News

Spouse visa minimum income increase: FAQs

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The Government has confirmed that the spouse/partner visa minimum income will initially increase to £29,000 on 11 April 2024 and incrementally thereafter to £38,700 ‘by early 2025’. Here we answer your Frequently Asked Questions.

Increase in fines for illegal working

Kriti Khadka
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On 7 August 2023, the Government announced that it would be increasing the fines issued to employers employing workers with no right to work.  It has finally been decided that the new penalty will be effective from 13 February 2024.

Can visitors work remotely in the UK?

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Since the pandemic, hybrid and remote working has grown in popularity. In part, because remote working allows flexibility to travel. The UK does not have a ‘Digital Nomad’ visa, however new guidance confirms that visitors can work remotely for an overseas employer, provided this is not the primary purpose of their visit.

Immigration Health Surcharge increase delayed

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IHS fees are set to increase from £624 per year to £1,035 per year. The implementation date has been delayed until 31 January 2024 at the earliest.

Guide to the Life in the UK test

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The Life in the UK test is one of the final hurdles to overcome before settling in the UK or becoming a British citizen. It may seem daunting but rest assured that many others have done it before you and you will succeed with preparation.

How much does a spouse visa cost?

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The spouse/partner visa application fee is £1,846 as of 4 October 2023. In this article we explore the hidden costs of the visa application process.

High Potential Individual visa: new universities added for 2023

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 The High Potential Individual (HPI) visa was introduced in May 2022 to allow individuals who have been awarded a degree from an eligible overseas university within the last 5 years to live and work in the UK without sponsorship.

Immigration Health Surcharge fees set to increase in January 2024

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Significant increases to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) announced earlier this year are expected to come into force on 16 January 2024 at the earliest.

Can I lose my ILR? Changes to the rules on returning residents

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Despite its name, Indefinite Leave to Remain or ‘permanent residence’ can be lost by staying outside the UK for two years or more.

Is this the end of the shortage occupation list?

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The Migration Advisory Committee has recommended that the ‘shortage occupation list’ is abolished in the first review since the Covid-19 pandemic, citing ‘diminishing’ benefits.

Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

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From September 2023, those who hold pre-settled status who have not yet obtained settled status (permanent residence) will have their permission automatically extended by two years. This gives those who have pre-settled status more time to make their application to settle in the UK permanently.

UK visa fees to increase from 4 October 2023

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The government has published the new visa application fees announced earlier this year. Visa application fees will increase significantly from 9am on 4 October 2023.

Fines are to be tripled for employers who employ staff without the right to work

Yukino Posthuma de Boer
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On Monday 7 August, the Home Secretary announced that the civil penalty for employers will be raised up to £45,000 per “illegal worker” for a first breach from the previous £15,000, and up to £60,000 for repeat breaches from £20,000.

Can I bring dependents to the UK on my Student visa?

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From January 2024, not all postgraduate students will be eligible to bring family members to the UK.

Changes made to the Skilled Worker route

Yukino Posthuma de Boer
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On 17 July 2023, the government published a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, implementing restrictions on Students’ ability to switch to work routes that went into effect on the same date.

Update: Youth Mobility Scheme extension is now possible

Yukino Posthuma de Boer
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On 29 June 2023, the Immigration Rules were updated and it is now confirmed that citizens of New Zealand who hold a Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa can extend their visa for one year by submitting an online form.

Government to increase visa fees

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The Treasury has announced that they plan to increase application fees for work and visit visas by 15% and increase the cost of other visas, settlement and citizenship applications by at least 20%. The increase in fees is designed to cover pay rises in the public sector.

How will dual nationality affect my asylum claim in the UK?

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If you are in the UK and do not feel safe in your country of nationality, you may be eligible to claim international protection. Holding more than one nationality will always be a complicating factor in a UK asylum claim.

