Важные судебные решения и новости для иммигрантов

[British Lawyer]

23 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)

>>> ILPA AGM on 22 November 2023: Home Office is going mad

ILPA has informed that the Home Office considers reducing the  the net migration by:

- Min salary may be rased to £40 000 for Skilled Workers 

- Only 1 dependent may be allowed to enter the UK with the main applicant

 

Edited November 23, 2023 by British Lawyer

[British Lawyer]

30th November 2023
Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

>>> From March 2024 the Home Office intends to start issuing the Digital Visas only as well as offer the applicants in the UK

>>> From summer 2024 the Home Office will be writing to the applicants to register for the UK VI online accounts. Note that the digital visas will be “connected” to the passports. That means, that if you change your passport, you will need to update your UK VI online account.
 

[British Lawyer]

05 December 2023
Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

>>> Supreme Court dismisses appeals in validity and continuous residence case
See R (Afzal) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] UKSC 46

>>> Minor immigration tribunal procedure rule changes announced

Two minor but welcome changes to the immigration tribunal procedure rules. Firstly, the Upper Tribunal:
Rule 3 amends the Tribunal Procedure (Upper Tribunal) Rules 2008 (S.I. 2008/2698) (“Upper Tribunal Rules”) to omit rule 22A (special procedure for providing notice of a refusal of permission to appeal in an asylum case) to restore the requirement under rule 22 of those rules for the Upper Tribunal to serve a copy of its decision to refuse permission to appeal in an asylum case on the appellant. Rule 3 also makes consequential amendments to rules 22(1) (decision in relation to permission to appeal) and rule 40(2) (decisions) of the Upper Tribunal Rules to omit references to rule 22A in those rules.
Secondly, the First-tier Tribunal:

Rule 5 amends the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) Rules 2014 (S.I. 2014/2604) to clarify the time limits that apply to an appeal against a decision of the Home Office in relation to the EU Settlement Scheme that is also subject to an administrative review, where a decision on administrative review has been made, or the application for an administrative review has been withdrawn prior to a decision on administrative review having been determined.

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Міністр з питань міграції Британії зробив зауваження Ріші Сунаку і пішов у відставку

Міністр Великої Британії у справах міграції Роберт Дженрік не погодився із міграційною ініціативою прем'єра Ріші Сунака 

Британський міністр імміграції достроково склав свої повноваження через рішучу незгоду із міграційною політикою уряду та суперечки із прем'єром Сполученого королівства щодо переселення мігрантів до африканської країни Руанда.

Міністр Великої Британії у справах міграції Роберт Дженрік подав у відставку після того, як кабінет міністрів опублікував надзвичайний законопроєкт, який дозволяє переселяти мігрантів з Великої Британії до Руанди. Про це пише The Times.

Пізніше Дженрік сам підтвердив інформацію про відставку. Він обґрунтував своє рішення тим, що законопроєкт про запуск урядової програми переселення «зайшов достатньо далеко».

«Я не можу внести нинішній законопроєкт до Палати громад, бо не вірю, що він має найкращі шанси на успіх», – написав він у листі прем'єр-міністру Ріші Сунаку. 

Дженрік, який обіймав свою посаду з жовтня минулого року, не був присутній на сесії законодавчого органу, на якій міністр внутрішніх справ представив законопроєкт. Про відставку Дженріка вперше повідомила газета The Times після того, як Сунак відхилив його вимогу до Великої Британії відступити від Європейської конвенції з прав людини.

Колишній прем'єр-міністр Великої Британії Борис Джонсон підписав угоду з Руандою минулого року, але у листопаді Верховний суд Великої Британії визнав цей план незаконним. Згідно з одноголосним рішенням ради з п'яти членів вищого британського юридичного судового органу, існує ризик того, що особи, які шукають притулку, переселені з Великої Британії, будуть депортовані урядом Руанди до країн, з яких вони втекли, або в інші країни, де вони можуть зазнати шкоди або переслідуванням, що суперечить міжнародному праву та британське законодавство у галузі прав людини. Натомість новий законопроєкт дозволяє Палаті громад оголосити Руанда безпечною країною. Нова угода із Руандою містить гарантії того, що вона не висилатиме мігрантів до їхніх рідних країн.

