12 July 2012
Immigration Update: Changes to Applications from Overstayers and New Application Forms
Changes to Applications from Overstayers
Currently, individuals whose leave to remain (permission to stay) in the UK has expired have been able to submit an extension application any time up to six months after the expiry date of their existing visa. This is set to change. From 1 October 2012, any extension application submitted more than 28 days after a visa has expired will be refused. This change in the immigration rules will affect all points based system applicants, as well as those applying under all working and student routes, and the visitor, long residency and UK ancestry categories. It is also in line with the new immigration rules coming into effect for the family migration route from 9 July 2012.
28 June 2012
Immigration Update: Family Visitor Appeals to be Abolished
With effect from 9 July 2012 new Immigration Appeals (Family Visitor) Regulations 2012 will come into effect. These set out who qualifies for a full right of appeal against refusal of a visa to visit family in the UK. No changes are being made to the rules governing who can qualify for entry to the UK as a visitor and genuine visitors are welcome. These regulations will change the appeal rights of family visit visa applicants, for those applying to visit their uncle, aunt, nephew niece or first cousin, or a relative who does not have settled, refugee or humanitarian protection status in the UK. They will no longer have a full right of appeal if refused. A limited right of appeal will remain for these people on human rights and race discrimination grounds.
15 June 2012
Immigration Update: New Immigration Rules for Family Migration and other applications
A Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules was issued on 13 June which covers a wide range of visa applications, including those to join or remain with family members in the UK, who are British citizens or settled persons. The new rules will come into effect on 9 July 2012. The new rules will also make changes to applications under the Human Rights treaty to incorporate them within the Immigration Rules, provision for those who have overstayed in the UK and will add South Korea as a participant in the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme, with 500 places pro-rata for the rest of this year.
15 June 2012
Want to live with your family in the UK? All you need is love (and lots of money)
Monday 11 June 2012 saw the announcement of the long awaited response to last summer’s consultation on family migration, and the message from Government is clear: if you want to bring your loved ones to the UK, show us your money.
15 May 2012
Immigration Update: Migration Advisory Committee launches review of the Tier 2 Codes of Practice
The Migration Advisory Committee (“MAC”) today launched a call for evidence to enable them to review and report back to the Government on various issues around the Tier 2 Codes of Practice.