The UKBA recently published new BR3 application forms for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals applying for an Accession Worker Card. The new application form should be used for all applications submitted after 16 January 2012.
The UK Border Agency has revised the Tier 2 General form and guidance notes. The form should be used by the applicants wishing to extend or switch to the Tier 2 General category.
Dear Clients,
We are glad to announce the opening of a new office in Scotland. Our new branch is located in the town centre at 8 Albany Street Edinburgh EH1 3QB - Please feel free to pop in for a complimentary consultation!!
From 1 October the UK Border Agency will no longer accept cheque payments for Certificates of Sponsorship (COS), Confirmations of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and sponsor applications
The application process for spouses and civil/unmarried partners to join and settle with their beloved ones in the UK should be straightforward, however, it can be all but simple.
We wish to thank all our existing clients for the volume of referrals and we truly appreciate you spreading the word about your good experience with our company. We are very happy to be able to assist and continue to offer our professional immigration services together with the best possible client care. We are looking forward to meeting your expectations in the future and receiving more "glowing recommendations".
We have the pleasure to inform you that the significant growth of our business has now compelled us to move from our old premises to new address in 14-18 Heddon Street, Mayfair, London W1B 4DA.
We trust that the new premises, being more convenient and in a central location off Regent Street and 5 minutes from Oxford Circus or Piccadilly tube stations, will prove more advantageous and as always we are looking forward to assisting you and your family in your immigration matters.
On 7 December 2010, Damian Green, the Immigration Minister, announced that:
'This government wants high-calibre students with the genuine desire to study to come to our country to come for temporary periods, and then return home. We want to hear views of our proposals from a wide range of people so that our reforms meet this objective.'
The UK Border Agency announced on 11 March 2011 the closure of the Worker Registration Scheme for workers from those Member States from Eastern Europe that joined the EU on 1 May 2004. The scheme will close from 30 April 2011.
During the week commencing 3 January 2011, the UK Border Agecy expects to be considering applications that were received on or before 26 October 2010. This timescale is only a guideline, and some cases may take longer to consider.
On 16 December 2010, the European Court of Human Rights issued its judgment in the case of O'Donoghue v UK. This case was about the certificate of approval scheme, and the government is currently considering the judgment.
Following the introduction of the biometric requirement for Tier 1 and Tier 5 (temporary worker only) applications, the UK Border Agency has also published new forms for the applicants and their dependants.
On 19th 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.
During the week commencing 18 October 2010, the UK Border Agency will be considering applications that were received on or before 28 September 2010. This timescale is only a guideline, and some cases may take longer to consider.
On 30 September 2010 the UK Border Agency published revised application form EEA4 for non-EEA family members of EEA nationals applying for permanent residence in the UK.
During the week commencing 27 September 2010, the UK Border Agency expects to be considering applications that were received on or before 14 September 2010. This timescale is only a guideline, and some cases may take longer to consider.
During the week commencing 27 September 2010, the UK Border Agency expects to be considering applications that were received on or before 14 September 2010. This timescale is only a guideline, and some cases may take longer to consider.
The standard for applications made inside the UK under an employment route, of which Tier 2 (General) is a part, are decided within four weeks (75%).
The UK Border Agency has today announced proposals to increase immigration and nationality application fees for all those applying to visit, study, work or stay in the UK from autumn 2010.
During the week commencing 30 August 2010, the UK Border Agency expects to be considering applications that were received on or before 12 August 2010. This timescale is only a guideline, and some cases may take longer to consider.
The UK Border Agency has announced its intention to abolish the 'certificate of approval' scheme. A Remedial Order under the Human Rights Act 1998 has been laid in Parliament to achieve this aim.
Following several enquiries, we wish to confirm that the Statement of Changes HC59 published on 28 June 2010 and the Statement of Changes HC96 published on 15 July 2010 do not foresee the introduction of an English test for dependants of PBS applicants.
From 1 September 2010, the UK Border Agency will introduce a fee of £100 to reconsider applications for naturalisation and British citizenship that have been refused.
The UK Border Agency has published a new guidance for the interim limit on Tier 2 (General) certificates of sponsorship, which comes into effect today.
The sponsor guidance clearly states what information should be contained in the job advertisements in order to meet the criteria set by the UKBA. One of the requirements is "an indication of the salary package or salary range or terms on offer" for a particular vacancy a UK sponsor is trying to fill.
Following the UKBA's announcement regarding the increase of the minimum threshold for Tier 1 (General) applicants we have received a number of enquires requesting further clarifications.
The Court of Appeal has issued today a landslide judgement with important ramifications to be followed shortly on the UK Border Agency's website particularly for Tier 1 PBS applicants who have failed to meet or are now falling short of the maintenance requirement under Appendix C.
UKBA Visa Service website has been updated to include the visa processing times for May 2010. The information available shows average processing times for all out of country UK visa applications based on recent visa processing performance.
