Важные судебные решения и новости для иммигрантов

[British Lawyer]

12 October 2018 – Just useful and just interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> UK Government Update: statement by Caroline Nokes MP on the Immigration Health Surcharge increase: <noindex>https://www.parliament.uk/business/publicat...-10-11/HCWS995/</noindex>

 

The NHS surcharge fee will double. Students and those under the Youth Mobility Scheme will pay £300 (previously £150) per years, while anyone else will be paying £400 (previously £200) per year.

 

These changes do not affect permanent residents, who are not required to pay the IHS. Certain vulnerable groups such as asylum seekers and modern slavery victims are exempt from paying the IHS. Short-term migrants (including those on visitor visas) and those without permission to be in the UK are generally charged for secondary care treatment by the NHS at the point of access.

 

>>> New service from the UK BA beginning in November 2018

 

From the UK BA email:

 

“From next month, UK Visas and Immigration is introducing new, streamlined services, allowing customers in the UK to submit all necessary evidence and personal information to support their application quickly and securely through a joined up journey.

 

The new services will offer a range of benefits to customers, including:

 

• A streamlined online journey for most application types, with an intuitive easy-to-use form making it easier to apply and the option to purchase additional services for convenience or speed;

• A modernised, digital and more secure process to submit key evidence and personal information, with most customers able to retain their passports and other valuable evidence rather than sending them separately to UKVI;

• Fast and convenient self service with the ability to make applications and upload evidence from home;

• More flexible on-demand, mobile application services, for example at university campuses, employers’ offices or individual customers’ homes;

• Enhanced support for vulnerable customers through a range of financial support for travel costs and mobile services.

 

UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service

 

The vast majority of customers will complete their applications via the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UK VCAS), delivered by our commercial partner Sopra Steria. Appointments will be available for free in centres located in 6 major cities; with an additional 50 local user-pay service centres located in libraries; and a user-pay premium service point in central London.

 

These centres will open around the country from 5th November to early December 2018. During this period, the majority of customers can choose whether to enrol their biometrics and submit their evidence via these new centres or use the existing processes, such as the Post Office.

 

UKVI Service and Support Centres

For other customers who may be in positions of vulnerability or need more face to face help with their application, free appointments will be offered in 7 dedicated Service and Support Centres (SSCs) from January 2019. This will enable experienced UKVI staff to better understand the customer’s circumstances, validate evidence, and take appropriate action to support them. These customers will continue to use the existing process until January.

 

Application forms and GOV.UK

 

Customers will be intuitively led through an online application process, making it clear what they need to do, what supporting evidence they should provide and where they need to go to complete their application.

UKVI’s ambition is to offer a modern, world class customer service to all customers. As such, most visa and immigration services are now available online to customers in the UK via GOV.UK.

 

Over the next few months the majority of paper forms will be withdrawn and most UK-based customers will need to apply via GOV.UK online.

 

Support is available to help customers to complete their application online. The Assisted Digital Service aims to ensure that nobody is excluded from making an immigration application due to lack of digital skills or access to a computer. Eligible customers are offered telephone support, or face to face support at a library or their home, to help them access and complete the online form. This service does not provide immigration advice.

 

We will be in touch later on this month with full details of when every site will open and the process to be followed.

For any questions relating to these new services, please contact [email protected] Premium Sponsors should contact their licence manager.

UKVI and Sopra Steria look forward to working with you to deliver an improved customer service and application process from next month.

 

Regards,

UK Visas and Immigration.”

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1534: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...11-october-2018</noindex>

 

The Government has laid out a statement of changes to the Immigration Rules, and an explanatory memorandum.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme pilot: applicant eligibility: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-settlement-s...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

A new phase of the EU Settlement Scheme pilot will open on 1 November 2018 and will run until 21 December 2018.

[British Lawyer]

12 October 2018 – Just useful and just interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> New statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1534 – An in-depth review of the changes

 

There is some very welcome news, including more flexibility given to caseworkers on whether and when they can write to applicants to ask for missing documents. (Whether they will in practice or still refuse for minor mistakes is another matter.) In addition, the Home Office will no longer insist on seeing original documents: copies may be provided. So far, all in line with the Secretary of State’s plan to “introduce an immigration system that allows staff greater freedom to use their common sense”.

 

Except where otherwise indicated, these changes will come into force on 5 November, although the statement of changes does not specify whether it is for applications submitted after 5 November, or decided after 5 November.

 

Making a valid application, fee waivers and passports

 

Paragraph 34 of the Rules, which deals with valid and invalid immigration applications in the UK, is amended to reflect the introduction of a new in-country application process from next month. The bottom line is they are trying to go digital — see the explanatory memorandum here: <noindex>https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/go...-accessible.pdf</noindex> - says “the ambition is that most applicants will apply online” — and most people will be able to keep their original documents. Accordingly:

 

• applicants will no longer need to submit passport-size photographs. This has probably been a redundant requirement for some time, given that applicants are already required to enrol their biometric information, which includes a photograph, as part of their application.

• paper forms can only be used if submitting the application by post. Those who will want to use the Premium Service Centre, or its future equivalent – see <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sopra-st...w-ukvi-contract</noindex> - will need to apply online.

 

If certain (minor) issues arise during the application process, then:

 

• where an applicant has not submitted a “valid” application, the Secretary of State may give them an opportunity to rectify the mistake within a specified timescale. It used to be that they could only give 10 working days, but they now have discretion to give more time – or less – it still needs to be confirmed

• the Secretary of State now has discretion to consider an invalid application as valid, provided the specified fee was paid and proof of identity submitted (or, if not submitted, one of the exceptions to submit a proof of identity apply – see paragraph 34(5)). For example, if an applicant were to submit the wrong form, or submit an incomplete form, the Secretary of State could still consider the application as if it had been submitted on the right form.

