Immigration

What’s still to come in 2024? Upcoming immigration changes

2024 has already been a year of rapid change for the UK’s most-used immigration routes. The rest of the year looks set to be no less eventful and in particular, important changes to both the Skilled Worker and partner routes will be coming into force in early April.   Common themes of the new measures …
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Recent immigration updates – what we know so far

They say a week is a long time in politics. When it comes to immigration, that has certainly rung true of late. Last Monday saw Home Secretary James Cleverly announce a new “five-point plan” to reduce legal migration to the UK. On Wednesday, the draft Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill was published, which …
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In the news: Chetal Patel comments on new UK migrant rules

Following Home Secretary James Cleverly’s announcement on the 4th December of the government’s intention to cut migration numbers with a 5 step plan, Chetal Patel spoke with various news outlets to discuss the consequences of these changes. One of the planned actions is to increase the earning threshold for overseas skilled workers from its current …
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Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme: What you need to know when travelling to the UK

What is an ETA? An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme has been launched as part of the UK government’s plans to strengthen the UK border through digitisation. The scheme will apply to most visitors to the UK who do not need a visa for stays of less than six months, and who do not have …
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Home Office’s position on graduates studying RIBA Part 3

Please note, this article was published in October 2023, but has been updated in August 2024. In August 2023, the Home Office confirmed their policy on the conditions of leave under the Graduate route, particularly for individuals interested in studying RIBA Part 3 to qualify as an architect. We have included some corrections to this …
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Increase in Home Office fees from 4 October

The government announced in July 2023 that they intended to significantly increase visa and nationality application fees this autumn.With effect from 4 October 2023, the fee increases are as follows: Please also note that priority, super priority fees and User Pays Visa Application Centre appointment fees are also expected to increase. Out-of-country non-settlement priority service will increase …
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Relationship breakdown and immigration status: advice for family lawyers

Family lawyers will often find themselves dealing with a marriage or relationship breakdown where the immigration status of one or both of the parties may be vulnerable. In such situations it will be vital to have a good grip on how the relationship breakdown may impact on the immigration status, as making the wrong move …
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In the news: Chetal Patel on the rise in non-EU immigration to UK

Partner and Head of Immigration Chetal Patel was quoted in People Management, Personnel Today and I News last week for sharing her insight on what the rise in non-EU immigration to UK means for the economy and businesses. Figures released last week by the Office for National Statistics have revealed that net migration to the …
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UKVI refuses to commit to closing loophole for transgender individuals in right-to-work checks guidance

Employers are required to carry out right to work checks for any new employee or for an existing employee on a time bound visa. UKVI’s current guidance is clear on how right to work checks are to be carried out – but the guidance currently does not address how transgender individuals can adequately address discrepancies …
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Employment law update recording – May 2022

Keeping up with employment and immigration law developments which directly impact on your organisation is essential but not easy. To help you with this, the May 2022 installment of our Bates Wells’ bi-monthly Employment Update webinar: covered the latest in immigration law which is likely to impact your organisation, including the latest changes to Right …
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Bates Wells joins the legal profession’s efforts to help Ukrainian citizens fleeing the warzone

Lawyers both in the UK and internationally are working together to facilitate ease of movement for Ukrainians escaping abroad through lawful channels. Quick-thinking lawyers have set up the Ukraine Advice Project UK, to provide free UK immigration advice to fleeing Ukrainians. Bates Wells is part of a core group working within the Immigration Law Practitioners’ …
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