Court of Appeal finds plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful

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The Court of Appeal has, by a majority, found that the £140m Rwanda plan is unlawful as Rwanda is not a sufficiently safe country. Shortcomings in the asylum system in Rwanda mean that removing asylum seekers there would be in breach of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights – the prohibition on torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.

What happens when you lose employment as a sponsored Skilled Worker?

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If you are currently sponsored in the Skilled Worker visa route, your visa is dependent on your continuing employment with the same role and employer. When this employment ends, it can be a stressful and uncertain experience. This article explains what happens next.

Remaining in the UK after relationship breakdown

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Where one partner relies on the other’s immigration status to remain in the UK, relationship breakdown can lead to complex immigration issues.

Greater opportunities will be offered for young New Zealanders

Yukino Posthuma de Boer
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The Home Office has announced that Youth Mobility Scheme applicants from New Zealand will have an increased age limit of 35 and an extended maximum stay of three years. These changes are expected to take effect from 29 June 2023

International Surrogacy: Immigration FAQs

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While intended parents may prefer to through the surrogacy process in the UK, restrictive surrogacy laws mean that many enter into surrogacy arrangements abroad where commercial surrogacy is lawful.

Tech Nation open for new endorsements

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Earlier this year Global Talent endorsing body Tech Nation announced that they would cease operations on 31 March 2023. It appeared that from Spring 2023, the UK would not be able to consider Global Talent applications for endorsement under the UK’s digital technology arm.

Update on visa delays for Russian nationals

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Russian and Belarusian visa applicants are experiencing significant delays in UK visa application processing times. Although the UK has not suspended applications from nationals of Russia and Belarus, applicants should expect long delays.

New UKVCAS location opening in Oxford

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We are delighted to announce that UKVI’s partner for biometric appointments UKVCAS is opening a new centre in Oxford.

New concessions for Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) Visa

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The Home Office has introduced two concessions for those applying under the Hong Kong British Nationals (overseas) route – known as the BN(O) visa.

Can I work over the summer while on a Student Visa?

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Student visa holders can work in the UK if they are studying a full time course at degree level or above at an approved institution. However, there are restrictions on international students’ right to work.

Changes to the Student visa route to 'reduce net migration'

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On 23 May 2023, the UK government announced they plan to reduce net migration through changes to the Student Visa route including restrictions on bringing family members for international students.

New Innovator Founder route replaces Start Up and Innovator visas

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In the latest Statement of Changes to the UK Immigration Rules, the Government published changes to the Start Up and Innovator routes. From 13 April 2023, these routes  will close and be replaced by a single ‘Innovator Founder’ route. Benefiting from increased flexibility, potential Start Up and Innovator applicants may want to wait for the new route to open and current Start Up visa holders should consider switching into this new category.

Student re-sits: a guide

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It’s that time of year; exam results are coming in and everyone is at their most stressed.

If you’re reading this, there’s a decent chance that this has happened to you, and you need some advice.

Exception for overstayers: what is the 14-day with 'good reason' rule?

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When it comes to overstaying a visa, it is often said that prevention is better than the cure. However, there is a general provision which allows the Home Office to accept an application from an overstayer as valid if it is submitted within 14 days and with ‘good reason’ for being late.

Can I travel outside the UK while waiting for a decision on my visa application?

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The majority of applicants keep their passports while they wait for a decision on their immigration application. What does this mean for international travel while waiting for a decision?

Minimum salary for Skilled Workers increases to £26,200

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One of the key requirements when sponsoring a non-settled worker in the UK is that applicant is paid a salary at or above the minimum rate set by the Home Office and the ‘going rate’ for that role.

What is the Shortage Occupation List and what are the benefits?

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The Shortage Occupation List sets out roles which are in short supply in the UK, meaning employers face a shortage of suitable employees within the resident labour market. The jobs which appear on the list are given some benefits within the Immigration Rules to make it easier for employers to hire them through the Skilled Worker visa route.

Tech Nation closure - what does it mean for the Global Talent visa?

