British Lawyer

"Когда Вы подали Ваше самое первое иммиграционное заявление ?" Один из клиентов задал этот вопрос на прошлой неделе. Я помню этот день очень хорошо. Я подал свое самое первое заявление на британскую визу 7 мая 1993 года. Это было более 30 лет тому назад. Это была гостевая виза. Тогда заявления подавались бесплатно по бумажной (всего 2 страницы) форме IM2A. Визы обычно были одно разовыми. Заявление было одобрено, хотя и не сразу, а только после детального интервью с Визовым Офицером, где я впервые использовал задатки своих будущих адвокатских навыков.

03 November 2023 – 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)7791145923 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> Home Office Cover Letter example ? See https://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/resources/writing-covering-letter-home-office/

Вот так выглядит напоминание Home Office о том, что заявитель может подать на ПМЖ (ILR) по категории EU Settled Scheme. Таких напоминаний сейчас приходит с десяток в день. Обычно эти напоминания уже и не нужны, т.к. клиенты уже или подали или даже уже получили ПМЖ по этой категории. Сегодня участвую в конференции с Home Office по т.н. Digitalization. С 2025 года ну будет BRP, если кто-то не знал еще.

02 November 2023 – 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)7791145923 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> How is the Home Office prioritising asylum claims? See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/streamlined-asylum-processing First, there is no fixed timeframe for an asylum claim to be decided. Getting updates from the Home Office on progress, challenging delay and asking for expedition can often be a fruitless exercise. The guidance identifies two main groups. The first group comprises people who claimed asylum before certain provisions of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 were brought into force on 28 June 2022, these are referred to as ‘legacy’ cases. The PM’s commitment to clear the backlog applies only to ‘legacy’ cases. Who does the guidance apply to? The process set out in this guidance is separate to the questionnaire being used in the ‘streamlined asylum process’. The guidance also does not apply to asylum claims made by Albanian nationals, as those are being dealt with by a dedicated decision making unit. The guidance identifies two main groups. The first group comprises people who claimed asylum before certain provisions of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 were brought into force on 28 June 2022, these are referred to as ‘legacy’ cases. The PM’s commitment to clear the backlog applies only to ‘legacy’ cases. The second group of cases is those made after that date, referred to as ‘flow’ cases. The newer ‘flow’ claims will not be prioritised until 2024, save in the exceptional circumstances identified below. Children’s asylum claims should continue to be prioritised and there are two decision making units dedicated to these cases. The guidance recognises that the Home Office must carry out its functions in a way that is compatible with Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. How will cases be decided? Cases meeting the legacy criteria will be separated into groups using factors including nationality, volume of claims, grant rate, compliance rate and receipt of asylum support. For some of these groups, a bespoke questionnaire will be issued ahead of an asylum interview. The form can be completed digitally via an online Home Office form or returned via post/email. Repeated failure to return a questionnaire risks a claim being treated as withdrawn. In the first instance this will apply to Iranian and Iraqi claims by adults as this group has the highest number of outstanding claims within the legacy backlog. Other applicants will be invited to interview unless a decision can be made on the information already available. When a case is suitable this would be a good opportunity to ask for a decision to be made on the papers alone where there is detailed evidence to support the claim and/or where there has already been lengthy delay. Exceptional case prioritisation The guidance acknowledges that there are exceptional circumstances outside of the above programmes which will require prioritisation. The guidance provides a non-exhaustive list of cases that can be prioritised: - cases involving the Hague Convention - extradition cases - cases involving deportation of foreign national offenders - complex or severe physical or mental health cases - cases of severe vulnerability – examples include but are not limited to severe safeguarding concerns such as where there has been suicidal ideation or torture and this is evidenced by relevant medical evidence, for example a medico-legal report Requests should be in writing and sent to the main asylum casework team. Evidence must be submitted within ten working days of making the request. Helpfully, the guidance states that expedition requests must be considered, so anyone seeking prioritisation should push for a written response. In some cases, it might be helpful to request review by a senior caseworker. Any response from the Home Office should include an indicative time frame for a decision. Additionally, updates can be requested where six months has passed and the Home Office should respond with a time frame for decision making, as required under paragraph 333A of the immigration rules. The Home Office is however not obliged to comply with the given time frame. Tips for expediting an asylum claim Anyone seeking expedition should: - ensure that the Home Office has their up to date contact details. This should mean that any communication regarding prioritisation is received and avoids the risk of their claim being treated as withdrawn; - take this opportunity to request a decision on the papers alone where there is detailed evidence such as a medico-legal report; - take this opportunity to request updates and seek timeframes for decision making. It is also worth being aware of when the Home Office will consider that there is a barrier to progression of a case. This includes where they are waiting for evidence that will be important to the decision (including medico-legal reports), where there is a pending prosecution, or where there is a “change in country situation requiring an update in country information note leading to a pause in deciding cases from a particular nationality”. Secondary asylum casework Interestingly, the guidance also has a section called ‘secondary asylum casework’. This includes cases that have been reinstated after being withdrawn, that were considered under pre-28 June 2022 inadmissibility processes and subsequently admitted to the asylum system, and where a case has been remitted to the decision maker at the review stage of an appeal. These cases will be considered in chronological order unless they meet the above criteria for exceptional case prioritisation. Where cases have been considered for inadmissibility since 28 June 2022 and then admitted into the asylum system they will be considered in the legacy or flow groups according to the date of application and any other relevant prioritisation criteria set out in the guidance.

