Victory After Two Decades: Successful 20 Years Long Residence Visa Application

Securing legal residency after two decades of living in the UK under uncertain circumstances can seem like an insurmountable challenge. However, for many individuals who have built their lives in the country despite their unlawful status, obtaining a visa can become a reality with the right approach and supporting documentation. In this article, we outline […]

Immigration Salary List Rapid Review Published

On 4 December 2023, the Home Secretary announced several changes to the immigration system related to the Skilled Worker (SW) route. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) subsequently published its rapid review of the Immigration Salary List (ISL) on 23 February 2024 after being commissioned by the Home Secretary James Cleverly.   The Immigration Salary List […]

Lisa’s Law Helps Human Trafficking Victim in Successful Asylum Appeal Case

Amidst the harrowing tales of human trafficking, a beacon of hope emerges with the outcome of a successful asylum appeal case of an individual who had endured the horrors of modern-day slavery. The Upper Tribunal’s landmark decision overturns a previous ruling. This new ruling recognises the plight of our client, a Chinese national who was […]

Act now – Beat the ban on newly arrived care workers bringing immediate family members

Recently, the government has announced changes to the visa rules in order to reduce immigration. The government has come under pressure due to the unprecedented levels of immigration since the Covid pandemic, which has seen net migration increase to over 700,000 per year. This has resulted in the government taking action to cut net migration […]

High Court grants permission for judicial review of the government’s treatment of people with 3C leave

The High Court has granted the migrant and refugee charity organisation, Refugee and Migrant Forum Of Essex & London (RAMFEL), permission to bring a judicial review of the government’s treatment of people with 3C leave immigration status.   When an applicant is applying to extend their stay in the UK in time, applicants are automatically […]

Financial requirements for skilled worker and family visas to increase in April – apply now

Recently, the government has introduced some changes to the skilled worker visa and the family visas. These changes have been introduced after the UK has experienced unprecedented levels of immigration.     Due to humanitarian reasons and duties, the UK has accepted a lot of people coming from countries like Ukraine, Hong Kong and Afghanistan. […]

Can the identities of Home Office caseworkers be redacted?

  In general, a litigant in judicial review proceedings is not entitled to redact, on the ground of relevance, the identities of officials in such disclosure. This means that the Home Office should not redact the information about caseworkers in a judicial review. Routinely the names of civil servants outside the Senior Civil Service would […]

Navigating the Asylum Process: A Comprehensive Guide

    This article covers everything from what asylum is to the intricate steps of the application process and important details. Let’s dive into the complexities of seeking international protection and the path to asylum in the UK.   What is Asylum?   A person claims asylum when they are seeking international protection. The UK […]

Grounds for refusal under the UK immigration rules – what are they?

Within the immigration rules, part 9 relates to general grounds for refusal. If you are thinking of applying for either leave to remain or entry clearance in the UK, it is important to ensure that you avoid general grounds for refusal by meeting the suitability requirements set out in the UK immigration rules. Failure to […]

Business visit visas relaxed in latest statement of changes to immigration rules

Last week the Home Office announced the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 246. With this edition of the statement of changes, notable changes have been made in the area of business visit visas.   Business visit visa changes   The new business visit visa allows visa holders to engage in the internal […]

Waiting to apply for a spouse visa? Apply now before changes are introduced

If you are in a relationship with a person from abroad and wish for them to come and live with you in the UK, you need to apply for a spouse visa. To be successful in the application for a Spouse visa, there are a number of requirements that you must satisfy.   At this […]

UK signs new treaty with Rwanda in hope of reviving asylum partnership

  The Home Office have confirmed that the Home Secretary James Cleverly has today signed a new agreement with Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Vincent Birtua. This new UK-Rwanda asylum agreement follows the Supreme Court’s Judgement last month confirming that removals of asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful.   The Home Office claim that the agreement signed […]

UK tightens legal immigration rules – minimum salary hiked to £38,700 for some visas

  Yesterday, the Home Secretary announced plans which amount to one of the most substantial proposals in years to cut migration levels through the tightening of UK immigration rules. Popular visa routes like the skilled worker visa, health and care worker visas, as well as family visas are all affected.   Those who wish to […]

Latest asylum seeker statistics paint a complex picture – what can we learn?

  The Home Office has published the latest asylum and resettlement statistics for the year ending September 2023. These latest statistics show that there were 40,571 asylum grants in the year ending in September 2023. This is the most asylum grants since 2010. For comparison, the second highest amount of grants were in 2021 where […]

India and Georgia to Be Added to Safe Countries List

  On November 8, the UK Home Office announced the draft legislation procedure of adding India and Georgia to the safe countries list within Section 80AA of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. This means that if individuals from these countries seek asylum or make human rights claims in the UK, those claims would […]

Rwanda Policy held to be unlawful by UK Supreme Court

  Recently, the UK’s immigration policy faced a crunch moment when the Supreme Court decided that the government’s Rwanda policy is unlawful. The highest court in the UK has spent a month deliberating the legality of the plans to remove asylum seekers to the East African country.   Today, the Supreme Court released its final […]

Success in Recognition of Dependants – Decade-Old Error Corrected

There are numerous pathways to securing immigration status in the United Kingdom. Each individual’s unique circumstances often leads them to selecting specific visa routes, and at times they may even possess multiple legal foundations for achieving Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Dependants in particular can sometimes face a harder route to secure immigration status.   […]

20 year residence appeal – refusal to accept tribunal decision leads to win

  20 years is a long period for an individual. Our team has assisted many clients with their 20-year long residence application, with people seeking to obtain legal immigration status in the UK after being in the UK for such a long period of time.   We were instructed by a client that had arrived […]

No Recourse to Public Funds Lifted! UK Immigrants may access benefits in the future

No recourse to public funds (NRPF) is a not a new thing for migrants in the UK, and always appears on their BRPs. For those with ‘No Public Funds’ on their BRP, they have no recourse to public funds and are not able to claim most benefits, tax credits or housing assistance that are paid […]

Guide to the UK High Potential Individual Visa

The High Potential Individual visa is dedicated to attracting graduates from leading non-UK universities who have the potential to work in fields such as science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The aim of this route is to cement the UK’s reputation as a hub for technological advancement by attracting some of the best and brightest from […]

Manston Immigration Centre admonished in watchdog report

By Victor Falcon Mmegwa   A report on the Manston immigration centre has seen it be described as “unacceptable” by an independent watchdog that monitors the centre. The Manston immigration centre originally opened in February 2022 to process migrants who arrived in the UK on small boats. It is designed for around 1,000 people to stay […]

One year sentence not excessive for small boat asylum seekers, rules Court of Appeal

A recent case gives guidance for the courts on how asylum seekers who arrive in the UK via small boats should be sentenced.   Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made ‘stopping the boats’ one of his five key priorities for 2023, but has recently suggested it may not be possible before the next election. The […]

European travel information and authorisation system (ETIAS) introduced by EU – UK travellers must apply!

In our recent article about the new UK Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme, we mentioned that the EU were planning on introducing a similar system. Now, the details about that scheme, the ETIAS, have been revealed.   By acquiring an ETIAS travel authorisation, you will be able to enter these European countries as often as you […]

Guide to the UK Fiance visa. What are the requirements and can you switch to a spouse visa?

Many people will be familiar with the ‘spouse visa’, a type of visa which allows a foreign national to live with their partner in the UK as long as the partner is either British or settled in the UK. However, there is another similar type of visa – the fiance visa. Both visas are separate […]

Migration Advisory Committee recommends scrapping the Shortage Occupation List

The Migration Advisory Committee has published its 2023 review of the shortage occupation list. Commissioned in August 2022, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent non-department public body that advises the government on migration issues.   Compared with previous reviews, this review was conducted on the basis of the MAC’s recommendation that employers should […]

Concealment of essential information leads to deprivation of citizenship

By Yang Peng   Relationships in real life are not always stable; there are always ups and downs. Likewise, when applying for a visa, applicants often face challenges in proving the genuineness and enduring nature of their relationships. Consequently, accidental omissions and minor errors may occur in the complex visa application procedure.   During the […]

Brook House Inquiry – what were the findings? Part 1.

By Victor Falcon Mmegwa   This article is a more detailed follow up to our instant report on 19th September about the Home Office response to the Brook House Inquiry. In this article, we will go into more detail about the Inquiry, as well as take a look at some of the recommendations made by […]

ETAs to be introduced for travel to the UK – do I need to apply?

If you have travelled to countries such as Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand, you may be familiar with the concept of an ETA. Short for electronic travel authorisation, ETAs are used to prevent unwanted visitors from entering the respective country. While they are already used in the previously listed countries, both the EU […]

Home Office states 2017 Brook House IRC abuse unacceptable

The Home Office has announced that the abuse at Brook House IRC in 2017 was unacceptable.   In 2019, an inquiry was started into Brook House Detention Centre (Brook House Immigration Removal Centre) in relation to the treatment of detainees in 2017.   The Brook House Inquiry identified 19 instances of mistreatment contrary to Article 3 of […]

UK visa fees to increase from 4th October 2023

UK’s immigration and nationality fees (UK visa fees) are set to increase from 4th October 2023. The Home Office confirmed today (15th September) that they will be increasing fees for the majority of immigration applications starting on 4th October 2023.   The fee rises were originally announced in July this year, and today, legislation is […]

Temporary admission and time spent on visitor visa may still count towards 10-year lawful residence

Migrants who have accumulated ten years of continuous lawful residence (10-year lawful residence) under any combination of visas may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain.   This would also include those who spent a period of time on temporary admission or immigration bail and were subsequently granted a visa.   An example of this would […]

BNO Visa priority service introduced! Find out how to apply

The Home Office has recently announced the introduction of a new priority service for BNO visa applicants. This means that British nationals (overseas) from Hong Kong and their families who are planning to move to the UK can pay £500 to have their application processed within 5 working days. As current timescales for the BNO […]

Successful EU Settlement Scheme Appeal for couple despite lack of relevant EU permit

  We have recently been successful in the appeal of an application for our client to join his EU national partner under the EUSS (EU Settlement Scheme). There has been lots of coverage recently about this topic following a decision by the Court of Appeal in Celik vs Secretary of State for the Home Department […]

Visa holders entitled to Immigration Health Surcharge refund if working in health and care sector

  If you hold a visa, and you have worked at least 16 hours per week in the health and care sector for a period of 6 months, you are entitled to an Immigration Health Surcharge refund.   If you have any dependents, then you would be entitled to a refund of their IHS fees […]

Illegal Migration Act 2023 – what are the key changes?

