British Lawyer

08 April 2020 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org - +44(0)3300010342, +44(0)7791145023 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> Ten-minute asylum interview enough to meet ECHR obligations before removal: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{"itemid":["001-201870"]} In Asady and Others v Slovakia (application no. 24917/15) the European Court of Human Rights has delivered another judgment that will gratify governments seeking to use summary removal to get rid of asylum seekers. The decision continues the court’s retreat over the interpretation of Article 4 of the Fourth Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which is meant to prohibit mass expulsions. The issue in Asady was a factual dispute between a group of Afghans and the Slovak government. The Afghan men complained that when encountered by Slovak police near the Ukraine/Slovakia border, the police had ignored their requests to claim asylum. After a perfunctory series of interviews they claimed to have been removed to Ukraine within 24 hours of entering Slovakia. The Slovaks asserted that in fact each individual had been provided a full opportunity to claim asylum at an interview with an interpreter but had chosen not to. Therefore the immediate group removal was acceptable because each person had been considered as an individual. In an appeal at domestic level, the Slovak border police directorate found in favour of the police. At the European Court of Human Rights, the Slovak police were once again vindicated. The majority, in a court split 4-3, were happy to accept that a ten-minute interview would be sufficient for the police to explain the asylum system to each person and to check whether there were any reasons not to proceed with removal to Ukraine. Experienced practitioners might doubt whether they would be able to achieve this in ten minutes through an interpreter, but the Strasbourg court clearly has greater faith in the Slovak police. The majority also noted that the applicants had not provided any details about their asylum claims at any later stage. Judge Lemmens (who also recently dissented in defence of Afghan asylum seekers in another recent case) joined Judges Keller and Schembri Orland in a dissenting opinion. They identified problems with the evidence provided by the Slovak police: most importantly, the recorded interview times frequently overlapped, but there was only one interpreter present. They also observed that many of the men had subsequently been granted asylum in other countries, casting doubt on Slovakia’s claim that they were not asylum seekers. Significantly, the dissenting opinion also tries to confine the applicability of the Grand Chamber decision in N.D. and N.T. v Spain by noting its very extreme facts. In a plea to future constitutions of the court, the judges state: "It is vital that the limited scope of the Grand Chamber’s judgment in N.D. and N.T. v. Spain be respecte0d. An overly broad interpretation of the judgment would damage the “broad consensus within the international community” concerning compliance with “the Convention guarantees, and in particular … the obligation of non-refoulement” (see N.D. and N.T. v. Spain, cited above, § 232)." This case is another depressing footnote in the story of how Europe has sought to make itself inhospitable to irregular migrants. But the level and strength of dissent illustrates that these issues remain open for argument before the Strasbourg court.

Информации нет и не может быть пока идет рост заболеваний в UK. Мы стандартно подаем заявления клиентов, чтобы выполнить требования Правил и защитить клиентов секцией S3, т.е. чтобы они не стали overstayers. Далее - уже технические детали - когда откроются центры для сдачи биометрики и т.п. Home Offiсe подтвердил, что правило "сдать биометрику в течение 45 дней с даты подачи заявления online" не применимо к такой ситуации. См. пост выше о то, что сейчас происходит подача. Вчера вообще был личный рекорд - за 3 часа подали 3 заявления. Сейчас многие, кто взял у нас сервис сопровождения их заявлений переходят (upgrade) до уровня полного ведения дела. Если раньше было не просто подавать заявления теперь стало еще запутаннее. Я ожидал спад активности клиентов, а получилось наоборот. Вот, только что девушка записалась на консультацию на июнь 2020 года.