Нагадаємо, міністр внутрішніх справ Великої Британії Джеймс Клеверлі під час візиту до Кігалі (столиця Руанди – «Главком») підписав новий варіант угоди з Руандою, що передбачає відправлення в цю африканську країну нелегальних іммігрантів, які потрапили на британську територію, бажаючи отримати притулок. 

Глава МЗС Руанди Вінсент Бірута зазначив: угода підкреслює «прихильність Руанди» до захисту вразливих груп населення, зазначивши, що існує «необхідність усунення корінних причин», які змушують людей залишати свої будинки та шукати притулку в інших країнах.

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Tougher visa rules unveiled in plan to cut migration

The UK government has introduced measures it promised would deliver the biggest ever cut in net migration after levels soared to a record high.

Home Secretary James Cleverly announced a five-point plan to curb immigration, which he said was "far too high".

The changes included hiking the minimum salary needed for skilled overseas workers from £26,200 to £38,700.

Mr Cleverly claimed 300,000 people who were eligible to come to the UK last year would not be able to in future.

The minimum income for family visas has also risen to £38,700.

In a statement to MPs, the home secretary said migration to the UK "needs to come down" and there had been "abuse" of health and care visas for years.

"Enough is enough," Mr Cleverly said. "Immigration policy must be fair, legal, and sustainable."

The migration plan comes after official figures last month showed net migration had soared to a record 745,000 in 2022.

Conservative MPs have since piled pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his government to bring down net migration, which is the difference between those entering and leaving the UK.

The sharp increase represents a huge political challenge for Mr Sunak and the Conservatives, who have repeatedly promised to reduce net migration since winning power in 2010, and "take back control" of the UK's borders since the Brexit vote.

The party's 2019 election manifesto committed to getting the number down, without setting a specific target, while David Cameron once pledged to bring net migration below 100,000 when he was prime minister.

Immigration is shaping up to be a key issue ahead of the next general election, which is expected in 2024.

With Labour leading in opinion polls, Mr Sunak has vowed to "do what is necessary" to bring down net migration.

Writing in the Sun newspaper, the prime minister wrote: "If you can't contribute to the UK, you are not coming to the UK.

"Our plan will deliver the biggest-ever cut in net migration and curb abuse."

On top of the new salary requirements, the government said it would:

• Ban care workers bringing family dependants to the UK
• End companies being able to pay workers 20% less than the going rate for jobs on a shortage occupation list
• Increase the annual charge foreign workers pay to use the NHS from £624 to £1,035
• Raise the minimum income for family visas to £38,700, from £18,600 from next spring
• Ask the government's migration adviser to review the graduate visa route to "prevent abuse"

The home secretary told MPs the changes would take effect in the spring next year.

"In total, this package, plus our reduction in students dependants, will mean around 300,000 fewer people will come in future years than have come to the UK last year," Mr Cleverly told MPs.

The figure of 300,000 is an estimate, based on internal Home Office calculations.

The Home Office believes the previously announced ban on most overseas students bringing dependents with them will account for almost half of the overall reduction.

Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Monday's announcement was "an admission of years of Tory failure on both the immigration system and the economy".

She said while net migration "should come down", the Conservatives were "failing to introduce more substantial reforms that link immigration to training and fair pay requirements in the UK, meaning many sectors will continue to see rising numbers of work visas because of skills shortages".

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said the "cruel plans spell total disaster for the NHS and social care".

"Migrant workers were encouraged to come here because both sectors are critically short of staff. Hospitals and care homes simply couldn't function without them," she said.

The plans were welcomed by some Conservative MPs, with former cabinet minister Simon Clarke calling the changes "serious" and "credible" steps.

But Mr Cleverly's predecessor as home secretary, Suella Braverman, was less impressed.

She said the package was "too late and the government can go further" on salary requirements and "shortening the graduate route".

Mrs Braverman claimed she had put forward similar proposals six times when she was home secretary "but the delay has reduced their impact".

