News

The Home Office has been working to develop a new scheme which allows resident EU citizens and their family members to obtain the UK immigration status they will need in order to remain here permanently. The EU Settlement Scheme will be fully open by 30 March next year. EU citizens…

So far this year, 2018 has seen some excellent immigration success. By meeting their immigration needs, Permits2Work have received high praise from several satisfied clients. Here are just some of the words chosen by clients to describe the service they have received from Permits2Work so far this year. “They were…

For EU citizens wanting to continue living in the UK after the UK leaves the EU, you will need to apply for ‘settled status’ through the EU Settlement Scheme. The scheme will open fully by 30 March 2019 however your rights will not change until 2021 so there is no…

As Brexit negotiations continue, this is the latest information on the status of EU citizens in the UK and how you are affected. You may have seen this week that the UK and the EU have now reached an agreement on what happens during the period immediately after Brexit, known…

Legislation was laid in Parliament earlier this week, (16 March) which sets out a number of changes to immigration, visa and nationality fees. These changes will come into effect on 6 April 2018. Careful consideration is given to individual fees to help reduce the funding contribution from UK taxpayers, whilst…

If using the Nationality document return service, it is possible for you to apply for your British passport at the same time. The Nationality document return service allows you to keep your documents while your online application for British Citizenship is being processed. You can apply for your British passport…

When the UK leaves the European Union, the rights of EU citizens will be written into UK law. It has been agreed with the European Commission that a new settled status scheme will be introduced under UK law for EU citizens and their family members, covered by the Withdrawal Agreement….

Legislation was laid in Parliament on 7 December 2017, which sets out a number of changes to the immigration rules. These will come into effect from 28 December 2017, with most of the changes taking effect on 11 January 2018. Digital permissions The Home Office continue to improve and modernise…

The number of visas will double for individuals in technology, science, art and creative industries. This is part of an of an ongoing commitment to encourage talented people from across the globe and in recognition of the importance of these innovative industries in the UK. Therefore, the number of visas…

Yesterday, 7th November 2017, the Government set out further details of how the new settled status scheme for EU citizens and their family members will operate as the UK leaves the EU. In a technical document sent to the European Commission as part of the negotiations, the Government reiterates how…

UK Visas and Immigration offer an optional visa Priority service which allows applicants to have their visa applications placed at the front of the queue. Depending on the location of the application centre, they aim to process non-settlement applications within 5-10 working days and settlement applications are placed at the…

A new, updated guidance has recently been published by the Home Office, for employers to follow when conducting Right to Work checks. This guidance replaces the previous guidance, however it is important to look up the relevant guidance at the time of the applicant’s start date. It is a legal…

The proposed changes to the immigration rules after Brexit have recently been leaked in a Home Office paper. The 82-page document outlines the Governments intentions to end free movement and introduce a new immigration system. The proposed immigration rules aim to control the volume of both temporary and permanent migration…

On 26th June, the Government published a paper outlining their proposal for EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals in the EU. The key principles outlined in the governments publication include the following proposed measures: EU citizens who have lived in the UK continuously for 5 years can…

Legislation was laid in Parliament today which sets out a number of updates to immigration, visa and nationality fees. The changes which come into effect on 6 April 2017 will help to reduce the contribution from taxpayers, whilst continuing to provide a competitive service that remains attractive to our customers. The…

There have been a number of changes to the Immigration Laws implemented this year, coming into effect after 6th April 2017. If you are preparing an immigration visa application that will be submitted after this date, it may be worth your time to call us on 01793 836010 to see…

The anticipated Immigration Skills Charge is expected to come into force 6th April 2017. From this date, employers who are sponsoring workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) will be required to pay the charge which is £1000 per year, or £364 per year for small and charitable businesses….

