Immigration News

• Ankara Agreement - Indefinite Leave to Remain - Abolished
  Readers may well be familiar with the Upper Immigration Tribunal case of “Aydogdu”, which was heard ...
  Posted on 22 March 2018
• Serious health cases - harsh immigration caselaw
  You might get the impression from certain sections of the media that the European Court of Human Rig...
  Posted on 10 March 2018
• Evidential flexibility in visa applications - points-based system complexity
  “Evidential flexibility” sounds helpful and reasonable. As its name might suggest, it is a principle...
  Posted on 22 February 2018
• Tier 1 Entrepreneur - Upper Tribunal gives a hand
  It is fair to say that Tier 1 Entrepreneur visas are a tricky subject. The refusal rate is around 50...
  Posted on 03 February 2018
• Rights of appeal - interesting developments - domestic violence cases
  As many readers will know (and as sometimes discussed in this blog), immigration appeal rights have ...
  Posted on 24 January 2018
• British citizenship - entitlement
  A couple of months ago there was a curious case about British citizenship which got into the mainstr...
  Posted on 22 December 2017
• European free movement law - it changes
  One of the things that one might like about European free movement law, as opposed to British immigr...
  Posted on 10 December 2017
• Home Office in trouble with courts and tribunal
  Not for the first time, the Home Office is finding itself in trouble with the judiciary. In an extra...
  Posted on 19 November 2017
• Withdrawal of immigration appeals
  These days immigration applicants do not in many cases have the right of appeal to the Immigration T...
  Posted on 05 November 2017
• Appendix FM family visa rules changed, a bit
  
  
  Appendix FM of the UK immigration rules is the monumental and voluminous part of the rules t...
  Posted on 22 September 2017
• European Marriages - Genuineness - Burden of Proof
  If a non-EEA migrant marries or forms a civil partnership with an EEA national who is in the UK exer...
  Posted on 16 August 2017
• Ankara Agreement - Indefinite Leave to Remain - More News
  We previously reported on a case in the Upper Tribunal called “Aydogdu” (“Ankara Agreement - Dependa...
  Posted on 04 August 2017
• British Citizenship Not Lawfully Acquired by EEA Nationals?
  We recently reported (“Statelessness - British Citizenship - Interesting Decision in the High Court”...
  Posted on 27 July 2017
• Statelessness - British Citizenship - Interesting Decision in the High Court
  In a recent case in the High Court called “MK” a child had applied (via a “litigation friend”, ie an...
  Posted on 03 July 2017
• European free movement rights and dual nationality
  Despite a rather indecisive general election result Prime Minister Theresa May and the Conservatives...
  Posted on 11 June 2017
• Ankara Agreement - Dependants - Indefinite Leave to Remain
  As many readers will know, the Ankara Agreement (more formally known as the European Community Assoc...
  Posted on 21 May 2017
• Immigration Appeal - Is It a Legal Right?
  The answer to this question is generally No. By and large, Government and Parliament can decide whic...
  Posted on 08 May 2017
• Supreme Court Makes Disappointing Decisions about Family Visa Rules
  The law is the law, and decisions made by the Supreme Court - which is the highest court in the UK -...
  Posted on 23 April 2017
• Latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules
  The Home Office has published the latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. These Statem...
  Posted on 07 April 2017
• European Union Immigration & Second Citizenship Meetings in Istanbul, Turkey
  Garth Coates Immigration Solicitors are proud to announce that we will be hosting seminars and priva...
  Posted on 26 March 2017
• British Citizenship
  The celebrated 19th-century English historian Lord Macaulay once declared, in a fit of extreme patri...
  Posted on 19 March 2017
• Brexit Alert - But What About the Ankara Agreement?
  As we have previously advised and warned our readers, Brexit is real and it is going to happen. Desp...
  Posted on 25 February 2017
• Curious Incident of the Hidden Immigration Rule - Overstaying Rules Become Stricter
  In a “Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules” published in November last year the Home Office...
  Posted on 02 February 2017
• Prime Minister’s Brexit Vision - Irish Border
  The Prime Minister Theresa May has set out her stall on the forthcoming Brexit negotiations. In a re...