The Illegal Migration Act is a major piece of legislation which forms a key centrepiece of the UK government’s policy platform. The purpose of this Act is to prevent and deter illegal migration; in particular those by unsafe and illegal routes.   The government have stated that their aims are to both stop illegal boat […]

Success in obtaining leave to remain despite having no status for 23 years and little evidence

  We have recently been successful in representing a client who has been living in the UK for more than 20 years in their application for leave to remain on human rights grounds. This is despite the fact that the client had very little evidence to support their application.   Keep reading to find out […]

Home Secretary found to have adopted unfair procedure after cancelling student’s leave to enter

By Yang Peng   On 28 July 2023, The Administrative Court allowed a Pakistani student’s claim for judicial review of a decision by the defendant Secretary of State for the Home Department (SSHD) to cancel his leave to enter as a student. The court decided that the claimant was denied the opportunity to comment on […]

Harsher penalties proposed for landlords and businesses employing illegal workers!

  Presently, if you are a business employing an illegal worker (a person who does not have the status to reside in the UK), you can face a fine of up to £20,000 for each illegal worker.   If you are a landlord and have rented a property to a tenant without status, you could […]

Thinking about coming to the UK? These are the 4 most popular UK visa routes

By Yang Peng   You may have been thinking about coming to the UK, whether it is just to visit or to settle here. The UK immigration procedure can seem complicated for those who have never travelled here before. In this article we will look at the most common UK visa routes.   Option 1 […]

The SNP announces independence plan for Scottish citizenship

The Scottish government has published new proposals for how someone would be able to obtain Scottish citizenship in a independent Scotland. These proposals were published in a research paper entitled ‘Citizenship in an independent Scotland’.   The report’s release comes at a time when Scottish independence currently seems to be a remote possibility. The sudden […]

Court dismisses appeal for deprivation of citizenship

By Yang Peng   In an important recent case, the Court of Appeal announced that the appellant A’s appeal in the case of Shyti v Secretary of State for the Home Department (SSHD) against the decision to deprive him of his British Nationality, was dismissed.   This article looks at the circumstances in which citizenship […]

Do you have a parent with EU citizenship? You might be eligible for a British passport!

Written by Lorraine Hon   A new law has given nationality rights to children born in the UK to EU citizens. Previously, the children of EU citizens who were working in the UK were not given British citizenship. However, this has changed with the recent implementation of a new law for those born before the […]

Surprise UK student visa announcement – students no longer able to switch to a work visa while studying!

We recently brought you news about the changes the Home Office are making to the UK Student Visa. Well, the Home Office have now surprised us all by implementing some of these changes with immediate effect!   Understandably, overseas students in the UK may be anxious about what this will mean for them, as well […]

UK Government announces huge increase in immigration fees

The UK government has announced a substantial increase in visa fees across a range of immigration and nationality routes, including the immigration health surcharge. The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has framed this increase as necessary to fund a 6% rise in doctor’s wages.   Following a recommended pay rise for public sector workers of between […]

Another successful private life application after 13 years of no status in the UK

By Lorraine Hon   We are pleased to have been successful in another private life route case where our client came to the UK as a teenager after fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan.   One of the private life route requirements is where the applicant is aged 18 or above but below 25 at the […]

Court of Appeal rules that Removal of Asylum Seekers to Rwanda is unlawful

  Today (29/06/2023), the Court of Appeal reversed the High Court decision in AAA v Secretary of State for the Home Department (SSHD) on 19th December 2023 where it was held that removal of asylum seekers to Rwanda was lawful.   In today’s ruling, the Court of Appeal confirmed that any removals of asylum seekers […]

Home Office re-commences deport now, appeal later certification

By Victor Falcon Mmegwa   Recently, the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman MP, confirmed in a letter to the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee that the Home Office have suggested the use of certification under section 94B of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 from 5 June 2023. This means that any appeal […]

Confirmed – Proposed Bill of Rights abandoned by the UK Government

  In June 2022, the UK Government proposed a Bill of Rights which was intended to replace the Human Rights Act 1998. The Human Rights Act affords us all with fundamental rights and freedoms by enshrining the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).   The introduction of the Bill of Rights […]

Successful application for UK visitor visa despite previous refusals

By Yang Peng   We recently managed to help a client gain a UK Visitor Visa, despite them receiving two previous UK refusals. Keep reading to learn more about why these refusals occurred, and how Lisa’s Law can help you with similar applications.   Introduction to the case   Our client instructed us to apply […]

Indefinite Leave to Remain (10 year lawful residence) application guide

  This article serves as a guide for an indefinite leave to remain application, otherwise known as 10 year lawful residence. Contact us today for help with your application.   What is indefinite leave to remain on the basis of 10 years lawful residence?   Indefinite leave to remain allows you to settle in the […]

High Court says unpublished Home Office policy on NHS debt is unlawful

By Yang Peng   Today’s article looks at a recent case involving an unpublished Home Office policy which caused individuals to be unlawfully detained over NHS debts.   Keep reading to learn why the High Court decided the policy was unlawful and our thoughts on the case.   Background   MXK and SXB are two […]

Another successful visitor visa application from Fujian province in China

  Following on from our article in April where we discussed whether the Home Office have recently become more open to visitor visa applications made from Fujian province in China, we have been successful in another case from the region.   You can read the previous article here.   Our clients were Chinese nationals living […]

Will applicants with a skilled worker visa need to wait 8 years for settlement?

  A skilled worker visa allows a person to come to the UK and work for an employer. The visa also allows a skilled worker to bring their dependents to the UK with them.   A skilled worker visa can be issued for up to 5 years. After 5 years of holding a skilled worker […]

20 Years Long Residence – what are the visa requirements?

    This guide will briefly explain the general requirements that must be met to apply for leave to remain based on 20 years residence. All requirements must be strictly met, otherwise the application will be refused.   Firstly, what is the 20 years long residence route?   The 20 years long residence route allows […]

Most postgraduates on student visas to be banned from bringing dependents to the UK

  Undergraduate students are not permitted to bring their partner and children to the UK when they come to the UK to study. However, until now, all postgraduate students have had the potential to do so.   That was the case until this week, when the Home Office announced new restrictions to the student visa […]

Overseas students barred from switching from student visa to work visa until education is completed

  In 2022 there were over 485,000 student visas granted according to the Government website. This represents a 29% increase compared with visas granted in 2021.   Many who come to the United Kingdom on a student visa complete their studies and apply for employment in the United Kingdom with their newly earned qualifications. This […]

Can I still apply for settlement if I exceeded the absence limit due to Covid?

  We were recently approached by a client who entered the UK in 2012. Since entering, he applied for a number of visas and accumulated 10 years lawful residence in the UK. Our client applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain / Settlement himself on the basis that he had been in the UK for 10 […]

Retained right of residence for family members of EU citizens

By Victor Falcon Mmegwa   Can family members of EU citizens acquire independent rights of admission or residence in the UK where they have lost their family connection to the EU citizen they are related to?   Qualifying family members can continue living in the UK lawfully without their EU citizen sponsor. But a person […]

Is the Home Office now more open to UK visitor visas from China’s Fujian province?

  For some time, it has been no secret that the Home Office have tended to refuse visitor visa applications from applicants who are from Fujian Province in China.   The commonly understood reason for this is that it is due to the large number of overstayers in the UK from the Fujian province. The […]

New Innovator Founder Route opens – how do I apply?  

  The new Innovator Founder route came into force on 13th April 2023. It replaces the previous innovator route and start-up route.   The route is for those that wish to set up and run an innovative business in the United Kingdom. The business must be new, and an original business idea that is different […]

Can you achieve UK settlement without speaking English or passing the life in the UK test?

  To apply for settlement / indefinite leave to remain in the UK, there are a number of requirements that an applicant needs to satisfy. One requirement is knowledge of language and life in the UK.   Under the Home Office Discretionary Leave Guidance, it states that those who have been granted discretionary leave and […]

UK Ancestry visa – do you qualify for the UK’s ‘easiest’ immigration route?

The UK Ancestry visa is one of the most popular routes to residency in the UK. As its name suggests, acquiring the UK Ancestry visa requires you to have ancestry from the UK. More specifically, you must have a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.   […]

Discretionary leave to remain – Home Office grants leave for trafficking survivors with a pending asylum claim

By Zhuoqi Li   The Home Office has updated its caseworker guidance on Discretionary Leave to Remain. The new version of the guidance has provisions that allow acknowledged victims of trafficking to be granted leave if they have an ongoing asylum claim related to their trafficking.   Discretionary leave to remain relates to permission to […]

Asylum backlog at record levels – is now the time to make discretionary leave applications to the Home Office?