Вот так выглядит BRP карточка клиента нашего Legal Centre - Private UK & EEA Immigration Lawyers and Advocates полученная на основании т.н. Заявления Вне Правил. Заявление рассмотрели и одобрили за 6 недель. Делюсь статистикой ежедневных одобрений визовых заявлений наших клиентов.

31 October 2023 – 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)7791145923 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT) Updated detail in the English language test providers in the UK and outside the UK Briefly, for visa or citizenship applications, you may need to prove your knowledge of English by passing a secure English language test (SELT). If you are in the UK You can only take a SELT with one of the following providers: - IELTS SELT Consortium - LanguageCert - Pearson - Trinity College London If you are outside of the UK You can only take a SELT with one of the following providers: - IELTS SELT Consortium - LanguageCert - Pearson - PSI Services (UK) Ltd – Skills for English (UKVI)

Online immigration status (eVisa)[/COLOR][/B]: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-immigration-status-evisa?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=bb23b682-96d6-4355-817c-272d2e9df5df&utm_content=daily UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are developing a digital immigration system. This means we are replacing physical documents with an online record of your immigration status. This is known as an eVisa. The documents being replaced are: -biometric residence permits (BRP) -biometric residence cards (BRC) -passport endorsements, such as indefinite leave to enter wet ink stamps -vignette stickers in passports, such as entry clearance or visa vignettes Since 2018, millions of customers have received an eVisa online, for example through the EU Settlement Scheme. What is an eVisa? An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. You need to register for a UKVI account to view and share relevant information about your status securely with third parties, such as employers or landlords. Updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. In the future you’ll be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK – you will not need to carry a physical document, except for your current passport, which must be registered to your UKVI account. Until then you will need to continueto carry your physical document if you have one. The benefits of eVisas include: - they are secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, unlike a physical document - you will not need to wait for, or collect, a physical document after your application is decided – you might still need to provide biometric information in person, and we will tell you if you need to do this - it will be quicker and easier to prove your status at the UK border Why do I need a UKVI account? You need to register for a UKVI account to access the view and prove service and see your eVisa, as well as share information about your immigration status and conditions, such as your right to work or rent in the UK. You can also update personal details through your UKVI account, such as your contact details or your current passport details. You do not have to pay to register for a UKVI account. You must keep your passport details up to date in your UKVI account and tell us about any changes, so that your immigration status can be easily identified at the UK border. If you’ve told us you have a new passport and you’re still waiting for confirmation that your UKVI account has been updated, you should also carry your old document with you, if possible, to avoid unnecessary delays at the border. How will I use my UKVI account? You can use your UKVI account details to log in to the view and prove service to see your eVisa. You can also share your immigration status information with third parties, such as employers or landlords. You can do this by generating a share code in the view and prove service, which will give them time-limited access to your immigration status information. You can get a new share code whenever you need one – you do not have to remember a single unique code to be able to prove your status. We’ll continue to share relevant information about your immigration status automatically with some government departments and other public authorities. This will reduce the need for you to interact with online services when proving your immigration status. How do I get an eVisa and a UKVI account? If you currently have permission to stay in the UK and have either a BRP, a BRC or other physical documents to prove your immigration status, you do not have to take any action now. Throughout 2024, we’ll provide updates on when you need to register for a UKVI account, and what you need to do. If you need to make a new application for permission to stay in the UK, you should follow the usual application process. There will be information and guidance provided during your application process if you need to create a UKVI account. There will be updates to this page setting out available support if you need help to register for a UKVI account. If you have permission to stay in the UK, once you’ve completed your UKVI account registration you’ll be able to see your eVisa in the view and prove service.

