Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 13 September 2024
UK immigration continues to evolve, with significant changes announced by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) which set to take effect from 10 September 2024. These revisions to the Statement of Changes encompass a wide range of modifications to the current system.
Among the most notable changes is the addition of Jordan to the Visa National List, which now requires Jordanian nationals to obtain visas before travelling to the UK. This alteration comes into effect immediately, though a 28-day transition period has been granted for those holding valid ETAs and confirmed bookings.
In response to recent litigation, fee waivers for bereaved partners will be introduced from 9 October 2024. Additionally, the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is scheduled for full implementation by 2 April 2025, accompanied by new suitability requirements.
The EU Settlement Scheme has also seen adjustments, with new provisions for curtailing pre-settled status in cases of fraud and additional requirements for joining family members. Students will face an increase in the maintenance requirement from 2 January 2025, aligning it with home student maintenance loans.
Changes to diplomatic visas are also on the horizon. A new ‘Diplomatic Visa Arrangement’ (DVA) visitor visa will replace Diplomatic Visa Waivers from 18 February 2025. Furthermore, a VIP Delegate visa for delegations accompanying heads of state and government ministers will be introduced on 10 October 2024.
The implementation of e-visas has been a focal point of recent news. The UK government is progressing towards its goal of digitalising the border and immigration system, with new implementation dates set for the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme. This initiative will require all visitors to the UK, except British and Irish citizens, to obtain permission to travel in advance.
As part of these sweeping changes aimed at strengthening border security, EU and US citizens will need to apply for £10 travel permits to enter the UK from next year. This marks a significant shift in the UK’s approach to border control in the post-Brexit era.
In a development that could impact many families, the Home Secretary has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the financial requirements for family visas. Currently set at £29,000, these requirements were slated for a substantial increase by early 2025, first to £34,500 and then to £38,700. This review comes in response to concerns that the planned increases could hinder family reunification.
The aftermath of the Rwanda deportation plan continues to reverberate through UK immigration policy. An official report has revealed that the previous Conservative government relied heavily on evidence from Rwandan officials in its assessment of Rwanda as a safe destination for asylum seekers. Interestingly, a German official has proposed utilising the UK-funded asylum facilities in Rwanda for EU purposes, suggesting that the controversial policy may have inspired similar considerations in other European countries.
Efforts to combat people smuggling remain a priority for the UK government. A recent case saw a smuggler sentenced to 10 years in prison after stowaways were discovered in a hidden compartment of his van. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to tackle people-smuggling gangs using tactics similar to those employed to apprehend rioters earlier this year.
The plight of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK continues to be a concern. An Afghan Paralympian seeking asylum is struggling with broken prosthetic legs, unable to obtain new ones due to his asylum status. In another case, the Home Office rejected a visa application for the family of a 13-year-old Afghan boy who was evacuated to the UK during the fall of Kabul.
The impact of immigration policies on businesses is also evident, particularly in the hospitality sector. Some curry houses have faced fines for employing illegal workers, prompting concerns about the reputation of the industry.
As migration policies face increasing scrutiny, removals of asylum seekers and visa overstayers continue to rise. In this challenging climate, HJT’s live online course, Deportation of Foreign National Criminals: Powers, Prevention and Persuasion, is more relevant than ever.
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The coming months will likely see further debates and adjustments as the government seeks to balance border control with economic needs and humanitarian considerations.
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For the full list of updates on media news, reports and Home Office Guidance and Policy updates, see below.
Immigration News
UK to expand digital travel to more visitors – UKVI NEWS
The government is taking major steps towards delivering its ambitious aim to digitise the UK border and immigration system and has today set out new implementation dates for the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme. Everyone wishing to travel to the UK – except British and Irish citizens – will need permission to travel in advance of coming here.
For full report, click here
Home Office ‘mostly consulted Rwandan officials’ in asylum plan safety report – The Guardian
The last Conservative government relied largely on evidence from Rwandan officials in its assessment of the country as a safe place to send asylum seekers, an official report has found. The ICIBI looked at the Home Office’s assessment of whether or not Rwanda was a safe place to send asylum seekers, a document known as “country of origin information”.
