On 26 July 2010, the UK government has announced its intention to abolish the ‘certificate of approval’ scheme. A Remedial Order under the Human Rights Act 1998 was laid in Parliament to achieve this aim. At present, any migrant who is already in the UK and is subject to immigration control must apply for a
The UK Border Agency has announced that from 14 December 2010 people applying for further leave to remain in the UK under the Tier 1 or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) categories of the points-based system will be required to provide their biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) as part of their application. When an applicant makes their
The Minister for Immigration, Damien Green has proposed tougher entrance criteria for students, limit on their work and an end to students staying in the UK to look for a job. Launching a public consultation on the reform of Tier 4 of the points-based system, the Home Office also revealed that 41 per cent of
On 19 July 2010, the UK government introduced a limit on the number of initial applications that can be issued under Tier 1 (General) of the points-based system until 31 March 2011. The limit does not affect applications from dependents or applications to switch into Tier 1 (General) from a different immigration category, or applications
From 10 January 2011, English language students wishing to attend exclusively English language courses will be able to apply for a student visitor visa allowing them to stay for up to 11 months. The extended student visitor visa will only be available to applicants outside the UK. Students wishing to study other courses in the
The Home Secretary, Theresa May announced on 23 November 2010 a number of changes to immigration policy in respect of Tiers 1 and 2 of the points-based system. The changes are as follows:- The Tier 1 (General) route will be closed. The Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route will be reformed to make it more attractive. The
On 29 November 2010, the UK Border Agency has stated that a non-European national who wishes to enter or extend his/her stay as a partner of a British national or someone settled in the UK will need to show that he/she can speak and understand English. An applicant will need to demonstrate a basic command
