An introduction to the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa – Home Office

Posted February 1st, 2021 in China, colonies, government departments, Hong Kong, immigration, press releases, visas by tracey

‘This leaflet provides the key points of the Hong Kong BN(O) visa, including who can apply, how to apply, costs and eligibility requirements.’

Full leaflet

Home Office, 31st January 2021

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Special UK visa for Hong Kong residents from Sunday – BBC News

Posted January 29th, 2021 in China, colonies, Hong Kong, immigration, news, visas by tracey

‘About 300,000 people are expected to leave Hong Kong for Britain using a new visa route which opens on Sunday. Hong Kong’s British National (Overseas) passport holders and their immediate dependants will be able to apply for the visa using a smartphone app.’

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BBC News, 29th January 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

The Skilled Worker Route – What’s Changing? – Richmond Chambers

Posted November 17th, 2020 in employment, immigration, news, remuneration, visas by sally

‘The Skilled Worker Route will open to new applications on 1 December 2020, replacing the Tier 2 (General) route which will close on the same day.’

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Richmond Chambers, 9th November 2020

Source: immigrationbarrister.co.uk

UK family reunion visa system puts lives at risk, says Red Cross – The Guardian

Posted November 12th, 2020 in families, news, refugees, reports, visas by tracey

‘A report from the British Red Cross finds the system that gives refugees in the UK the right to bring their family to join them – one of the few existing “safe” and legal routes to Britain – is putting people in danger because of the journeys they have to take to submit their applications.’

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The Guardian, 12th November 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Disputed burial and the Senior Courts Act 1981: Ganoun – Law & Religion UK

Posted November 2nd, 2020 in bereavement, burials and cremation, families, immigration, injunctions, news, visas by tracey

‘The issue in Ganoun v Joshi & Anor [2020] EWHC 2743 (Ch) was the disposal of the remains of a man who died in September 2020 as a result of a road traffic accident leaving a widow, Ms Joshi [1 & 3].’

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Law & Religion UK, 30th October 2020

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

Family of NHS consultant stricken by Covid face removal from UK – The Guardian

‘The family of an NHS consultant who has treated many patients during the coronavirus pandemic, and who is now critically ill with Covid himself, are facing removal from the UK.’

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The Guardian, 15th October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

New immigration system – key points for the life sciences and technology sectors – Technology Law Update

Posted August 11th, 2020 in brexit, EC law, freedom of movement, immigration, news, visas by sally

‘The Government has published further details about the new immigration system that is due to be implemented from 1 January 2021. The Further Details statement builds on the policy statement that was issued in February 2020. European freedom of movement will end on 31 December 2020 and the new system will apply to all European and non-European applicants.’

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Technology Law Update, 10th August 2020

Source: www.technology-law-blog.co.uk

Government Scraps Immigration “Streaming Tool” before Judicial Review – UK Human Rights Blog

‘In response to a legal challenge brought by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI), the Home Office has scrapped an algorithm used for sorting visa applications. Represented by Foxglove, a legal non-profit specialising in data privacy law, JCWI launched judicial review proceedings,, arguing that the algorithmic tool was unlawful on the grounds that it was discriminatory under the Equality Act 2010 and irrational under common law.’

Full Story

UK Human Rights Blog, 6th August 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Home Office drops ‘racist’ algorithm from visa decisions – BBC News

‘The Home Office has agreed to stop using a computer algorithm to help decide visa applications after allegations that it contained “entrenched racism”.’

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BBC News, 4th August 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Home Office to face legal challenge over ‘digital hostile environment’ – The Guardian

‘Immigrants’ rights campaigners are to bring the first court case of its kind in British legal history in an attempt to turn off what they claim is a decision-making algorithm that creates a “hostile environment” for people applying for UK visas online.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 18th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Sham marriage’ solicitor loses strike-off appeal – Legal Futures

‘The High Court has dismissed an appeal by a solicitor struck off after telling an undercover television reporter that he would help them apply for a visa on the back of a bogus marriage.’