For full report, click here
MAC commissioned to review family visa financial requirements – UKVI
The Home Secretary writes to the Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), commissioning a review of financial requirements for family visas.
To view the correspondence, click hereAfghan Paralympian seeking UK asylum appeals for new prosthetic legs – The Guardian
A Paralympic cyclist from Afghanistan who is seeking asylum in the UK is struggling to walk on broken prosthetic legs after being denied new ones because he does not have refugee status.
For full report, click here
Afghan family refused UK visas to join son, 13, evacuated from Kabul – The Guardian
The Home Office has rejected a visa application from a family trapped in Afghanistan, whose son was evacuated to the UK during the fall of Kabul.
For full report, click here
Thousands of protesters turn out for anti-racism rally in Glasgow – The Guardian
Anti-racism campaigners have welcomed a “phenomenal show” of solidarity after an anti-immigration rally initially promoted by Tommy Robinson was overshadowed by protesters in Glasgow’s George Square.
For full report, click here
Keir Starmer vows to stop people-smuggling gangs with tactics used to jail rioters – The Guardian
Keir Starmer has pledged to break up people-smuggling gangs in the same manner used to apprehend and jail hundreds of rioters this summer. After a meeting with law enforcement agencies and cabinet ministers to discuss plans to stop small boats crossing the Channel on Friday, the prime minister said that the “high-level summit” mirrored the approach taken after disturbances fuelled by far-right activists.
For full report, click here
Wrongly denied Windrush payments causing ‘further harm and injustice – The Guardian
The Home Office has wrongly denied compensation to numerous Windrush victims, a watchdog report has found, concluding that “further harm and injustice” has been caused as a result of systemic problems with the scheme.
For full report, click here
‘Rogue restaurants give curry houses a bad name’ – BBC NEWS UK
The manager of an Indian restaurant said businesses employing illegal workers were giving curry houses a bad reputation. Hira Ahmed said he was disappointed to hear two Indian restaurants in Essex had been fined by the Home Office after being caught employing illegal workers.
For full report, click here
German official says Rwanda deportation plan using UK facilities considered – AL JAZEERA
A German official has proposed sending asylum seekers to facilities in Rwanda funded by the United Kingdom, weeks after the UK discarded its own Rwanda deportation plan.
Germany’s Special Representative for Migration Agreements Joachim Stamp said the European Union could utilise existing asylum facilities in Rwanda, which were initially intended for Britain’s 2022 plan to send undocumented refugees and migrants to the East African nation.
For full report, click here
Visa regime for Jordan, ETA expansion among key changes in first statement of changes to the Immigration Rules by new Labour government – ELECTRONIC IMMIGRATION NETWORK
You can download the 78-page statement here (HC 217). The accompanying explanatory memorandum is here. All documents can be accessed from here on GOV.UK.
There are plenty of changes, with the explanatory memorandum highlighting five main changes and numerous minor changes. Changes take effect on various dates, from 3pm today through to 11 March 2025. Most changes will take effect next month.
For full report, click here
UK to require £10 travel permits for EU and US citizens – FINANCIAL TIMES
EU and US citizens will have to apply for £10 travel permits to enter the UK from next year, as part of sweeping changes designed to strengthen border security.
Under the new rules, set out in government documents published on Tuesday, all visitors to the UK who do not require a visa will have to apply for digital permission to travel to the country.
For full report, click here
Home Office Guidance And Documents Policy Updates
Guidance: Passenger documents help for carriers to reduce charges has been updated on 11th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Applications for a fee waiver caseworker guidance has been updated on 11th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors workers has been updated on 11th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors students has been updated on 11th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Iraq country policy and information notes has been updated on 11th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme caseworker guidance has been updated on 10th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Visit the UK if you’re a national of Jordan has been updated on 10th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) has been updated on 10th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Check when you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) has been updated on 10th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Collection: Immigration Rules statement of changes has been updated on 10th September 2024. To view the updated Collection, click here
Policy paper: Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules HC 217 has been updated on 10th September 2024. To view the updated Policy Paper, click here
Guidance: UK visa requirements list for carriers has been updated on 10th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Morocco tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 06th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: India: tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 06th September 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Written by Shareen Khan
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