UK Immigration News
Crackdown continues on illegal immigration in Calais
The UK Border Agency has reported a dramatic reduction in the number of illegal migrants trying to smuggle themselves into the UK from Calais. (more)Industrial action is called off
The UK Border Agency can confirm that the trade union ISU will not be taking industrial action at the UK border this Thursday and Friday. (more)Three jailed over immigration scam
A Hounslow man was jailed on 14 September for 10 years for masterminding a major immigration scam, following an investigation by the UK Border Agency's West London immigration crime team. (more)Mid-year fee increases for immigration and nationality
The UK Border Agency has today announced proposals to increase immigration and nationality application fees for all those applying to visit, study, work or stay in the UK from autumn 2010. (more)Minister sets out evidence for immigration policy change
The government will ensure that the UK maximises the benefits of immigration, Immigration Minister Damian Green has said. (more)New versions of forms and guidance for points-based system applicants
The Home Office have published new versions of application forms today, and a new version of the Tier 1 (General) policy guidance. (more)Government plans reviews of immigration system
Immigration Minister Damian Green will confirm this evening that the government is to look at all immigration routes into the UK and set new rules. (more)New English language requirement for partners
From 29 November 2010, any migrant who wants to enter or remain in the UK as the partner of a British citizen or a person settled here will need to show that they can speak and understand English. (more)New English language testing for partners
The UK Border Agency has today published a list of approved providers of English language tests for non-European migrants applying to come to the UK to join or marry their settled partner. (more)Immigration limit for Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system
From 19 July 2010, there are two important changes for migrants who are applying to Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system for the first time, (more)Changes to student applications from 22 February 2010
From the 22nd February 2010, any migrant who applies to study in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system must have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from their prospective sponsor. (more)Suspension of Tier 4 student applications in North India, Nepal and Bangladesh
The UK Border Agency has announced that, from 1 February 2010, it is not accepting any new applications under the Tier 4 student route of the points-based system at the following visa application centres:
- North India - New Delhi, Jalandhar and Chandigarh
- Bangladesh - Dhaka, Sylhet and Chittagong
- Nepal - Kathmandu
More than 100,000 identity cards issued to foreign nationals
The UK Border Agency has now issued more than 100,000 identity cards for foreign nationals, mostly to those extending as students or spouses - and regulations laid this week will, if approved, accelerate the roll-out of the scheme. (more)New controls help protect jobs for British workforce
A raft of new government measures will ensure that resident workers can have every opportunity to fill vacancies before they are offered to workers abroad, the Home Secretary announced today.Following careful consideration, the government has accepted the recommendations made last month by the Migration Advisory Committee to tighten up the rules controlling when skilled workers are allowed to take jobs in the United Kingdom under the government's points-based system. (more)New visa route for Turkish businesspersons
The UK Border Agency has introduced a visa route for Turkish nationals applying to establish in business under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA). (more)Tough new points system for earning citizenship
Plans requiring would-be-citizens to earn enough points to stay permanently in the United Kingdom were revealed by the Government today. (more)Visa requirement for South Africa enforced today
From today, visitors to the United Kingdom from South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland will only be able to travel with a visa. (more)New student concession
The UK Border Agency has agreed a concession for this year only to allow students applying to study A-Levels in the United Kingdom to make a visa application based on a conditional offer from their education provider, whilst they wait for their GCSE results. (more)HSMP Forum Ltd judicial review judgment of 6 April 2009
If you received an HSMP approval letter on the basis of an application made before 3 April 2006, and you obtained entry clearance or permission to stay in the United Kingdom on the basis of that letter, you may be affected by the HSMP Forum Ltd judicial review judgment of 6 April 2009. This judgment relates to the 'continuous residence' requirement for settlement in the United Kingdom. (more)Points-based system: youth mobility scheme: Japanese nationals
Entry to the United Kingdom under the points-based system youth mobility scheme is based on a quota system for participating countries, rotating annually. Currently the countries participating in the scheme are Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand. (more)New Immigration Rules published today
The Immigration Rules covering highly skilled migrant workers have changed today, raising the requirements of two categories in Tier 1 of the points-based system. (more)New student immigration system set to launch in the UK on 31st March 2009
The UK Government today announced the go-live date for the student tier of its new points-based system for migration. (more)Migrant workers face tougher test to work in the United Kingdom
Measures to raise the bar for foreign workers wishing to enter the United Kingdom, and to give domestic workers a greater chance of applying first for United Kingdom jobs, have been unveiled by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. (more)Proposed fee levels for visas and sponsor licences in 2009/10
The Government has today announced its proposed fee levels for all visa, immigration and nationality applications and services in 2009/10. (more)Certain countries now face tough visa rules
New visa checks are to be introduced for five countries after they failed to pass Britain’s strict new Visa Waiver Test, the Government announced today.