Теперь для связи с Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) есть специальная online форма >>> The Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) now has introduced an on-line form in order to contact them: https://gov.smartwebportal.co.uk/homeoffice/public/webform.asp?id=199&id2=5C97E7 The page has been updated with a workflow change, those requesting temporary extension need to complete the online form and the email address is now functioning as an information mailbox. И важное напоминание подавать вовремя заявления на переход с категории на категорию, продление статуса, получение ПМЖ и гражданства стандартным путем: If you already have leave in the UK and planned to extend your leave when it expires, you do not need to complete this form. Please continue to apply using the appropriate online application form. Из практического опыта. Сегодня (06-04-2020) до обеда подал следующие заявления клиентов: - Супружеская виза (из Белоруссии) - Продление визы жены - Натурализация Заявления принимаются стандартно online. Нет возможности выбрать ускоренное рассмотрение, т.е. есть только Standard Route (рассмотрение в течение 6-и месяцев). На биометрику нельзя записаться и, соответственно, нельзя загрузить документы. Остается ждать до тех пор, пока коммерческий партнер Home Office - Sopra Steria - снова начнет свою работу. Из разговора с коллегой из Home Office стало ясно, что со временем будет расти очередь из таких заявлений. И, соответственно, такие иммиграционные заявления будут рассматривать в порядке очередности, т.е first come, first served.

Доброе утро, 1. Нет, получите отказ, т.к. на ILR срок по визе невесты не засчитывается 2. Да; но убедитесь, что сертификат действителен (было много изменений) 3. Желательно указывать для перестраховки.

Каждый день приносит хорошие новости клиентам Legal Centre © Сегодня еще одна клиентка Legal Centre из России наконец получила ПМЖ (ILR - Indefinite Leave to Remain). До этого Home Office исторически выдал ей неправильную BRP со статусом ВНЖ вместо статуса ПМЖ для въезда в Великобританию как ребенка родителя, у кого уже было британское гражданство. Соответственно, эта клиентка не могла начать учебу в британском университете расценкам для граждан Великобритании/лиц с ПМЖ. После проведенной работы Home Office признал свою ошибку и быстро выдал клиентке правильную BRP карточку со статусом ПМЖ. Legal Centre помогал этой клиентке и ее родственникам на протяжении последних 12 лет их иммиграционного пути в Великобританию. Я помог ей и могу помочь Вам. Вы можете записаться на предварительную телефонную/online консультацию со мной, Антоном Ковалем, 24 часа в сутки: https://legalcentre.org/Konsultacija-s-Advokatom.html Антон Коваль Legal Centre +44(0)7791145923 (Mob/WhatsApp/Viber) +44(0)3300010342 (Office) www.legalcentre.org

- Уточнение по визовым категориями Tier 2 (General) и Tier 1 (Entrepreneur). - Уточнение по волонтерсакой работе >>> COVID19 and the Home Office clarification for the following immigration issues: - Tier 2 If you cannot pay the salaries of sponsored employees because you’ve temporarily reduced or ceased trading You can temporarily reduce the pay of your sponsored employees to 80% of their salary or £2,500 per month, whichever is the lower. Any reductions must be part of a company-wide policy to avoid redundancies and in which all workers are treated the same. These reductions must be temporary, and the employee’s pay must return to at least previous levels once these arrangements have ended - Tier 1 Entrepreneur If you are on a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa and your business has been disrupted You no longer need to employ at least 2 people for 12 consecutive months each. The 12 month period you are required to employ someone for can be made up of multiple employees across different months. Time when your employees were furloughed will not count towards the 12 month period. If have not been able to employ staff for 12 months in total by the time your visa expires, you will be allowed to temporarily extend your stay to give you time to meet the requirement. - Changes to the current restrictions on the number of hours you can work or volunteer There is no longer a limit on the number of hours you can work or volunteer each week if you work for the NHS as a doctor, nurse of paramedic and you are a: tier 4 student tier 2 worker and your NHS job is a second job visiting academic researcher holder of a short-term visa and are permitted to volunteer