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Legal Futures, 4th June 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Sole Representative Visa: Genuineness and Legal Certainty – Richmond Chambers

Posted June 2nd, 2020 in chambers articles, immigration, news, subsidiary companies, visas by sally

‘Paragraph 144 of the Immigration Rules was simple. It placed great trust in the parent company. From the amendments in response to the anxieties, we can see that re-orientation is from the parent company to the sole representative. The Home Office will consider the representative’s skills, knowledge, experience, the ownership and control held by the sole representative and their partner, and refuse if it considers the application is merely a way to facilitate the sole representative’s entry or stay.’

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Richmond Chambers, 28th May 2020

Source: immigrationbarrister.co.uk

Sole Representative Visa: Ownership and Control – Richmond Chambers

Posted May 29th, 2020 in immigration, news, regulations, subsidiary companies, visas by sally

‘Compared to other routes under the Rules the requirements for a representative of an overseas business were relatively simple. For at least the past year, the Home Office sought to remedy this through unlawfully reading in an additional requirement: ‘genuineness’. From 4 June 2020, the Rules will be amended to explicitly refer to this requirement, by inserting the word ‘genuinely’ before listing the requirements for entry clearance.’

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Richmond Chambers, 21st May 2020

Source: immigrationbarrister.co.uk

Sole Representative Visa Route to Change from 4 June 2020 – Richmond Chambers

Posted May 29th, 2020 in immigration, news, regulations, subsidiary companies, visas by sally

‘In the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules presented to Parliament in May 2020, released last week, the Secretary of State has made clear that she will significantly tighten the sole representative of an overseas business visa category from 4 June 2020.’

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Richmond Chambers, 18th May 2020

Source: immigrationbarrister.co.uk

Court rules bar set too high for NHS surcharge and visa fee waivers – The Guardian

‘A court ruling has given hope to thousands of migrants, including health and care workers, that they will no longer have to pay visa and NHS surcharge fees if they cannot afford them.’

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The Guardian, 21st May 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Implications of Coronavirus for UK Spouse Visas – Richmond Chambers

‘The Coronavirus and Covid-19 disease are causing a devastating effect across the world. The situation can be especially stressful for individuals who are separated from family members or for those who are worried that their partner may be separated from them if an application to remain in the UK is refused. In this post we will look at some of the key issues that individuals applying to remain with spouses and partners might need to consider in the coming months.’

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Richmond Chamber, 7th April 2020

Source: immigrationbarrister.co.uk

Residence requirements for Partners – Richmond Chambers

Posted February 19th, 2020 in chambers articles, citizenship, families, immigration, news, visas by sally

‘Unlike most visa routes, partner visas do not have any specific residence requirements or prescribed limits on the number of days of absences from the UK.’

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Richmond Chambers, 18th February 2020

Source: immigrationbarrister.co.uk

What is the Shortage Occupation List and why does it make a difference? – Richmond Chambers

Posted February 5th, 2020 in chambers articles, employment, immigration, news, visas by sally

‘The Shortage Occupation List sets out jobs in short supply in the UK at large, and Scotland specifically. These jobs can be filled by migrants under the Tier 2 route more easily than others.’

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Richmond Chambers, 3rd February 2020

Source: immigrationbarrister.co.uk

Should I choose Tier 1 Entrepreneur or Innovator? – Richmond Chambers

Posted January 30th, 2020 in immigration, news, visas by sally

‘Although the Tier 1 Entrepreneur category is closed to new entrants, those who hold leave in the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route currently or have held it in the last 12 months are still able to apply to enter the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route and therefore will need to make a choice about whether to apply as an Innovator or a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), if they wish to continue their business in the UK. Additionally, there may be some individuals who are already in the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category who may be better served by switching to the Innovator route, rather than remaining in the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category. In this article we will look at the pros and cons of both categories.’

Full Story

Richmond Chambers, 27th January 2020

Source: immigrationbarrister.co.uk

New Global Talent Visa announced – Richmond Chambers

Posted January 28th, 2020 in brexit, immigration, news, visas by sally

‘Faced with a potential post-Brexit brain drain, the Home Office has today announced the introduction of a new Global Talent visa.’

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Richmond Chambers, 27th January 2020

Source: immigrationbarrister.co.uk