  The number of asylum seekers waiting for a decision on their case has soared to record levels over the years with almost 75,000 claims in 2022 alone. The asylum backlog of claims has grown substantively by almost 10 times since December 2010. Clearly, dealing with the huge backlog is a priority for the Home […]

Expansion Worker Visa granted to Australian wine company within 24 hours

By Lily Dai   We recently dealt with a private limited company which was incorporated in Australia and specialises in brewing and producing bacteria–free red wine. In 2018, our client manufactured its first batch of wine. The wine achieved many sales and had a lot of success when it first launched locally in Australia. As […]

Illegal entrants to be prevented from claiming asylum under Illegal Migration Bill announced by Home Office

On 7th March, the Home Secretary announced her plan to stop illegal migration to the UK by preventing those who enter the United Kingdom from claiming asylum. The Illegal Migration Bill proposes that all that enter the UK ‘illegally’ (often by crossing the Channel in a small boat) will be detained and then removed to […]

What new routes and changes to existing routes have been announced by the Home Office in 2023’s first Statement of Changes?

The government has announced the latest statement of changes in the immigration rules, titled HC1160. These provisions have been made under Section 1 (4) and Section 3 (2) of the Immigration Act 1971. These are the first statement of changes to the immigration rules since 18th October last year, and as a result are relatively […]

Courts agree with the Home Office on relevance of experience and qualifications when applying for leave to remain on the basis of setting up a business

  The appellant is a Turkish national that applied for leave to remain under the European Communities Association Agreement (ECAA) in order to establish himself in business (ECAA Business Visa). His proposal involved the acquisition of an existing grocery shop and its development. He was intending to buy an existing business, organic grocery store in […]

High Court Refuses to Strike Out Negligence Claim Against Home Secretary

  In a recent judgement, Aruchanga v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWHC 282 (KB), the High Court refused the Home Secretary’s application to strike out the claimant’s negligence claim against them.   The Claimant arrived in the UK in May 1995 from Rwanda and claimed asylum upon arrival. He was granted […]

India Young Professionals Scheme Visa – how to apply

The India Young Professionals Scheme visa permits young people aged 18 to 30 years old to travel and live in the UK for up 2 years. This presents a fantastic opportunity for young people from India to be able to travel to the UK, and, providing that the applicant is a graduate and has enough […]

Court finds that Chikwamba only relevant in certain circumstances

  In a recent judgement, Alam and another v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWCA Civ 30, the Court dismissed the Appellant’s appeals against the refusal of their leave to remain application.   The Appellants (SA and AT) both lived in the UK unlawfully. They wed British citizens and made an application […]

Lisa’s Law helps to secure indefinite leave to remain for client despite long absence period due to Covid

  We have recently been successful in an application for indefinite leave to remain on the 10-year route. Our client made an application based on exceptional circumstances outside the immigration rules and was granted settlement status despite 966 days outside the UK.   This case demonstrates the approach which the Home Office may take towards […]

Does the Home Secretary have the right to refuse an application based on false information in a previous application?

By Jessie Yang   In the case of Khan v The Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of the appellant, whose application for Indefinite Leave to Remain had been refused by the Secretary of State (Respondent). The appellant’s application was refused on the basis that he had […]

High Court rules that the EU Settlement Scheme is operating unlawfully – why?

By Jessie Yang   On 21st December 2022, the High Court delivered a judgment for a judicial review case relating to the EU Settlement Scheme which came about as a result of Britain’s exit from the EU in 2016.   This case was brought by the Independent Monitoring Authority (a statutory body set up to […]

Priority service returns for entry clearance family applications

  The Home Office have formally announced the return of their priority service for family visa applications. This will once again enable applicants to have the option to pay for their application to be considered quicker. We have now received emails from the Home Office regarding pending applications, and whether the applicants want to pay […]

How do you vary or speed up a visa application you have already made?

Making a visa application is a lengthy process, and waiting for a decision can be very frustrating, especially if you need to travel while waiting for your visa decision.   So, what options do you have? One option is to “upgrade your visa application”. Keep reading this article to find out how to vary or […]

High Court rules that UK Government’s Rwanda plan is lawful

  On 14th April 2022, the UK government announced that they have an agreement with the Republic of Rwanda, whereby asylum seekers will be sent to the Rwanda for processing. The UK published the Memorandum of Understanding highlighting the agreement. This has come to be better known as the “Rwanda Plan” or “Rwanda Policy”.   […]

Court dismisses judicial review claim by former members of Saddam Hussain’s Ba’ath Party on grounds of “good character”

By Zeyu Huang   A husband and wife of Iraqi origin were recently refused judicial review of a decision by the Home Secretary to decline their applications for naturalisation on the grounds of good character. The Secretary of State claimed that their behaviour since arriving in the UK in 2008 and 2009 did not outweigh […]

How do I apply, collect, replace or change a BRP? A comprehensive guide to the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

A Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) is a fundamental document which is used by foreign nationals in the UK or those who have a visa or have immigration permission to work, study or live in the UK. It provides evidence of your immigration status in the UK, and can be used to confirm your:   Identity […]

Successful argument made that time spent reporting to Home Office should count towards 10 years lawful residence

We are delighted to have been recently successful in representing a client in their application for Indefinite Leave to Remain. This was on the basis that our client lawfully resided in the UK for 10 years. We argued that the time spent reporting to the Home Office following an unsuccessful asylum claim should count towards […]

Spouses who are domestic violence victims and stranded abroad can apply for ILR to enter the UK in Landmark High Court ruling

  By Jessie Yang   In the most recent landmark ruling on 14 October 2022, Mrs. Justice Lieven of the High Court held that victims of transnational marriage abandonment are unlawfully discriminated against because they are outside of the United Kingdom. Such discrimination was held to be unlawful and disproportionately interferes with those victims’ rights […]

European Court of Human Rights approves deportation despite Applicant having a wife and children in the UK

By Jessie Yang   On 27 September 2022, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) gave a judgment on Otite v. The United Kingdom, concerning the deportation of a Nigerian national. The Court held that there was no violation of Mr. Otite’s rights to respect for private and family life under Article 8 of the […]

Temporary Permission to stay for trafficking victims in new statement of changes

  Despite the tumultuousness in British politics at the moment, with three Prime Ministers in three months, there continue to be changes made to UK immigration policy.   Recently reappointed Home Secretary Suella Braverman, previously in the job for just 42 days before leaving due to a security breach, has publicly claimed that modern slavery […]

Indefinite leave to remain on the 10-year long residence route granted despite nearly 1200 days abroad

This article was written by our legal advisor, Zeyu Huang.    We have recently been successful in an application of indefinite leave to remain on the 10-year long residence route. Settlement status was granted despite nearly 1200 days spent outside the UK.   Our client made an application based on exceptional circumstances outside the immigration […]

How will Priti Patel’s time as Home Secretary be remembered? And what can we expect from her successor, Suella Braverman?

After over three years in the role, former Home Secretary Priti Patel has been replaced. Her successor, Suella Braverman, represents something of a continuity figure in the role. Like Patel, she is both firmly on the right of the Conservative Party and a Brexiteer.   Formerly the Attorney General, some of Braverman’s most well-known views […]

Naturalisation: Home Office updates good character requirement in line with the Nationality and Borders Act 2022

A person can apply for naturalisation and become a British citizen if they satisfy all the requirements. Some of these requirements include suitability requirements, eligibility requirements and passing the Life in the UK test.   If you are looking to apply for British citizenship, new changes to the good character requirement guidance mean that you […]

Success in obtaining unreasonable costs following appeal against the Home Office

  At Lisa’s Law, we deal with all manner of cases. We often like to highlight these if we feel that they might be of particular interest to those who wish to learn more about the legal sector or those who would like to see examples of the kind of work we take on board. […]

With the arrival of the new immigration rules, when can the Home Office consider an asylum claim inadmissible?

By Zeyu Huang   The UK government has recently introduced new regulations under which lowers the bar for ruling an asylum claim inadmissible. An asylum-seeker is a person who has left their country and is seeking protection from persecution and serious human rights violations in another country, but who hasn’t yet been legally recognized as […]

Skilled worker visa vs Scale-up visa – which is best for employers?

You may have read our recent article about the brand-new Scale-up visa, which looked at how both employers and workers can benefit from the new visa route. You can find out more by reading it here. While the in-depth Scale-Up visa article mainly looked at the visa from an employee perspective, this article will look […]

Court orders Home Office to provide asylum seeker accommodation

By Lily Dai   Refugees who come to the UK are not always eligible for asylum seeker accommodation. Section 4(2) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 allows for support to be provided to refused asylum-seekers if they meet the following eligibility criteria: They must be destitute. A person is destitute if: “… he does […]

When can deportation be considered ‘unduly harsh’ on a partner or child?

The UK Supreme Court has recently dismissed three appeals by the Secretary of State for the Home Department (Home Secretary). These appeals concerned the interpretation of provisions relating to the statutory regime of the deportation of foreign criminals.   The case involved three conjoined appeals by the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, which had arisen out […]

The Scale-up visa has launched – what do you need to know?

The brand-new Scale-up visa has finally come into force. Described as “the biggest visa improvement in a generation” by the Coalition for a Digital Economy, the Scale-up work visa is designed for the UK’s top high-growth businesses to attract exceptional talent, including scientists, engineers, programmers, and architects.   With the UK facing several challenges to its […]

Is the Home Office responsible for an asylum seeker being attacked in their accommodation?

