Category Archives: General UK Immigration News

Changes to the skills shortage occupation list come into effect

The shortage occupation is part of the Tier 2 immigration route via the points based system. Highly skilled migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) seeking to work in the UK must apply for visas via this route. Employers can only bring someone into the UK under Tier 2 if the job is on […]

New policy guidance on the marriage visa age of 21

This case challenged the requirement under paragraph 277 of the Immigration Rules for both foreign spouses and their sponsors in the UK to meet a minimum age of 21 before the foreign spouse could be granted a visa to enter or remain as a spouse or partner. Paragraph 277 (along with other paragraphs of the […]

Minimum 21 years age requirement for foreign spouses declared unlawful

The UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, stated that the new rule would reduce the number of forced marriages. Supreme court judge, Lord Wilson said, “I would acknowledge that the change in rules is rationally connected to the objective of deterring forced marriages. But the number of forced marriages which it deters is highly debatable. What […]

Reduction in jobs available via the Shortage occupation list

The shortage occupation is part of the Tier 2 immigration route via the Points Based System. Highly skilled migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) seeking to work in the UK must apply for visas via this route. Today recommendations were accepted from MAC resulting in a number of jobs covered by the list […]

Overseas visitors will pay the price for their NHS debts

Changes to the Immigration Rules detailed in Parliament recently, meaning that those subject to immigration control who fail to settle an outstanding bill of £1,000 or more will not be allowed to enter or remain in the UK until the debt is paid off. Damian Green said: ‘the NHS is designed to meet the healthcare […]

UK citizenship test may include knowledge of British history

Prime Minister, David Cameron, said “there’s a whole chapter in the citizenship handbook on British history. But, incredibly, there are no questions on British history in the test. Instead you’ll find questions on the roles and powers of the main institutions of Europe and the benefits system within the UK. So we are going to […]

Misleading UK immigration claims results in a clash between politicians

In justifying the proposal, May used the example of a Bolivian man who avoided deportation based on the fact that he had a pet cat in the country. The Home Secretary cited the case of an “illegal immigrant who cannot be deported because – and I am not making this up – he had pet […]

Migration Advisory Committee Proposes Cuts to Shortage Occupation List

The Shortage Occupation List is a roster of jobs for which there is an endemic shortage of suitably skilled resident workers. If a job appears on the list, an employer can fill it with a non-European Union national without having to complete a resident labour market test. Applications to fill shortage occupations also get priority […]

Family migration reform to promote better integration

During a speech at the Centre for Policy Studies, the Minister highlighted research that supports the government\’s proposals on family migration. The proposals which are currently being consulted on will prevent the family route being used to bypass immigration laws, while welcoming those who want to make a life here with their family and contribute […]

Immigration cap poses risk to UK economy

The popular Tier 1 (General) category no longer exists. There is a new Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent)category; however, hardly anyone meets the requirements for this visa category. Moreover, Tier 2 skilled immigration for applicants with a job offer from a UK employer was capped at approximately 21,000 visas per year and, for many people, made […]