Brexit has been a major news topic ever since the referendum back in June 2016, and as a result has brought up many questions surrounding immigration. In particular, for EEA nationals who are already living and working in the UK, this can be a worrying time. The following 3 options…

New Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016 have been laid before Parliament, coming into force from 1st February 2017. The Immigration EEA Regulations 2016 outline the rights of EEA nationals and their families to live in the UK, as well as deal with applications for Registration Certificates, Residence Cards and…

Earlier this year, the UK government confirmed plans to introduce a new skills charge. As of April 2017, the Immigration Skills Charge will affect all UK employers looking to hire skilled non-EEA nationals. It will cost employers £1000 per employee, per valid visa year. For example, a Tier 2 (General)…

The Further Leave to Remain FLR(O) application form has been withdrawn and has been replaced with two new forms, FLR(HRO) and FLR(IR), with effect from 1st December 2016. The FLR(HRO) form is a paper form to be used for applications for human rights claims, leave outside the rules and other…

Amendments have been made to Section 94B of the 2002 Act which came into effect 1st December 2016. The Immigration Act 2016 extended section 94B to apply to all refusals of human rights claims, not just deportation appeals. This means that the Secretary of State has the power to ‘certify’…

New Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2016 were laid before parliament on 3rd November 2016. One of the major changes included the Surinder Singh route, which came into effect on 25th November 2016. The Surinder Singh route is the route for applying for an EEA family permit as a family member of…

Earlier this year, the government announced their intention to increase the Tribunal fees for immigration and asylum cases. The fees came into force 10th October 2016. The government have since reviewed the fees and decided to reverse the 500% increase. From 25th November 2016, all appellants will instead be charged…

Our very own immigration consultant, Steven Williams was interviewed by BBC Wiltshire radio earlier this month.  The topic of discussion was immigration and why people come to the UK to work from overseas. Steven has been with us since 2007 and has extensive experience dealing with family based applications, citizenship…

From 7th November 2016, a new Priority Change of Circumstances Service was introduced for Tier 2 and 5 sponsors. This new service means that A-rated Tier 2 and Tier 5 sponsors are given the option of paying a fee of £200 for a faster consideration (within 5 working days) of…

Earlier this year, the government announced that changes would be made to the Immigration Rules, following a review undertaken by the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). On 3rd November 2016, the government confirmed these changes, the majority of which will take effect on or after 24th November 2016. The main…

The family and private life applications are now available online as an alternative to the paper forms. You can use the form if you are looking to apply to remain in the UK as the family member or partner (for example, spouse) of a: British citizen Person settled in the…

The government recently published its response to the consultation on proposals to reform the fees charged in the Immigration and Asylum Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal. The response, announced 15th September 2016, confirmed the government’s intention to increase the Tribunal fees for immigration and asylum cases which…

If you wish to apply for British citizenship and have at least 12 months of permanent residence, then you must apply for a permanent residence certificate or card first. This change was introduced on 12th November 2015 by the British Nationality (General) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2015. If an application for…

Access UK is a new digital visa application service for foreign visitors to the UK. The service was introduced to customers in China in 2014 by the Home Office, enabling them to apply for visitor visas online. Following the successful launch, the service has now been made available in over…

On 1st October 2016, the UK Home Office introduced a new service for EEA and Swiss nationals applying for either a registration certificate or permanent residence in the UK. Applicants can apply through their participating local authority where a copy of the passport is sent to the Home Office along…

Nationals of certain countries are required to register with the police if they intend to come to the UK for longer than 6 months, extend their current leave or switch to a different visa. Those who are currently already in the UK will be notified of the requirement by a…

So, the UK population has voted on the EU Referendum, to leave the EU What does this mean for EU nationals  and their families currently residing inside the UK? Until the UK Government invokes Article 50 and triggers the two-year time limit to leave the E.U, our relationship with EU…

People who are allowed to be in the UK have a right to rent and a right to rent check should be made by landlords. If a landlord cannot show the check was made, or are renting to someone who isn’t allowed to stay in the UK, there could be…