By Xijia Xie   In today’s article, we look at a recent case, R (on the application of MG) v Secretary of State for the Home Department. In this case, the claimant is an asylum seeker who was provided with private accommodation by the Secretary of State. He was attacked by a fellow asylum seeker […]

Court rules that Leave to Remain application under domestic violence route is not suitable for dependents of T2 visa holders

Written by Katherine Sun (Paralegal)   Leave to remain (LTR) applications under the Destitute Domestic Violence Concession (DDVC) scheme can be treated differently but not discriminated against based on what kind of status applicants hold. Recently, an Indian citizen’s LTR application was refused on the grounds that she was not eligible for the DDVC route […]

Police registration enters the history books for foreign nationals

For those of you are foreign nationals, when you first arrive in the UK you will probably be familiar with the need to “register with the police station” after obtaining a new visa. Even if a foreign national’s personal circumstances change, they have also previously needed to report to the registered police station.   However, […]

Successful appeal on behalf of elderly Chinese national after Home Office’s unsympathetic refusal of leave to remain

  We have recently been successful in an appeal which has led to our client, aged 84, obtaining leave to remain on the basis of her family and private life. This follows an initial leave to remain refusal by the Home Office.   Our client made an application based on exceptional circumstances outside of the […]

Court rules that social worker’s assessment that teenage asylum seeker is an adult was false

  A person who has entered the United Kingdom to claim asylum is treated differently depending on whether they are an adult or a minor. A minor’s claim is treated more delicately by the Home Office with respect to the asylum process, decision making, and support provided by a Local Authority.   Below, we look […]

Home Office announces British citizenship application fee waiver for minors who can’t afford it following legal battle

By Xinru Jia   A person officially becomes a British Citizen when they apply to the Home Office and are able to show they are entitled to British Citizenship. This is achieved by providing evidence that they fulfil certain sections of the British Nationality Act 1981.   Most applications to the Home Office have a […]

Sir Mo Farah’s revelation sheds a light on the dark world of human trafficking

It was one of the major talking points of the week. The British icon and most successful track distance runner of all time, Sir Mo Farah, revealed this week that the story he had told the world was, in fact, not true.   Mo Farah (as he is now known), was born as Hussein Abdi […]

Man who resided in UK for 22 years under false identities found to have had human rights infringed

  In today’s article, we look at a recent case, R (on the application of AM) v Secretary of State for the Home Department. This case concerns a person that had been living in the UK for over 22 years but had continuously provided false identities as well as convictions in the UK.   A […]

Akinsanya v Secretary of State for the Home Department – What does the Home Secretary’s response mean for Zambrano applicants?

  A person is considered a ‘Zambrano carer’, should they be a non-EEA national primary carer of a British citizen who would be unable to reside in the UK, if that primary carer were required to leave. Zambrano carers have been recognised as having a right to reside in the UK under EU law following […]

Will the Rwanda policy overcome its initial legal barriers?

  You may have seen our most recent article, where we looked in detail at the responses by both the Human Rights Watch and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to the UK Government’s Rwanda scheme. However, the following article will analyse the latest events, where the Government’s attempt to deport asylum seekers on its […]

Potential future challenges on expulsion of asylum seekers to Rwanda?

  The UK government signed the Asylum Partnership Arrangement with the Rwanda government on the 14th of April 2022.   As part of the plan, the government is intending to relocate some asylum seekers to Rwanda on a one-way ticket.  The relocation plan will target young single migrants who have arrived in the UK since […]

Can Article 3 of the EHRC protect a HIV positive criminal from being deported? No, says the Upper Tribunal!

Written by Katherine Chan   A new ruling by the Upper Tribunal sheds light on how the courts balance the interest of public justice and the human right requirement.   Following the case of AM (Art 3; health cases) Zimbabwe [2022] UKUT 00131 (IAC), the law is not altered but it does reflect the approach […]

Lisa’s Law client granted Spouse Visa despite making an application within the UK

  We are pleased to have been successful in an appeal which has led to our client obtaining leave to remain on the basis that he has a partner settled in the UK. This is despite our client making an application within the UK and therefore not satisfying the eligibility requirement of making an application […]

Continual Residence: when is it broken? How are days calculated?

Written by Xijia Xie   Imagine this: you are on your tenth year in the UK, thinking you will soon be eligible for settlement based on your long lawful residence. Your personal plans are lining up, but it all depends on the arrival of that one plastic card. However, right before your submission, you come […]

Lisa’s Law wins Indefinite Leave to Remain appeal for Hong Kong client who spent over 2 years abroad

  Lisa’s Law’s immigration supervisor, Mahfuz Ahmed, has recently been successful in an appeal of significant importance to our client. The case shows that a well-prepared appeal can lead to a fantastic result, despite our client not meeting the stringent criteria set out by the Home Office for indefinite leave to remain applications.   Background […]

As the UK government prepares to transfer the first group of migrants to Rwanda, what does the plan mean for UK immigration law?

Written by Stephanie Chiu   With the news that the Home Office is planning to send migrants to Rwanda imminently, the following article takes a look at the Rwanda Asylum plan and gives our legal perspective on the policy. The UK government signed the Asylum Partnership Arrangement with Rwanda on the 14th April 2022.   […]

Nationality and Borders Act 2022: Fixing a Broken Asylum System by Breaking It Further?

The Nationality and Borders Act, described as being the “cornerstone for the government’s new plan for Immigration” and fixing the “broken asylum system”, has received Royal Assent and become law.   For some time, the UK has faced increasing numbers of migrants travelling to the UK across the English Channel from France. Those on the […]

Past association with extremists results in naturalisation claim being refused by Home Secretary

    A person can apply for naturalisation and become a British citizen if they satisfy all the requirements. Some of these requirements include suitability requirements, eligibility requirements and passing the Life in the UK test.   Schedule 1, paragraph 1(2)(a) of the British Nationality Act 1981 states that any applicant must be in the […]

UK Expansion Worker Visa – what do you need to know?

Have questions or looking for help applying for a UK Expansion Worker Visa? Contact us today by emailing info@lisaslaw.co.uk or calling us on 020 7928 0276.   But first, read our article below to learn all about the new UK Expansion Worker visa which replaces the Sole Representative route for overseas companies seeking to expand […]

Afghan boy entitled to damages after being unlawfully removed by the Home Office

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed     The Court of Appeal have recently handed down a judgement determining that a vulnerable 16 year old Afghan boy should be awarded damages for the infringement of his Article 8 rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).   Article 8 of the ECHR states:   1.  Everyone […]

Home Office broke the law by searching, seizing and retaining data from phones of migrants

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed     The Divisional Court has handed down a judgement determining the Home Office’s policy of searching, seizing and retaining data from the mobile phones of migrants arriving to the UK by boat as unlawful.   The court’s ruling occurs at a time when the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, is trying […]

Court orders child to be returned to Italy after judicial review of mother’s asylum application deemed inadmissible

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed A recent case (R v G 2022) involving an Italian family which saw the father make an application under the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction 1980 for the return of his child has highlighted the complexity around the relationship between family law and asylum law.   The […]

Does the new UK Expansion Worker Visa represent a step backwards for businesses looking to expand in the UK?

  The Home Office’s new statement of changes, Immigration Rules HC 1118, appears to represent one of the biggest shake-ups to the system since Britain formally left the EU and introduced the new points-based immigration scheme on 1st January 2021.   As well as the High Potential Individual and new Scale-Up route, which we addressed […]

Family loses right to appeal after deported father killed by Taliban

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed In a case involving a man killed by the Taliban after being deported to Afghanistan, the Upper Tribunal has ruled that an immigration appeal is over once the appellant dies.   You could be forgiven for not being aware of the circumstances around the right to appeal and whether the right […]

UK’s Plan for Growth scheme introduces ‘High Potential Individual’ visa route among other immigration avenues. What are the key points you need to know?

It can be challenging to keep up with the latest changes to the Immigration Rules especially as they have been updated a few times in recent memory, so one can be forgiven for feeling a bit left behind. However, as usual your friends at Lisa’s Law are here to help.   Think you might be […]

Naturalisation – consideration of good character requirement.

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.     A person can apply for naturalisation and become a British Citizen if they satisfy all of the requirements. Some of those requirements include suitability requirements, eligibility requirements and passing the Life in the UK test.   Under the British Nationality Act 1981, it is mandatory that all applicant must […]

Home Office falls short in human rights case through failure to disclose important information.

As a law firm dealing with plenty of immigration cases, we have seen many sides to the Home Office. As reasonable and experienced legal professionals, we understand that some matters are complex and hurdles can become apparent at any time in the course of a case. However, there are times when Home Office mistakes can […]

Ukraine Family Scheme now open in the UK! Who is eligible and how does it work?

The situation in Ukraine continues to escalate, and the Russian troops are moving ever further into the country, bringing with them a feeling of terror and uncertainty. The Home Office sees this, and has now opened a new route for Ukrainian’s with family members living in the UK.   The route allows eligible Ukrainian nationals […]

Visa waiting times updated for both in-country and out of country applications. What are the key points you need to know?

Visa waiting times, as many applicants will know, can fluctuate. While some people will have positive experiences, many will find themselves waiting much longer than they had anticipated for a decision to be reached on their application.   This blog will delve into the latest guidelines from the Home Office on what people should expect […]

Concessions made to the Immigration Rules for Ukrainian nationals in wake of Russian invasion

It will not have escaped your attention that Putin has launched an invasion into Ukraine, igniting major concerns across the globe and potentially lighting the initial spark which could lead to war in Europe, some fear.   Ukraine will be looking for aid from its allies, including the UK. Part of the UK’s support to […]

Tier 1 Investor Visa Route Closed Due to Security Concerns! What does this mean for people already in the UK under this route?

