At the beginning of the UK’s national lockdown triggered by the pandemic, the UK government launched a scheme in attempt to keep the economy afloat, prevent mass job losses and support businesses that could not afford to operate. This is commonly known as the ‘furlough scheme’ and has been utilised by approximately 95% of UK
Many UK qualified lawyers who legally represent migrant asylum seekers have demanded for a genuine apology from the Home Office, namely Priti Patel and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. This is in the form of a letter which condemns the discriminatory and unwarranted labelling of these legal professionals, such as “human activists” and “lefty-lawyers”. More than
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,
On 22nd October 2020, the UK Government laid a new statement of changes to the Immigration Rules, providing pivotal policy changes to UK immigration. It is pertinent to note that majority of these changes will come into effect between 1 December 2020 and 1 January 2021. These amendments are directly applicable to: Visitors Short-term Study
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
From 1st October 2020, the UK government set in motion a new initiative known as Immigration Health Surcharge Reimbursement scheme. This is seen as a token of gratitude towards the foreign NHS and care workers who have worked relentlessly and have been an unfailing source of help and reliance during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The
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
Ahead of the new points-based immigration system in January 2021, The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recently been appointed the task of reviewing the Shortage Occupation List (SOLs) for the UK including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The MAC is an independent advisory committee in charge of advising the UK government specifically on migration matters.
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
As the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) nears the end on 1st November 2020, the UK government has formulated a new strategy to protect jobs and support businesses whilst we remain in a COVID-19 climate. The CJRS, commonly known as the ‘furlough’ scheme, was implemented back in March 2020 with the aim of protecting employment
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
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
As of January 2021, the Brexit transition period will come to an end and the UK will have officially left the European Union (EU). For EEA (European Economic Area) nationals and their employers, this begs the question of how business travellers and citizens from EEA countries can continue to enter and work in the UK
On 20th February 2020, The Home Office replaced the latter immigration category, Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa, with the current Global Talent visa. This visa has been designed to target individuals who have much talent, brightness and high aptitude, work in specified industries and seek to work in the UK. Eligibility Before starting an application
