LATEST POSTS
UK tightens Immigration Rules
BRITAIN’S Home Secretary Theresa May has announced significant changes to the immigration rules. The changes are part of the government’s programme of reform of the immigration routes and follow wide consultations and expert advice from the Migration Advisory Committee. The … Read more
UK tinkers with foreign student requirements
THE UK Home Office has published what it calls a “statement of intent”, outlining changes it plans to make to the study, post-study work and maintenance requirements for foreign students and workers. Immigration Minister Damian Green said: “It is vital … Read more
UK steps up Zimbabwe deportations
THE UK Border Agency appears to have stepped up its efforts to remove Zimbabwean failed asylum seekers from the UK in the last few weeks. Whilst it was significant to note that the Court of Appeal has granted permission to … Read more
UK court rules on asylum for Zimbabwe homosexuals
ON JANUARY 8, 2012, the United Kingdom’s Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) handed down an interesting determination in the case of LZ (homosexuals) Zimbabwe CG [2011] UKUT 00487 (IAC). This case focuses on the risk that gays and lesbians … Read more
Christmas, crime and immigration
AS the year draws to a close it is a time for festivity and enjoyment. The old saying “Eat Drink and be Merry” rings true. This post gives a few tips and advice on how to cope with some of … Read more
Residence card for parents of British children
THE Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) recently handed down judgment in the case of Ruiz Zambrano (C-34/09). This case clarifies the rights of children born in the European Union, specifically the UK in this instance, in relation … Read more
Rights of parents with children born in EU
THE recent European Court of Justice immigration case of Zambrano has created new hope for asylum seekers with British children. In March 2011, the Court of Justice of the European Union delivered its judgment in the case of Zambrano v … Read more
UK announces end of ‘legacy’ case review
THE UK Border Agency (UKBA) has announced that it has now reviewed all unresolved asylum claims lodged before March 5, 2007, estimated to be more than 450,000. The UKBA is preparing to wind down the so-called “Legacy Case Resolution Programme”, … Read more
UK marriages made easier
ON APRIL 4, 2011, the United Kingdom parliament approved the Remedial Order that will abolish the certificate of approval scheme for couples seeking to get married. The abolition of the scheme takes effect on May 9, 2011. At present, any … Read more
Criminal conviction barrier to UK settlement
THE UK Border Agency has set a criminal conviction threshold for settlement to bring it more in line with that for citizenship (naturalisation) applicants. Starting on April 6, 2011, all migrants (except refugees) will need to be free of unspent … Read more
Maintenance orders where one parent lives abroad
RECENTLY, I have had many enquiries relating to family law issues. Immigration law is still an issue that concerns many readers of this blog. However, with readers settling in their adopted countries, there are other issues which now require legal … Read more
Hope for ‘overstayers’ under UK Points Based System
JUDGMENT was given by the United Kingdom Court of Appeal in the Secretary of State for the Home Department v Pankina [2010] EWCA Civ 719 and others on June 23, 2010, in relation to the period in which an applicant … Read more
Conservatives target citizenship squeeze
THE UK coalition government has announced major reforms on settlement visas for migrants including the abolition of Labour’s ‘Earned Citizenship’ programme. Since the election, the coalition government’s policy has been to put a quota on skilled migrants coming to the … Read more
Q & A: UK plans to deport Zimbabweans
THERE is an air of panic and concern amongst the Zimbabwean community in the UK following the announcement by Britain’s Immigration Minister Damian Green that the UK Border Agency is resuming enforced returns of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe. Enforced … Read more
Applying for indefinite leave to remain in UK
THE UK Border Agency (UKBA) has released a statement to corporate partners asking that information should be relayed to community groups in a bid to ensure awareness regarding making an application for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after the expiry … Read more