• the Secretary of State will return an applicant’s ID while the application is outstanding, unless he “considers it necessary to retain it”. This is welcome news. Not having a passport can be problematic: it is needed to give notice of an intention to marry or sit the English language / Life in the UK tests. However, leaving the UK while an application is pending will still result in the application being treated as withdrawn

• those who want to apply for a fee waiver can apply online. They will need to make the fee waiver application first. Once that has been considered and they have received a decision by the Home Office, they will then need to make the application for leave to remain within 10 days. As long as the application for leave to remain is made within those 10 days, the date of the application will be the date of the fee waiver, therefore protecting those who make fee waiver applications on time from becoming overstayers.

 

These changes will take effect on 1 November, and will apply to applications made on or after that date.

More flexibility and copies of documents

 

Changes to part 6A of the Rules, relating to Point Based System migrants, also offer more flexibility. For example, officials can decide to:

 

• request an applicant to submit specified evidence which they have left out entirely. As the Rules are currently drafted, they could only do so if “some of the documents within a sequence have been omitted (for example, if one page from a bank statement is missing) and the documents marking the beginning and end of that sequence have been provided”.

• request more evidence as many times as they wish (the Rules currently specify that a request for documents will only be made once)

• grant an application even if a specified document is omitted or submitted in the wrong format, if the missing information is verifiable from other documents provided in the application or elsewhere.

 

Documents will not be requested when even if they were provided, the application would still fall to be refused.

 

These are the good news for the applicants who are worried about having missed any one document in circumstances where it is clear from the rest of the application that the Rules are met. Of course, caseworkers are not obliged to request missing documents (the Rules say “may”, not “must”), but it is hoped discretion will be used whenever applications would otherwise clearly meet the rules.

 

Another positive development is being able to submit copies of documents rather than originals. These changes are made throughout the Rules, where all references to “original” (as far as it can be seen now) were deleted and/or replaced with “copies”. This can save applicants money and administrative nightmares.

 

The Legal Centre has been pioneering this approach for over a decade, long before the UK BA decided to “repeat” the firm’s experience. For example, the Legal Centre’s client and the sponsor (spouse) can simply upload their documents into a shared Dropbox folder, and the application can be printed out by either one to submit to the relevant body (the Visa Application Centre in the applicant’s country or Sheffield (for the Settlement applications in certain countries).

EU Settlement Scheme

 

Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme include:

 

• changes to reflect the second trial phase of the scheme, which will run from 1 November to 21 December 2018. Details of who will be eligible to apply during this second phase are at pages three to six of the statement of changes and summarised here: <noindex>https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2018/10...scheme-phase-2/</noindex> They include staff in the higher education, health and social sectors across the UK, and “vulnerable individuals” supported by specific local authorities and community groups.

• the introduction of a right to administrative review. This will be available to those whose settled status application is refused on the basis that they do not meet the eligibility requirement and those who are granted limited (pre-settled) rather than indefinite (settled) leave to remain. Those refused on the basis of suitability or those whose application is rejected as invalid will not have a right to administrative review. They are better than typical administrative reviews:

 

o the application can be made from outside or inside the UK, and it will not be considered withdrawn if an applicant leaves the UK while the administrative review is pending

o the deadline to apply is 28 days after receipt of the refusal (normally the deadline is 14 days for people applying from inside the UK, and 28 if they are applying from abroad)

o the reviewer can take into consideration documents submitted in support of the administrative review which were not available to the decision-maker at the time of the decision (this can only be done in rare circumstances for other administrative reviews) and can even take themselves the initiative to request further documents to an applicant

• amendments are made to align the rights of “Surinder Singh” family members to the family members of EU citizens.

 

These changes come into place on 1 November.

 

Other changes

 

The list of subjects which require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate is updated. The majority of the changes seem to reflect a technical change of name by the Higher Education Statistics Authority rather than a change in the subjects. These changes will take effect on 1 January 2019 for decisions made on or after that date.

 

Appendix KOLL now specifies the evidence that applicants must provide if they want a medical exemption from the requirement to pass the English language or the Life in the UK tests. People must provide a copy of the form published on gov.uk for this purpose, which can be found here: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...ental-condition</noindex> - completed by a doctor who is either:

 

a. the applicant’s GP or a GP based in the practice with which the applicant is normally registered; or

b. a General Medical Council (GMC) registered consultant

 

This doctor must have “met with the applicant in person, assessed their ability to fulfill the requirements set out in this appendix, and supports their request for an exception from either or both elements of KOLL on the basis that they have a condition which would prevent them from satisfying the requirements for the foreseeable future”.

[British Lawyer]

16 October 2018 – Just useful and just interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> A successful Judicial Review may, unfortunately, break down the continued residence

 

This is because a judicial review does not extend the leave under the Section 3C. The UK BA may, therefore, consider the applicant’s continuous lawful residence under Long Residence as broken.

 

>>> Losing a Tier 2 sponsorship while applying for ILR

 

If one applies for ILR on the basis of competing a 5 year employment period and then the current employer withdraws/loses the Certificate of Sponsorship, any new employer of that Tier 2 migrant will need to apply for a new certificate of sponsorship on the basis of para 14 of the court of appeal judgement in QI ( PAKISTAN ): <noindex>https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2011/614.html</noindex>

[British Lawyer]

17 October 2018 – Just useful and just interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

 

>>> UKVI forms: Application to transfer UK visa to new passport: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

The form to apply to transfer a visa to a new passport if you have not travelled to the UK yet has been updated.

 

>> Upper Tribunal tackles the law on the parent/child relationship: <noindex>https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKUT/IAC/2018/334.html</noindex>

 

In SR (subsisting parental relationship – s117B(6)) Pakistan 2018 UKUT 3345 (IAC), the Upper Tribunal examines the various pieces of law relevant to deciding whether someone who has a child in the UK should be allowed to stay here.

 

The case is helpful for two reasons:

 

1. The Home Office’s approach to section 117B(6) in its new guidance, published in February 2018 and discussed on this blog by Nath shortly afterwards, is firmly rejected

2. The tribunal provides a useful summary of the law on evaluating the parent/child relationship

 

The official headnote:

 

1. If a parent (‘P’) is unable to demonstrate he / she has been taking an active role in a child’s upbringing for the purposes of E-LTRPT.2.4 of the Immigration Rules, P may still be able to demonstrate a genuine and subsisting parental relationship with a qualifying child for the purposes of section 117B(6) of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (‘the 2002 Act’). The determination of both matters turns on the particular facts of the case.