04 April 2020 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org - +44(0)3300010342, +44(0)7791145023 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> COVID19 and the Home Office clarification for the following immigration issues: - Tier 2 If you cannot pay the salaries of sponsored employees because you’ve temporarily reduced or ceased trading You can temporarily reduce the pay of your sponsored employees to 80% of their salary or £2,500 per month, whichever is the lower. Any reductions must be part of a company-wide policy to avoid redundancies and in which all workers are treated the same. These reductions must be temporary, and the employee’s pay must return to at least previous levels once these arrangements have ended - Tier 1 Entrepreneur If you are on a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa and your business has been disrupted You no longer need to employ at least 2 people for 12 consecutive months each. The 12 month period you are required to employ someone for can be made up of multiple employees across different months. Time when your employees were furloughed will not count towards the 12 month period. If have not been able to employ staff for 12 months in total by the time your visa expires, you will be allowed to temporarily extend your stay to give you time to meet the requirement. - Changes to the current restrictions on the number of hours you can work or volunteer There is no longer a limit on the number of hours you can work or volunteer each week if you work for the NHS as a doctor, nurse of paramedic and you are a: tier 4 student tier 2 worker and your NHS job is a second job visiting academic researcher holder of a short-term visa and are permitted to volunteer >>> BRPs expiring on 31 December 2024 where leave has been granted for a longer period The Home Office says that: The Home Office will introduce a new UK format BRP next year which will not have restricted validity, and will therefore reflect the period of leave granted, or be valid for 10 years (five years for children) where indefinite leave is granted. For those who have a limited validity BRP they are revising the notification of grant of leave and the BRP carrier letter to explain the difference in the date of expiry of leave and date of validity of the BRP card. They will update right to work and right to rent guidance to ensure that employers and landlords are also aware of this issue. They will provide advice on GOV.UK to reassure anyone with a short-dated BRP that it does not affect their immigration status and they do not need to do anything now. By early 2024, before these BRPs start to expire, they will publish details of what needs to be done to obtain a free replacement BRP or to use digital status. >>> Application for change of conditions of leave to allow access to public funds if your circumstances change: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-change-of-conditions-of-leave-to-allow-access-to-public-funds-if-your-circumstances-change?utm_source=e2c10f31-216d-4449-8dc7-2e1e7eff9293&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate These applications must now be submitted online. Apply online if you already have leave granted on the basis of your family or private life and your financial circumstances change.

03 April 2020 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org - +44(0)3300010342, +44(0)7791145023 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> Citizenship ceremonies and COVID19: https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies Due to coronavirus (COVID-19), you’ll have 6 months to book your citizenship ceremony after receiving an invitation from the Home Office. Any delays caused by COVID-19 will not affect decisions around your application. >>> Migrant and self-employed workers and the COVID19 - the Home Office response From the Home Office Migrant workers The Government has made provisions to allow employers to retain employees during interruption to commercial activity because of the pandemic. Employers can apply for support from the Government that can assist with these current difficulties. Employees whose leave in the UK is subject to conditions that they have no recourse to public funds may be able to secure assistance (subject to meeting all requirements) through- 1) Statutory Sick Pay 2) Contributory-based Employment and Support Allowance 3) Support provided to employers through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme 4) Some other work related benefits. Self-employed migrants Migrants who are registered as self employed and have made tax returns in the past few years may be able to apply for a grant through the self-employed income support scheme or in accessing other support. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-...support-scheme >>> Update, replace or transfer - biometric residence permit or card: https://visas-immigration.service.go...BoCThMQAvD_BwE Use this form if you are in the UK and you want to update, replace or transfer your biometric residence permit (BRP) or your biometric residence card (BRC). >>> Not unfair to proceed with hearing after appellant’s lawyer stormed out, tribunal finds: https://tribunalsdecisions.service.g.../2019-ukut-416 The official headnote (1) Fairness means fairness to both sides: it does not mean favouring the appellant at the expense of the respondent. (2) Tribunals must ensure appellants have a fair hearing, but they should not be intimidated by unjustified withdrawal of representatives. (3) Unless unfairness has resulted in there being no proper consideration of their case at all, appellants who allege procedural unfairness may find it difficult to have a decision set aside, without showing that they may have suffered prejudice through inability to present a better case.

