On 23rd October 2020, the Home Office issued a few key updates for visa applicants in the process of completing or submitting their applications from either the UK or overseas. UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) is the system utilised to process visa applications made from within the
Individuals wishing to make an application to enter or remain in the UK on the basis of family or private life should be aware of updated information from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Those who have expired visas but have had to stay in the UK because of COVID-19 travel restrictions in their home countries,
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, Israel has been forced to go into two national lockdowns to control the spread of the virus. During this time, restrictions have been implemented across the country, both on civilian life and individuals wishing to travel into Israel but have been unable to because of the closure of its borders. Strictly
On 9th October 2020, the Australian government announced the introduction of an English language requirement for anyone applying for Australian citizenship, subject to approval from the Australian Parliament. Although there is already the requirement of proficiency in the English language for those on work and study visas, this will now apply to the foreign partners
On 5th October 2020, UKVI announced new set of changes for immigration applications, including the introduction of new visa routes under the new points-based immigration system scheduled to take place from January 2021. Student visa Overseas students and graduates wishing to study in the UK from January 2021 can now apply for the new student
On 6th October 2020, the Departments of Homeland Security and Labour Rule published a press release which strikes fresh restrictions on the H1-B visa programme. This updated immigration policy is said to have an impact of great consequence for large tech firms and spark much criticism from companies such as Netflix and Twitter, who sponsor
It is with utmost certainty that the global pandemic sparked by the spread of COVID-19 from Wuhan, China to the rest of the world has had an indelible effect on all aspects of daily life. For all organisations, governing bodies and so forth, they have been forced to develop a stamina to continue operating amid
From Tuesday 15th September 2020, the Saudi government executed further relaxation to the travel restrictions imposed on the borders of Saudi Arabia because of the pandemic. Both Saudi and Non-Saudi workers who have residence permits or permanent residency can now travel in and out of the UAE. To do this, they must request for an
Due to a rapid rise in cases of COVID-19, the Israeli government took the executive decision to go into full lockdown until 11th October 2020. This has forced everything to a close, except for the provision of essential services, and has imposed restrictions on the movement of civilians to 1000 metres from their homes. For
On 24th September 2020, UK Visas, and Immigration (UKVI) released policy guidance for employers seeking to recruit workers from overseas after Brexit. As of 1st January 2021, employers must obtain a sponsor licence to hire workers from a large number of countries outside of the UK including the EU. Employers are therefore advised to apply
On 16th September 2020, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) renewed its policy guidance for individuals who are either in the process of applying for a visa or have already done so. VAC closures For those who are currently applying for their visa but their local Visa Application Centre (VAC) remains shut, there is an interim
In Saudi Arabia, the government’s grand plan for travel is for it to return to a complete normality, i.e without any limitations from 1st January 2021. As a means of kickstarting this programme of resuming unrestricted travel to and from Saudi Arabia, the travel restrictions related to the pandemic on arrivals and departures have been
Only now in this COVID-19 climate, many countries worldwide have implemented travel restrictions on their borders as a means of reducing the rate of imported infection. With the number of coronavirus cases fluctuating between various countries, international governments have taken different decisions on whether to ease or tighten further the entry restrictions on their borders.
As a result of a spike in COVID-19 cases in Israel, the Israeli government has scheduled the enforcement of a second national lockdown. Israel is the first country in the world to impose another lockdown that will affect the country entirely. The new lockdown provisions will be enforced from 18th September 2020 at 14:00 PM
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have made new amendments to the current set of guidance for individuals negatively affected by the travel restrictions imposed because of the pandemic. These changes are for the purposes of providing clarification to individuals who have visas due to expire after 31st August 2020. It is important for individuals