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On 31 January, Tech Nation announced that it will cease operations on 31 March 2023 after losing its government Digital Growth Grant funding to Barclays. So what does this mean for digital technology Global Talent visa applicants?

Priority service returns for spouse visa applications

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The Home Office has confirmed the return of priority services for applications to enter the UK on a family visa.

Retrospective priority service introduced for spouse visa applications

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Amid widespread delays, the Home Office has introduced a new Priority Visa service for applicants with an outstanding family entry clearance application.

Reporting issues with your Biometric Residence Permit ('BRP') card

Kriti Khadka
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You can report various issues with your BRP online. For example, if there is incorrect information such as a spelling mistake or the wrong date of birth, or if the card was damaged when it arrived.  

Why does my BRP card expire on 31 December 2024?

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If you have been granted permission to enter or remain in the UK or even ILR,  you may have noticed that your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) expiry date says 31 December 2024. You may be wondering why this is the expiry date when your visa ends later than this.

Priority services reintroduced for work and study routes

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Priority services for sponsored work and student visa applications outside the UK have been reinstated from 23 September 2022.

Associate solicitor Alex Piletska ranked in Chambers and Partners 2023

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We are very proud to announce that Alex has received two individual rankings by Chambers and Partners, recognising her as an ‘Associate to watch’ in Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and Deportation and as an EDI (‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’) Champion for her work co-founding the Ukraine Advice Project.

The new Scale Up visa - everything you need to know

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The Scale Up visa is a new Points Based System route which opened on 22 August 2022. The new category has been pitched as a visa route for top talent to come to the UK to work for high-growth ‘Scale Up’ businesses.

Fee waiver for citizenship application for children

Kriti Khadka
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On 26 May 2022, the Home Office announced that a fee waiver would now be available for families who cannot afford to pay the British citizenship registration fee for their children. This applies to anyone under the age of 18 who is eligible to register for citizenship under the provisions of the British Nationality Act 1981.

Schemes for Ukrainians

Kriti Khadka
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The UK government endeavours to ensure Ukrainians fleeing their home country are able to find safety in the UK. To this end, the UK has introduced a number of different schemes specifically for Ukrainians and simplified the application process for this group.

New Court of Appeal decision about Zambrano carers

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This post discusses an important Court of Appeal judgment of Akinsanya v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWCA Civ 37 on the definition of Zambrano carers and is a particularly relevance to parents of British children applying as Zambrano carers under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

Turpin Miller Sponsor Local Refugee Football Team

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Turpin & Miller are proud to sponsor a Local Refugee Football Team

Late applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

Alex Piletska
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For most people, the deadline for applying to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021. If you missed this deadline, you may be able to make a late application, according to Home Office guidance.

New Home Office concession for early settlement for 18 to 24 year olds who have lived in the UK for more than half of their lives

Alex Piletska
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Young people in the 10 year private life route may now be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (‘ILR’) after only five years of leave, according to the new Home Office concession.

Check your immigration status - Home Office launches new service

Josh Asokan
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You can now ask the Home Office to check your immigration status if your access to work, benefits or services has been affected, and you believe this is because the Home Office holds the incorrect immigration status for you. This service is free of charge.

Current crisis in Afghanistan

Alex Piletska
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Following the abrupt withdrawal of US, UK and other NATO troops from Afghanistan, which accelerated steeply this month, the Taliban has regained control of most of the country, including Kabul, prompting Afghan nationals to attempt to flee to neighbouring countries and abroad in large numbers.

Provisions for applicants who cannot afford Home Office fees

Kriti Khadka
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Application fees and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees have risen significantly over the years, making them unaffordable to many applicants. For those who cannot afford the fees, it may be possible to obtain a fee waiver.

What provisions are there for spouse visa applicants whose finances were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

Alex Piletska
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Applicants in the five year spouse route to settlement under Appendix FM can take advantage of the time-limited Home Office concession to continue to extend their leave in the same route or apply for settlement.