News

10.06.2025 - No more 90-day Vignettes (stickers) for some main applicants from 15 July 2025

From 15 July, main applicants for the following visas will only get an eVisa (no 90-day vignette in their passport): 

•    Students (including short-term up to 11 months)
•    Global Business Mobility
•    Global Talent
•    International Sportspersons
•    Skilled Workers (including Health and Care)
•    Temporary Workers
•    Youth Mobility Scheme

Dependants and children will still get both a vignette (sticker) and an eVisa.  

Simpler process for people with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR/Settlement)   

In response to stakeholder feedback, the Home Office simplified the process for getting ...






03.06.2025 - High Court rules sponsor should have been given chance to make representations before licence revocation

The High Court in R (TJ Trading Express Limited) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWHC 1274 (Admin) held that before revoking the sponsor’s licence for non-compliance, the Home Office should have given the business an opportunity to make representations in response to its allegations.

Background

The claimant is a company that runs a petrol station and shop which was granted a Skilled Worker licence on 27 September 2022. The company’s director is Mr Jayaganth Ragunathan, who was also a Level 1 user, meaning he was authorised to take actions in respect of the company’s licence...

12.05.2025 - The immigration white paper

The immigration white paper has been published containing proposals for future legislation. The summarised proposals from the paper are set out in full below but some of the main changes are the standard period for settlement in points based system routes is to be doubled to ten years, graduate visas will be reduced to 18 months, the immigration skills charge is to increase by 32%.

A new “temporary shortage” occupation list will be used for roles below RGF6 and the social care visa route is to be closed. Some sort of talent beyond boundaries scheme is to be introduced. English language require...

29.04.2025 - The armed forces immigration rules

The armed forces immigration rules were introduced in 2004 and have been through a number of revisions since then. 

In 2013 the introduction of Appendix Armed Forces, mirroring Appendix FM but thankfully without the ‘alphabet soup’. Appendix Armed Forces was then withdrawn and replaced by Appendix HM Armed Forces on 11 April 2024.

While many of the requirements in Appendix FM and Appendix HM Armed Forces were the same, such as the minimum income and suitability requirements, armed forces families were given a number of discretions in reflection of their sponsor’s service. 

What discretions are...

16.04.2025 - A guide to right to work checks

Employers in the UK are required to conduct right to work checks to ensure that their employees have the legal right to work. If the employer knows, or ought to know, that the individual does not have permission to work, they can face civil penalties of up to £60,000 and can also face criminal sanctions and closure of the business.

Until recently, employers were not required to conduct right to work checks where the worker was not a direct employee, such as workers who are self-employed. A recent announcement from the Home Office has confirmed that soon this will no longer be the case and “emp...

07.04.2025 - Challenging the suspension and revocation of a sponsor licence

Sponsorship compliance is high on the Home Office’s agenda. Suspensions and revocations are on the rise and the Government has made cracking down on "shameless employers" central to their future immigration policy. The impending government "white paper" should also set out tougher sanctions for employers who fail to meet their duties as a sponsor.

The loss of a sponsor licence can be catastrophic for a business and its employees. The sponsored workers are likely to lose their jobs, have their visas curtailed to 60 days and need to find new employment to be able to remain in the UK. The sponsor...

31.03.2025 - Tougher UK Immigration Rules Introduced: Biometric Compliance Now Critical for Foreign Nationals

As of 24 March 2025, the UK government has brought into force a series of important amendments under the Immigration (Biometric Information etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. These revisions significantly enhance the country’s ability to manage immigration by prioritising biometric identification and digital verification systems for foreign nationals. The latest changes lay the groundwork for a fully digitised immigration infrastructure, with far-reaching consequences for non-compliant individuals.

Expanded Use of Biometric Data at UK Entry Points

The latest rules grant UK border officials br...

26.03.2025 - Spring Statement 2025: Key Announcements and Economic Outlook

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled a series of significant changes to the UK’s economic strategy during her Spring Statement in the House of Commons. The statement coincided with the release of the latest economic projections by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which has assessed the government's spending and economic outlook.

Here are the key highlights from the Spring Statement:

Welfare Reforms

The government is introducing significant changes to the welfare system, particularly targeting universal credit and disability benefits:

  • Health-related universal credit for new cla...

26.03.2025 - Spring Statement 26 March 2025 - tax anti-avoidance measures

Despite some speculation that Spring Statement might introduce new tax measures, we are pleased to confirm that no changes to the tax rules have been made, and as initially planned, the Spring Statement does not affect our current tax regulations.

However, the Government has used this opportunity to release a range of consultation documents, particularly focusing on tax anti-avoidance measures. These consultations may be of interest to some of our clients, and we have outlined the key points below.

Making Tax Digital

From April 2026, Making Tax Digital (MTD) will extend to certain taxpayers fo...

19.03.2025 - Home Office immigration and nationality fees: 9 April 2025

Immigration fees have increased by an average of five to ten percent.

You can see it on the page

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