Сообщение Home Office во время подачи заявления сегодня: По-русски: - Заявления подаются как и раньше online - Не рекомендуется использовать опцию Super Premium Service - рассмотрение за 24 часа, т.к. заявления будет рассматривать на данном этапе только по стандартному сценарию (6 месяцев) - Пока нельзя сдать биометрику т.к. соответствующие центры закрыты. Это не повлияет на поданное заявление Другими словами, иммиграционные заявления подаются как обычно, но с учетом особенностей ситуации во время COVID19

>>> Home Office наконец объеденил всю информацию по COVID19 в отношении иммиграциии на одной странице: https://www.gov.uk/government/collec...on-and-borders The Home Office is now collating its guidance for those affected by changes to UK immigration and borders due to coronavirus on a dedicated page. >>> Информация о том, как и запросить бумажную анкету для получения EU Settled Status в случаях, когда невозможно подать заявление через мобильный телефон (Zambrano, Surninder Singh и т.п.) во время COVID19 To request a paper application form for the EUSS, you need to submit a query via the online enquiry form at https://eu-settled-status-enquiries....e.gov.uk/start ensuring you provide the following information relating to the applicant: -Full Name (as shown on identity document) -Address -Date of Birth -Nationality -Telephone number -Postal address -Email address -Details of your representative (name, email, phone number if applicable) -Reference number of any previous residence document issued to you The Home Office cannot accept any documents by post at this time, but all documents already sent will be returned as quickly as possible. Applications can still be made online using the “EU Exit ID Document check app”. >>> Заявления на получение спонсорских лицензий по категории Tier 2, Tier 4 и Tier 5 теперь можно подать по Email (раньше - только по почте и только оригиналы) Correspondence from UKVI re sponsor licence applications and submission sheets - digital copies The Coronavirus Immigration Team has confirmed that original documents are not required for sponsor submission sheets and sponsor licence applications. They can be sent as scanned .pdf files via email. Digital signatures are also acceptable at present for submission sheets.

2 April 2020 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org - +44(0)3300010342, +44(0)7791145023 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> New centralised Home Office webpage about COVID19 and the Immigration: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-immigration-and-borders The Home Office is now collating its guidance for those affected by changes to UK immigration and borders due to coronavirus on a dedicated page. >>> Update on EU settlement scheme application procedures - paper application forms To request a paper application form for the EUSS, you need to submit a query via the online enquiry form at https://eu-settled-status-enquiries.service.gov.uk/start ensuring you provide the following information relating to the applicant: -Full Name (as shown on identity document) -Address -Date of Birth -Nationality -Telephone number -Postal address -Email address -Details of your representative (name, email, phone number if applicable) -Reference number of any previous residence document issued to you The Home Office cannot accept any documents by post at this time, but all documents already sent will be returned as quickly as possible. Applications can still be made online using the “EU Exit ID Document check app”. >>> Correspondence from UKVI re sponsor licence applications and submission sheets - digital copies The Coronavirus Immigration Team has confirmed that original documents are not required for sponsor submission sheets and sponsor licence applications. They can be sent as scanned .pdf files via email. Digital signatures are also acceptable at present for submission sheets. >>> What happens when a variation application is invalid? See https://tribunalsdecisions.service.gov.uk/utiac/2019-ukut-417 This was the question answered by the Upper Tribunal in R (Bajracharya) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (para. 34 – variation – validity) [2019] UKUT 417 (IAC). Mr Bajracharya made an application to remain in the UK on the basis of his private and family life. He provided his biometric information as required. Before a decision was made on this first application, he made a second application, this time for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). A person can have only one application for leave to remain outstanding at any given time. An application submitted whilst an earlier application is still pending is treated as a variation. But Mr Bajracharya did not provide his biometric information as part of the ILR application, meaning that this application was invalid. The question for the Upper Tribunal was: what happens to the underlying private and family life application? Does the underlying application survive the invalidation of the variation application? The competing arguments The Home Office position was that Mr Bajracharya had ended up with no valid application. The department argued that the ILR application was valid at the time of submission. This is supported by two previous cases which held that an application is not retrospectively invalidated by failure to fulfil a future obligation (such as to post a passport or provide biometric information). The application is invalid from the date of that failure, not from the outset. The ILR application was therefore valid, at least at first. This valid variation subsumed the previous application. When Mr Bajracharya failed to provide his biometrics, the sole outstanding application was invalidated. There was, by this point, no previous application in existence for him to fall back on. Mr Bajracharya argued that defects in an attempt to vary an application do not infect the underlying application. The variation was invalid, but the initial application remained valid and pending. A difference in wording The Upper Tribunal agreed with Mr Bajracharya. It relied on a distinction between the wording of the rules on initial applications and variation applications. As a result, Mr Bajracharya’s application for judicial review was successful and the case returned to the Home Office to make a decision on the outstanding private and family life application. The official headnote (1) Paragraph 34 [A-F] of the Immigration Rules is to be construed by the application of the ordinary principles of statutory construction, which start from the natural meaning of the words in their context. (2) Paragraph 34 requires applicants to make an application for leave to remain in accordance with the provisions of 34. (3) If a second application is submitted when the first application is outstanding, the second application will be treated as a variation of the first application [34BB(2)]. (4) If the variation does not comply with the requirements in paragraph 34 “the variation will be invalid and will not be considered” (paragraph 34E). Invalidity does not extend to the original application.

