Best and brightest? City AM published yet another story of immigration and visa woes of UK visa applicants. In this case a young Chinese woman living in the UK was denied unmarried partner visa by the Home Office. That happened despite the fact that she was in a long term relationship with her British partner and the couple have been together for eight years. As a result, the couple is…
Read MoreUK hopeful for trade agreement with India
Trade agreement with India in the works Entering into trade agreements is one of the key priorities for UK government after Brexit. The initial discussions with India are due to take place this month (January 2022), when the UK International Trade Secretary travels to India. Trade agreement with India would be a great achievement for the UK government. India does not have trade deals with US or the EU, and…
Read MoreCare workers added to Health and Care Visa
Immigration rules to ease for care home sector There are some good changes coming soon to alleviate the staff shortages in the UK care sector. From about January/February 2022, for at least twelve months care workers, care assistants and home care workers will be added to the Shortage Occupation list and be eligible for the Health and Care Visa visa scheme. These new changes allow for less senior care staff…
Read MoreDeprivation of British citizenship-present and future
Deprivation of citizenship Stripping someone of their citizenship is a radical measure, and therefore unsurprisingly, any changes to the law that are due to increase the government’s powers in that respect, are due to attract public attention and scrutiny. The House of Commons has recently approved the Nationality and Borders Bill. The Bill will now go to the House of Lords who are due to debate it on 5 January…
Read MoreImmigration status and medical treatment
free nhs medical treatment for migrants
Read MoreYouth Mobility visa for Indian nationals
Reminder for Youth mobility visa – India nationals This year, in September 2021, the Home Office announced that Iceland and the Republic of India have been added to the list of countries whose citizens can apply for the Youth Mobility visa to the UK. The Youth Mobility visa allows the visa holders to live and work or study in the UK for two years. Once in the UK, the YM…
Read More1-year of the ‘new points based system’
New points based system a success claims Home Office The Home Office published a new statement Here to mark the 1-year anniversary of the ‘new immigration points based system’ which was introduced on 1st December 2020. Priti Patel hails the new system as a success: ‘Twelve months on and this has delivered on the public’s priorities to attract top talent from across the globe, while encouraging businesses to invest in…
Read MoreHome Office first ‘Ethical Decision-Making Model’ guidance
Windrush lessons Following the Windrush scandal in 2018, a review was undertaken and a report Windrush Lessons Learned Review by Wendy Williams – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) was published in March 2020. The Review was critical of the immigration decision-making process, including the quality of some decisions made and the lack of engagement and empathy by Home Office casework decision makers. The review found that decisions were sometimes based on completing a…
Read MoreGlobal talent fast track not a success so far
Nobel prize laureates and other prestigious award winners not applying for UK visas It has recently been publicised in the New Scientist that the UK Global Talent fast-track visa route has failed to attract a single applicant so far. The article in the New Scientist has attracted significant attention and comments. Approximately half a year ago, in May 2021, the Home Office announced a fast-track Global Talent visa route for…
Read MoreRecent news -Deportation appeal
Upper Immigration Tribunal appeal UK The appeal case described recently in the press perfectly encapsulates the harsh deportation policies towards foreign nationals. Polly Gordon is a 75 years old USA citizen who has lived in the UK for 53 years. She suffers from poor health and has a history of substance abuse and alcohol addiction. After she served 12 month sentence for drug related offences Home Office decided to deport…
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