On 18 January a new English language requirement was announced for applicants seeking to extend their stay in the UK in family visa categories. Non-EEA national partners and parents in the family routes will be required to pass a speaking and listening test at level A2 to be eligible, after two-and-a…

On the 11 January 2016, the government set out its proposed changes to the fees for visas, immigration and nationality applications and associated premium services for 2016–17. Specific fee changes for 2016–17 will apply after further legislation is laid in Parliament by April this year. The new legislation will set…

Are you worried about getting enough skilled staff to fill your vacancies in 2016? Is a lack of qualified candidates holding your business back? A UK Visa Sponsor license lets you hire skilled workers from all over the world. This makes your pool of candidates larger, and your job easier….

Digital Technology Roles Added to Shortage Occupation List | Permanent Residence Now Required For EEA National Naturalisation | Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Reform Major changes to the Immigration Rules affecting Tiers 1, 2 and 5, EEA nationals sponsoring family members under the Immigration Rules, visitors, applications for Administrative Review and…

The engineering sector has a well documented struggle with a skills shortage. Slightly less well documented are the concerns about the calibre of STEM graduates. According the Engineering UK’s 2015 report, 48% of employers have concerns about the quality of STEM graduates making this more of an issue than the…

The utilities industry in the UK is struggling with a skills shortage at a time when the industry is on the up. Even with the Government’s STEM initiative in schools, not enough students will be through the education system in time to meet the current shortfall. In addition to growing…

Tier 2 is the type of visa required for skilled workers to work in the UK. There are five categories of Tier 2 visa:  • General  • Intra Company Transfers  • Sportsperson  • Minister of Religion  • Shortage Occupations  Even if you have a sponsorship licence already in place, the…

The most recent survey by EngineeringUK reports that almost half of engineering firms felt ‘hard-to-fill’ vacancies were delaying the development of new products and services. At least 45% said they’d experienced increases in operating costs as a direct result of the skills shortage. The resulting loss to the UK economy…

The utilities industry in the UK is struggling with a skills shortage at a time when the industry is on the up. Even with the government’s STEM initiative in schools, not enough students will be through the education system in time to meet the current shortfall. In addition to growing…

Many businesses in the utilities and energy sector are having trouble finding the skills they need. EU Skills research states that the UK’s energy and utility workforce will need to increase by more than 200,000 people by 2023. The Royal Academy of Engineering agrees, publishing that “There is good econometric…

Few sectors have skills shortages as acute as those in the utilities and energy sector. Some estimates, such as those by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, number the shortage at 1.35 million skilled engineering vacancies per year. Numbers like these can seem almost too large to understand, but…

Great news for everyone who is going to apply for long residence visas in the UK. The Home Office now offers a premium service for this visa category! The decision for a long residence visa is normally made on the same day. If you would like to use our services…

There are a number of important Immigration rule changes occurring from the 6th April 2015, which affects the majority of migrants on visas already in the UK and those planning to apply for a visa for the UK. The most significant of the changes are summarised below: The Home Office…

Obtaining a biometric residence permit was a requirement for non-EEA nationals applying for a visa from inside the UK only. However, it is now changing and non-EEA migrants will need to have BRP even if applying from overseas. The Home Office will be implementing these changes for all countries in stages…

You can’t apply for a Tier 1 (General) category visa if you’re outside the UK, and you normally can’t switch to it from other immigration categories. From 6 April 2015 it will be closed to applicants who want to extend their visa. Tier 1 (General) visa holders have the following…

Tier 2 Visa review: The UK authorities have proclaimed a clampdown on fake Tier 2 visa sponsorship’s, which may result in up to 2,500 migrants forced to leave the country. A recent investigation showed that in some occasions migrants have been issued with Tier 2 visas for jobs that don’t…

Changes to Tier 2 visa sponsors: Recent changes to the Tier 2 visa which became effective in November 2014 have placed new Sponsor Licence applications and Tier 2 applications under scrutiny by the Home Office. The major change in regards to Tier 2 is the introduction of a ‘genuineness’ test….