 

2. The question of whether it would not be reasonable to expect a child to leave the United Kingdom (‘UK’) in section 117B(6) of the 2002 Act does not necessarily require a consideration of whether the child will in fact or practice leave the UK. Rather, it poses a straightforward question: would it be reasonable “to expect” the child to leave the UK?

 

>>> New asylum policy on non-Dublin third country cases: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...d-country-cases</noindex>

 

The Home Office has published a new policy document entitled Inadmissibility: EU grants of asylum, first country of asylum and safe third country concepts, all about non-Dublin third country cases. It covers Immigration Rules 345A-D on asylum claims where the claimant has:

 

1. Already been granted protection in another EU country (rule 345A)

2. Already been granted protection in a non-EU country which is considered safe (rule 345B)

3. A “sufficient degree of connection” to a non-EU safe country to be removed there (rule 345C and 345D)

There are few if any such cases really, so the time spent writing the policy was no doubt time “well” spent.

 

>>> Tribunal to make its own decisions on trafficking cases: <noindex>https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKUT/IAC/2018/335.html</noindex>

 

In ES (s82 NIA 2002, Negative NRM) [2018] UKUT 335 (IAC) a victim of trafficking from Albania had been assessed by the Home Office not to be a victim of trafficking under the National Referral Mechanism. Previous cases have held that the tribunal is effectively fixed with the NRM trafficking decision. Not so, finds Judge Nadine Finch.

 

Not only does Judge Finch distinguish earlier Court of Appeal authority but she also disagrees with the earlier determination of Judge Gill in AUJ (Trafficking – no conclusive grounds decision) Bangladesh [2018] UKUT 200 (IAC), commenting that the relevant finding was obiter and not part of the official headnote.

 

The official headnote to ES:

 

1. Following the amendment to s 82 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (‘the 2002 Act’), effective from 20 October 2014, a previous decision made by the Competent Authority within the National Referral Mechanism (made on the balance of probabilities) is not of primary relevance to the determination of an asylum appeal, despite the decisions of the Court of Appeal in AS (Afghanistan) v SSHD [2013] EWCA Civ 1469 and SSHD v MS (Pakistan) [2018] EWCA Civ 594.

2. The correct approach to determining whether a person claiming to be a victim of trafficking is entitled to asylum is to consider all the evidence in the round as at the date of hearing, applying the lower standard of proof.

3. Since 20 October 2014, there is also no right of appeal on the basis that a decision is not in accordance with the law and the grounds of appeal are limited to those set out in the amended s 82 of the 2002 Act.

 

Also, some interesting discussion in the determination of assessing vulnerability of a witness and then how to deal with that witness’s evidence. Good to see a realistic and humane approach being adopted by the UK BA Presenting Officer.

[British Lawyer]

18 October 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and up-dates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> Tribunal President says bus drivers and brain surgeons to be treated the same: <noindex>https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKUT/IAC/2018/336.html</noindex>

 

Thakrar (Cart JR; Art 8: value to community) [2018] UKUT 336 (IAC) is a rare example of a case where permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal was only granted by a High Court judge after a Cart judicial review of the Upper Tribunal. To put it another way, the Upper Tribunal did not think there was merit in the case but was forced to hear it anyway by a High Court judge.

 

The head-note:

 

(1) The fact that an application for permission to appeal involves the assertion that a per-son’s removal from the United Kingdom would violate his or her human rights does not, without more, engage that part of the second appeal criteria, which allows permission to appeal (or permission for a ‘Cart’ judicial review) to be granted, on the basis that removal constitutes a ‘compelling reason’ for the appeal to be heard. If the position were otherwise, the second appeal criteria would lose their function as a restriction on the power to grant per-mission to appeal in immigration cases.

(2) Before concluding that submissions regarding the positive contribution made by an individual fall to be taken into account, for the purposes of Article 8(2) of the ECHR, as diminishing the importance to be given to immigration controls, a judge must be satisfied that the contribution is very significant. In practice, this is likely to arise only where the matter is one over which there can be no real disagreement. One touchstone for determining this is to ask whether the removal of the person concerned would lead to an irreplaceable loss to the community of the United Kingdom or to a significant element of it.

(3) The fact that a person makes a substantial contribution to the United Kingdom economy cannot, without more, constitute a factor that diminishes the importance to be given to immigration controls, when determining the Article 8 position of that person or a member of his or her family.

(4) If judicial restraint is not properly maintained in this area, there is a danger that the public’s perception of human rights law will be significantly damaged.”

[British Lawyer]

20 October 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and up-dates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> Is completion of a 10 year lawful residence route possible with a visitor visa ?

 

Technically, yes, that is possible. However, visitors applying for ILR or another category may be refused under 322(7) because of V 4.2 (a) & ©, unless there was a strong change of circumstances.

 

>>> UK Students – what work you CAN NOT do: <noindex>https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advi...work-can-you-do</noindex> and the in-depth information here, too: <noindex>https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/blog/6257/A-working-definition</noindex>

 

>>> Court of Appeal says statelessness must be proved on balance of probabilities: <noindex>https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2018/2234.html</noindex>

 

In AS (Guinea) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] EWCA Civ 2234, the Court of Appeal has in effect rebuffed an attempt by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to make it easier to establish statelessness. The court ruled that the standard of proof for determining a statelessness application is the normal civil standard, i.e. the balance of probabilities.

 

The appellant had argued that the “real risk” standard of proof, which is used for determining refugee status, should be applied. That lower standard is recommended by the UNHCR in a 2014 handbook on how to apply the 1954 Statelessness Convention. Instead, the Court of Appeal chose to follow a line of domestic authority supporting the use of the ordinary civil standard and noted that, of the states which are party to the Convention, only six use a standard of proof below the balance of probabilities.