  Posted on 22 January 2017
• Migrant Skilled Workers - the Debate is Fierce
  There is, and has been for some while, a debate going on about the necessity of bringing skilled wor...
  Posted on 16 January 2017
• Judicial Humour - Complex Points-Based System - Byztantine Emperors
  Judges in the higher courts very occasionally indulge in humour. When it happens it is highly prized...
  Posted on 08 January 2017
• Migration Statistics - the Immigration Year 2016
  The latest Migration Statistics Quarterly Report has just been released by the Office for National S...
  Posted on 20 December 2016
• Immigration Appeals - the Good News and the Bad News
  When asked the question “which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?” most people opt fo...
  Posted on 11 December 2016
• Immigration Rules Affect Polo - Sportsperson Visas
  Horse racing is sometimes described as the “sport of kings”. But if horse racing is the sport of kin...
  Posted on 30 November 2016
• Uber Drivers - Employment and Self-Employment - Ankara Agreement
  Readers may have heard about an interesting case at the London Central Employment Tribunal brought b...
  Posted on 23 November 2016
• Brexit Saga - High Court Gets Involved
  Readers may know that the High Court has now delivered its judgement in the “Brexit case”. The Brexi...
  Posted on 12 November 2016
• Migrant Workers - Does the Government Really Want Them?
  In recent times the Government has given rather mixed signals about non-EEA migrant workers. It is c...
  Posted on 05 November 2016
• Student Numbers Are Confusing
  The fact is that - for a variety of reasons - some naughty students overstay their visas and remain ...
  Posted on 23 October 2016
• British Citizenship and Naturalisation
  It seems that British citizenship and a British passport are valuable commodities. Surveys consisten...
  Posted on 16 October 2016
• Prime Minister Acts On Brexit, Some MPs Are Becoming Irish
  The Prime Minister Theresa May has now made a clear statement about the Government’s intentions rega...
  Posted on 05 October 2016
• The EU and Human Rights Law
  There has, for obvious reasons, been much discussion in the media recently about the EU and European...
  Posted on 29 September 2016
• Immigration Appeals - Massive Fee Increases Coming
  In times gone by many or most visa applicants had the right of appeal to the immigration tribunal - ...
  Posted on 22 September 2016
• Right to Work and Illegal Working
  The rules about immigration status and the right to work in the UK are fairly complex and sometimes ...
  Posted on 18 September 2016
• Brexit – Where Do We Stand Now?
  On 23 June 2016 the British electorate voted for the UK to leave the EU. The “British electorate” in...
  Posted on 08 September 2016
• A simple guide to the updated Immigration Act 2016
  On 12 May 2016, an updated version of the Immigration Act came into force. According to the governme...
  Posted on 28 July 2016
• Potential impact of immigration on England
  Recent figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the population in Engl...
  Posted on 09 June 2016
• Brexit: The story so far
  With the upcoming EU referendum drawing nearer, it seems timely to review the questions and topics d...
  Posted on 25 May 2016
• EU debate considers immigration and the economy
  The EU referendum debate continues to gather speed, as a major drive to register voters starts this ...
  Posted on 23 May 2016
• US H1B visa scheme isolates wives
  The US H1B visa scheme allows companies to headhunt foreign workers to be employed in occupational a...
  Posted on 20 May 2016
• Report suggests EU migration costs British taxpayers £3m a day
  According to recent research, European immigrants cost the British taxpayer £3 million a day i...
  Posted on 18 May 2016
• Corbyn: inadequate funding is the issue, not immigration
  Leader of the Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn, has argued that immigration is an overall benefit to the ...
  Posted on 16 May 2016
• Boris Johnson: Public approval will dictate immigration policy
  Boris Johnson spoke out on immigration during his first day on the Vote Leave bus tour in Cornwall. ...
  Posted on 13 May 2016
• Iain Duncan Smith backs Leave campaign
  Former Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith has issued a warning regarding a possible cris...
  Posted on 12 May 2016
• US immigrants return to former professions
  Immigrants who have been forced to operate in the US illegally have been given a chance to return to...