The Home Office has taken drastic action by closing the Tier 1 Investor Visa Route to all nationalities after claiming it left the UK open to security breaches and corruption. This route has come under investigation in the past but was not expected to be closed so suddenly.   The route was appealing to wealthy […]

Secretary of State ‘confused’ by Zambrano Carer status! A recent case may raise more questions than it answers.

Immigration rules in the UK can often be challenging to understand. As a law firm we are constantly being asked questions regarding rules and regulations and while we are always happy to answer questions, it is an indication that further clarity is needed to that people know where they stand in terms of their status […]

Offshore Well-Boat Workers wanted by the UK! What does the new concession introduce?

The UK has a habit of changing certain rules in order to fit their own needs, often bringing in new temporary concessions in order to fill roles that are required at specific points in time. You may remember recently this occurred when Heavy Goods Vehicle drivers were given leave to enter the UK to help […]

Home Office to still charge high fees to children applying for British citizenship

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.     Children applying to be registered as British citizens under the British Nationality Act 1981, need to pay the Home Office a fee of £1012.00 for the registration.   The British Nationality Act 1981 permits the Secretary of State to charge a fee for registering a British citizen. The fee […]

Applicant is granted asylum due to becoming ‘westernised’ in the UK

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.     Asylum seekers can come to the United Kingdom, and their cultural, traditional and religious ideals and principles may have changed after spending a duration of time in the UK or in Europe.   Those asylum seekers may believe that they have been ‘westernised’ and therefore this may cause danger […]

Government Authorised Exchange route (‘GAE route’) – What is it and how does it work?

There are many routes into the UK and these routes can allow applicants to remain in the country for various amounts of time. Where the applicant only plans to stay in the UK temporarily, they usually have to go through slightly different processes to those who are looking for a more permanent settlement.   The […]

Right to work checks to see changes from 6 April 2022!

This is one that all employers should be aware of if they do not want to incur a heavy fine for hiring an unauthorized migrant. Right to work checks should apply to all candidates, even British citizens to avoid claims of discrimination, and while they are not mandatory they are extremely useful and can save […]

Does overstaying break the period of lawful residence? An insight from a recent case can tell.

Written by Katherine Chan.     The recent case of R (on the application of Afzal) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2021] All ER (D) 82 (Dec) sheds light on the contentious issue of continuous lawful residence under paragraph 276 of the Immigration Rules. The Court held in this case that although […]

More options on offer for Afghan nationals in the UK as situation in their country remains volatile. What can we learn from the new Home Office guidance?

You have likely seen on the news that the political and economic situation in Afghanistan remain in dire circumstances, with the Taliban in full control of the nation. There are reports of many people going without food, shelters being overly full and many businesses being unable to operate properly.   To show support to Afghanistan […]

Naturalisation – flexibility in the 5 year residence requirement

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.     A person can apply for naturalisation and become a British Citizen if they satisfy all of the requirements. Some of those requirements include suitability requirements, eligibility requirements and passing the Life in the UK test.   Schedule 1, paragraph 1(2)(a) of the British Nationality Act 1981 states that any […]

Post-Brexit Britain starts embracing skilled workers: sponsorship applications triple and near-zero action has been taken against sponsors

Sometimes the best way to figure out what is going on in the world of UK immigration is to take a look at the numbers related to it. We have analysed the data related to the sponsoring of applicants on the Tier 2, 4 and 5 routes. There are some interesting trends that reading this […]

EU Residency Rights not available to ex-partners who have experienced domestic abuse – what can we learn from a recent case?

We focus on a case today which is just one of many pending cases which have been stagnating since before Brexit, and are potentially affected by alterations of rules due to the UK leaving the European Union. The main issues within this case revolves around the Home Office denying the claimants right of residence in […]

Persistence, preparation and persuasion is key!

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.     We were recently successful in an appeal of significant importance to our client, which shows that a client’s persistence and a well prepared appeal, can lead to a fantastic result, regardless of previous decisions.   Background   Our client is a Chinese national who came to the UK alone […]

How can COVID-19 restrictions affect EUSS applicants, and what measures are in place to bypass this issue?

One of the major concerns for people applying to the EU Settlement Scheme throughout the ongoing pandemic is the fact that they have been outside the UK for longer than they had planned, meaning their continual residence may be affected. This can easily occur when travel restrictions are put in place, meaning people can be […]

Immigration Issues in the Autumn Budget: What Changes Have Been Announced?

Last week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the government’s tax and spending plans for the year ahead, which he promised would focus on rectifying the large financial pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic. This budget, according to the Chancellor, will pave the way for economic growth, higher productivity and room for people in the UK to […]

Important evidence? You need to spell it out in detail to the Immigration Tribunals

There are many aspects that must be taken into account when someone wishes to apply for leave to remain in the UK, including passing an English language test from a recognised provider. One of the accredited test by the Home Office used to be the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) provided by an […]

New Settlement Fast-Track: Private life applicants can now obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain earlier!

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.   Under paragraph 276ADE of the Immigration Rules, an applicant can make an application for leave to remain on the basis of their Private life established in the United Kingdom.   These applications are considered in accordance with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects your right […]

No Home Office Decision, No Appeal – What Can You Do Then?

Applying for leave to remain, visa extensions or going through any other immigration procedures can be stressful and leave applicants with serious anxiety and confusion. This is made twice as hard when the case becomes mixed up in various court jurisdictions and responsibility ends up being juggled around, leaving the person at the centre of […]

Can the Home Office simply ignore Court Orders that are invalid?

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.      A Court Order is an official judgement made by a Judge at the end of a hearing, or in the interim, (prior to a final order being made). The contents of the Order depends entirely on the case presented to the Judge.   There may be exceptional circumstances where […]

Discretionary leave to be given to trafficked asylum seekers says the High Court.

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.     Victims of Modern slavery and trafficking both abroad and in the UK, who have claimed asylum, typically have to wait a substantial amount of time for their claim to be considered. The Competent Authority will make a reasonable and then conclusive grounds decision as to whether an individual is […]

Migration Advisory Committee conduct deep-dive into the Intra Company Transfer visa route – what did they find and what is going to change?

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent, non-statutory, non-time limited, non-departmental public body that advises the government on migration issues. Recently, they conducted a review of the Intra-Company Transfer visa route to explore what is working about it and review what needs to be changed. This inspection was requested by the Home Secretary Priti […]

The Creative Worker Visa – Who is it for and how does it work?

In this blog we will take a deep dive into the Creative Worker Visa route, examining who the route is for, what the requirements of it are, and where it can lead for those who are accepted on to it. This visa, while it may seem to some to be exclusive in nature, is actually […]

Were Asylum cases considered between 2005 – 2014 under the unfair Detained Fast Track Rules unlawful?

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.   Asylum seekers flee their home country to travel to the United Kingdom to seek protection. They sometimes go through tremendous suffering, adversity and hardship in their travels.   Once they arrive in the United Kingdom and claim asylum, the UK have a responsibility to consider their claim.   Detained fast […]

International Sportsperson Visa – Something new or a simple rebranding?

You may have recently seen that the UK’s Immigration Rules had a fairly significant update, with many visa routes and procedures being tweaked, added and removed. We summarised some key points within the new rules in our article UK Immigration Rules: Let’s keep up with the changes! One visa route in particular that got a […]

Paragraph 39E of the Immigration rules and whether application for leave to remain is considered to be made ‘in-time’.

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.     An application for a leave to remain must be made prior to the expiry of your existing leave to ensure that you are not an overstayer. Overstaying in the UK will subject you to the hostile environment, which means there will be restrictions in renting, employment, accessing medical treatment […]

Changes to family permits, relevant documents and more may work in favour of family members applying under the EU Settlement Scheme

Some readers may have seen our recent article titled UK Immigration Rules: Let’s keep up with the changes – which was a comprehensive look at the many updates and tweaks that the Home Office has made, or is going to make, to the immigration rules in the near future. Amongst the vast amounts of information […]

When is Section 3C leave revived when an appeal is lodged out of time?

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.   Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 explained   The Home Office can take a number of months to decide an application, which would usually result in an applicant’s leave expiring after they have made an application.   Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 is a very important provision, […]

UK Immigration Rules: Let’s keep up with the changes!

The Home Office has recently published newly updated immigration rules which will dictate how people are able to enter and remain in the UK. Some of the changes you will read about here are directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, or the situation in Afghanistan, while others will be connected to the EU Settlement Scheme […]

EU Settlement Scheme: How can I apply for an administrative review if a decision goes against me?

The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), we are certain many of you will know, was set up in response to Brexit to allow EU, non-EU EEA and Swiss citizens and their eligible family members to apply to enter or continue to stay in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period the opportunity to protect […]

In what circumstances can you challenge the Secretary of State’s Policy Guidance?

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.     The Secretary of State drafts policy guidance and statements of practices for their caseworkers, and great reliance is placed upon these documents by applicants, when making immigration and other applications.   There may be circumstances where the contents of such policies may be considered by some as unlawful. In […]

Can time spent under a visit visa count towards 10 years long residence?

Written by Mahfuz Ahmed.     Under the UK’s  ‘long residency’ rule, a person can qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain allowing them to stay in the UK without any time restrictions, provided that they have been resident lawfully in the UK legally for 10 or more continuous years.   Long Residency is typically shown […]

Refugee Resettlement – How does it work and what is the UK government doing to aid Afghan refugees?

