How the promised Graduate Route will compare to the Skilled Worker route


A guide for international students Graduate Route will be open this summer for international graduates who complete their degree at an undergraduate level or above (Masters, MPhil or PhD) in the summer 2021 or later and who have a valid Tier 4 visa at the time of application. Those who complete a professional course or […]
Driving offences and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) – the new rules from 1 December 2020


Driving offences have long been one of the most frustrating reasons for refusal of applications for indefinite leave to remain. The rule that bit so harshly paragraph 322 (1C) (iv) of the Immigration Rules which made the refusal of ILR mandatory where the applicant had, “within the 24 months prior to the date on which […]
Tier 2 sponsored employment after Brexit


From January 2021, changes to Tier 2 will make the route open not only to senior management and professionals, but also for secretarial and junior executive positions, the minimum salary will be lowered, and there will be no restriction on the number of people who can take advantage.
New Immigration Fee Waiver policy


Fee waiver in immigration applications is available in exceptional circumstances only. It can be used family related applications and in applications based on long residence which raise family life or private life issues. Fee waivers are not available for any other immigration category. The test for fee waiver is affordability, not the prospect of becoming destitute, which should make it accessible to more applicants unable to pay.
Zambrano entry clearance – a window of opportunity or the route of last resort for the parents of a British child


Zambrano family permits are for primary carers of a British citizen child who are based abroad and want to relocate to the UK. This route will close later this year. We discuss the advantages and complexities of this route compared to a standard partner visa.
EU nationals may need their PR documents for naturalisation applications


Over the last year, many EU citizens and their family members chose not to apply for a document certifying permanent residence and instead applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Immigration specialists have always had concerns about it – the generosity of the EUSS left a good number of holes which could be filled differently depending on the political mood of the time and the type of Brexit in the air.
Northern Irelanders may not have to pay the partner visa fee


From 24 August, people from Northern Ireland may no longer need a partner visa to the UK for their loved ones. Appendix EU will incorporate a new concept and bingo!
Post-Study Work Options for International Students in 2020


While the Immigration Rules are expected to change and offer more opportunities for post-study work, this year’s graduates have to navigate the few options available under the current immigration system. We are looking at the categories open to international students, from Tier 2 General, to temporary work under Tier 5, start-up and innovator and global talent options.
Settled status vs permanent residence, indefinite leave to remain and settlement visa


Settled status is not identical to indefinite leave to remain. And it does not replace your permanent residence document if you are planning to naturalise. Do not confuse an application for settled status with a settlement visa! And do not assume that a settlement visa will make you settled at once. Oh, immigration terminology, are you part of the hostile environment?
Is your employee extending her visa? Five steps to avoid fines


What happens in this limbo period when your employee’s visa has ended and the new one has not yet been issued? Can she stay in the country? Does she have the right to work? Is the employer safe if anything goes wrong?