  Posted on 09 May 2016
• Alistair Darling warns of Brexit’s potential trade impact
  Former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling has said in a recent statement that if Britain ...
  Posted on 05 May 2016
• MPs seek concession over Immigration Bill
  The Immigration Bill was voted against during a tense debate in the House of Commons during the past...
  Posted on 03 May 2016
• Food workers benefit from Canada’s Express Entry visa program
  The Express Entry visa program enables skilled workers to obtain permanent residency in Canada. Intr...
  Posted on 03 May 2016
• Theresa May: Immigration to continue even if UK leaves EU
  UK Home Secretary Theresa May has warned that Britain may be forced to accept immigrants from other ...
  Posted on 25 April 2016
• Asylum and immigration court fees set for a steep hike
  The UK is set to increase its asylum and immigration tribunal fees by more than 500 per cent to help...
  Posted on 22 April 2016
• Treasury document warns of Brexit implications
  George Osborne unveiled a 200-page Treasury document on the potential long-term impacts of Brexit th...
  Posted on 20 April 2016
• Immigration debate taken to US high court
  The US Supreme Court is due to hear a landmark immigration case which has the potential to seal the ...
  Posted on 18 April 2016
• Jeremy Corbyn’s outlines socialist vision for Britain
  Jeremy Corbyn announced at a speech in central London that the Labour party is fully behind continue...
  Posted on 15 April 2016
• Canadian cash-for-visa program called into question
  A Quebec Immigrant Investor Program has been criticised due to its cost to Canadian taxpayers and it...
  Posted on 13 April 2016
• India warns against changes to foreign worker visas
  India has argued that a new stipulation to current UK immigration law, due to be implemented in 2017...
  Posted on 11 April 2016
• ACLU argues immigrants’ rights are being violated
  The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has stated that immigrants who are undocumented can end up...
  Posted on 08 April 2016
• PM warns that leaving the EU would be ‘damaging’
  Prime Minister David Cameron has stated that leaving the European Union would be a harmful move and ...
  Posted on 06 April 2016
• Poll shows that Jeremy Corbyn can influence EU referendum
  A recent poll suggests that Jeremy Corbyn could significantly influence the outcome of the EU refere...
  Posted on 04 April 2016
• US survey indicates change in Republican immigration stance
  The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) in the US recently conducted a survey, which found tha...
  Posted on 01 April 2016
• Young people targeted in the EU referendum debate
  The Education Secretary is due to issue an appeal for young people to vote in the 23rd June EU refer...
  Posted on 30 March 2016
• Andy Burnham criticises budget cuts to UK Border Force
  Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham has said that a potential six per cent cut to the UK Border Force...
  Posted on 29 March 2016
• Nigel Farage criticised for using Brussels attack in EU debate
  UKIP leader Nigel Farage has defended his suggestion that the terrorist attacks in Brussels were lin...
  Posted on 28 March 2016
• Report warns Brexit will harm UK economy
  Leaving the European Union would harm the British economy, causing a significant deterioration by 20...
  Posted on 23 March 2016
• Immigration cited as main issue in EU debate
  The Observer has commissioned an extensive survey on Britons and Europe. This is ahead of the refere...
  Posted on 21 March 2016
• Migration forecast to remain above 100,000, until 2020
  In its assessment of George Osborne's recent budget announcements, the Office for Budget Responsibil...
  Posted on 18 March 2016
• US EB-5 visa program requires more regulation
  The EB-5 visa programme in the US has been criticised by lawmakers and federal investigators as bein...
  Posted on 16 March 2016
• ONS to review UK migration figures
  The Office for National Statistics plans to review migration figures following doubts raised about t...
  Posted on 14 March 2016
• OECD says exit from European Union bad for UK
  The chief economist at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Catherine M...
  Posted on 12 March 2016
• Theresa May avoids important debate on new immigration rule
  Home Secretary Theresa May did not attend a debate in Parliament to analyse and discuss the changes ...
  Posted on 09 March 2016
• Donald Trump changes stance on immigration
  During the recent Republican presidential debate, Donald Trump surprised his supporters by claiming ...
  Posted on 08 March 2016
• Human rights lawyer calls Canada’s immigration system “discriminatory”
  An international lawyer who specialises in human rights has said that the immigration system in Cana...