She has lambasted the government's record on immigration since she was sacked as home secretary by Mr Sunak last month.

Staffing concerns

The latest statistics show the challenge ministers will face in reducing migration into the health sector, which has come to rely heavily on hiring workers from abroad.

The government said in the year ending September 2023, 101,000 visas were issued to care workers.

An estimated 120,000 visas were granted to the family dependants of those care workers, the government said.

The care sector is facing staffing shortages and providers have resisted curbs on their ability to hire foreign workers.

The government's migration advisers have previously said "persistent underfunding" of local councils, which funds most adult social care, is the most important factor in the staffing crisis.

Mr Cleverly acknowledged some care workers might be deterred from coming to the UK because they would not be able to bring families under the new rules.

But he said he believed there would still be care workers who would be willing to work in the UK.

Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory, said the decision to raise the family income threshold to £38,700 was "the biggest surprise of the day".

The government's changes to the minimum income for family visas mean that people may be blocked from bringing their relatives to stay in the UK under certain circumstances.

"Family migration makes up a small share of the total, but those who are affected by it can be affected very significantly," Dr Sumption said.

"The largest impacts will fall on lower-income British citizens, and particularly women and younger people who tend to earn lower wages."

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[British Lawyer]

12 December 2023
Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

>>> Yet again the immigration exception to data protection found unlawful: https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2023/1474.html

The Court of Appeal has declared the government’s second attempt at an immigration exception for normal data protection law to be unlawful. The judgment in R (On the Application Of The 3Million) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWCA Civ 1474 upholds that of the High Court below, which we covered previously here: Amended data protection exemption for migrants declared unlawful. The case was brought by the 3million group.

[British Lawyer]

12 December 2023 

Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre 
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype) 

>>> The UK E-visas will be rolled from around April 2024, beginning with the Skilled Worker route

 The BRPs will be replaced by the E-visas in 2024. The Home Office is also preparing the video on how to access the E-visa portal etc. 

Applicants MUST link their passport to their E-visa though the Home Office E-visa portal as otherwise they WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THE UK, PROVE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ETC.

 

Edited December 12, 2023 by British Lawyer

[British Lawyer]

13 December 2023
Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

>>> Court of Appeal: raising an entirely new issue in a determination for the first time is unfair: https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2023/1455.html

It is well established that the requirements of procedural fairness will very often require that a person who may be adversely affected by a decision is given an opportunity to make representations before the decision is taken with a view to producing a favourable result. There is a duty to give fair notice of the concerns which a decision maker has and to give a fair opportunity to respond to those concerns.

In Abdi & Ors v Entry Clearance Officer [2023] EWCA Civ 1455 the Court of Appeal considers these principles in the context of a First-tier Tribunal appeal from the dependent family members of an EEA national.
 

[British Lawyer]

POSSIBLE GOOD NEWS for the Ukrainian applicants who used the bogus agents and came into the UK with the non-genuine Homes for Ukraine (H4U) "approval" letters. Those applicants would be waiting for their BRPs for months or even 1.5 years now.

ВОЗМЖНО ХОРОШИЕ НОВОСТИ ДЛЯ ГРАЖДАН УКРАИНЫ, КТО СТАЛИ ЖЕРТВАМИ ИММИГРАЦИОННЫХ МОШЕННИКОВ (т.е. кто въехал в Великобританию по, скорее всего, фальшивым письмам-одобрениеям по, например, cхеме Homes for Ukraine). Такие заявители обычно ждут BRP месяцами. Есть случаи ожидания BRP уже на протяжении 1.5 года. 

Previously the Home Office would just reject such an application. Now something has apparently changed, and the Home Office is sending such victims of immigration fraud the short pro-formas, inviting the applicants to complete them with the view to switching into the Ukrainian Extension Scheme (UES).

See the attached pro-forma example. 

I hope it helps. 

