Immigration blog and updates

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…

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…

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…

Significant changes to Home Office ‘Dependent family members in work routes’ guidance – children whose only one parent is applying or is present in the UK As an immigration lawyer I frequently come across cases when I have to explain the restrictive Home Office rules to applicants who intend to bring their child or children to the UK while the other parent remains abroad. Many of them are in disbelief…