Каждый день приносит хорошие новости клиентам нашего Legal Centre - Private UK & EEA Immigration Lawyers and Advocates Заявление на присоединение к семье было одобрено, и клиент теперь сможет приехать в Великобританию. Заявление одобрили и рассмотрели за 1.5 месяца. Делюсь статистикой ежедневных одобрений заявлений клиентов нашего Legal Centre - Private UK & EEA Immigration Lawyers and Advocates

Собственно говоря: 27 October 2023 – 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)7791145923 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> Increase to immigration health surcharge - CONFIRMED https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2023/9780348252637 Namely: "The Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2023 has now been laid before Parliament and WILL INCREASE FEES FROM £624 TO £1,035 PER YEAR (from £470 to £776 for students, students’ dependents, those under Youth Mobility Scheme and children). The Order will come into force on the later of 16 January 2024 and the twenty-first day after the day on which it is made"

Сегодня еще один ребенок родителей, кто находится в Великобритании по рабочей визе, получил одобрение по его визовому заявлению и теперь может приехать и жить с родителями в Великобритании. Заявление рассмотрели и одобрили за 6 недель. Делюсь статистикой ежедневных одобрений заявлений клиентов.

Часто задаваемый вопрос гражданами РФ, Белоруссии, Украины и т.п. Выношу в отдельную тему. >>> I have been granted Humanitarian Protection (HP) in the UK. Can I travel back to my Home country ? The answer is "No". See https://www.gov.uk/government/public...022-accessible Namely: "When someone with humanitarian protection applies to extend that permission, a safe return review will be carried out. Where they no longer need protection, they will not qualify for a further grant of humanitarian permission to stay, and their humanitarian protection will be revoked". In this case, travelling to the Home country may indicate that the protection is no longer needed.

Еще одна клиентка с Украины, у кого не было иммиграционного статуса, получила разрешение на проживание в Великобритании вне правил. Клиентка сначала получила отказ по т.н. украинской схеме, и попросила наш Legal Centre помочь ей легализоваться в Великобритании. Заявление на основании частной жизни/вне правил было одобрено за 2.5 месяца (текущий "стандарт" рассмотрения таких заявлений - от 12 месяцев). Делюсь статистикой ежедневных одобрений заявлений клиентов.

А вот так сейчас выглядит доставка BRP карточек после того, как доставку BRP карточек передали в Royal Mail (до этого BRP доставлялись через TNT):

Хорошее начало недели. Еще 2 ребенка были зарегистрированы британскими гражданами. Заявления рассмотрели и одобрили за 6 месяцев. Делюсь статистикой ежедневных одобрений заявлений клиентов.

Еще один ребенок был зарегистрирован британским гражданином. Заявление рассмотрели и одобрили за 6 месяцев. Делюсь статистикой ежедневных одобрений заявлений клиентов.