The UK Border Agency has announced today the introduction of compulsory English language tests for non-European migrants applying to come and join or marry their settled partner in the UK.
UK companies wishing to employ foreign workers need to comply with the 2006 legislation relating to the sponsoring of foreign migrants subsequently implemented under the Tier 2 Scheme. There are civil and criminal penalties for failing to comply with the duties and obligations of a sponsor registered with the UK Border Agency or for employing illegal migrants. However, private individuals who have migrated to the UK or who are in the process of applying for a UK visa, may also be subject to severe penalties including lengthy bans from the UK.
A8 and A2 nationals can apply for a registration certificate only after having completed 12 months of continuous employment in the UK. A8 countries will need to apply under the Worker Registration Scheme unless they are exempt as in the case of self-employed workers. The UK Government has decided in 2009 that nationals of A8 countries will continue to be subject to restrictions for a period of 7 years from the date of accession.
During the week commencing 31 May 2010, the UK Border Agency expects to be considering applications that were received on or before 13 May 2010. This timescale is a guideline only, and some cases may take longer to consider.
During the week commencing 24 May 2010, the UK Border Agency expects to be considering applications that were received on or before 10 May 2010. This timescale is a guideline only, and some cases may take longer to consider.
In light of the several enquiries received from employers as well as employees facing difficulty in establishing which changes to the terms and conditions of migrant's employment constitute change of employment we have prepared brief summary.
Care assistants and chefs have been placed at the centre of the immigration debate as they are often used as an easy target to blame for the rising number of low skilled migrants coming to the UK.
During the week commencing 17 May 2010, the UK Border Agency expects to be considering applications that were received on or before 4 May 2010. This timescale is a guideline only, and some cases may take longer to consider.
During the week commencing 3 May 2010, the UK Border Agency expects to be considering applications that were received on or before 17 April 2010. This timescale is a guideline only, and some cases may take longer to consider.
During the week commencing 26 April 2010, the UK Border Agency expects to be considering applications that were received on or before 5 April 2010. This timescale is a guideline only, and some cases may take longer to consider.
In light of the many enquiries received this and last week, we wish to confirm that the immigration rules have been changed to lower the age for marriage visas ONLY for serving members of the armed forces and their partners. The marriage visa age remains 21 for all other British citizens or settled partners and their families.
During the week commencing 19 April 2010, the UK Border Agency expects to be considering applications that were received on or before 1 April 2010. This timescale is a guideline only, and some cases may take longer to consider.
Most entry clearance applications will need to be submitted online by clicking on the following http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx, however there is still an option to complete the printed version of the forms.
As of 6 April 2010, the UK Border Agency has implemented new Rules in connection with the Tier 2 Scheme, in particular the Intra Company Transfer (ICT).
Following the recent acceptance of the Migration Advisory Committee (“MAC”) recommendations the UK immigration authorities will implement fundamental changes to the Tier 1 General Rules.
We are seeking further clarification from the EEA team at the Home Office in connection with the uphill struggle faced by many family members of EEA nationals who following a divorce seek to remain in the UK and retain their right of residence.
To find out our most recent visa application processing times for the country from which you are applying, you should click on the following link http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/processingtimes
Applicants for UK visas valid for longer than six months in certain countries now require a certificate to show that they are free from infectious pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).
If you have spent five years in the UK exercising EEA rights, there is be no need for you to apply for permanent residence with an EEA 3 form which might take up to 6 months
The Public Enquiry Office (PEO) in Croydon has relaxed the same day appointment policy exclusively for applicants who wish to transfer their Indefinite or Further Leave to Remain stamps to a new passport.
Migrants are categorically not allowed to claim public funds unless otherwise stated in the endorsement/visa to be found in their passports granting them leave to enter or remain in the UK.
We are delighted to announce that we have now moved to our new office in the heart of Mayfair. We hope this new location will make the journey more convenient for old and new clients alike!
It is essential to be aware that some foreign migrants who are living in the UK have to register with the police and obtain a Police Registration Certificate within one week from arrival in the UK.
There is still some confusion which regards to who is eligible to apply as the dependant of a British Citizen or someone settled in the UK under section 6(2) of the 1981 British Nationality Act.
Once you have acquired permanent residence or settled status in the UK, you become free from immigration control. However, you will still need to apply for a Schengen visa when travelling to continental Europe. This is due to the fact that the United Kingdom is not yet part of the Schengen area.
There can’t be many who haven’t seen the TV news reports from France showing images of people from various parts of the world sitting in makeshift camps near Calais whilst waiting for their chance to get into Britain.
A large proportion of British people are under the impression that all immigrants automatically receive handouts as soon as they arrive; this is not the case, but again, media reports tend to focus on stories about those who come here wanting something for nothing, leaving genuine immigrants to be viewed with suspicion.
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