 

>>> High Court upholds Home Secretary’s decision to cancel passports of British citizens: <noindex>https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2018/2651.html</noindex>

 

An important decision by the UK High Court that demonstrates that possession of a British passport is precarious. Having a passport is a privilege, not a right, and the Home Secretary can exercise his power under the royal prerogative to cancel a passport if he thinks it is in the public interest.

 

>>> UKVI form triple update: Application for a replacement biometric residence permit: BRP(RC); Application to transfer indefinite leave to remain in UK: NTL; Application to transfer visa to biometric residence permit: TOC

The forms have been now updated.

[British Lawyer]

22 October 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> Wanted: 40 immigration judges, salary £100,000+

 

The link: <noindex>https://www.judicialappointments.gov.uk/vacancies/109</noindex>

 

The Judicial Appointments Commission is advertising for 41 new salaried judges to fill vacancies in the immigration and asylum chamber of the First-tier Tribunal. The salary is an attractive £108,171 (slightly more in London).

The scale of this recruitment drive is unprecedented in recent times. The last set of salaried appointments in January 2018 saw 11 judges appointed, with a handful more confirmed the following month.

 

These piecemeal additions have obviously been insufficient to address a growing shortage. In 2005 there were 152 salaried judges sitting in the tribunal’s immigration and asylum chamber, according to its President, Michael Clements. By last year, that was down to just 57. A report by Justice earlier this year found that “morale among First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) judges is not as it should be”.

 

>>> Home Office CAN speak to your persecutor without asking you: <noindex>https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKUT/IAC/2018/337.html</noindex>

 

So says the Upper Tribunal in PA (Protection claim, Respondent’s enquiries, Bias) [2018] UKUT 337 (IAC); at least if your confidentiality is preserved.

 

Officials checked Bangladeshi police records for evidence of persecution PA, a Bangladeshi national, claimed asylum in April 2016 on the basis that he was an active member of the Bangladesh National Party. He had entered the UK in 2012 and was placed on reporting conditions in January 2013; the reason for the late asylum claim is not explained. In support of his claim the appellant had provided First Information Reports (FIRs) and charge sheets, issued by the police in Sylhet at the behest of his political opponents.

 

With a zeal that is not seen in countries where false documents are not so readily available, the Home Office conducted a document verification exercise and produced a report. A member of staff from the British High Commission visited the police station and asked to verify the FIRs and the charge sheets. In a move that seems strange to us in the age of GPDR, the officer in charge looked in the register and after not locating the documents relating to PA happily allowed the High Commission official to have a look through the records himself. The official could not locate the original documents either.

 

The Home Office unsurprisingly found the documents to be false and refused the applicant’s claim for asylum. The First-tier Tribunal agreed.

 

The Upper Tribunal granted permission to appeal on three grounds. It may be worth reading the whole determinate to appreciate the scope of the Home Office’s “zeal” in certain cases.

 

The official headnote:

 

1. Respondent’s inquiries in country of origin of applicant for international protection

(1) There is no general legal requirement on the Secretary of State to obtain the consent of an applicant for international protection before making an inquiry about the applicant in the applicant’s country of origin. The decision in VT (Article 22 Procedures Directive – confidentiality) Sri Lanka [2017] UKUT 368 (IAC) is not to be read as holding to the contrary.

(2) The United Kingdom’s actual legal obligations in this area are contained in Article 22 of the Procedures Directive (2005/85/EC), as given effect in paragraph 339IA of the Immigration Rules. So far as obtaining information is concerned, these provisions prohibit making such an inquiry in a manner that would result in alleged actors of persecution being directly informed of the fact that that an application for international protection has been made, which would jeopardise the applicant’s (or his family’s) physical integrity, liberty or security.

(3) If information is obtained in a way that has such an effect, the fact that the applicant may have given consent will not affect the fact that there is a breach of Article 22.

2. Allegations of judicial bias

(1) An allegation of bias against a judge is a serious matter and the appellate court or tribunal will expect all proper steps to be taken by the person making it, in the light of a response from the judge.

(2) The views of an appellant who cannot speak English and who has had no prior experience of an appeal hearing are unlikely to be of assistance, insofar as they concern verbal exchanges between the judge and representatives at the hearing of the appeal. In particular, the fact that the judge had more questions for the appellant’s counsel than for the respondent’s presenting officer has no bearing on whether the judge was biased against the appellant.

(3) It is wholly inappropriate for an official interpreter to have his or her private conversations with an appellant put forward as evidence.

(4) As a general matter, if Counsel concludes during a hearing that a judge is behaving in an inappropriate manner, Counsel has a duty to raise this with the judge.

(5) Although each case will turn on its own facts, an appellate court or tribunal may have regard to the fact that a complaint of this kind was not made at the hearing or, at least, before receipt of the judge’s decision.

(6) Allegations relating to what occurred at a hearing would be resolved far more easily if hearings in the First-tier Tribunal were officially recorded.

 

 

[British Lawyer]

23 October 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme: evidence of UK residence: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-settlement-s...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

How to provide evidence that you’ve been living here if we can’t confirm this through an automated check of UK tax and benefits records.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Correcting an incorrect endorsement: ECB19: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

Information and guidance on handling visa applications made outside the UK.

 

Added information about the time limit for raising errors. Removed information about the address to send passports to, the information is no longer valid.

[British Lawyer]

26 October 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> The closure of the UK BA Premium Service Centres and the NEW options to get decisions in 24 hours: <noindex>http://legalcentre.org/files/UK_UK_New_Services_Oct_2018.pdf</noindex>

 

The UK BA Premium Service Centres will close from 30 Nov 2018 so there will be no more same day service appointments the way they were operating before. The new service will be introduced from the 1st November 2018. The services will also include the checking document service for the applicant.

 

Three different options are being introduced:

 

1. Standard service – 8 weeks

2. Premium service – 10 working day

3. Super premium service – 24 hours

 

The fees for the NEW Super Premium Service will be the same as the fees for the OLD Same Day Service: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/.../8-october-2018</noindex>

 

>>> Tier 4 Students, beware – the danger of travelling after your final exam !

 

The UK Immigration Officer at the port of entry can revoke your existing Tier 4 BRP card/visa if you travel outside of the UK following a completion of your course.