  Posted on 04 March 2016
• New York City hopes to attract foreign entrepreneurs
  The New York City Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the City University of New Y...
  Posted on 02 March 2016
• Nigel Farage argues in favour of leaving the EU
  Nigel Farage has argued in favour of leaving the European Union, citing immigration as one of the mo...
  Posted on 01 March 2016
• Figures show a decrease in migration to the UK
  A recent set of figures produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that there has...
  Posted on 27 February 2016
• Personal investors may vote to leave EU
  The Share Centre recently consulted personal investors regarding their opinions on the upcoming EU r...
  Posted on 25 February 2016
• UK’s EU deal could cause an increase in immigration
  Critics of Britain’s European Union deal on immigration, which wants to cut benefits for EU citizens...
  Posted on 23 February 2016
• UK boasts high number of immigrant-origin MPs
  A recent international study conducted by the University of Leicester has found that the UK along wi...
  Posted on 22 February 2016
• Draft EU rule addresses foreign-born spouse migration loophole
  A British spouse has to earn more than £18,600 if they want their foreign spouse to join them ...
  Posted on 17 February 2016
• Syrian resettlement scheme support encouraged by minister
  Local authorities have been praised for their support of government plans to resettle Syrian refugee...
  Posted on 16 February 2016
• SMEs call for changes to Irish work permit system
  The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has recently published a report which foun...
  Posted on 15 February 2016
• Upper Tribunal concerned by Home Office appeals
  The Upper Tribunal has rejected another Home Office permission to appeal decisions of the First-tier...
  Posted on 10 February 2016
• Immigration a key issue in UK referendum
  As the referendum expected to take place in 2017 approaches, consequences remain uncertain on either...
  Posted on 08 February 2016
• Right to rent takes effect in the UK
  A new law that took effect on February 1st, 2016 requires landlords to ask for the immigration statu...
  Posted on 06 February 2016
• The best and brightest are attracted to the UK
  The UK has long played an important role in the global economy. Not only are many of the best and br...
  Posted on 05 February 2016
• NHS denied thousands of VISA sponsorship requests
  A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Royal College of Nursing has revealed that the Hom...
  Posted on 01 February 2016
• Asylum Seekers Entering Scotland to be Protected against Prosecution
  According to new guidelines set by the lord advocate, asylum seekers entering Scotland from war torn...
  Posted on 03 January 2016
• Why a Foreign Skilled Workforce is Necessary for Britain’s Prosperity
  According to a post published in The Telegraph, Cambridge is considered to be Europe’s most influent...
  Posted on 01 January 2016
• Immigrant Children More ‘at home’ in UK Schools Compared to Indigenous Children
  According to a new study, immigrant children feel more comfortable and at home in schools in the Uni...
  Posted on 30 December 2015
• Irish Work Permit Considered the Best in Europe
  According to recent studies conducted by the ESRI (Ireland’s Economic and Social Research Institute)...
  Posted on 22 December 2015
• Possible Re-introduction of Post Study Work Visa Scheme
  James Brokenshire, the UK Immigration Minister, answered queries at the Scottish Affairs Committee o...
  Posted on 16 December 2015
• Most UK immigrants Indians – Chinese come a close second
  India has been declared one of the main countries of departure for citizens bound to the UK as immig...
  Posted on 11 December 2015
• The Migrant Children’s Project Fact Sheet
  The Migrant Children’s Project released a useful fact sheet that detail fee waivers for families app...
  Posted on 10 December 2015
• Cameron’s UK Immigration Regulations Stand to be Rejected by the EU
  Prime Minister David Cameron’s demand for the exemption of work benefits for EU workers is experienc...
  Posted on 08 December 2015
• Rising Immigration Levels Necessary to Meet Chancellor’s Fiscal Target
  Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne released a statement stating that increasing immigration...
  Posted on 04 December 2015
• More People Migrating to Britain than Leaving it
  According to the latest migration figures, from the beginning of 2015, more people have immigrated t...
  Posted on 03 December 2015
• David Cameron Adamant on Elimination of Benefits for European workers
  Prime Minister David Cameron is currently at loggerheads with Poland along with other European membe...