 

[British Lawyer]

22 December 2023
Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)


>>> Article 8 not automatically engaged by a refusal under the EU settlement scheme: https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKUT/IAC/2023/293.html

In Dani (non-removal human rights submissions) Albania UKUT 293 (IAC) the Upper Tribunal has said that an application made under the EU settlement scheme does not in itself amount to a human rights claim. This is yet another case where people trying to access their rights under the EU settlement scheme have been penalised owing to an inability to get married during the pandemic.

Background

The Home Secretary rejected the appellant’s application for pre-settled status on the basis that the marriage took place after 31 December 2020 and the appellant had not been issued with a relevant document which meant he could not meet the definition of “durable partner”.

It was argued that the decision to refuse the appellant’s EU settlement scheme application breached his article 8 rights. There was also an attempt to broaden the ability to raise human rights arguments at appeal beyond the limitations at section 113(1) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 by arguing that a refusal of leave to remain was a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Upper Tribunal’s decision

These arguments were dismissed by the Upper Tribunal. The headnote says:

1. The mere refusal of leave to remain under the EUSS is not, without more, a “human rights claim” under section 113(1) of the 2002 Act.
2. Consequently, the “new matter” regime does not regulate the Tribunal’s consideration of non-removal human rights submissions.
3. But the Tribunal may only consider matters which it thinks are “relevant to the substance of the decision appealed against”.
4. Whether Article 8 is engaged by a decision to refuse an EUSS application is not “relevant to the substance of the decision appealed against”; the Tribunal cannot not consider it. The Tribunal does not enjoy a broad, unencumbered jurisdiction to consider non-removal human rights submissions at large.
5. In any event, Article 8 will not, without more, be engaged by a decision to refuse leave to remain under the EUSS.
6. Section 7(1)(b) of the Human Rights Act 1998 does not permit an appellant to advance a free-standing Article 8 claim in proceedings before the First-tier Tribunal.

Conclusion

The position therefore remains that where someone wants to raise human rights in an appeal against the refusal of an application made under the EU settlement scheme, if they have not previously raised human rights as part of the application then they will need consent from the Home Secretary to raise this as a “new matter” under regulation 9(5) of the Immigration (Citizens’ Rights Appeals) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. As was the case with Mr Celik and Mr Allaraj, Mr Dani will now presumably need to seek a grant of leave under Appendix FM in order to remain in the country with his wife.

 

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Українців чекають проблеми з житлом ще в одній країні Європи

Місцеві ради деяких шотландських міст не отримали кошти для фінансування роботи готелів, у яких розміщені біженці з України, через що їх можуть змусити шукати інше житло.

Про ситуацію, яка склалася, пише The Scotsman.

Минулого року шотландський уряд виділив місцевій владі кошти, аби організувати тимчасове житло втікачам від війни в Україні, яких налічувалося майже 17,5 тисяч. Тепер же, через брак "зайвих" коштів, місцеві бюджети не отримають 10 мільйонів фунтів стерлінгів "субсидій".

Ще у жовтні Конвенція місцевих органів влади Шотландії зверталась до уряду, висловивши стурбованість відсутністю фінансування на 2024 рік. Міністр соціальної справедливості Шотландії Ширлі-Енн Сомервіль на це відповіла, що формування регіонального бюджету було надзвичайно складним та потребувало "важких рішень".

Наразі місцеві органи влади шотландських міст попереджають про можливість виселення біженців, натомість у Единбурзі заявили, що це збільшить рівень бездомності та спричинить "непередбачувані наслідки". Очікується, що наступного тижня представники місцевих влад проведуть зустріч із "профільним" урядовцем для пошуку шляхів вирішення ситуації.

Нагадаємо, що частина консерваторів Великої Британії виступають за відставку чинного прем'єр-міністра Ріші Сунака і повернення його попередника Бориса Джонсона, що може врятувати Консервативну партію від поразки на наступних виборах у 2025 році.

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Консульство України у Лондоні попередило біженців-чоловіків

Консульство України у Лондоні звернулося до чоловіків щодо військового обліку

Чоловіків призовного віку з України, які понад три місяці живуть у Великій Британії, закликали стати на військовий облік. У консульстві України у Лондоні зазначили, що не будуть обмежувати надання послуг українцям призовного віку. Про це повідомили у Telegram консульства.