>>>Иностранный медперсонал и члены их семей получат автоматическое бесплатное продление виз на 1 год + освобождение от оплаты т.н. NHS Surcharge: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nhs-frontline-workers-visas-extended-so-they-can-focus-on-fighting-coronavirus?utm_source=d0e814b3-bfad-4cde-9280-ff8e8b6f44ba&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate Цитата: "Doctors, nurses and paramedics with visas due to expire before 1 October 2020 will have them automatically extended for one year. As part of the national effort to combat coronavirus, doctors, nurses and paramedics will automatically have their visas extended, free of charge, for one year. The extension, announced today (31 March) by the Home Secretary Priti Patel, will apply to around 2,800 migrant doctors, nurses and paramedics, employed by the NHS whose visa is due to expire before 1 October. The extension will also apply to their family members, demonstrating how valued overseas NHS staff are to the UK."

01 April 2020 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org - +44(0)3300010342, +44(0)7791145023 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> NHS front line workers visas extended so they can focus on fighting coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nhs-frontline-workers-visas-extended-so-they-can-focus-on-fighting-coronavirus?utm_source=d0e814b3-bfad-4cde-9280-ff8e8b6f44ba&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate Doctors, nurses and paramedics with visas due to expire before 1 October 2020 will have them automatically extended for one year. As part of the national effort to combat coronavirus, doctors, nurses and paramedics will automatically have their visas extended, free of charge, for one year. The extension, announced today (31 March) by the Home Secretary Priti Patel, will apply to around 2,800 migrant doctors, nurses and paramedics, employed by the NHS whose visa is due to expire before 1 October. The extension will also apply to their family members, demonstrating how valued overseas NHS staff are to the UK. By giving them the peace of mind that they do not need to apply for a visa extension, this will allow those at the front line – working around the clock in hospitals to treat the most seriously ill – to focus fully on combating coronavirus and saving lives. To get more doctors and nurses on the front line, the Home Office has also lifted the restriction on the amount of hours student nurses and doctors can work in the NHS. On top of these changes, pre-registered overseas nurses who are currently required to sit their first skills test within 3 months and to pass the test within 8 months, will now have this deadline extended to the end of the year as well. This will give overseas nurses more time to pass their exams, whilst they spend the immediate term working on the front line. Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "Doctors, nurses and paramedics from all over the world are playing a leading role in the NHS’s efforts to tackle coronavirus and save lives. We owe them a great deal of gratitude for all that they do. I don’t want them distracted by the visa process. That is why I have automatically extended their visas – free of charge – for a further year. The extension to NHS visas will be automatic, there will be no fee attached and it will be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. Trainee doctors and nurses will also not be limited by the number of hours they can work in the NHS during term time." >>> Visas and immigration Service and Support Centres: https://www.gov.uk/visas-and-immigration-service-and-support-centres UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have temporarily closed Service and Support Centres (SSCs) because of coronavirus (COVID-19). These centres (do not mix them up with Sopra Steria) dealt with the limited face-to-face application such as FLR(FP)/Human Rights/Legalization NB: With other types You still need to lodge your immigration application (online) in time/lodge a valid application to preserve your immigration status. The biometrics enrolment is being deferred to a leter date. >>> Recruitment opens for 14 new immigration judges: https://apply.judicialappointments.digital/vacancy/OPwPPwNPeiNz4VmnFbNU/ No sooner is the last batch of immigration judges through the door than the authorities are seeking to recruit more. Around 40 new judges were named to the immigration and asylum chamber of the First-tier Tribunal over the last few months, but the Judicial Appointments Commission is now seeking another 14. Most of the positions are based in England and Wales, but there is one vacancy in Scotland. Applicants must have worked as a lawyer for at least five years, and are expected to have some kind of judicial or quasi-judicial experience. The salary is £112,542.