  Posted on 01 December 2015
• Illegal Immigrants face more strict measures
  More strict measures form part of the UK's upcoming Immigration Bill which will include clauses that...
  Posted on 28 November 2015
• Pre-Entry English tests for Immigrant Spouses Rejected by UK Supreme Court
  As the immigration crisis comes to a head, the authorities across the country are being urged to len...
  Posted on 23 November 2015
• European Leaders Connect Terror Threats with Asylum Seekers
  Amidst the Paris terror attacks, a Syrian passport allegedly belonging to one of the terrorists was ...
  Posted on 19 November 2015
• Backlog of Immigration Cases Choking UK
  As the number of asylum seekers increase in the country, the UK is facing a large backlog of unresol...
  Posted on 16 November 2015
• Latest Changes to UK Immigration Visas to Impact November Applications
  According to UK Visa and Immigrations, the new immigration laws implemented on October 29th are set ...
  Posted on 14 November 2015
• Educational Institutions and British Economy the most to suffer in case of ‘Brexit’
  In a detailed list sent to Donald Tusk, European Council President, Premier David Cameron asked for ...
  Posted on 13 November 2015
• Home Office Accused by Court Of Appeal for Detaining a Child Refugee Unlawfully
  The Court of Appeal recently ruled that the Home Office acted unlawfully when it detained an immigra...
  Posted on 12 November 2015
• David Cameron vows to Secure Britain’s border and EU Reform
  Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to seize control of Britain’s border in a bid to tackle th...
  Posted on 11 November 2015
• Re-Designed UK Passport Pays Homage to UK’s Creative Force
  Images regarding UK’s new passport design have been released and it pays tribute to several of the K...
  Posted on 09 November 2015
• Prison-like Dover Immigration Centre set to shut down amidst concerns
  The Dover Immigration Removal Centre (DIRC) has received its fair share of damning reports that allu...
  Posted on 17 October 2015
• Britain's Digital Economy in Jeopardy with Tier 2 Visa Restrictions
  Skilled foreign tech workers may experience difficulties getting access to Britain’s job market once...
  Posted on 01 October 2015
• Illegal Immigrant Families Facing Swift Eviction in Britain –Rogue Landlords Targeted
  According to new immigration laws, illegal immigrants currently in the UK stand to be evicted sans c...
  Posted on 17 September 2015
• New biometric residence permit requirements
  A recent change to immigration legislation means that visa customers wishing to stay in the UK for l...
  Posted on 25 August 2015
• Britain more positive than most countries about immigration
  A recent poll has discovered that Britons are more positive towards immigration than citizens in mos...
  Posted on 22 August 2015
• Further restrictions to be applied to foreign students
  The Home Office has announced that international students in the UK will not be allowed to work alon...
  Posted on 17 July 2015
• Including students in migration targets deemed “ludicrous”
  Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, vice-chancellor of Cambridge University, has labelled the current system of ...
  Posted on 05 July 2015
• Lower-income skilled migrants not allowed to settle in the UK
  New rules are being introduced that will prevent skilled migrants in the UK from being able to apply...
  Posted on 22 June 2015
• New immigration rules could significantly damage the NHS
  New immigration rules that will come into effect next year could have a very negative impact on the ...
  Posted on 21 June 2015
• Cap on skilled migrant workers reached
  The cap on immigration for skilled workers has been reached this month for the first time, according...
  Posted on 17 June 2015
• Cameron’s new immigration taskforce
  Last week, Prime Minister David Cameron announced that he will take personal charge of an immigratio...
  Posted on 08 June 2015
• Immigration in the Queen’s Speech
  Earlier today, the Queen announced 26 proposed new bills, including proposals to cut tax for low ear...
  Posted on 27 May 2015
• Decreasing number of business trips made from China
  Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the number of business trips from ma...
  Posted on 21 May 2015
• UK urged to tackle tabloid rhetoric on migrants
  Concerns have been raised by Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, that ...
  Posted on 01 May 2015
• Misconceptions about immigration
  With the UK General Election coming up in under two weeks, many parties are making their immigration...