У повідомленні дипломати посилаються на вимоги Порядку організації та ведення військового обліку призовників, військовозобов'язаних та резервістів, затвердженого постановою Кабінету міністрів від 30 грудня 2022 року № 1487. Згідно з ним, військовозобовʼязані та резервісти мають:

• перебувати на військовому обліку у випадку виїзду за кордон на строк понад три місяці;
• впродовж семи днів з дня прибуття у Британію чоловіки повинні прийти до будь-якої дипломатичної установи України з паспортом та військово-обліковими документами для того, щоб стати на військовий облік.

Там додали, що інформація про осіб віком від 18 до 65 років, які стають на тимчасовий облік у посольстві, одночасно включає їх до військового обліку. Цей облік стосується призовників, військовозобов'язаних та резервістів й ведеться відповідною установою. У консульстві також наголосили, що законодавством не встановлено обмежень для чоловіків призовного віку, які хочуть скористатися консульськими послугами.

«Тобто інформація про те, що без документів з військкомату чоловіки не можуть оформити паспорт/доручення тощо, не відповідає дійсності», – додали у повідомленні.

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Сунак зумів не допустити провалу ключового голосування щодо імміграційної політики

Прем'єр-міністр Великої Британії Ріші Сунак у середу зміг не допустити заколоту серед членів своєї Консервативної партії, які виступали проти його плану відправляти шукачів притулку до Руанди.

Про це, як пише "Європейська правда", повідомило агентство Reuters.

Сунак здобув дорогу перемогу, яка, втім, послаблює його авторитет і поглиблює розбіжності в його партії.

Він запропонував символічні компроміси тим, хто вимагав від нього посилення нового законопроєкту про боротьбу з нелегальною імміграцією. Цей крок, як побоювалися центристи, міг би порушити захист прав людини.

Зрештою, лише 11 з майже 60 критиків законопроєкту у вівторок вирішили проголосувати проти документа у нижній палаті парламенту в третьому читанні. 

Деякі з критиків побоювалися, що якщо вони не підтримають проєкт, то можуть ненавмисно розвалити уряд.

Оскільки консерватори відстають від опозиційної Лейбористської партії в опитуваннях громадської думки перед цьогорічними виборами, деякі законодавці були стурбовані відхиленням плану, який, на думку виборців, міг би зменшити нелегальну імміграцію. Це питання є критично важливим для деяких британців.

"Ухвалення законопроєкту сьогодні ввечері знаменує собою важливий крок у нашому плані зупинити човни (з мігрантами, які перетинають Ла-Манш. – Ред.)", – заявив представник офісу Сунака.

"У нас є план, ми досягли прогресу, і це знакове законодавство забезпечить нам рейси до Руанди, утримає людей від небезпечних подорожей через Ла-Манш і зупинить човни", – додав він.

Хоча зрештою більшість консерваторів підтримали план Сунака, вони попередили його, що продовжуватимуть чинити на нього тиск, щоб зменшити імміграцію.

Деякі консерватори звинувачують Сунака в тому, що він не зміг відновити популярність партії після заміни своєї попередниці Ліз Трасс у 2022 році. Але зіткнувшись з можливістю спровокувати дострокові вибори, вони вирішили, що голосувати проти нього було занадто далеко.

Згідно з опитуванням громадської думки, проведеним YouGov та оприлюдненим у середині січня, консервативна партія прем'єр-міністра Великої Британії Ріші Сунака зазнає приголомшливої поразки на виборах, що мають пройти цього року.

Джерело

[British Lawyer]

18 January 2024
Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

>>> Increase to Immigration Health Surcharge date has been confirmed

The Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2024 was made on 16 January 2024 and comes into force 21 days later, meaning the increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge (from £624 to £1,035 per person per year, with the discounted rate rising from £470 to £776 per year for students, their dependents, applicants for the Youth Mobility Scheme and children under the age of 18) will now come into force on 6 February 2024.

Edited January 18 by British Lawyer

[British Lawyer]

25 January 2024

Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

>>> Can a Skilled Worker be self-employed rather than employed ?