 

To avoid this situation the one would be better of extending the current leave (visa) or switching into a different immigration category BEFORE travelling and returning to the UK upon completion of the educational course.

 

>>> The adequate maintenance requirement in the Immigration Rules

 

The Guidance can be found here: <noindex>https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/go..._Annex_1_7A.pdf</noindex>

 

>>> Supreme Court: bad behaviour by parent irrelevant to best interests of children: <noindex>https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKSC/2018/53.html</noindex>

 

The Supreme Court has recently handed down judgment in four linked cases all concerning the best interests of children who themselves face removal from the UK or whose parent faces removal from the UK. The case is likely to be referred to as KO (Nigeria) and Others v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] UKSC 53.

 

The cases concern the new scheme of prescriptive immigration rules introduced by Theresa May as Home Secretary in 2012, bolstered by statutory reinforcement in the Immigration Act 2014. These provisions were intended to reduce judicial discretion. The reality has been a mess of conflicting and confusing decisions.

 

 

 

 

[British Lawyer]

26 October 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

 

>>> Do you owe more than £500 to the NHS ?

If so, then your visa may be refused or even revoked on entry to the UK, under the para 320(22):

 

“320(22) where one or more relevant NHS body has notified the Secretary of State that the person seeking entry or leave to enter has failed to pay a charge or charges with a total value of at least £500 in accordance with the relevant NHS regulations on charges to overseas visitors.”

 

Those who have “regularized” their status in-country and were issued with the 2.5 year BRP

 

>>> Is there a limit on how many times the applicant can vary (change the type) of his outstanding application ?

The answer is “No”.

 

At the same time one should note that it may not be possible to vary an application at the UK BA Premium Service Centres.

 

 

 

[British Lawyer]

29 October 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> Can one make a new spouse (out of country application) whilst they have an appeal pending (in respect of the refusal of an earlier spouse visa – out of country as well) ?

 

The answer is generally “Yes”, on the basis of <noindex>https://web.archive.org/web/20170310053253/...-is-outstanding</noindex>

 

>>> UKVI forms: updated form SU07 to sponsor a visa applicant: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...icant-form-su07</noindex>

 

Form SU07 to sponsor a visa applicant, otherwise known as the 'sponsorship undertaking form', has been updated.

[British Lawyer]

31 October 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> Eighty librarians condemn deal between Home Office and SCL: <noindex>https://www.thebookseller.com/news/library-...ice-deal-797101</noindex>

 

Eighty library professionals have signed an open letter condemning a deal between the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) and UK Visas and Immigration that will see libraries provide biometric visa support services.

>>> Waiver request for the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirement - medical opinion: <noindex>https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/go...aiver_KOLL_.pdf</noindex>

 

This Guidance may be useful to those who cannot meet the KoLL (English language test requirement).

 

>>> Courts foil Home Office attempt to hamstring Surinder Singh rights: <noindex>https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2018/2378.html</noindex>

 

The Court of Appeal in Secretary of State for the Home Department v Christy [2018] EWCA Civ 2378 has comprehensively rejected an argument by the Home Office seeking to limit the obligation to consider “Surinder Singh” applications by extended family members.

 

The decision seems entirely sensible. It must be an extremely common scenario for a UK citizen to meet and form a relationship with a non-EU national living in the EU with their own independent right of residence. To impose a requirement that the non-EU national was granted a right of residence based on the relationship and invoking the Citizen’s Directive, even when they had their own right to reside under the relevant domestic law, would be unnecessarily obstructive.

 

This is all the more so given the wide variety of procedures, protocols and statuses in the different EU member states. Indeed in many cases it might not be possible to tell on what basis a right was granted, or whether a domestic right was favoured even if an EU law right existed.

 

Final thought: despite the Home Office’s willingness in this case to embark upon a complex and legal nuanced argument which seeks to limit the scope of Banger, it is yet to incorporate any reference to this important judgment in the relevant policy guidance.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme pilot: applicant information: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/e...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

Information for applicants to the EU Settlement Scheme during the pilot running from 1 November to 21 December 2018.

 

>>> UK Parliament Update: Home Affairs Committee criticises Government's response to migration report: <noindex>https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201...1663/166302.htm</noindex>

 

The Home Affairs Committee has criticised the Government's inadequate response to their migration report into 'Policy options for future migration from the European Economic Area'.

[fregat222]

Великобритания и Норвегия договорились о правах для своих граждан после Brexit

 

Премьер-министр Великобритании пообещала предоставлять такие же права гражданам всех стран ЕЭЗ, которые уже проживают в Великобритании

 

Британские граждане, которые уже живут в Норвегии, и норвежские граждане, проживающие в Великобритании, будут иметь право на проживание даже в случае отсутствия соглашения по Brexit. Об этом заявили премьер-министры двух стран, сообщает РБК-Украина, ссылаясь на Reuters.

 

"Премьер-министр Мэй и я согласились, что Норвегия и Великобритания введут всеобъемлющее соглашение о правах граждан", - сказала премьер-министр Норвегии Солберг.

 

Норвегия не входит в ЕС, но является членом Европейской экономической зоны (ЕЭЗ) и Шенгенской зоны.

 

"Все граждане Великобритании, которые живут в Норвегии будут иметь те же возможности, что и раньше, даже после марта 2019 года", - сказала Солберг.

 

Премьер-министр Великобритании Тереза ​​Мэй, посетив Осло, пообещала предоставлять такие же права гражданам всех стран ЕЭЗ, которые уже проживают в Великобритании.

 

"Что бы ни случилось, мы подтверждаем, что граждане из стран ЕЭЗ, норвежские граждане и те, кто живет в Великобритании, которые сделали свой жизненный выбор - быть в Британии, в конце концов смогут остаться в Великобритании. Я хочу, чтобы они остались", - сказала Мэй.

