The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has released a consultation outlining Government proposals to increase immigration appeal fees with the aim of making the immigration tribunal entirely self-funded by fees....
In Nayak v Royal Mail Group, the EAT upheld the tribunal’s decision that an employer’s genuine and reasonable belief that an employee was no longer permitted to work in the UK was sufficient to show that he had been dismissed for some other substantial reason (SOSR)....
Employers who hold a Tier 2 sponsor licence can sponsor employees who are from outside of the European Economic Area by assigning a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) to them....
Last year we blogged about the £35,000 earnings threshold for Tier 2 migrants wishing to apply to settle in the UK. This change is due to come into force from 6 April this year and will apply to all non-EEA migrants who came to the UK on a Tier 2 visa after 6 April 2011, unless they have worked in an occupation on the shortage occupation list....
UK Visas and Immigration have confirmed that later this month (or next month in the case of the Isle of Man) there will be a rise in the cost of visa application fees for many migrants wishing to come to the UK....
The Immigration Bill 2016, which is working its way through Parliament, contains a requirement on public authorities to ensure that their workers (including agency workers) who are in customer-facing roles speak fluent English (or Welsh in Wales). Customer-facing roles are described as those which require workers to speak to members of the public (both face to face and on the telephone) as a ‘regular and intrinsic’ part of their role....
Figures released by the Office of National Statistics last week, show that annual net migration to Britain (i.e. the number of individuals immigrating to Britain less those migrating from Britain) was at a figure of 323,000 for the year ending September 2015, 13,000 less than the figure reported three months prior. When compared with figures for 2014, net migration is on the increase, however this drop is the first time the net migration figures have fallen in 2 years. The small drop predominantly arose through a reduction in the amount of non-EU individuals immigrating to Britain....
In October 2015 the Government consulted on proposed changes to the “Conduct Regulations”, which govern the recruitment sector. The response to the consultation was published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) last week and confirms the Government’s intention to proceed with the majority of the proposals within the consultation....
The Government has announced that from 6 April this year Australians and New Zealanders who spend more than 6 months in the UK will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)....
In the immigration team we help people who are applying for many different kinds of visa – from students to skilled workers, visitors to spouses. But what do all visa applications have in common?...
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which advises the government on migration issues, has published areview of Tier 2. ...
Clarkslegal has produced a guide on ‘What to expect for 2016’ which clearly sets out all the forthcoming legislative changes, which we hope you find useful in planning your year ahead. ...
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have recently made changes to the Tier 2 and 5 sponsor guidance published on its website. UKVI already imposes onerous obligations on employers who sponsor employees who are from outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) on Tier 2 visas. ...
The recently published Immigration Bill, coming less than a year after the Immigration Act 2014 took effect, builds on the Conservative Government’s objective to make Britain a more hostile environment for undocumented migrants....
The shocking images of the Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi, washed up on a Turkish beach this week have spawned social media campaigns such as “refugees welcome” and provoked many calls for action....
As of last month, UK passport holders wishing to visit India can apply online for an “e-Tourist visa”. Applications can be made online through the Government of India’s website, which enables applicants to upload documents, pay the fee of $60 (£39) and track their application. Once an application is submitted, visa entry documents should arrive by email within 4 days....
The government is introducing a new requirement for criminal record certificates to be provided as part of the visa application process....
Six Lithuanians are suing Kent-based gangmaster operation DJ Houghton Catching Services in the High Court, for whom it is alleged that they were trafficked from Lithuania to work, in the first ever case of a UK firm being taken to court for modern slavery-related claims. ...
Tier 2 visas are the main route for skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to come to work in the UK....
Last month we blogged about news that the cap on the number of Tier 2 visas for skilled migrant workers was reached for the first time....