18 September 2014
Immigration Update: Delays at the Overseas Visitors Records Office
For those migrants who need to register with the Overseas Visitors Records Office (OVRO) please note that no appointments are available for 18 and 19 September 2014. The website is advising applicants that all appointment slots have been filled until Monday 22 September 2014.
5 September 2014
When UK immigration rules stall premiership football moves
Once again, social media and the sports pages of newspapers have been littered with references to UK immigration rules due to the pending visa for Manchester United’s £16M new signing, Marcos Rojo, which could have delayed (or even prevented) his ability to play for a club who, some say, are in dire need of a good defender.
2 September 2014
Further details of NHS health surcharge announced
Further to our update on 17 January regarding the publication of the Department of Health’s response to the 2013 public consultation on migrant access and financial contribution to NHS provision in England, the Department of Health has now published an implementation plan to cover the phased roll-out of an NHS cost recovery scheme for some migrants, including EU nationals.
21 August 2014
Immigration update: Further details of NHS health surcharge announced
In our update on 17 January regarding the publication of the Department of Health’s response to the 2013 public consultation on migrant access and financial contribution to NHS provision in England (click here for a link). The Department of Health has now published an implementation plan to cover the phased roll-out of an NHS cost recovery scheme for all migrants, including EU nationals. This follows the introduction of The Immigration Act 2014 in May this year which contains provisions for NHS cost recovery. Secondary legislation will be passed later this year to pave the way for the anticipated roll-out from April 2015 of the ‘immigration health surcharge’. All migrants applying for a visa of more than six months’ duration will be required to pay the surcharge with their visa application fee.
7 August 2014
Immigration Act 2014: Marriage and Civil Partnership
Under the Immigration Act 2014, private landlords will be required to check the immigration status of tenants, and may be liable to a civil penalty if they do not do so, under IA 2014. The Home Secretary is also given the power to deprive a naturalised individual of their right to British citizenship, and new powers are created in order to clamp down on sham marriages and civil partnerships. Further, banks will be have to check the immigration status of individuals before opening an account and those unlawfully in the UK will not be able to obtain a driving licence. Unless otherwise stated the provisions come into force on a day appointed by the Secretary of State.