 

 

 

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[fregat222]

Мэй договорилась с Брюсселем о доступе финкомпаний на рынки после Brexit, - The Times

 

Британии и Евросоюзу предстоит решить еще один сложный вопрос - граница с Ирландией

 

Премьер-министр Великобритании Тереза Мэй заключила сделку с Брюсселем, благодаря которой британские финансовые компании получат доступ к европейским рынкам после выхода из Евросоюза (Brexit). Об этом сообщили источники в британском правительстве, передает РБК-Украина со ссылкой на The Times.

 

Собеседник издания утверждает, что британские и европейские переговорщики достигли предварительной договоренности по всем аспектам будущего партнерства в сфере услуг и обмена данными.

 

В частности, стороны договорились, что ЕС будет гарантировать британским компаниям доступ на европейские рынки до тех пор, пока британское финансовое регулирование будет согласованным с европейскими нормами.

 

Отмечается, что согласно новому соглашению, ЕС и Великобритания смогут менять финансовые правила или устанавливать новые, но каждый из них должен будет предварительно проконсультироваться с другим партнером.

 

Если ЕС посчитает, что правила Великобритании больше не эквивалентны его нормам, он может уведомить Британию о намерении отказать в доступе британским фирмам, но это решение можно будет оспорить в арбитраже.

 

Отмечается, что Британии и Евросоюзу предстоит решить еще одну сложную проблему - граница с Ирландией.

 

Напомним, британский министр по вопросу Brexit Доминик Рааб рассчитывает, что соглашение с ЕС о выходе Великобритании будет утверждено к 21 ноября.

 

 

 

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[fregat222]

Британия и Исландия договорились о правах граждан после Brexit

 

Исландские граждане, проживающие в Великобритании, и британские граждане в Исландии сохраняют свои права на проживание после "Брексита" даже в случае отсутствия соглашения с Европейским союзом.

 

Об этом сообщает Reuters со ссылкой на МИД Исландии.

 

Британия заключила соглашение с Исландией, которая не является членом ЕС, но входит в единый рынок Европейской экономической зоны, на следующий день после аналогичной договоренности с Норвегией, отмечается в сообщении.

 

Ранее сообщалось, что соглашение по Брексит могут утвердить уже 21 ноября, а лидеры ЕС подпишут его на саммите в середине декабря.

 

Напомним, что премьер-министр Великобритании Тереза Мэй заявила, что соглашение с ЕС относительно условий "Брексит" готово на 95%.

 

На прошлой неделе более миллиона британцев подписали петицию о повторном референдуме о выходе Великобритании из Евросоюза.

 

 

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[fregat222]

МАУ ужесточает нормы перевозки ручной клади с 15 января

 

МАУ сократила количество предметов, разрешенных к бесплатной перевозке в салоне, до одного предмета верхней одежды и зонта

 

Авиакомпания "Международные Авиалинии Украины" (МАУ) с 15 января 2019 года изменяет нормы перевозки ручной клади на всех своих рейсах. Об этом сообщает РБК-Украина со ссылкой на пресс-службу МАУ.

 

В частности, компания сократила количество предметов, разрешенных к бесплатной перевозке в салоне, до одного предмета верхней одежды и зонта. Правила перевозки ручной клади будут действовать для пассажиров, которые приобрели билеты с 1 ноября 2018 года для путешествия с 15 января 2019 года, и будут зависеть от базового тарифа и/или класса обслуживания, по которому куплен билет.

 

Таким образом, пассажиры, которые приобрели билеты, в стоимость которых не входит перевозка зарегистрированного багажа, смогут взять с собой на борт самолета одно место ручной клади весом до 7 кг и размерами не более чем 55х40х20 см, а также верхнюю одежду и зонтик. Пассажиры, которые перевозят зарегистрированный багаж, и пассажиры эконом-премиум класса на дальнемагистральных рейсах смогут взять с собой на борт самолета два места ручной клади: одно место весом до 7 кг и размерами не более 55х40х20 см и одно место весом до 5 кг и размерами не более 40х30х10, а также верхнюю одежду и зонтик.

 

Кроме того, для бизнес-класса среднемагистральных рейсов доступны два места ручной клади: место весом до 12кг и размерами не более чем 55х40х20 см плюс место весом до 5 кг и размерами не более 40x30x10 см, а также верхняя одежда и зонтик. Для бизнес-класса дальнемагистральных рейсов доступны три места ручной клади: два места общим весом до 15 кг и размерами не более чем 55х40х20 см каждое и одно место весом до 5 кг и размерами не более 40x30x10 см, а также верхняя одежда и зонтик.

 

При этом любые дополнительные личные вещи, такие как пакеты Duty Free, ноутбук, пресса для чтения, фотоаппарат, бинокль, портплед и другие, должны быть упакованы в место ручной клади. Все личные вещи пассажира, которые не будут упакованы в ручную кладь, будут считаться отдельным местом ручной клади или багажа и будут приняты к перевозке только после уплаты установленного за их перевозку тарифа.

 

 

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[fregat222]

В Британии открыли первое расследование по поводу происхождения иностранных денег

 

Супруга азербайджанского банкира Джахангира Хаджиева Замира оказалась в центре финансового расследования в Великобритании. Как сообщило Национальное агентство по борьбе с преступностью (NCA), у нее конфисковали ювелирные изделия, купленные на аукционе Christieʼs, на более чем 400 тыс. фунтов.

 

Женщина стала первым иностранным фигурантом дела, в рамках которого правоохранители Британии требуют раскрыть источник происхождения средств.

 

По данным The Daily Telegraph, жена банкира привлекла внимание образом жизни на широкую ногу. Так, за 10 лет она потратила в лондонском магазине Harrods 16 млн фунтов стерлингов.

 

Сама Хаджиева заявила, что уже подала в суд за преследование.

 

Ее муж в 2016 году был заочно приговорен в Азербайджане к 15 годам за мошенничество. Ранее Хаджиев возглавлял государственный банк страны, напоминает DW.

 

 

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[British Lawyer]

05 November 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> New UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services centres open: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-v...es-centres-open</noindex>

 

From Friday, 2nd November, people applying for work or study visas, settlement or citizenship from within the UK will be able to make appointments to use new, modernised and efficient service centres.

