As with most areas of life, the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the UK’s immigration system is far-reaching. In this regularly updated blog, we monitor the key developments around immigration, including those that may affect your immigration status or how your visa or citizenship application or appeal is processed. [...]
Our Head of Immigration, Louis MacWilliam, has been featured in the Yorkshire Post giving his view on what post-Brexit migration rules might look like for the hospitality and care home sector. In the article, Louis looks at recent figures published which show a continuing and steady decline in the rate [...]
On Tuesday 3rd March, our Head of Immigration, Louis MacWilliam, was invited along to Leeds University to give a talk to their international students about work-based visas after they graduate. The talk was part of the University Global Careers Month. Louis spoke to the students at length about their various [...]
Earlier this month, following the announcement of a proposed 'points based' immigration system after Brexit, our immigration solicitor, Louis MacWilliam was interviewed on BBC Look North giving his views on the proposals. Under the new system, low-skilled workers will not receive visas and the Home Office said EU and non-EU [...]
Today, the government introduced a policy statement outlining how the UK’s immigration policy will take shape from 2021. Today’s Daily Mail ran the headline ‘Immigration Revolution’, with the sub-headings ‘Migrants must have job paying at least £25,600, qualifications, and speak English ++Pay annual fee to NHS ++No benefits for 5 [...]
I have been advising clients on immigration matters for over 11 years, first as an accredited immigration caseworker and later as an immigration solicitor. In that time, I have dealt with many clients who have suffered terribly due to the actions (or inactions) of a previous immigration advisor. Often a [...]
In a welcome development, restaurants can now hire skilled chefs from overseas under a Tier 2 sponsor licence. This important change could alleviate the chronic shortage in chefs causing many restaurants to close down. The shortage is particularly acute for curry houses, hence the recent changes being called a ‘Vindaloo [...]
Helping people with spouse or ‘Partner’ applications is often the most rewarding work I do, as I get to play a role in bringing loved ones together. Unfortunately, applicants and sponsors normally find these applications highly stressful. Before I go further, let me get the definitions out of the way. [...]
Religious organisations, whether churches, mosques, synagogues or Buddhist, Hindu or Sikh temples, have for a long time had a unique set of immigration rules imposed on them which dictates who can work, and even volunteer, for them. This article provides a current overview of the key immigration policies which affect [...]
The EU Settlement Scheme has been open to the public since 29 March 2019 yet Polish people have been particularly slow to register. Here, I consider why this is and why this could become a problem. Recent figures show that over 1 million individuals have applied to register on the [...]