As the situation in Afghanistan has forced many civilians out of their homes the UK’s refugee resettlement policies have once again been cast into the limelight. In this article we will take a look at the current policies the Home Office has in place for people who find themselves in this unfortunate situation, and analyse […]

The Role of Certificates of Sponsorship: Home Office to Profit from struggling music industry?

It is no secret that the music and entertainment industries were hit extremely hard by coronavirus. With venues closing, shows being cancelled and travel restrictions being put in place, it is fair to say that many aspects of this lucrative market ground to a halt.   Now that restrictions are slowly being lifted, those who […]

Obtaining status in the UK via deceptive means? It could come back to haunt you!

Having the right to remain in the UK indefinitely can be a goal for a lot of people who wish to call the country their home. It can be a fairly long process, taking 3, 5 or even 10 years before applicants can be considered eligible. It may seem like a long while, but the […]

Better late than never! How can those who missed the deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme still apply, and what are the requirements?

The EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), many of you will know, was set up in response to Brexit to allow EU, non-EU EEA and Swiss citizens and their eligible family members to apply to enter or continue to stay in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period the opportunity to protect their residence in […]

Landmark Ruling Could Unlock EU Settlement Scheme for Zambrano Carers!

We have said it before, and we will say it again: the deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme is right around the corner on 30 June 2021. This must be a priority for all EU citizens and their family members, as if they do not register or submit their applications in time, they may not […]

EU Settlement Scheme – Coronavirus related absences to be overlooked by Home Office?

The deadline to the EU Settlement Scheme is at the end of this month (30 June 2021), meaning that EU nationals and their family members will have a limited amount of time to apply for visas to either continue to stay in the UK or come into this country, depending on their personal circumstances.  For […]

Splitting up the family? The importance of Retained Rights of Residency for family members of EU citizens.

With the deadline to get onto the EU Settlement Scheme rapidly approaching, people all over the UK who have come to know this country as their home will be feeling tense and confused about where they will stand come the 30th of June. While the Home Office often sugar-coats the immigration system as straight forward […]

Coronavirus and UK Immigration: What story do the statistics tell?

On the 27th of May the Home Office released their most up to date quarterly immigration statistics for the year ending 21st of March 2021. These stats include data in which we can see how many people came to the UK during this time period, how many extended their stay, the number of people who […]

E-visas, E-permission to Travel, E-sponsorship System – What are the key points in the Home Office’s New Immigration Plan?

On the 24th of March 2021, the Home Office released their official plan moving forwards on how to deal with immigration and border control in the UK. Part of the statement issued on the government website addresses the well-known fact that free movement between the EU and the UK ended on 31 December 2020 as […]

New Skilled Worker Visa route expands recruitment pool! What does this mean for employers?

The rules for the Skilled Worker visa route will allow for more potential applicants to come and work in the UK, meaning more choice for employers looking to bring new talent to their companies. One of the main differences between the previous Tier 2 General visa and the Skilled Worker visa is in the level […]

More reasonable Skilled Worker visa requirements brought in! What does this mean for the catering industry and its potential employers?

People wanting to come and work in the UK, and those employers who want to recruit from overseas, are more likely to be able to do so under the Skilled Worker visa route rules. Whereas before applicants would only be considered if they were offered a role in the UK listed under the Level 6 […]

Graduate Visa – Eligibility, application process and more.

The recent changes to the immigration rules included some more details regarding a visa type that has plenty of interest around it: the Graduate Visa. This visa promises to allow the brightest and best from around the world to look for work in the UK after completing their studies, but who exactly is eligible for […]

Shortage Occupation List, Graduate visa, and Global Talent visa routes updated in latest changes to the Immigration Rules.

The Home Office announced its first Statements of Changes to the Immigration Rules in 2021 on 4th March 2021.   As many will know, the Immigration Rules are used to regulate peoples entry into, and permission to stay in, the United Kingdom. Like any ruleset, it must be updated to factor in any changes of […]

Visa Applications – Waiting Times and What to Expect.

Applying for visas can vary from being straight forward to actually turning into a stressful ordeal. It really depends on individual circumstances, and it is unlikely that any two visa applications will play out in exactly the same way. One major factor to take into account is the amount of time it takes for visa […]

Illegal migrants in the UK can be vaccinated with no fear of removal!

The Coronavirus pandemic has turned the world upside down. It is widely agreed around the globe that the main collective priority is to get everyone vaccinated as quickly as possible, putting an end to this bleak chapter of humanity as efficiently as possible.   This is why the vaccination of everyone in UK, no matter […]

Coronavirus Complications – Where will the Home Office be lenient to those re-entering or remaining in the UK?

The COVID-19 pandemic has made life increasingly complicated and unpredictable. When it comes to people who are reliant on visas and approved leave to remain to legally stay in or enter the UK, the travel restrictions as a result of coronavirus can be extremely stressful.   With this in mind, in what situations will the […]

BNO Visa Finally Opens on 31/01/2021 – Deadlines, Delays, Requirements and Refunds!

By now it is likely that you have heard of the exciting British National Overseas (BNO) Visa, which offers a fresh route to British citizenship to millions of Hong Kong residents who hold British Nationality Overseas passports.   The visa will open to apply to from 31 January 2021, and we are here to help […]

Deadline approaching – It’s time to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme!

The deadline to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme is 30 June 2021, meaning there is now officially less than 6 months until time is up. It is of paramount importance that those who need to apply do so in good time.   Who needs to apply?   The EU settlement scheme is designed to […]

The Importance of Frontier Worker Permits – What are they and who can apply for one?

The Brexit transition period is over, and with the start of the New Year we find ourselves stepping into some new terrain in terms of immigration, employment and family law. While these changes in policy and rules may seem daunting, we will keep you right up to date with all the important events and news […]

More Guidance on the EU Settlement Scheme – Evidence, Information, and Qualifying Periods.

The EU Settlement Scheme is of great importance for a huge amount of people now that the effects of Brexit are right around the corner. For a full rundown of the scheme you can read our article: A Clearance of the Past? – How Can You Benefit From the EU Settlement Scheme?   In this […]

Foreign healthcare workers and families: what support are available to you from the Home Office?

This year has been a difficult one for many people due to the strains of COVID-19. Everyone has had to alter their way of life, people have been very ill and there has been extra pressure on healthcare professionals. Without the doctors, nurses, carers, and paramedics who dedicate their lives to helping others we would […]

Home Office’s Math Puzzle: 18 Months or 540 Days? – How long is a person allowed to be away from the UK under applications for settlement based on 10 years’ lawful residence?

Written by Chuanli Ding.     I had always believed that in an application for settlement based on 10 years’ lawful residence pursuant to Paragraph 276B of the Immigration Rules, as soon as the applicant has not been away from the UK for more than 180 days on any single occasion or 540 days in […]

Settlement Based on 10 Years Continuous Lawful Residence: Is Your Gap Book-Ended or Open-Ended?

Written by Caryn Toh.     The Court of Appeal raised the issues of the gaps in 10 years continuous lawful residence applications in the case of Hoque & Ors v SSHD [2020] EWCA Civ 1357 on 23rd October 2020. It considered whether unlawful residence which was followed by grant of lawful residence (“book-ended gap” as it […]

Important Update: Amendments made to Immigration Skill Charge Regulations

The Immigration Skills Charge (Amendment) Regulations 2020 passed both houses of the Parliament on 3rd November 2020. It is to amend the Immigration Skills Charge Regulations 2017.   What is the immigration skills charge?   First thing first, immigration skills charge is levy paid by employers who hire foreign workers to the government.   Employers […]

Latest Statement of Changes to the UK Immigration Rules – Key Takeaways

The most recent changes to the Immigration Rules, according to the Home Office, aim to continue the government’s commitment to ‘simplifying the rules’ while also bringing in the Future Points-Based Immigration System.   This blog post aims to highlight the key parts of these new changes. For the full guidance you can follow this link. […]

Immigration Changes for EEA Nationals from Jan 2021 – What you need to know!

From 1 January 2021 the UK is bringing in new immigration rules in line with the country’s decision to leave the EU as a result of Brexit. A major part of these new rules is that EEA nationals will have to go through to the same immigration controls as non-EEA nationals. This has not been […]

EEA Nationals – What to expect from Jan 2021 when entering the UK

From the very beginning of 2021 the more tangible effects of Brexit will be felt, especially for people entering the UK from abroad. This blog will focus on what EEA nationals will need to bear in mind when entering the UK for short trips in the New Year.   If you are an EU, EEA […]

The Home Office Has Made Covid-19 Concessions on Financial Requirements in Family Visa Applications

In the current times we find ourselves in it is important to try and focus on even the smallest of positives. While the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a massive toll on everyone in the nation, migrants living in the UK have some extra concerns on their minds in terms of how their and their family […]

Compliance is Key! Naturalisation, EEA Nationals and the ‘Good Character’ Requirements

When applying for naturalisation or attempting to register as a British citizen, adults and children aged ten or over must meet what is known as ‘the good character’ requirement. This is said to vet undesirables from integrating into the UK permanently by checking that the applicant has not taken part in illegal activity or ignored […]

EU Settlement Scheme – Do not fall through the cracks!

The EU settlement scheme is designed to offer EU, non-EU EEA and Swiss citizens and their eligible family members living in the UK before the end of the transition period (during which free movement continues) the opportunity to protect their residence in the UK after the transition period has ended. The deadline to apply is […]

Court of Appeal: ‘undue harshness’ is indeed capable of occurring quite commonly!