(more)Government's new bill shakes up the route to citizenship
A bill to make newcomers to the UK earn the right to stay here, strengthen the border, and ensure we have a firm but fair immigration system was published in Parliament today. (more)New system to control migration to the UK
From today all skilled migrants who have been offered a job in the UK will be able to apply for their UK visa under a new simplified but more secure system. (more)New Shortage Occupation List Published
The number of jobs available to foreign workers through the shortage occupation route will be reduced, the Government announced today.
The shortage occupation list sets out those jobs for which there are not enough resident workers, and will be used as part of the skilled worker tier (Tier 2) of the Australian-style points system, which will be launched on 27 November.
(more)Roll-out of new rules for foreign students
A delivery plan for the student tier of the Australian-style points system has been announced by the Home Office. (more)Business Visitors Face Strict New Rules
Tough new rules to safeguard the visitor route into the United Kingdom from abuse and keep Britain an attractive place to do business were published by the Government today. (more)Identity Cards For Foreign Nationals
The Home Office have announced that they begin to issue identity cards to foreign nationals applying for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom under certain categories from 25 November 2008. (more)Tier 1 of points based system to be introduced 30 June 2008
The UK government have announced the introduction of a new system for assessing highly skilled migrants wanting to come to the UK to work. Tier 1 of the new Australian style points based system (PBS) will come into effect on 30 June. (more)Changes to the national shortage occupational list for work permits
The Home Office today announced that they have added new occupations to the national shortage occupation list for work permits and amended two occupation titles. From 18 July 2008 they will remove certain occupations from the list. Full details of all these changes are shown below. (more)Tier's 2 & 5 of the Points Based System
The Home Office today published proposals for much tighter skilled and temporary worker tiers of its new Points Based System (PBS). The schemes - known as Tier 2 and Tier 5 - sweep aside around 30 different routes to the UK, including the old work permit system. (more)National identity scheme delivery plan published
The delivery of the national identity scheme gathered momentum today as plans were laid out by the Home Secretary beginning with the introduction of identity cards for foreign nationals in 2008 and British citizens in 2009. (more)Prime Minister launches contract for foreign nationals seeking British citizenship
Radical changes to the way newcomers are able to earn their stay in Britain were proposed by the Government today. (more)New points based system begins
Details of Britain's new Australian-style points based immigration system (PBS) were announced today as the Government published the rules for highly skilled foreign workers applying to come to the UK. (more)Changes to the national shortage occupation list for work permits
With effect from 18 March 2008, 38 healthcare-related occupations will be removed from the national shortage occupation list for work permits.
(more)Changes To Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS)
From 1st January 2008, this scheme now only applies to Romanian and Bulgarian nationals. The scheme allows nationals of Bulgaria and Romania to take on seasonal employment on farms in the United Kingdom. (more)Ten point plan for border protection and immigration reform
The global rollout of fingerprint checks on all visa applicants is complete three months ahead of schedule, and millions under budget, the Government announced today.
(more)Shortage of curry chefs as immigration changes start to bite
Curry restaurants are facing an "unprecedented crisis" due to tough new immigration laws, one of Britain's leading Asian businessmen said yesterday. (more)Plans to manage migration and protect British values
The countdown to the transformation of the immigration system began today when the Home Secretary announced new rules for highly skilled foreign workers applying to come to the UK. (more)Mandatory requirement for students intending to enter or remain in the UK for more than 6 months
From 30 November 2007 the academic technology approval scheme (ATAS) will become a mandatory requirement within the Immigration Rules for students intending to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for more than 6 months to undertake postgraduate studies or research in certain designated subjects. (more)New Visa Application Forms
New visa application forms (VAFs) will be introduced worldwide on 29 October. From 29 October 2007 all visa applicants will need to use these new, improved forms to make an application. (more)Pakistan: Temporary closure of UK visa services between 19 and 26 September
The British High Commission, Islamabad and British Deputy High Commission, Karachi will be unable to accept visa applications from 19 September to 26 September 2007 inclusive due to the relocation of their Visa Application Centres. (more)East European immigration slows
The number of Eastern European workers registering in the UK has dropped for the second quarter in a row.
(more)Working Holidaymaker Visa's
The British High Commission, Dhaka will resume accepting working holidaymaker visa applications with effect from 01 August 2007.
(more)
Border security strengthed by fingerprint technology
Over half a million sets of fingerprints - equivalent to a set checked every 30 seconds 24 hours a day - have been taken from visa applicants following moves designed to strengthen UK border control. (more)A new, unified border force announced
In a statement to parliament, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Britain is to have a unified border force to 'strengthen the powers and surveillance capability' of those working to stop terrorists from entering the country.
The force would integrate the work of the Border and Immigration Agency, Customs and UKvisas, and would operate both overseas and at the main points of entry to the UK.
The announcement came as part of a wide-ranging assessment to parliament of the UK's anti-terrorism efforts.
(more)Update to the National Shortage Occupation List
With immediate effect, Chartered Quantity Surveyors have been added to the National Shortage Occupation List.