19 October 2023 – 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)7791145923 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> TLS vs Home Office. Really ? Yes, really: https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/TCC/2023/2481.html TLScontact in unsuccessful challenge to new Home Office contract. It appears that one may start seeing changes in overseas visa processing centres soon, after TLScontact was unsuccessful in an attempt to stop the Home Office from entering into a new contract with VFS Global. The case is Teleperformance Contact Ltd v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWHC 2481 (TCC). These proceedings are taking place in the Technology and Construction Court, part of the Business and Property Court of the High Court of Justice. Background TLScontact and VFS Global are both companies which manage the administrative side of visa applications for the UK and other countries, taking biometrics (photos and fingerprints) and helping with document checking and uploads as well as providing premium services for faster decisions on some applications. On 12 July 2023 TLScontact’s parent company Teleperformance Contact Limited lodged a claim challenging the Home Secretary’s decision to award the visa processing contracts for Africa and the Middle East, the Americas, Canada, Australasia and Europe, China and Taiwan to VFS Global’s parent company, VF Worldwide Holding Limited. TLScontact was awarded the contract for services in the UK. The effect of TLScontact lodging that claim was that the Home Secretary was prevented from entering into the contract with VFS Global under regulation 95(1) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. That prohibition can be lifted by interim court order. The Home Office applied for such an order and that was the issue to be decided at this hearing. The hearing and decision Evidence given on behalf of TLScontact was that the loss of this contract would result in closure of at least 64 of their centres, a 71% reduction in TLScontact revenue, over 750 redundancies and loss of reputation. The court took issue with some of the evidence provided on behalf of TLScontact, pointing out that no losses could arise from the failure to award them the contract for China and Taiwan as they had no presence in those areas. The evidence also failed to mention the recent awarding to TLScontact of a contract by the Australian government to provide services in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, a contract they were taking over from VFS Global. TLScontact accepted that this meant they would maintain business at 10 of the locations. The court also agreed with VFS Global that winning and losing contracts and opening and closing visa application centres is a route part of business in visa outsourcing, particularly between TLScontact and VFS Global, as the two largest operators. The Home Office raised concerns that a further delay to their ability to enter into the new contract with VFS Global would result in, or create a very significant risk of a gap in services. TLScontact said that they would agree terms to extend the existing contracts with the Home Office. The court did not accept that this provided enough certainty as the extension would still need to be negotiated. The court said that another relevant factor was that the new contracts will “include enhanced physical and digital security measures to standards higher than presently required; improved technology, modernisation of delivery of the services improvement to customer experience, and to contract management procedures”. Delays to these improvements would be detrimental to the wider public. Applying the test from American Cyanamid v Ethicon [1975] AC 396, the court concluded that damages would be an adequate remedy for any loss experienced by TLScontact should it succeed in the substantive claim. It was held that the balance of convenience lay in lifting the stay and allowing the Home Office and VFS Global with the contract. Conclusion If the matter now proceeds to a full hearing, the court has indicated that this could take place in February or March 2024. It certainly seems from this decision that TLScontact may run into some evidential issues regarding their losses. Aside from the outcome of this case, hopefully one will see some significant improvements, as referenced above by the court, once the new contracts with VFS Global are underway.

Еще один ребенок теперь может приехать для обучения в частной школе. Заявление на детскую студенческую визу было одобрено за 4 недели. Делюсь статистикой ежедневных одобрений заявлений клиентов.

19 October 2023 – 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)7791145923 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> Court of Appeal gives guidance on sentencing for small boats prosecutions: https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2023/1121.html The Court of Appeal in R v Ginar [2023] EWCA Crim 1121 has given guidance on the appropriate criminal sentences for those convicted for the offence of arriving (or attempting to arrive) in the UK without entry clearance, contrary to section 24(D1) of the Immigration Act 1971. The offence was introduced by the government in the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 with the explicit intention of targeting small boats crossing the Channel. The court said that the custody threshold will ‘generally be crossed’ for people arriving in the UK by small boats, placing migrants and refugees at risk of prison sentences for making the dangerous journey across the Channel. The court has confirmed that the starting sentence for the offence should be 12 months’ imprisonment. >>> Updated Apply for asylum support: form ASF1 form: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-asylum-support-form-asf1 As always, the Home Office could not make it better but making the form on the 36 (!) pages long

