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.
1 February 2023
What Tech Nation’s closure means for the Global Talent visa and tech migration
Tech Nation, the organisation that helped bring thousands of talented tech workers to the UK, has announced that it will cease operations on 31 March 2023 after the government pulled key funding, awarding it instead, somewhat controversially, to Barclays’ tech incubator Eagle Labs. Without the government funding, Tech Nation, which operates as a non-profit, cannot fund its accelerators, reports or visa programme.
1 February 2023
Born in the UK to a European parent and think you’re British? Time to think again
When it comes to British citizenship, the position for children born in the UK to an EEA national has never been straightforward. Thanks to a recent decision by the High Court, in the matter of R(Roehrig) v. Secretary of State for Home Department [2023] EWHC 31 (Admin), the position just became slightly more complex.
