe that, as of this week, a year has elapsed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the refugee crisis which subsequently unfolded on a scale unseen in Europe for almost 80 years. In the aftermath of the invasion, people across Europe stepped up, with welcoming committees at train stations across the continent, individuals offering rooms in their homes and, in the UK, by applying public pressure to the Government who, alone in Europe, refused to waive visa requirements for fleeing Ukrainians. Stories of Ukrainians stuck in the country or on the border being unable to join family in the UK received significant press coverage as did the UK’s lagging compassion in contrast to the rest of Europe.
10 February 2023
International students under criminal investigation – what criminal, regulatory and immigration issues do I need to consider?
Investigations undertaken by universities are not criminal proceedings, even if they are looking into conduct that may be capable of amounting to a criminal offence. A disciplinary process is an internal, civil matter which deals with a potential breach of the University’s rules/code of conduct. Conversely, a criminal process is an external procedure outside of the University’s control, and will consider whether the student complained of has committed a criminal offence.
6 February 2023
How to hire hospitality skilled workers from overseas
With staff shortages crippling the hospitality sector, the reality for many businesses is that overseas labour is essential. Understandably, there is a growing voice that a special hospitality visa scheme should be introduced to help ease the pressure; however, with net migration being at a record high, regrettably this might be some way off.