Immigration News
Government Rejects Amnesty Calls
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Persistent rumours that the government may be considering an amnesty for illegal immigrants have been quashed. A spokesman for the UK Border Agency, in responding to a report published by the London School of Economics has said, 'The policy on an amnesty for illegal immigrants remains unchanged and is very clear - there will be no amnesty, those here illegally should go home."
The LSE report had concluded that an amnesty for illegal migrants would benefit the United Kingdom economy by £3 billion.
Gurkhas given settlement rights
Thursday, 21 May 2009
All former Gurkhas who have served in the British Army for at least four years will now be eligible for settlement in the UK.
Under the new policy, those Gurkhas who retired prior to 1 July 1997 after completing four years service can apply to settle in the United Kingdom with their spouses and dependent children.
The new policy refers specifically to those Gurkhas who retired before 1 July 1997 and who will now be granted settlement rights under the new scheme. Those who retired after 1 July 1997 are already eligible to apply for settlement under the current immigration rules.
New Biometric Centres
Thursday, 21 May 2009
The UK Border Agency is setting up new biometric enrolment facilities around the country.
It has been compulsory since November 2008 for certain categories of non-EEA nationsl who extend their stay in the UK to obtain Identity Cards. In March 2009, this scheme was expanded further.
To meet increasing demand, biometric enrolment facilities will be established in June at:
Elephant and Castle, London
Birmingham
Derby
Brighton
Also in June, a new UK Border Agency public enquiry office with enrolment capability will be opened in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The biometric enrolment service will continue at UKBA's existing offices in Sheffield, Liverpool, Solihull, Cardiff, Glasgow and Croydon.
Enrolment will continue to be by appointment only at all offices.
Youth Mobility Scheme: Japanese nationals
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Entry to the United Kingdom under the points-based system youth mobility scheme is based on a quota system for participating countrie, rotating annually. Currently the countries participating in the scheme are Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand. The limits for Japanese nationals for the period ending 31 December 2009 have been reached and with immediate effect no new applications for this year will be accepted. Japanese applicants may next apply from 1 January 2010.
Nationals of Australia, Canada and New Zealand may continue to apply throughout 2009 unless otherwise announced.
New (Old) Rules for HSMP ILR
Thursday, 21 May 2009
UKBA has issued its response to the High Court ruling in the HSMP Forum (UK) Ltd case. On 6 April 2009, Mrs Justice Cox determined that individuals in the UK as highly skilled migrants prior to 3 April 2006 had been unfairly prejudiced by the change in the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) rules which increased the qualifying threshold from 4 years continuous residence to 5. UKBA has now made provision for those individuals who held permission to remain in the UK under the old Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, (HSMP). Such individuals will now be entitled to either benefit from a quicker route to indefinite leave to remain or otherwise receive a refund for expenses which would not otherwise have been incurred.
For full information, please check out the full article in Our Services.
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