 

The first centre will open in Manchester on Friday 9 November 2018 and will be followed by new centres in Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast and Croydon. In addition, there will be 50 enhanced service centres nationally, which will be available to customers for a charge, and a premium lounge located in London.

 

The modernised service will mean that most people applying in the UK will be able to submit their biometric information including photos, fingerprints, and signatures as well as their supporting evidence at a single appointment.

 

The current system requires an individual to make an application, send their documents to UKVI, who retain them until the application is completed, and enrol their biometrics separately.

 

To help improve peace of mind for customers using the centres, it will now be possible, in the majority of cases, to take digital copies of evidence meaning that people won’t have to hand over important documents, such as passports, while their applications are processed.

 

The Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said:

 

We are committed to delivering a modern, convenient and easy to use service for UKVI customers.

 

These new service centres located across the country are a key part of our vision for a system that supports its customers and provides peace of mind whilst they are making an application.

 

The majority of people will now complete their applications online via an intuitive and easy to use system before attending one of the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services centres (UKVCAS), which will be delivered by commercial partner Sopra Steria.

 

Customers will be led through an online application process making it clear what they need to do, what supporting evidence they will need and where they need to go to complete their application.

 

Free appointments will be available for everyone, however, customers will also have the option to purchase added value services such as same day appointments and On Demand services: <noindex>https://www.soprasteria.com/docs/librariesp...pp-services.pdf</noindex>

In addition, there will also be 7 dedicated Service and Support Centres (SSC), which will transform the experience for people who need more support with their applications.

 

Experienced frontline Home Office staff will help those who need extra support to better understand their circumstances and if necessary, take the appropriate safeguarding action.

 

These SSCs will be in Belfast, Cardiff, Croydon, Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield and Solihull, and will open in January 2019.

 

>>> UKVI Front End Services: New UK Visa and Citizenship Customer Journey

 

UPDATED Information regarding the new US Visa and Citizenship application process and services, including the forthcoming role of Sopra Steria.

 

The only changes from the information circulated on the 28th October are as follows:

 

• the new UK VCAS Centres will start to open from the 9th November 2018 (not the 5th November as previously stated)

• all locations will be open by 30th November 2018 (not the 29th November as previously stated).

 

>>> UKVI Form: Application for derivative residence card in UK: form DRF1: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...in-uk-form-drf1</noindex>

 

Application for a derivative residence card in the UK through a close association with an EEA national.

 

>>> UKVI Form: Settle in the UK as a victim of domestic violence: form SET(DV): <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...n-uk-form-setdv</noindex>

 

Form to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK if you are a victim of domestic

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme: employer toolkit: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

The employer toolkit equips employers with the right tools and information to support EU citizens and their families to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

 

HTML versions of the toolkit materials added.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme Settlement Scheme pilot: application processing times: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...or-applications</noindex>

 

Current expected processing times for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme pilot have been published.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme: evidence of UK residence: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-settlement-s...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

The evidence of UK residence webpage for the purposes of the EU Settlement Scheme has been updated. Evidence of residence lists and guidance on what to do if you do not have enough evidence in your own name have been updated.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme caseworker guidance: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...worker-guidance</noindex>

 

New guidance for caseworkers considering applications under the EU Settlement Scheme during the pilot has been published

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme caseworker guidance and Suitability Requirements: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...worker-guidance</noindex>

 

Guidance for caseworkers considering applications under the EU Settlement Scheme during the pilot.

[British Lawyer]

06 November 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and up-dates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Points-based system: Tier 1 (Entrepreneur): <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

Guidance for how UK Visas and Immigration considers applications in the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category of the points-based system (PBS).

 

Replaced document with a new version.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Guidance on application for UK visa as Tier 1 Investor: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

Guidance to apply to come to the UK as a Tier 1 (Investor) or to extend your stay.

 

Replaced document with a new version.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Points-based system: Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur): <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

Guidance on considering applications in the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category of the PBS.

12:15am, 5 November 2018: Replaced document with a new version.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Points-based system: Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent): <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

Guidance for how UK Visas and Immigration considers applications in the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) category of the PBS.

 

Replaced the document with a new version.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Guidance for dependants of UK visa applicants (Tiers 1, 2, 4, 5): <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

Full guidance on the policy for applications by the family of people who have UK visas under the points-based system (PBS dependants).

 

Updated guidance.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Guidance on application for UK visa as Tier 2 worker: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

Guidance to apply to come to the UK as a Tier 2 skilled worker or to extend your stay.

 

Updated guidance.

[British Lawyer]

07 November 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and up-dates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Free movement rights: direct family members of EEA nationals: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...a-eea-nationals</noindex>

 

Guidance on free movement rights of direct family members of European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals has been published.

 

>>> Applying for a Spouse visa for the Isle of Man ?

 

The procedures are the same as for the UK Spouse visa and once you get the visa, you can travel to the UK on that visa.

 

See <noindex>https://www.gov.im/categories/travel-traffi...gration/settle/</noindex> and <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...mon-travel-area</noindex>

 

>>> How to request personal information held in the borders, immigration and citizenship system: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...idence-guidance</noindex>

 

>>> Can a Tier 4 Dependent switch in-country into a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa route ?

 

The answer is “No”. See <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/tier-1-entrepreneur/switch-to-this-visa</noindex>. Also, the Para 245DD(e) fails: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rul...t6aentrepreneur</noindex>

 

>>> Search Resources UKVI Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme caseworker guidance: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...ntent=immediate</noindex>

 

Guidance for caseworkers considering applications under the EU Settlement Scheme during the pilot.

EU citizens and their family members guidance pdf updated.

 

>>> UKVI update: Immigration Rules archive: 28 August 2018 to 31 October: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...31-october-2018</noindex>

 

UKVI update: Immigration Rules archive: 28 August 2018 to 31 October 2018

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Children of unmarried parents: nationality policy guidance: <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...cedure-guidance</noindex>

 

Guidance on considering automatic claims to citizenship based on a child’s relationship with their father updated.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Guidance for dependants of UK visa applicants (Tiers 1, 2, 4, 5): <noindex>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/...s-tiers-1-2-4-5</noindex>

 

Full guidance on the policy for applications by the family of people who have UK visas under the points-based system (PBS dependants).