18 October 2023 – 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)7791145923 (WhatsApp/Viber) >>> Is there a cap on the time a student may study in the UK ? Yes, there is one. See https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas-and-Immigration/Student-route-eligibility-and-requirements?q=Progression&ExactMatch=True#layer-3002

Каждый день приносит хорошие новости по одобренным заявлениям клиентов (С). Сегодня еще один клиент, кто приехал в Великобританию почти 24 года тому назад наконец стал британским гражданином. Заявление рассмотрели и одобри за 7 месяцев. Делюсь статикой ежедневных одобрений решений клиентов.

Это, похоже, был один из самых сложных случаев, с которыми я работал на протяжение последних нескольких лет. Клиентом в этот раз был ребенок старше 18 лет, который первоначально приехал в Великобританию как PBS иждивенец, но затем начал обучение за пределами Великобритании. Мать ребенка уже имела право на получение разрешения на постоянное проживание в соответствии с Правилами о длительном проживании (заявление SET(LR)). Ребенок старше 18 лет также пытался подать заявление на получение разрешения на жительство в соответствии с Правилом длительного проживания, но Министерство внутренних дел отклонило заявление из-за чрезмерного отсутствия. Мать ребенка обратилась за советом к нескольким ведущим иммиграционным юристам Великобритании, в том числе и к бывшему иммиграционному судье. В конце концов, основываясь мать ребенка выбрала наш Legal Centre и опираясь на мой совет и стратегию, подала заявление ребёнка на продление его PBS Dependent визы. Министерство внутренних дел приняло заявление, но сообщило клиенту, что его дело чрезвычайно сложное. Затем Министерство внутренних дел отправило клиенту электронное письмо, в котором говорилось, что они подали НЕПРАВИЛЬНОЕ заявление, и предлагало клиенту перейти на т.н. семейную визу (Appendix FM (Child)), что было АБСОЛЮТНО неправильно. Подробное письмо, основанное на действующих иммиграционных правилах Великобритании, было представлено в Министерство внутренних дел, однако Министерство внутренних дел настаивало на том, что заявление необходимо будет заменить на другое. Последовал очередной и детальный ответ в Министерство внутренних дел. Результат ? Заявление было одобрено к большому облегчению матери ее ребенка. Делюсь статистикой ежедневных одобрений заявлений клиентов нашего Legal Centre.

Еще одни довольно непростое заявление по категории "ребенок-студент". Родители ребенка изначально обратились за помощью к зарубежной (и, судя по всему, неквалифицированной) иммиграционной консалтинговой фирмы, которая утверждала, что знает все и вся. При этом им удалось воспользоваться недействительным CAS, заявить, что ребенок будет находиться в приемной семье (!) и т. д., несмотря на то, что ребенок жил бы в т.н. boarding. Результатом стали два первоначальных отказа, пристальное внимание к заявлению со стороны Визового Центра и полное разочарование родителей. Работать по заявлению пришлось практически круглосуточно, помогал этой семье получить визу для их ребенка. Результат ? Долгожданное визовое заявление одобрено и этот ребенок сможет теперь учиться в Великобритании. Делюсь статистикой ежедневных одобрений заявлений клиентов.

Рабочие будни: основная задача - получить желаемый иммиграционный статус (в данном случае - ПМЖ (ILR), самым быстрым и эффективным способом. Делюсь ежедневными отзывами об одобренных заявлений клиентов.

Еще одна клиентка получила ПМЖ (ILR) в Великобритании, проработав в этой стране 5 лет. Это было сложное заявление т.к. клиентка долго отсутствовала за рубежом и технически не выполняла требования Правил. Подготовка заняла долгое время. В итоге заявление было одобрено по ускоренному типу рассмотрения. Делюсь статистикой ежедневных одобрений заявлений клиентов нашего Legal Centre.

Еще одна клиентка получила британский паспорт. Паспорт выдали очень быстро, всего за несколько дней. Делюсь статистикой ежедневных одобрений решений заявлений клиентов.