19 February 2013
The mysterious case of UK fears about Bulgarians and Romanians
February 2013 has been an active month for press coverage around the UK Government’s fears that Bulgarian and Romanian nationals will flock to the UK in 2014 when transitional restrictions on work are finally lifted. The second week of February was particularly lively with the Prime Minister making a statement every day about various measures the Government is taking to end migration. In the midst of the noise and fury, it is easy to lose track of the facts. Perhaps we should remind ourselves about some of them now.
14 February 2013
Immigration Alert: UK Border Agency Establishes a New Business Helpdesk Pilot
In response to requests from the Immigration Law Practitioner’s Association, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has established a Business Helpdesk Pilot. Kingsley Napley has been asked by the UKBA to participate in this pilot on behalf of our business clients, which will run until the end of March.
31 January 2013
Immigration Alert: Changes to the Life in the UK Test
On 28 January 2013, an updated Life in the UK Test handbook was published for all applicants wishing to settle in the UK or apply to be naturalised as a British citizen. The updated handbook will be applicable for the new Life in the UK test which will be introduced on 25 March 2013.
31 January 2013
Immigration Alert: Changes to Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Route
On 30 January 2013, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) made a number of changes to the Immigration Rules for the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category to introduce a ‘genuine entrepreneur’ test. The changes will take effect on 31 January 2013 and will affect all applications decided after this date, even if they were submitted prior to 31 January 2013.
28 January 2013
Immigration Alert: Changes in the assessment of good character in citizenship applications
From 13 December 2012, changes were made to the Nationality Instructions that affect anyone applying for citizenship on or after that date. The main changes deal with criminality and how it is assessed in terms of the good character requirement in citizenship applications.