The answer is “Yes”, but in a number of limited cases. 

A Skilled Worker migrant can be self-employed.  For example, an equity partner in a law firm (who would always be someone who is self-employed rather than an employee) can be sponsored under the Skilled Worker route. The "Sponsor a Skilled Worker" guidance clearly envisages this as a possibility:

What the CoS must confirm

SK11.17. For a CoS to be valid, it must meet the requirements set out in paragraphs SW 5.1 to SW 5.6A of Appendix Skilled Worker to the Immigration Rules.
 
SK11.18. It must confirm all of the following:

[…]

•    the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) scheme reference number under which the worker will pay income tax and national insurance – if you are not required to operate PAYE on the worker’s earnings (for example, if the worker is covered by an exception set out in HMRC EP Appendix 4, or is self-employed), you must explain this on the CoS
 
S1.29 of Part 2 of the Worker/Temporary Worker sponsor guidance provides the following clarification:

S1.29. If the worker is self-employed, there must be a genuine contract for employment or services between you and the worker. 

This contract must show:

•    the names and signatures of all involved (which must include you and the worker)
•    the start and end dates of the contract
•    details of the job, or piece of work, the worker has been contracted to do
•    how much the worker will be paid

>>> UK Employer Sponsorship AUTOMATIC license extension

From the Home Office:

“FOR THE ATTENTION OF ALL SPONSORS WITH A LICENCE EXPIRY DATE ON OR AFTER 6 APRIL 2024: From 6 April 2024 we will remove the requirement to renew your sponsor licence. If your licence is due to expire on or after this date you will no longer need to apply to renew your licence or pay a renewal fee. To prepare for this, we have extended licence expiry dates on all licences due to expire on or after 6 April 2024 by 10 years. You do not need to take any action. If you have already received a notification to renew your licence, please ignore it. You can select the “Licence Summary” function in SMS to view your licence expiry date. Information on the renewal process can be found in the Workers and Temporary Workers guidance Part 3 or Student sponsor guidance Document 1. 

If you have already made an application to renew your licence we will contact you shortly and arrange to refund your renewal fee.”
 

[British Lawyer]

29 January 2024
Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

>>> Changes to treatment of some late applications to the EU Settlement Scheme in new guidance

The Home Office has introduced some flexibility for some people who are applying late to the EU Settlement Scheme, after the rules were severely tightened in August 2023. The new version 22 of the guidance for caseworkers on the EU Settlement Scheme applies to decisions made from 16 January 2024. 

Changes for those who hold permanent residence and are applying late.

In the section “Examples of reasonable grounds” for making a late application, further explanation and two new examples have been given on pages 50 and 51 under “Circumstances which will not generally constitute reasonable grounds for delay in making an application”. This provides for situations where the person had a “reasonable belief” that they did not need to apply or “reasonable basis” for being unaware that they had to do so. The application must have been made without further delay once they became aware of the need to make it.

Relevant factors in support of the late application being accepted can include the following, but these need to be “based on credible information and supporting evidence” that the person:

•    is a first-time applicant to the EU Settlement Scheme with a residence document issued under the EEA Regulations, indefinite leave to enter or remain under another route or long continuous UK residence identified by the automated checks of tax and benefits records
•    has an EEA national spouse, civil partner or durable partner or other close family member or members who applied in-time to the scheme, but believed that they could rely on a residence document issued under the EEA Regulations
•    has a compliant positive immigration history
•    has received incorrect advice from an employer or landlord since the end of the grace period on 30 June 2021 as to their right to work or rent in the UK without EU Settlement Scheme status
•    has travelled in and out of the UK since 30 June 2021 without being signposted to the scheme

The guidance says that people in this situation will still need to satisfy the Home Office decision maker “on the balance of probabilities” that they have reasonable grounds for making the late application. The more of the above factors that are present in a case, the stronger the argument will be for the application to be accepted.

Returning residents

There has been a small addition to page 15. This directs anyone who has been granted indefinite leave to enter or remain under Appendix EU, but who has lost this due to spending more than five years outside the UK, to apply as a returning resident if they want to return to the UK for settlement.