  Posted on 25 April 2015
• New health surcharge for certain migrants
  New legislation that came into effect earlier this month has made it compulsory for certain migrants...
  Posted on 18 April 2015
• Reforms to be made to UK visitor visas
  Home Secretary Theresa May has announced that visitor visas will be reformed to make it easier for b...
  Posted on 02 February 2015
• Prominent Syrian artist and lecturer denied entry to UK, unable to attend own exhibition
  Prominent Syrian artist and lecturer denied entry to UK, unable to attend own exhibition
  The Home...
  Posted on 30 January 2015
• Dyson criticises visa plan for foreign students
  Prominent British inventor Sir James Dyson has spoken out against proposals to expel foreign student...
  Posted on 07 January 2015
• New application centres for UK's super fast visa service
  The UK government has announced that the 24-hour priority visa service will be extended to attract a...
  Posted on 23 November 2014
• New Changes to Immigration Rules
  As well as the changes to the Tier 1 Investor route (see our previous article), a number of amendmen...
  Posted on 02 November 2014
• Investment limit is being raised to £2 million for TIER 1 Investors
  Recently, a statement of changes to the Immigration Rules was laid before parliament. These changes ...
  Posted on 01 November 2014
• Ken Clarke warns David Cameron to not “compete with bigotry”
  Former Home Secretary Ken Clarke has warned that the Prime Minister’s plans to restrict European mig...
  Posted on 26 October 2014
• Leading academic criticises UK immigration rules
  The vice-chancellor of Oxford University has criticised the UK’s immigration system, arguing that it...
  Posted on 09 October 2014
• Home Office to take over passport control
  Home Secretary Theresa May has announced that Her Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO) will be brought u...
  Posted on 29 September 2014
• Immigration pledge scrapped
  Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced that the coalition government’s target to reduce annu...
  Posted on 22 September 2014
• How to prepare for the Life in the UK Test
  The Life in the UK Test is an essential part of any application for citizenship or settlement in the...
  Posted on 17 September 2014
• Heseltine: Exempt students from immigration cuts
  Lord Heseltine has argued that foreign students should be excluded from current immigration reductio...
  Posted on 06 September 2014
• Prime Minister announces immigration reforms
  On 28 July, David Cameron announced in a Telegraph article a number of reforms that will be made to ...
  Posted on 05 August 2014
• Recent changes to Tier 1 Entrepreneur visas
  On 11 July, a number of changes to Tier 1 Entrepreneur visas came into force.
  The entrepreneur ro...
  Posted on 22 July 2014
• Families being forced apart by minimum income threshold
  Under Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules, non-EEA national spouses/partners and children can apply...
  Posted on 22 July 2014
• Changes to visas for Chinese applicants
  The visa process for Chinese citizens wishing to visit and work in the UK has been simplified.
  In...
  Posted on 11 July 2014
• UK divided on immigration
  A recent poll found that there is a split in the UK on attitudes towards immigration.
  On behalf o...
  Posted on 01 July 2014
• £500m programme not helping to track immigration
  The UK e-Borders Programme took ten years and more than £500 million to develop. However, acco...
  Posted on 05 June 2014
• British women will need to have "a lot of children" if immigration slashed
  In the face of immigration criticisms from UKIP and other parties, a Labour MP has argued that reduc...
  Posted on 05 June 2014
• Common questions in interviews for Tier 1 Entrepreneur applicants
  Although not all Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa applicants are called for an interview, the Home Office wi...
  Posted on 03 June 2014
• Immigration in an independent Scotland
  At present, Scotland uses the same immigration system as the rest of the UK. However, if Scotland be...
  Posted on 27 May 2014
• Immigration Bill becomes law
  Yesterday, the Immigration Bill received Royal Assent, which is the final stage in a bill becoming a...
  Posted on 12 May 2014
• TOEIC and TOEFL tests no longer valid for UK visas
  On 17th April, the Home Office stated that it will no longer accept two of the most popular English-...
  Posted on 30 April 2014
• International students deterred from studying in the UK
  A study by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has found that the number of students...
  Posted on 16 April 2014
• Businesses raise concerns about UK visas
  According to an article in The Telegraph, UK businesses have raised the concern that the UK could co...