Written by Caryn Toh.     Court of Appeal: ‘undue harshness’ is indeed capable of occurring quite commonly!   On 04th September 2020, the Court of Appeal tackled the application of the definition of “unduly harsh” in the case HA (Iraq) and RA (Iraq) v SSHD [2020] EWCA Civ 1176.   Deportation   The UK […]

Huge changes to immigration rules set to pave way for EEA students coming to the UK!

There have been some major changes to the UK’s immigration rules today, including an introduction of the Student and Child Student rules for the Points Based Immigration System which will replace the Tier 4 (General) and Tier 4 (Child) routes. There is also altered rules for English Language provision and some new guidance on the […]

Want to know what information the Home Office holds about you and how to obtain it?

We all know the feeling of having given something we own to a friend or family member and they take forever to give it back to us. It can be frustrating, and it can often leave us hesitant to loan anything to them again. Well, this same feeling is present when the Home Office are […]

A Clearance Of The Past? – How Can You Benefit From the EU Settlement Scheme?

A quick refresher   As many will know, the EU Settlement Scheme has been set up in response to Brexit to allow EU, non-EU EEA and Swiss citizens and their eligible family members living in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period the opportunity to protect their residence in the UK after […]

Changes in place to help those who need urgent passports get them faster

Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) has had to bring in some changes to account for the fact that an increasing number of people who do not meet the urgent and compassionate criteria will want a passport more quickly as international travel restrictions continue to ease, particularly those with pre-existing bookings.   Essentially, many people have […]

De Facto Adoptions Given Wider Allowances by Home Office

The Home Office has just published its internal guidance to caseworkers on visa applications for children who are adopted or to be adopted in the UK. Noticeably, the guidance has provided much needed clarification on the eligibility of de facto adoptive children coming to the UK and joining the family they have been integrated into, […]

BNO visa is open to Hong Kong Citizens from January 2021  – who is eligible and how will it work?

Following the announcement by PM Boris Johnson on 4th June 2020 that the UK would offer a new route to British citizenship to millions of Hong Kong residents who hold British Nationality Overseas passports (for more information on BNO passports, please click here), the Home Office has officially confirmed that these BNO citizens will be […]

Home Office update: Replacement visas available until the end of the year, with VAC’s now accepting passports

If your 30 day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family has expired, or is about to expire, you can request a replacement visa with revised validity dates free of charge until the end of this year. This does not apply to other types of visas.   This process […]

Looking after the UK – Health and Care Visa to launch on 4 August

The Home Office have announced a new Health and Care Visa for foreign medical workers which will open for applications on 4 August 2020.   Instead of thinking of this visa as brand new, it is better to think of it as a new pathway within the Tier 2 (General) visa route. Plus, it is […]

The Future of UK Immigration is here…But what does it look like?

Home Secretary Priti Patel has revealed the UK’s new points based immigration system and post Brexit visa rules in a document spanning over 130 pages, so we have broken down the key factors for coming to work, study or visit. More detailed articles on the specifics will follow, but this blog will largely cover the […]

A new 5-year settlement visa for BNOs, who is eligible?

According to an announcement made this month by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, the UK will target people holding BNO (British National Overseas) Status a new visa route with the possibility of permanent residency further down the line.   This route allows people from Hong Kong with BNO status to apply for a one-off visa for […]

Migrants who face imminent destitution can also apply for public funds now

The Home Office has just updated their policy on public funds. The amended policy will allow migrants who face imminent destitution, not only those who are already destitute, to apply for public funds, which is clearly another positive step forward.   Online applications for access to public funds have already been available to certain migrants […]

PhD students to get 3 years PSW visas and all other graduates 2 years – the UK has opened its arms to global talents

The UK’s desire to becoming a leading scientific superpower has taken its first steps today, with the new Research and Development Roadmap being revealed by the Business Secretary Alok Sharma.   What are the key points of this plan?   Attracting and retaining global talents Government to ensure UK is the best place in the […]

Visas for the sole representatives of overseas businesses – What are they?

It is not always easy for a business to expand into a new market. Among others, culture, market conditions, law and tax systems can be completely different. It is natural that the business may want to send someone as its representative to the new market to establish a certain presence before it eventually decides whether […]

Free visa extensions for family members of NHS workers – but only if you are NOT British?

Here at Lisa’s Law, we feel very passionately about the NHS and all the people who work within it. The UK is so fortunate to have a healthcare system as strong and open as the NHS, especially during such times as we find ourselves in now. Without all of the hard-work, selfless dedication and sacrifices […]

A New Route to British Citizenship, Boris Promises to Hong Kong residents

As many may have read in the news, China has announced it has intention to impose a national security law on the city. Many residents in the city territory worry the law could affect Hong Kong’s unique freedoms.   In response to this, Boris Johnson has said the UK will change its immigration rules to […]

Reasonable or Criminal? Failing to produce Immigration Documents is a serious issue

It goes without saying that the only way one should enter into any country, including the UK, is by legal and correctly organised means, which involves having all the necessary paperwork and documentation on your person at the time of your arrival.   However, we are aware that life is not always so simple, and […]

Immigration Detainees Have Dropped by More Than 75%

In a recent statistical report on Covid-19 and the immigration system, it was noted that between the start of the UK lockdown on 23 March and the end of April, 295 people entered immigration detention.   231 of these people were classed as “clandestine entrants”, which means they entered the UK via secretive means, or […]

Immigration News: All visas in the UK are automatically extended to July 31!

Although it was long overdue, the USCIS finally made the above announcement. This means that the identities of the following people have been automatically extended to July 31:   All those who hold a visitor visa in the UK expiring on or before July 31; and   All those who hold a student visa, spouse […]

Naturalisation Applications – Double Standards Continue

The Home Office has updated its guidance policy regarding naturalising as a British citizen. Naturalising this way requires the applicant to have been in the UK lawfully for at least 5 years before the application.   The Home Office’s policy is used to guide their caseworkers in their decision as to what residence should be […]

Wind Farm Workers – Extended Period to Join UK Workforce for non-EEA Nationals

In 2017, the Home Secretary introduced a concession to the Immigration Rules to allow the employment of non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who are joining vessels engaged in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind projects in UK territorial waters.   The Home Office has just announced that this concession has been extended, with workers […]

Stuck outside the UK with an expiring passport? – here is what you should do

Getting a British passport is usually not too difficult for nationals of the country, but the coronavirus crisis has complicated the process for many people.   If you are in the UK and need a passport urgently, the bad news is that Premium and Fast Track services are temporarily unavailable due to COVID-19. The good […]

Too many detainees granted bail? Judges and Home Office failing to see eye to eye.

In what appears to be a heated debate, a senior judge has rebuked claims from the Home Office about the level of bail being granted to detained migrants recently, saying that the independent judiciary deal with such cases based on the law and nothing else.   The Home Office is supposed to detain only those […]

Are public funds available to migrants due to COVID-19, and how can they apply for them?

COVID-19 has taken the world by storm, and has now solidified itself as one of the largest global catastrophes to occur in recent history.   For the vast majority of people in the UK, the worries that come with the virus are universal: worrying about the health of family members and themselves, having to self-isolate, […]

Home Office updates guidance once again for Sponsors

During the current situation with COVID-19 guidance around employee and employer sponsorship schemes are in a constant state of flux.   The guidance has been updated yet again. The latest changes are as followed: Completing a visa application in the UK   UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS) and Service and Support Centres (SSCs) […]

Some rules for visas relaxed due to COVID-19 – but do they go far enough?

Coronavirus has everyone feeling nervous, whether it is concern for the health of family members, missing the freedom of the pre-coronavirus world, or financial worries that come with being in lockdown – most people have been negatively affected in some way.   For those who rely on visas to remain and work in the UK, […]

No visas for lower skilled workers from 2021– how will this affect the UK?

Low-skilled workers will not get visas under post-Brexit immigration plans, the Home Office have revealed. This will come into effect on 1 January 2021.   The reason for this move is to decrease net migration to the UK, which has been high on the Conservative agenda for some time, and to try to use people […]

No cap on applications – UK’s new immigration system treats EU and non-EU citizens equally

Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced more details of the UK’s “brand new” immigration system today (19/02/19), which will take full effect on 1 January 2021, which the government has said will open up the UK to the brightest and the best from around the world.   Interestingly, rather than being branded as an Australian […]

Exceptional Talent now becomes Global Talent in the UK

There is a new name given to the Exceptional Talent visa category – it will be called the Global Talent route under Tier 1 from 20th February 2020 onward. This will replace the Exceptional Talent route. This category is mainly targeted for individuals in the fields of Science, Engineering, Digital Technology and Humanities with the […]

Coronavirus: immigration guidance if you’re unable to return to China from the UK

Coronavirus has been at the front of everyone’s mind over the past few weeks. It is a scary situation when an illness like this one begins to spread, and it is very easy for people to start thinking the worst and panicking.   One thing that has been done to reduce the spreading of coronavirus […]

British travellers may be turned away from airports due to this new rule!

British travellers looking to visit countries in the European Union will have to jump a new hurdle due to Brexit, the Home Office has confirmed.   During the transition period for the remainder of 2020, UK passports are valid for travel anywhere in the EU up to and including the date of expiry.   However, […]

Windrush Debate – Compensation and Crime

The Windrush Generation has once again been claiming headlines as the government continues to deport offenders who came to the UK as children, in the face of large scale anti-deportation protests.   Who are the Windrush Generation?   A quick refresher on who comes under this label:   Those arriving in the UK between 1948 […]

Life after Brexit – how will it affect YOU?