Concession for certain children of a ‘relevant EEA family permit case’

There is a new section on page 22 “Concession for certain children of a ‘relevant EEA family permit case’”. This applies where the parent is a dependent relative who meets subsection (a) of the definition of a ‘relevant family permit case’ at Annex 1 of Appendix EU and the child was born outside the UK either:

•    before 11 pm on 31 December 2020 and a valid application for an EEA family permit was not made under the EEA Regulations before then, or
•    after 11pm on 31 December 2020 and so it was not possible to make such an application before then.

Where this applies and the child was granted an EU Settlement Scheme family permit outside Appendix EU (Family Permit) to either accompany their parents to the UK or join them there, an application can be made for the child as a family member (dependent relative) of a relevant EEA citizen. They will then be deemed to meet the necessary requirements, although the application must be made “as soon as reasonably practicable” and generally within three months of arrival to the UK.

[British Lawyer]

31January 2024
Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

>>> Dates confirmed for changes to income thresholds for family and skilled worker visas: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-01-30/hcws222

A ministerial statement made today has confirmed that there are two statements of changes coming in the next couple of months. The first will remove the ability of care workers to bring dependants, and the second will include the increase to the minimum income requirement for families, among other changes.

The 19 February statement of changes

The 19 February statement of changes will remove the rights of care workers and senior care workers to bring dependants. This will come into force on 11 MARCH 2024. The other change made at this stage is that care providers in England will only be able to sponsor workers if they are regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

The 14 March statement of changes

The minimum income requirement for partners applying under Appendix FM will be increased to £29,000 on 11 APRIL 2024. No dates have been given for the further incremental increases yet, just that there will be two more increases and the final one will take effect “by early 2025”.

This statement of changes will increase the earnings threshold for those on the skilled worker route, from £26,200 to £38,700. This change will come into force from 4 APRIL 2024. The Health and Care visa route is exempt from this change, as are workers in national pay scale occupations.

Other changes include the implementation of any changes following the Migration Advisory Committee’s rapid review of the shortage occupation list. The 20% going rate discount for roles on the list WILL BE REMOVED. These changes will also come into force from “early April 2024”.

[British Lawyer]

01 Februaery 2024
Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

>>> Victims of Domestic Abuse may not apply to come to the UK from abroad: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/victims-of-domestic-violence

A person applying from outside the UK on the Victim of Domestic Abuse (VDA) route must apply for entry clearance online on the gov.uk website on the specified form: “Return to the UK.”  

>>> Those applying for 12 months or less on the International Sportsperson route can now apply from a third country: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/where-to-apply-ecb05?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=71d49c58-5f4f-40f6-86c5-6b12eb2d845e&utm_content=daily 

[British Lawyer]

Ukrainian Schemes statistics

Статистика по украинским схемам

[British Lawyer]

05 February 2024

Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre

www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

 

 

>>> More on the new Domestic Abuse immigration Rules

 

New immigration rules relating to victims of domestic abuse applying for indefinite leave came into last week. Immigration applications made on or after 31 January 2024 will be dealt with under the new rules.

 

The new immigration rules, called ‘Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse’ or ‘Appendix VDA’ for short, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-victim-of-domestic-abuse

 

The new policy guidance that Home Office caseworkers will use to decide applications can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/victims-of-domestic-violence. Policy guidance has been significantly re-worked since its previous version.

 

What has stayed the same

 

There have been no changes to the scope of who is eligible under this domestic abuse route.

 

To be eligible for indefinite leave as a victim of domestic abuse an applicant must still show that their last visa is in one of the permitted categories* and their relationship has broken down permanently because of domestic abuse.

 

*The permitted categories are listed in the immigration rules and include the partner of a British citizen, the partner of a settled migrant and the partner of a refugee. They also include the partner of an EU citizen with pre-settled status but ONLY where the sponsored partner had leave under Appendix FM.

 

What has changed

 

• The rules introduce a new route for victims of domestic abuse abandoned overseas to apply for indefinite leave to enter the UK if their relationship has broken down permanently because of domestic abuse and they have been abandoned overseas. 

