We would like to send a reminder to our clients that with effect from 1 October 2012, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) will automatically refuse any applications for further leave to remain for migrants who have overstayed their visa for a period of 28 days or more. This change will affect applicants applying for further
The UK Border Agency has announced that with effect from today, all applicants for settlement visas in India will need to undertake a pre-entry Tuberculosis screening. Applicants will need to obtain a certificate from an approved clinic in order to demonstrate they are free of Tuberculosis before they submit an application. Children aged 11 and
The first batch of Sponsors who applied for and obtained their Sponsor Licence immediately following the introduction of the Points Based System in 2008, will now be receiving notifications from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) in relation to renewing their licence. The UKBA will send emails to Level 1 users. They will send further notification
Beginning 30 July 2012, Sponsors will now be able to track the progress and results of their sponsor requests by logging into the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). This could potentially mean that in certain cases Sponsors will no longer be notified by email or letter when requests to change sponsor details have been approved. Sponsors
The UK Border Agency has announced that on 16 July 2012, the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 will be changed. The amended regulations will set out the rights of EEA nationals and their family members to enter and reside in the UK and will also confirm the criteria for rights to permanent residence. The
Hudson McKenzie, one of the major immigration law firms in London, proudly announces that the firm has been accepted as a member of the UK Advisory Network (UKAN), a service provided in partnership with the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Government Agency. You will now find Hudson McKenzie featured on the UK Trade & Investment
The UK Border Agency has announced changes to the Immigration Rules for non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) nationals applying to enter or remain in the UK under the family migration route. The new Immigration Rules will also unify consideration under the rules and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, by defining the basis
The UK Border Agency has published a new guidance on preventing illegal working. The guidance can be accessed by clicking the following link. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/employersandsponsors/preventingillegalworking/ The Preventing Illegal Working guidance is intended to assist employers in carrying out right to work checks by providing information on which documents are acceptable when proving a right to work
The UK Border Agency has confirmed that students who worked as interns in the UK last summer and want to return to a graduate job with the same company are temporarily exempt from the “cooling off” rules. Cooling off rules, introduced to Tier 2 (General) in February this year, mean those who have left Tier
It appears that the UK Border Agency are currently experiencing high volumes of requests from sponsors who have applied to renew their allocation of certificates of sponsorship for 2012-13. The annual allocation period for certificates of sponsorship ended on 5 April 2012 and any certificates remaining on the Sponsor Management System were set to zero
All licensed sponsors in the UK will have received communication from the UK Border Agency outlining the changes introduced in the updated policy guidance for Tiers 2, 4 and 5 sponsors, published on 15 March 2012. This guidance became valid from 6 April 2012 and on this date there were also a number of changes
The UK Border Agency will launch the premium customer service for sponsors on 6 April 2012. The service is aimed at users of the sponsorship system who want to pay for a higher level of customer service and a package of benefits. There are two levels of premium customer service for sponsors: Premium sponsor –
Rahul Batra who is a Director and Head of Department at the firm has outlined changes to Tier 2 of the Points-Based System, which have been released by the UK Border Agency. In October 2011, the UK Government commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to advise on the 2012/13 annual limit for Tier 2. It
Beginning 6 April 2012, the UK Border Agency is set to increase fees for overseas and UK-based immigration applications. This entails a further expense for individuals looking to immigrate, and companies within the UK will expect to see more expenditure where they wish to employ migrant workers. Those UK companies looking to become sponsors under
The Irish Government has launched two new immigration programmes aimed at Investors and Entrepreneurs who are prepared to invest or create jobs in Ireland. Immigrant Investor Programme The Immigrant Investor Programme requires applicants to make substantial investments in Ireland. Successful applicants will be granted an initial period of five years, subject to a review after
