As a means of reducing the rate of imported infection of COVID-19, the UK as well as many other EU countries chose to adopt quarantine rules for individuals seeking to travel to different countries during the pandemic. However, considering the falling death rates and cases of COVID-19, the UK has chosen to gradually lift the
On Tuesday 30th June 2020, China has formally made a heavily criticised proposed national security law for Hong Kong into primary legislation. Imminently since it was signed off, this has sparked waves of protests in Hong Kong as well as international scrutiny. Unquestionably, this agitation could pave the way towards an undeclared war between China
On 25th June 2020, the European Commission published a proposal for a Council Recommendation on the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the EU. This is an extension of the Communication created by the European Commission back on 16th March 2020 which imposed an interim ban on non-essential travel from third countries into the “EU+
As of recent, Prof Brian Bell, the new head of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been probed by MPs into the details of the new immigration bill. The bill is scheduled to take effect from 1st January 2021 and will impose strong barriers to migrants who want to enter the UK. These blocks on
On 24th June 2020, Michael Davenport, British Ambassador to Kuwait announced a warm welcome to Kuwaiti students to enter and study in the UK. “I am delighted that during the academic year just ending we welcomed over 6,000 Kuwaitis at British universities and colleges in a wide range of different disciplines… The UK is a
“We have a moral duty to create an immigration system that protect the lives and jobs of our citizens.”– Donald Trump, President of the United States. On Monday 22nd June 2020, Donald Trump signed an executive order which imposes further immigration restrictions. This is an extension to the current US immigration restrictions implemented just a
On 19th June 2020, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) updated its policy guidance in respect of re-opening of more Visa Application Centres (VACs), the issuance of Tier 4 concessions and the opportunity for passports to be returned to some individuals. New Amendments From Sunday 28th June 2020, further VACs are scheduled to reopen. VACs that
Until recently, the Supreme Court in the United States has ruled in favour of providing protection for LGBT workers against employers. This was a 6-3 decision where the majority upheld that in US federal law, discrimination based on sex should now include sexual orientation and gender identity. What this means is that employers will be
On 12th June 2020, The Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee met with the EU for a second time via video conference. This was to further discuss the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, i.e the Brexit plan. Ultimately, it seems that both sides have made respected advancements. However, what else that can be made out from the
As of last month, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) was extended to October 2020 even though it was only intended to last until 1st July 2020. When this extension was announced, this also included the introduction of some furlough flexibilities, being that workers could start returning to work on either a full or part-time
On 9th June 2020, the Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration released new guidance for visa applicants and temporary UK residents. If you are applying to enter the UK or remain solely for the purposes of family or private life, temporary concessions may apply to you. These interim concessions will apply on condition that
Towards the end of May 2020, the UK government published amended guidance to reveal that specified Visa Application Centres (VACs) and UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVACs) would open and resume services, albeit at a reduced capacity, from 1st June. The thoughts behind this localised approach is to commence a phased return of services
On Wednesday 3rd June 2020, Boris Johnson declared that should China implement new security laws, the UK would proffer the citizens of Hong Kong a “route to citizenship”. The new law that China is scheduling to implement has faced considerable criticism from Hong Kong, UK, and its allies such as the United States and Australia.
As we begin to see the spread of the coronavirus diminishing, countries are seeking to gradually ease travel to give visa customers, passengers and the travel and aviation industry a chance of succour. As a steppingstone towards fully opening international borders, multiple nations have scheduled to implement procedures permitting international travel from June onwards, albeit
On Friday 29th May 2020, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a brand-new set of amendments to the existing Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). These amendments are built on from Sunak’s previous announcement on Tuesday 12th May that the scheme would be extended to October 2020, albeit initially it was only meant to last until July