As you may have read in our recent article, the UK is currently going through a ‘transitional period’ during which Boris Johnson and his political colleagues will hold extensive negotiations regarding the relationship between the UK and the EU with European leaders.   These negotiations will be completed and the results announced by 31 December […]

Huge numbers of Brits applying for non-UK passports post-Brexit!

More than 350,000 Brits have applied for a non-UK passport as an insurance policy post-Brexit, in the hope that it will grant them immunity from any negative outcomes of exiting the EU.   This surge has been rising steadily since the result of the EU referendum back in 2016, with some even forfeiting their British […]

What’s the score with Brexit’s Transitional Period?

Whether you are for it or against it, Brexit will be officially happening at 11pm tonight (31.01.20). This means the UK will be separate from the EU from this point forward, but the effects on everyday life will not become obvious due to a ‘transitional period’ which will last until the end of the year. […]

Tonnes of Talent! New Visa Type Explained in Statement of Changes to Immigration Rules

Boris Johnson has said numerous times that he wants the UK to be seen as a country of ideas and that a major part of his time as Prime Minister will be dedicated to attracting the ‘brightest and best’ people from around the world to live and work here.   A statement of changes to […]

A new dawn for UK immigration? Here is what to expect.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is hugely influential on the Home Office and the rules they bring in when it comes to migrants coming to work and settle in the UK. Today (28.01.20), they have released their official report on how they believe the Home Office should operate in this area.   We have summarised […]

Boris Johnson signals to get rid of £30,000 threshold for immigrants by 2021

The Prime Minister is planning on wavering plans on putting a £30k minimum wage threshold for immigrants coming to work in the UK after Brexit, according to recent reports.   This comes as part of Boris Johnson’s new immigration policy post-Brexit, for which he is said to be inspired by the current Australian system.   […]

UK Immigration Rules to be Completely Overhauled!?

The Immigration Rules are the document that set out the precise criteria for granting or refusing permission to enter and remain in the United Kingdom. It is a massively important document, but often people who use it the most (legal professionals, visa applicants) complain that it is very poorly constructed and difficult to understand.   […]

New update on family reunions and biometrics collection information

There is a minor update and change in the Family reunion application category in regards to their location of the application and place for the biometric information to be taken from now onward.   All applications made in the UK for the family re-union must be sent to:   UKVI Family Reunion Team, Admin Team […]

Immigration law at music festivals – what’s the score?

Music festivals can be great fun, and are becoming more popular than ever. Attendances have been increasing steadily, with around 4 million people in the UK now attending at least one per year.   When music-lovers are pitching their tents and discussing which of the performers they want to watch during their time at the festival, immigration law and […]

Missing the EU Settlement Scheme Deadline – A Word of Advice

First things first:   The deadline to apply for a post-Brexit status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme is 30 June 2021 or, If the UK leaves the EU without a deal   You are required to be residing in the UK before it leaves the EU to apply. The deadline for applying will be 31 December 2020.   You can […]

Custody battle between parents – how to make the best of a bad situation

The love between a parent and their child forms the base of the strongest bond imaginable between humans, and most families will do whatever it takes to stay together. However, sometimes life gets in the way and family situations are not always going to be perfect. We recently handled a sensitive family case, and are […]

Tax avoidance case successfully handled! Client saves over £70,000!

The running of a business can take its toll. From balancing finances, looking after staff, providing a good service and everything in-between, it is no wonder that thousands of business owners in the UK frequently experience high levels of stress!   That stress is multiplied tenfold when you are accused of running your business in […]

Sole Representative of an Overseas Company Visa – The Do’s and Don’ts

Sole Representative is a UK visa category allowing an employee/member of an organisation to enter the UK as a representative of an overseas company for the purpose of establishing a wholly owned subsidiary or branch in the UK for the overseas parent company. This visa has become a very common and famous choice for corporate […]

Family reunions – A success story from Lisa’s Law

To be separated from your family for a long time is one of the hardest and most heart-breaking ordeals a person can go through. This is heightened when it is a parent who is separated from their child, with hardly any means of reuniting.   Even when the child grows to be almost 18, in […]

Administrative review – who, what, how?

If you have been denied a UK visa, an Administrative Review is a way to challenge the decision of the Home Office. Your application will be reviewed by a Home Office official. However, you must be aware that you cannot submit any new evidence in order to challenge the decision or rectify the shortcomings at the […]

Home Office can make serious errors, but how can we deal with them?

A recent Home Office blunder meant that a man was refused leave to remain to care for his terminally ill partner.   The Home Office denied O’Neill Wallfall’s application because he could not prove that ‘travelling back to the Iraq would put his life at risk’.   However, Wallfall, as a Jamaican national who had […]

Success story from Lisa’s Law – Settlement visa attained for mother and child

The overarching reason why Lisa’s Law exists is because we want to help people. Whether this be supporting someone just starting out to get their first business up and running or assisting a family in moving into their first home, we aim to be a pillar of support throughout the entire journey.   We recently […]

£1m investor visa – time is of the essence!

A few years ago, an investment of £1m into the UK was enough to ensure a right of residence for the investor. Since November 2014 the required amount has been increased to £2m, but for those who already hold a Tier 1 (Investor) visa on the back of the original £1m route are still able […]

10 years continuous residency – the do’s and don’ts

After living anywhere for an extended period of time, immersing yourself in the surroundings and carving out a place for yourself the community, you will begin to think of that place as your home. It is with this in mind that the Home Office offers the 10 year continuous residency route to indefinite leave to […]

No-deal Brexit possibility sparks further changes to the immigration rules

While the chances of a no-deal Brexit are growing increasingly slim, the Home Office have issued some changes to the immigration rules which will only come into play should the UK leave the EU without a deal.   Brandon Lewis, the Minister of State for Security and Deputy for EU Exit and No Deal Preparation, said […]

New changes to the Tier 4 Visa Route – International students to receive warmer welcome!

As many of you will be aware the immigration rules have seen many important changes that came into force at the beginning of October this year. Some of these rules directly affect students wanting to study in the UK.   We know how stressful student life can be at the best of times, so we […]

Tier 1 Visa Routes Updated: What has changed?

The Home Office published some new changes to the UK Immigration rules recently, and many of them have now come into effect this month. The purpose of this article is to communicate the changes made to the Tier 1 visa routes that are on offer.   Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa:   The Tier 1 […]

New additions to post-Brexit immigration policies unveiled!

Yesterday, the Queen made a speech which contained details of rather large scale reforms brought in by the Conservative government. More than a third of the new and returning bills are directly involved with new arrangements following Brexit.   The proposed immigration bill highlights its purpose to bring an end to free movement and will lay the foundation […]

A unique case study: the rights of family members of EU citizens is often a grey area

The rights of family members of EU citizens is a topic that we have visited frequently in recent months, with issues surrounding this area of law becoming something of a theme in news reports around the continent. The case we will be focusing on today again brings up some new issues, and highlights that the […]

Exceptional talent visa – Appeals now accepted in terms of endorsement refusal

An update has been made to the endorsement review form available for the Exceptional Talent visas from September 2019. It now allows the applicants the chance to request a review on a decision made against them in terms of endorsement.   This will be of great interest to anyone pursuing this visa route. You can take […]

More Brexit confusion – what is happening with free movement?

The Home Office has hinted that EU free movement rules will end immediately if there is a no-deal Brexit on 31 October, sparking mass confusion and offering no concrete information.   This change could affect the rights of EU citizens who arrive in the UK from November onward.   Former Prime Minister Theresa May was […]

Home Office error results in 2,500 students deported!

The Home Office have recently come out about some mistakes and misjudgements on their part which resulted in are 34,000 foreign students being wrongly accused of cheating in an English Language test in 2015. This test was important to their status in the UK and as a result of these errors many of them have […]

Good character testing on youths – a help or a hindrance?

The ‘good character’ tests conducted by the government are carried out with the general public’s interest in mind, with their main purpose being to exclude any non-desirables from being granted citizenship in the UK. It may be safe to say that these tests and those carrying them out, on the whole, would be met with […]

Immigration rules should be relaxed when it comes to families, say campaigners.

The government is under increasing pressure from MP’s and charities to ease up on some of the rules that are currently prohibiting refugee families from reuniting. The current rules only allow for adult refugees to apply for their married or civil partners and children under 18 years old. Grandparents, siblings and children over 18 are […]

Money Talks! How can cash lead to quicker UK settlement?

It is no secret that having plenty of money is an extremely helpful and advantageous situation to find yourself in. It brings added security and comfort to your life. Although finding yourself in this situation is difficult and often requires tonnes of hard work, some luck and lots of support; however, it can indeed make […]

When the Court’s Judgements Conflict Each Other, What Will Happen?

Although it is quite common for judges sitting in Courts such as the County Court and the High Court to give oral judgements right after a hearing, the judges at the first-tier Immigration and Asylum Tribunal were not allowed to give oral judgements prior to 20th October 2014. They would have to reserve their judgements […]

Global Talent Visa – Home Office to add another UK visa option

The Home Office will launch a new fast-track immigration scheme for selected individuals who have skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM subjects). This will act as an extension of the already existing Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa route. The fast-track immigration route will be designed to attract elite researchers and specialists in science, […]

Overstaying may have an effect on your potential UK citizenship! Find out why now

Evidence of overstaying in the last 10 years will have a significantly negative impact on people applying for UK citizenship, as new rules are introduced by the UK Home Office. Essentially, all people who have stayed on in the UK after their visas have expired will be refused citizenship apart from in certain circumstances. The […]