31 March 2020 - Part 2 – Just useful and interesting UK & EEA Immigration Law news and updates from the Legal Centre – Open 7 days a week - www.legalcentre.org - +44(0)3300010342, +44(0)7791145023 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> Home Office can ignore human rights claims attached to normal immigration applications: https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKUT/IAC/2020/89.html The case of MY (refusal of human rights claim) Pakistan [2020] UKUT 89 (IAC) represents yet another cutback in the rights of migrant victims of domestic abuse, and in appeal rights more generally. The Upper Tribunal has ruled that the Home Office can simply refuse to engage with a human rights claim which is not made in the particular way the department wants it made. When refusing to engage with a human rights claim submitted in the “wrong” format, the Home Office is not refusing that claim, and therefore there is no right of appeal. Some migrants will have to make very difficult decisions as a result. >>> Coronavirus (COVID-19): right to work checks: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-right-to-work-checks >>> Start-up and Innovator visa endorsing bodies: guidance - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/start-up-and-innovator-endorsing-bodies-guidance

Несмотря на пандемию Home Office и Legal Centre продолжают работу с заявителями/клиентами. Только что получен т.н. Certificate of Application (CoA) по заявлению клиента из России на натурализацию (гражданство Великобритании). Интересно то, что данный Certificate of Application (CoA) обычно выдается только после сдачи биометрики. Данный клиент Lega Centre не сдавал биометрику т.к. за день до сдачи биометрики он получил уведомление из Home Office о том, что все биометрические центры закрылись из-за COVID19. Это означает, что Home Office, тем не менее, продолжает рассмотрение заявлений и, в частности, идет навстречу заявителям. Legal Centre помогал этому клиенту на всех этапах его иммиграционного пути в Великобританию: - Предварительная консультация: https://legalcentre.org/Konsultacija-s-Advokatom.html - Получение ПМЖ (ILR): https://legalcentre.org/PMZh-Settlement-ILR.html - Получение британского гражданства: https://legalcentre.org/Grazhdanstvo-Citizenship.html Работа на всех этапах проходила по принципу полного сопровождения его заявления. Когда это было возможно, клиент всегда выбирал ускоренное (24-hour Super Premium Service) рассмотрение заявления в Home Office: https://legalcentre.org/viza-za-1-den.html Я помог ему и могу помочь Вам. Вы можете записаться на предварительную телефонную/online консультацию со мной, Антоном Ковалем, 24 часа в сутки: https://legalcentre.org/Konsultacija-s-Advokatom.html Антон Коваль Legal Centre +44(0)7791145923 (Mob/WhatsApp/Viber) +44(0)3300010342 (Office) www.legalcentre.org