• It is no longer necessary for relationship breakdown to occur during the last grant of leave. This means the relationship breakdown can happen even after a partner visa has expired as long as the applicant’s last grant of leave was in a category that permits access to the domestic abuse route.

 

• The introduction of rules relating to dependent children who can apply for indefinite leave alongside or after their parent. The rules relating to children are now more complicated. Government’s decision to include a requirement that children must be supported without additional recourse to public funds means that we may see children refused settlement even where their parent is granted it. 

 

• The general grounds for refusal in Part 9 of the rules now apply to the domestic abuse route. There is no longer provision in the domestic abuse route for a grant of limited leave where there is low level criminality – applications will now either be granted settlement or refused.

 

[British Lawyer]

16 February 2024
Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

>>> Reminder if your BRP expires on 31 December 2024: Biometric residence permits (BRPs): Report a problem with your new BRP - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You do not need to tell UKVI if your BRP expires on 31 December 2024 but your immigration status (for example, your visa) allows you to stay longer.
You will not need a BRP from 1 January 2025. You’ll be able to prove your immigration status online, without a BRP.
UKVI will update their information on how to prove your immigration status in early 2024. You do not need to do anything and your immigration status will not be affected.

[fregat222]

Українські біженці у Британії зможуть продовжити свої візи: названо термін

Громадяни України, які перебувають у Великій Британії, можуть продовжити свої візи ще на 18 місяців. Таким правом зможуть скористатися сотні тисяч біженців, які залишили Україну після вторгнення Росії.

Продовження візи дозволить українцям зберегти низку прав та доступ до послуг. Про це повідомило Міністерство внутрішніх справ Великої Британії.

Британський уряд заявив, що з початку 2025 року сотні тисяч біженців з України зможуть подати заяву на перебування у Великій Британії. Таким чином вони зможуть продовжити своє право на доступ до працевлаштування, охорони здоров'я та освіти.

"Ця нова схема продовження віз забезпечує впевненість українців у Великій Британії в їхньому майбутньому, оскільки ця війна триває, і ми продовжимо надавати притулок тим, хто тікає від конфлікту", – заявив міністр з питань легальної міграції Том Персглов.

Варто зазначити, що Британія має дві схеми для українських біженців – одна для тих, чиї сім'ї вже перебувають у Великій Британії, а інша дозволяє британцям пропонувати житло тим, хто рятується від війни. Міністерство внутрішніх справ заявило, що продовження віз торкнеться понад 283 тис. українців.

Нагадаємо, у Німеччині викрили іноземців, які видавали себе за біженців з України, щоб отримати виплати та інші пільги, зокрема житло та харчування. На брехні спіймали тисячі угорців та румунів.

Раніше повідомлялося, що муніципалітет Драммена, п'ятого за величиною в Норвегії, ухвалив рішення, що прийматиме біженців лише з України. Однак такий крок був засуджений центральною владою країни як дискримінаційний, внаслідок чого спалахнув скандал.

Джерело

[British Lawyer]

Now the officially recognized Stateless Persons in the UK can sponsor their spouse/children to join them in the UK under the Appendix FM.

Basically, the Stateless persons can now enjoy the same family "reunion" rights as the foreign spouses of British citizens.

[British Lawyer]

26 February 2024
Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

>>> Can I apply to switch into the EU Pre-Settled status from within the UK on a Visitor visa ?

•    The answer is “Yes”, based on the Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 617, 10 September 2021.

Namely, the changes to EU Settlement Scheme family permits, including “to allow a joining family member to apply to the EUSS whilst in the UK as a visitor”

[British Lawyer]

06 March 2024
Important UK Immigration News and Updates from the Legal Centre
www.legalcentre.org +44 77 911 45 923 (WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, Skype)

>>> The Home Office is now actively REVOKING the EU Pre-Settled / EU Settled Status obtained by fraud or deception.

In most cases this happens when the applicant did not disclose previous criminality or other major facts which should have been declared on the applications for the EU Settled Status.