In the wake of significant media coverage, the Home Office has made the stunning decision to radically change the Immigration Rules, with less than a day’s notice, restricting students from switching to work visas before completing their course and preventing post-graduate students from sponsoring dependents, unless they are on taught research programmes. While reeling from…
It appears that the Home Office may be about to ‘u-turn’ on a recent announced policy change requiring sponsors to report changes in working location. In response to the widespread shift towards hybrid working and working from home following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Home Office had amended its guidance on sponsor reporting mandating…
At the end of January 2023, Tech Nation, one of the main approved Global Talent Visa endorsing bodies, announced its intention to cease operations on 31st March 2023. In a more recent announcement, however, Tech Nation confirmed that they have now become part of the ‘Founders Forum Group’. Crucially, this means that they will continue to…
If you currently hold a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, it is important to note that the deadline for extension applicants was 5th April 2023. If, however, you held a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa before switching to a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa, you still have until 5th July 2025 to apply for an extension of…
On 9th March 2023, a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules was presented to Parliament, containing several key immigration changes, many of which will come into force from 12th April 2023. These include the new UK border electronic travel authorisation (ETA), the replacement of the Innovator visa and retirement of the Start-up visa, and…
The next India Young Professionals Scheme visa ballot opens at 2:30pm (India Standard Time) on 20th February 2024 and closes at the same time on 22nd February 2024. This only provides a narrow window of time for prospective applicants to enter the ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme. What is the India Young Professionals Scheme Ballot Those who express interest in…
In a move that further marks the resumption of normal service, the Home Office has announced that it has restarted the priority processing of new marriage and family visa applications from 20th February 2023. This announcement by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will come as a welcome announcement for anyone wishing to apply under the…
The Home Office recently confirmed its intention to resume the priority processing service for family visas, including for spouse and child-dependant visa applications. Currently, priority and super priority visa processing services are not available for new family visa applications. As a result, some family visa applicants have been waiting for up to 6 months to…
On 30th November 2022, the Home Office brought to an end “exceptional assurance”. What was “exceptional assurance”? “Exceptional assurance” was introduced by the Home Office on 24th March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It offered those who intended to leave the UK due to the expiry of their visa but were unable…