News

Apr 28, 2022 - Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine): visa data - as of 28 April 2022

Total Ukraine Scheme visa applications received: 117,600

Data is as of 28 April 2022 and comprised of:

  • Ukraine Family Scheme: 42,900
  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: 74,700

Total Ukraine Scheme visas issued to people: 86,100

Data is as of 28 April 2022 and comprised of:

  • Ukraine Family Scheme visas: 34,900
  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visas: 51,300

Of those issued under the Sponsorship Scheme, visas issued where the sponsor was from:

  • Scotland: 5,200 (of which Scotland is super sponsor for 3,000)
  • Wales: 2,300
  • Northern Ireland: 600
  • England: the rest of visa applicati...

Apr 27, 2022 - Nothing wrong with official evidence of English language test cheating, Upper Tribunal holds

This decision forms the next episode in the saga of cases arising from the Test of English for International Communication (“TOEIC”) certificates obtained from test centres in the United Kingdom administering tests set by the Educational Testing Service (“ETS”).

The BBC Panorama programme broadcast on 10 February 2014 exposed widespread cheating in tests of English needed for immigration purposes. Subsequent investigation revealed that many thousands of results were obtained by fraud, many of them by impersonation of the candidate at the speaking test…

In this decision it is possible to examin...

Apr 26, 2022 - UK announces new trade measures to support Ukraine

The UK has removed all tariffs on existing UK-Ukraine trade and levelled fresh sanctions at Russia.

All tariffs on goods imported from Ukraine will now be reduced to zero and all quotas will be removed under the free trade agreement, providing Ukraine economic support in their hour of need. The Prime Minister pledged to cut tariffs to support Ukraine’s economy through this crisis when he visited Kyiv earlier this month.

International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan met Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK His Excellency Vadym Prystaiko in London last week to reiterate the UK’s unwavering suppor...

Apr 25, 2022 - Past British citizenship not enough to save murderer from deportation

Are you a “foreign criminal” if you were British when convicted and sentenced, but you’ve lost that citizenship by the time the Home Office decides to deport you? Yes, said the Court of Appeal in Zulfiqar v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWCA Civ 492, agreeing with the Upper Tribunal’s decision in the same case.

Background

The facts of the case are striking. Mr Zulfiqar was born in the UK as a dual British and Pakistani national. He has spent his entire life here, visiting Pakistan only once.

In 2005, Mr Zulfiqar was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. As...

Apr 22, 2022 - Ukraine: UK embassy in Kyiv to reopen next week

The British embassy in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv will reopen next week, Boris Johnson has announced.

UK Ambassador Melinda Simmons said she was "heading back" after leaving when Russia invaded.

Apr 21, 2022 - Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine): visa data - as of 21 April 2022

Total Ukraine Scheme visa applications received: 107,200

Data is as of 21 April 2022 and comprised of:

  • Ukraine Family Scheme: 41,200
  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: 65,900

Total Ukraine Scheme visas issued to people: 71,800

Data is as of 21 April 2022 and comprised of:

  • Ukraine Family Scheme visas: 32,500
  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visas: 39,300

Of those issued under the Sponsorship Scheme, visas issued where the sponsor was from:

  • Scotland: 3,700 (of which Scotland is super sponsor for 2,140)
  • Wales: 1,500
  • Northern Ireland: 400
  • England: the rest of visa applicati...

Apr 19, 2022 - Can someone who has made an invalid extension application still rely on the 14-day grace period?

How broadly does the decision in R (Afzal) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2021] EWCA Civ 1909 protect applicants from the catastrophic consequences of becoming an overstayer after making an invalid application to extend immigration permission?

As a reminder, the Court of Appeal in Afzal held that the paragraph 39E protection against overstaying covers invalid applications (paragraph 50):

Although the language in para.39E is potentially ambiguous, any ambiguity utterly dissolves in the light of the obvious purpose of the paragraph and the statements of policy relating to it. Undo...

Apr 14, 2022 - Ukraine Family Scheme and Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine): visa data - as of 14 April 2022

Total Ukraine Scheme visa applications received: 94,700

Data is as of 14 April 2022 and comprised of:

  • Ukraine Family Scheme: 39,100
  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme: 55,600

Total Ukraine Scheme visas issued to people: 56,500

Data is as of 14 April 2022 and comprised of:

  • Ukraine Family Scheme visas: 31,400
  • Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme visas: 25,100

Of those issued under the Sponsorship Scheme, visas issued where the sponsor was from:

  • Scotland: 1,620 (of which Scotland is super sponsor for 570)
  • Wales: 700
  • Northern Ireland: 200
  • England: the rest of visa applications
...

Apr 12, 2022 - Employment of Ukrainian nationals

In response to the evolving conflict in Ukraine, the Home Office has introduced visa schemes to support Ukrainian nationals, and their family members, to come to the UK.

Those who are granted a visa under these schemes are able to work, rent a home, and access public services, such as medical treatment and education.

On 14 February 2022, the Government announced changes to make it easier for dependants of British citizens who were resident in Ukraine to apply for a Standard Family Visa, including waiving application fees. Successful applications resulted in the person being issued with a vi...

Apr 12, 2022 - Ukrainian Displaced Persons Travel Scheme

To help Ukrainian nationals travelling to the United Kingdom, most public transport operators, including National Rail, are offering free onward travel to get you to a safe place.  The offer is valid across all National Rail train operators, light rail services and the majority of bus and coach services in England, Scotland, and Wales, and you will have 48 hours from arrival in the UK to complete your journey.

You will also be able to travel free across London using London Underground, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and London bus and tram services so you can reach your destination as quickly a...