 

>>> Steps to take if there is a problem with your 30-day vignette: <noindex>https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advi...-outside-the-uk</noindex>

 

 

 

 

[British Lawyer]

09 November 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and up-dates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> The UK BA interim notice re: transfer of the Refugee status to the UK: <noindex>https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/go...fugeestatus.pdf</noindex>

[British Lawyer]

13 November 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> The New UK BA application process update

 

There are the 3 services currently offered with the New application system:

• Standard service, where the application will be decided within the current timescales of six months or eight weeks, depending on the type of application.
• Priority service, where the decision is made in ten working days (until the end of November 2018) or in five working days (starting from December 2018).
• Super priority service, where the applications will be decided on the next working day

There are also four different types of centres available to different applicants:

• 6 core service centres offering free appointments
• 50 enhanced service centres offering charged appointments
• 1 premium lounge with an upgraded service in comfortable surroundings with spacious seating areas, hi-speed wifi and business facilities such as scanning and printing
• 7 dedicated Service and Support Centres (SSC), to open in January 2019, for people who need more support with their applications. These SSCs will be for people:
  • applying under a family route
  • applying to join as a dependant
  • applying for family reunion
  • applying on the basis of statelessness
  • who qualify for a fee waiver or fee exemption
  • applying under the domestic violence route
  • making further submissions after a failed asylum claim
  • who are required to only enrol their biometric information

In the meantime, applicants applying online for leave based on family life or private life who are not yet able to use VCAS centres will have some limited appointments available at Premium Service Centres, from 29 November 2018 to 8 January 2019.

In addition to choosing the type of centre and the service of their choice, applicants will also have the option to purchase “added value services” such as same day appointments, document translation and interpretation.

Applicants will be told which service and which centre is available to them after having submitted the form online. In other words, the website should only offer to applicants the options of services and centres which they can use.

Until the 29th November 2018, applicants will have a choice between using the old system or the new system. The online application form is the same, and once completed, the applicant needs to chose between the old and the new system. Applicants should bear in mind that, once they have selected one of the two systems, there is no going back!

An applicant who wants a free appointment (that is an appointment at one of the six core service centres) the week of 12 November will only be able to book an appointment in Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff, as Belfast and Croydon will not open until the week of 19 November.

Once an applicant has attended their appointment, although they will retain their passports, they should not travel or their application will be considered withdrawn. At a meeting with ILPA on 7 November, however, the UK BA representative confirmed that applicants will be allowed to travel, without withdrawing their application, between the date the application is submitted online and the date of their appointment at the centre.

[British Lawyer]

13 November 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> Summary of the Sopra Steria Appointment in the Premium Lounge – the NEW Super Premium Service

A colleague accompanied his client to the new Premium Lounge in Mark Lane, EC3 (London) recently. The client was for Settlement (SETO) using the Super Priority Service

It turned out that instead of the 15-minute service it ran for almost 5 hours as the Sopra Steria has experienced several technical problems due to the amount of scanning the Sopra Steria needed to do in the morning. Apparently, they expected the applicants to bring far less documents for scanning (although it was possible to upload the documents before attending the Premium Lounge).

No Wi-Fi was currently available.

Despite the documents had been uploaded PRIOR to the appointment the Sopra Steria said that only half of the files were received, therefore the applicant had to hand ALL the documents to the Sopra Steria again, so ALL the documents had to be scanned. Then the Sopra Steria said they needed to verify each document page by page. And they all work off very small laptops with small screens with the caseworker’s face right up against the screen trying to read the small screen.

After 5 hours the documents were scanned and the biometric enrolled.

Hopefully the Sopra Steria service will be improved very soon.

[British Lawyer]

14 November 2018 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and up-dates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org – Mob : +44(0)7791145923

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Guidance on the registration of a minor as a British citizen by entitlement and discretion: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjdmu6Ou9HeAhVpKcAKHezFCWIQFjAAegQICBAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F755505%2FRegistration-as-a-British-citizen-children-v4.0ext.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3fCThcz4osjPEFZXB8JSgs

 

Updated guidance on the registration of a minor as a British citizen by entitlement and discretion: amendment to clarify that DNA evidence cannot be mandated and that no negative inference can be drawn if an applicant chooses not to supply such evidence.

 

>>> UKVI Guidance: Guidance on deciding applications for people to enter or remain in the UK as a Tier 2 migrant: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwiDmKbPu9HeAhVTglwKHUUxAbAQFjAAegQIBRAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F722994%2Ftier-2-v30.0-EXT.PDF&usg=AOvVaw1PXDpkJhrk3DdY6MgdHczA

 

Updated guidance on deciding applications for people to enter or remain in the UK as a Tier 2 migrant.

 

NB: An eye watering VERSION 31 (!) of the Guidance. That means that purely this Guid-ance has been changed in the recent years 31 times (!!!).

 

>>> More on false documents from the Court of Appeal: https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2018/2411.html

 

Li demonstrate the severe consequences of submitting false documents for both the application in question and future applications.

 

>>> NHS to stop passing Home Office information about migrants: https://mailchi.mp/68343e2925ba/migrants-rights-network-data-sharing

 

A controversial agreement for the NHS to pass information about hospitalised migrants to the immigration authorities has been shelved, campaigners say. The Migrants’ Right Network and Liberty announced today that a legal challenge to an agreement for patient data to be shared with the Home Office has succeeded.

 

>>> The current version of the FLR(M) form can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-to-extend-stay-in-the-uk-as-a-partner-or-dependent-child-form-flrm

[fregat222]

Британцы будут ездить в ЕС без виз

Британский премьер-министр заявила своему кабинету, что переговоры о выходе из Евросоюза находятся в финальной стадии. Вместе с тем, Тереза Мэй признала, что на пути к сделке имеются значительные препятствия.

Тем временем, ЕС сообщил, что не будет вводить виз для граждан Соединённого королевства после «брексита», ожидая от него взаимности.

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