News: Immigration Insights

Changes made to the Exceptional Talent visa category have come into effect (10th January) meaning that Architects who can demonstrate that they are either already renowned in their field of work or that they are ‘up and coming” are now similarly eligible to apply under this route as those working in digital technology, science, engineering, […]

The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, has today written to the Migration Advisory Committee for their input in a much-needed review into the composition of the current Shortage Occupation List. The existing system is advantageous for UK employers as it exempts them from the need to advertise “shortage” positions through the resident labour market test and […]

The Home Office’s latest Statement of Changes issued earlier this month detailed several changes to the current immigration rules. As it has been widely reported in the press, doctors and nurses have now been removed from the annual cap on Tier 2 General visas for skilled non-EEA workers. Other amendments come into effect on 6 […]

The latest publication from the Office of National Statistics shows quarterly and annual data relating to those coming to the UK; extending their stay; obtaining nationality; and arriving to work, study or for family reasons. All statistics presented are taken for the year ending March 2018. Arrivals Based on information gained on airport passenger surveys, 137.9 […]

The government had announced the immigration health surcharge paid by temporary migrants to the UK is set to double, possibly by late 2018. Ministers have claimed the move would raise around £220m a year for the health service while ensuring that migrants made a “fair contribution” towards its costs. The increase to the immigration health […]

Employers wishing to sponsor non-EEA nationals under Tier 2 (General) should be aware that there is no guarantee that an application for a restricted Certificate of Sponsorship will be successful as there is a real risk that the cap will be reached again, particularly in February and March 2018. Restricted CoS allocations The final quarter […]

Historically, when considering applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) calculated absences from the UK for each 12-month period, prior to the date of application. Applications for settlement based on five years continuous stay in the UK previously needed to evidence fewer than 180 days’ absence in any of the […]