  Posted on 08 April 2014
• New visa application fees from 6 April 2014
  The fees for a number of visa types will change for applications made on or after 6 April 2014.
  T...
  Posted on 04 April 2014
• Recent changes to the Immigration Rules
  On 13 March, a number of changes to the Immigration Rules were announced in the House of Commons, wi...
  Posted on 27 March 2014
• Malta’s new investor citizenship scheme
  In December 2013, Malta became the latest in the list of countries to announce its programme of citi...
  Posted on 13 January 2014
• Proposals to ‘auction off’ UK visas
  Based on concerns that current UK investor visas are not sufficiently working towards supporting the...
  Posted on 13 January 2014
• Concerns over tenant visa checks
  There are concerns that proposals for landlords to check their tenants’ visas could put the safety o...
  Posted on 06 November 2013
• Boris Johnson proposes London visas
  In plans submitted to the Home Office this week, the London Mayor has proposed the introduction of ‘...
  Posted on 10 September 2013
• Changes to the Immigration Rules from October 2013
  This week, a ministerial statement laid out several changes that will be made to the Immigration Rul...
  Posted on 10 September 2013
• Some family migration applications paused
  The High Court has ruled that the UK's Immigration Rules relating to the minimum income threshold fo...
  Posted on 09 July 2013
• Home Office plans to introduce immigration bonds
  The Home Office is planning to introduce a pilot immigration bond scheme that will target high-risk ...
  Posted on 28 June 2013
• Help with the Canadian Immigrant Investment Programme
  Today, we have launched our latest immigration assistance service ­- we are now offering help with t...
  Posted on 20 June 2013
• Immigration crackdowns could put off international students
  On Wednesday, the Queen made a speech at the State Opening of Parliament that focused on measures to...
  Posted on 10 May 2013
• Temporary director generals appointed
  Two temporary director generals have been assigned to manage the UK's immigration operations.
  Posted on 08 May 2013
• Changed requirements for UK settlement and naturalisation
  The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has announced plans to change the English language requirements for thos...
  Posted on 07 May 2013
• Home Office makes changes to family visitor appeals
  The Home Office has recently announced that it will be removing the full right of appeal for those a...
  Posted on 30 April 2013
• UK Immigration Debates Continue
  The topic of immigration has been a prominent part of political discourse in the UK since the Conser...
  Posted on 07 April 2013
• UK Border Agency to be split in two
  In a statement this week to the House of Commons, Home Secretary Theresa May said that the UK Border...
  Posted on 27 March 2013
• Garth Coates Solicitors has moved
  We are delighted to announce that we have moved to new premises in St James's Park, at the very hear...
  Posted on 25 March 2013
• Labour criticises the UK's visa system
  Labour has warned that the UK's visa system is getting worse, causing unacceptable delays for applic...
  Posted on 13 March 2013
• Proposals for increased visa application fees
  On 25 February, a written ministerial statement was laid out with proposed fee increases for visa ap...
  Posted on 25 February 2013
• New super priority visa service for Indian applicants
  To make it easier and quicker for regular Indian visa applicants to visit or do business in the UK, ...
  Posted on 20 February 2013
• Changes to the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa Route
  Following the discovery of evidence that the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa route was being abused, a mi...
  Posted on 04 February 2013
• Home Office "taking action" to deal with recently identified immigration backlog
  According to a recent report, a new backlog of more than 16,000 immigration cases has been identifie...
  Posted on 28 January 2013
• Foreign students being put off by immigration crackdown
  In 2011, David Cameron promised to reduce the net level of immigration to the UK to below 100,000 be...
  Posted on 11 January 2013
• Important Changes to UK Immigration Rules will come into force on 13 December 2012
  In a written ministerial statement on 22 November to the House of Commons and the House of Lords, ch...
  Posted on 04 December 2012
• UK government reforms the Judicial Review procedure
  In a move that will drastically affect thousands of immigration cases, Prime Minister David Cameron ...
  Posted on 29 November 2012
• Chief Inspector condemns UKBA's failures in asylum cases
  An independent report into the UK Border Agency's handling of outstanding asylum and migration cases...