(more)Changes to visa application process in South Africa
As from Thursday 7 June 2007 all applicants in South Africa requiring a visa for the United Kingdom now have to lodge their application at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) operated by VFS Global. Please note, South African nationals do not need a visa to visit the UK for up to six months.
(more)Sectors Based Scheme participants
Sector Based Scheme (SBS) permits are issued for a maximum period of 12 months. It has been a requirement that SBS permit holders must leave the UK at the end of this period for a minimum period of two months before any further SBS permit will be granted. (more)New points based system to start in the new year
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne, today unveiled the timetable for introducing the UK’s tough new Australian-style points based system for migration, during a fact finding visit to Sydney.
The new scheme, which will be phased in from early 2008, will enable the British Government to manage migration to the UK more effectively, tackle abuse and attract the most talented workers into the UK economy.
Changes to the National Shortage Occupation List for Work Permits
The Home Office have announced the following changes to the National Shortage Occupation list. (more)New requirements required for settlement applications
From 2 April 2007 all applicants for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) will need to provide evidence that they have passed either the Life in the UK test or an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) which includes citizenship materials.
(more)The International Graduates Scheme
The international Graduates Scheme (IGS) will be launched on 1 May 2007. It will replace the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme. It enables non-EEA students who have successfully completed and obtained a degree, Master’s degree, PhD, or postgraduate certificate or diploma on or after 1 May 2007 to work in the UK for up to 12 months upon completion of their studies.
(more)Advanced notice of changes to the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme and the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme
On 1 May the Home Office will be replacing the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme with the new International Graduates Scheme. (more)New Home Office Fee's Announced
Following The FCO announcing new visa levels recently, after agreement by the Privy Council, The Home Office have also set out the policy on a new charging regime for immigration and nationality fees and the new and proposed in-country fee levels. Please see below for full details and contact us with any queries that you may have. (more)Tuberculosis testing requirement for visa applicants in Pakistan
From 5 March 2007, visa applicants in Pakistan applying for UK visas valid for stays longer than six months will need to provide with their visa application a certificate confirming that they are free from infectious tuberculosis (TB). (more)Tuberculosis testing requirement for visa applicants in Ghana and Kenya
From 5 February 2007, visa applicants in Ghana and Kenya applying for UK visas valid for stays longer than six months will need to provide with their visa application a certificate confirming that they are free from infectious tuberculosis (TB). (more)New quota for the Sectors Based Scheme
A new quota for the Sectors Based Scheme Food Manufacturing sector has now been agreed, which came into operation on 1 January 2007. (more)Access to the UK labour market by Romanians and Bulgarians
From 1st January 2007 citizens from Bulgaria and Romania will not require leave to enter or remain to reside legally in the UK. All Bulgarian and Romanian citizens will have a right of residence in any EU Member State for the first 3 months of residence on an unrestricted basis and remain legally resident in that state as long as they wish, providing they are exercising a treaty right as a student, a self-employed person, or if they are self-sufficient. They will not however, have an automatic right to reside as a worker (unless they are exempt from work authorisation requirements).New citizenship rights for members of the Commonwealth serving in the British Armed Forces
Commonwealth soldiers serving in the British Armed Forces abroad can now gain UK citizenship under a change to the rules announced by the Home Office today.
(more)Change's to the shortage occupation list
With immediate effect, Overhead Electricity Linesworkers have been added to the shortage occupation list. (more)New UK HSMP Visa Announced
7 November 2006:http://www.skillclear.co.uk/ are the first Immigration Consultancy to publish an online points calculator for the new HSMP Scheme. To find out if you will qualify under the new criteria use our new HSMP Points Calculator. (more)
Bulgarians and Romanians to face higher entry hurdles
Workers from Bulgaria and Romania will not be allowed free access to Britain's labour market when their countries join the European Union, the government will announce tomorrow. (more)Sector Based Scheme
Closure of the food manufacturing (General/Mushroom) quota. (more)Changes to SEGS Applications
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON CHANGES TO THE SCHEME (more)Revision to the shortage occupation list - nursing
With effect from 14 August 2006, all registered nurses will be removed from the shortage occupation list, and replaced with the following: (more)Continuation of the Worker Registration Scheme
On 24 April the Government informed the European Commission that the Worker Registration Scheme (WRS) will continue beyond 1 May 2006. (more)Certificate of Approval for Marriage (COA) applications
Following a judgement in the High Court on 10th April 2006, the Home Office has suspended decisions on some Certificate of Approval for Marriage (COA) applications. (more)Lifting of visa restrictions and changes to visa services in Nigeria
The British High Commission, Nigeria has announced that the lifting of the the temporary suspension of visa services for first time visitors aged 18-30 will take effect on Friday 17 March. (more)Termination of UK Sectors Based Scheme
The Home Office Command Paper, "A Points-Based System: Making Migration Work for Britain", was published today.
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