  Posted on 26 November 2012
• Boris Johnson: Tough visa rules are damaging the UK economy
  Boris Johnson has argued that tough visa rules are stopping highly talented individuals from being r...
  Posted on 19 November 2012
• London Metropolitan University's licence has been revoked
  The UK Border Agency has revoked London Metropolitan University's licence to sponsor students from o...
  Posted on 31 August 2012
• Changes of Rules for Overstayers
  From 1 October 2012 if you have overstayed your leave by more than 28 days any application for furth...
  Posted on 01 July 2012
• Family migration changes announced
  On 11 June 2012 the Government announced changes to the Immigration Rules for non-European Economic ...
  Posted on 14 June 2012
• Pre-entry screening for migrants to tackle tuberculosis
  A pre-entry tuberculosis (TB) screening programme for applicants wishing to come to the UK will be e...
  Posted on 30 May 2012
• Summer 2011 interns will be exempted from Tier 2 cooling off period
  Students who worked as interns in the UK last summer and want to return to a graduate job with the s...
  Posted on 25 May 2012
• Priority visa service available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
  All nationals and residents of the United Arab Emirates are now eligible for a priority visa service...
  Posted on 20 May 2012
• Full Right of Appeal for Family Visitors will be Removed
  A clause in the Crime and Courts Bill, published today, will remove the full right of appeal for tho...
  Posted on 11 May 2012
• Premium Service for Employers Launched
  The UK Border Agency launched a premium customer service for sponsors on 6 April 2012.
  
  The se...
  Posted on 28 April 2012
• Tier 1 (Post-study work) route will be closed on 6th April 2012
  On 6 April 2012 the Tier 1 (Post-study work) route will be closed. If you wish to apply for permissi...
  Posted on 04 April 2012
• New and Closing Visa Categories are announced
  Las week, a written ministerial statement has been laid in Parliament outlining a number of changes ...
  Posted on 20 March 2012
• Funds required for PBS applications will be increased from 14 June 2012
  From 14 June 2012, the personal savings the Point Based System applicants must have to support their...
  Posted on 16 March 2012
• No more automatic settlement for foreign workers
  The government is reforming all routes of entry to the UK in order to reduce net migration from the ...
  Posted on 01 March 2012
• Changes in Biometric Residence Permits Regulations
  From the 29 February 2012 more foreign nationals could be issued with Biometric Residence Permits (B...
  Posted on 29 February 2012
• Tier 1: UKBA has introduced new procedure for Exceptional Talent category
  Any applicants making an application under Tier 1 Exceptional Talent category and wish for the Arts ...
  Posted on 28 December 2011
• Taiwan is added to the Tier 5 youth mobility scheme
  Taiwan has been added to the list of countries eligible for participation of the Tier 5 Youth Mobili...
  Posted on 23 December 2011
• New Shortage Occupation List for TIER 2 comes into effect
  On 18 October 2011 the government announced that it was accepting recommendations from the Independe...
  Posted on 24 November 2011
• More Proposed Job Restrictions for Non EU Migrants Entering the UK
  The Migration Advisory Committee have made recent proposals that skilled migrants who wish to enter ...
  Posted on 23 September 2011
• Reduction in the Number of Asylum Appeals Heard At Court of Appeal
  Immigration and Asylum courts traditionally followed the view that an appeal could be granted where...
  Posted on 15 September 2011
• Home Office Ends Consultation for Routes to Settlement
  The UK Home Office recently welcomed public responses on its consultation relating to employment rel...
  Posted on 06 September 2011
• Government's Plans to Reduce Migration Net
  As each Government has pledged whilst in power and little succeeded, the current Government has also...
  Posted on 14 July 2011
• Changes to student visa rules are now in force
  The next set of changes to the Immigration Rules affecting Tier 4 - the student tier - of the points...
  Posted on 04 July 2011
• Radical reform is under way, says Immigration Minister
  Immigration Minister Damian Green has today responded to a House of Commons report, saying that it h...
  Posted on 21 May 2011
• New rules for student visas come into force
  Tougher entrance criteria, limits on work entitlements and the closure of the post-study work route ...
  Posted on 21 April 2011