Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 25 April 2025
UK Immigration continues to evolve rapidly, with several significant developments emerging this week.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced plans to publish data on the nationalities of foreign criminals in the UK for the first time. This initiative will include details of crimes committed by foreign nationals and is expected to be implemented by the end of the year. Current figures show more than 19,000 foreign offenders awaiting deportation at the end of last year, an increase from approximately 18,000 when the previous government left office. Home Office sources suggest that the main three nationalities for foreign criminals living in the community are Albanians, Romanians and Poles, with common offences including drug production, theft and robbery, and violent assault. While the government presents this as a move towards transparency, opposition figures have framed it as a response to political pressure.
Meanwhile, the impact of stricter immigration rules is becoming increasingly apparent across various visa categories. Reports have surfaced that there is a 37% decline in UK visa applications across all major categories, with only 772,200 persons applying for visas in the fiscal year ending March 2025, compared to nearly 1.24 million the previous year. This significant reduction aligns with the government’s stated objective of reducing net migration. Applications for sponsored study visas were down 11% compared to March 2024, while applications from dependants of students have fallen by 86% since December 2023 – a direct consequence of the January 2024 rule changes preventing most students from bringing dependants.
In the skilled worker category, the monthly number of Health and Care Worker visa applications has stabilised at around 1,700 as of March 2025, significantly lower than the peak of 18,300 in August 2023. Skilled Worker visa applications have also gradually decreased in March 2025.
These policy changes are not without their critics. A news reports this week suggests that top cancer experts are being deterred from moving to or staying in the UK due to political rhetoric on immigration. The document emphasises that recruiting and retaining “global talent” is vital for treating NHS patients and advancing cancer research, particularly amid an acute British workforce shortage and rising cancer diagnoses.
The broader concerns about the welfare of those within the immigration system continue to be a hot topic. Latest reports reveal that the Home Office is recording an average of ten assaults per day on asylum seekers in its care. According to internal government data obtained through freedom of information requests, there were a rise of assaults upon asylum seekers while in Home Office care between January 2023 and August 2024, alongside 380 referrals of victims of hate crimes to the internal safeguarding hub. The British Red Cross has identified “an inadequate safeguarding culture” in asylum accommodation, with many occupants feeling “physically or psychologically unsafe.”
As the UK immigration continues to evolve with increasingly complex rules and policies, immigration casework demands greater expertise and specialised knowledge. Immigration advisors must now, more than ever, enhance their qualifications to effectively advocate for their clients amidst these challenging regulatory shifts. Staying ahead of policy changes and maintaining the highest standards of practice has become essential for providing quality representation in this dynamic environment.
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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
Nationalities of foreign criminals to be published – BBC News
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is understood to have ordered officials to publish the data, including crimes that have been committed, by the end of the year. A Home Office source said the government wanted the public to be better informed about foreign criminals, including where they come from.
For full report, click here
Top cancer experts ‘being put off UK by politicians’ messaging on immigration – The Guardian
The world’s best cancer doctors, scientists and researchers are being put off moving to or staying in the UK by politicians’ rhetoric on immigration. Recruiting and retaining “global talent” to treat NHS patients and find new ways to cure cancer is vital, amid an acute British workforce crisis and rising numbers being diagnosed with the disease.
For full report, click here
Ten assaults a day on asylum seekers in Home Office care, figures reveal – The Guardian
The Home Office is recording an average of 10 assaults a day on asylum seekers in its care, according to internal government data, amid harsh government rhetoric on those crossing the Channel. Figures reveal that there were 5,960 referrals of assaults upon asylum seekers while in the care of the Home Office between January 2023 and August 2024.
For Full report, click here
Syrian refugee says Home Office ‘breaking my heart’ by refusing dying mother entry to UK – The Guardian
A Syrian refugee says the Home Office has “broken her heart” by trying to bar her mother, who has weeks to live, from coming to the UK to spend her final days with the grandchildren she has never met.
For full report, click here
Man confirmed dead after crossing Channel in small boat – The Guardian
Police are investigating after a man died while trying to reach the UK on a cross-Channel dinghy on Friday after a “medical emergency”. It was the second death reported in the Channel in two days, although the body found earlier on Thursday has not yet been formally identified, so it is not known if they were also making a crossing.
For full report, click here
Lack of immigration legal aid ’emotional torture’ – BBC News UK
A lack of immigration legal services in Wales is having a severe impact on people and in some cases leading to exploitation, according to a think tank. Bevan Foundation research has found 60% of immigration legal aid providers and offices in Wales have closed since 2018.
For full report, click here
What impact could the migrant deal have in Kent? – BBC News UK
Talks between the UK and France could lead to a new migration agreement, with potential implications for Kent. Under the proposed agreement, illegal migrants who cross the Channel in small boats could be returned to France, in exchange for the UK government accepting legal migrants seeking family reunification.
For full report, click here
37% fall in UK visa applications of students and foreign skilled workers – Financial Express
The number of migrants applying for UK visas has decreased by more than a third in the last year. According to the most recent British government data, in the fiscal year ending March 2025, 772,200 persons applied for visas in all major categories, a 37% decrease from nearly 1.24 million the previous year. This is largely the effect of new UK immigration rules introduced to reduce net migration in the country. For full report, click here
Immigration solicitor concealed visa rejection for more than a year – Law Gazette
An immigration partner who kept up the pretence of an ongoing visa application for more than a year has been struck off. Ahmed Ajina, who worked for London firm Seddons Law, knew that his client’s application had been unsuccessful from December 2019 onwards but told his supervising partner months later that it was on ‘hold indefinitely’ due to the Covid pandemic. He was also ordered to pay £39,600 in costs and VAT of almost £8,000.
For full report, click here
Home Office Guidance and Documents Policy Updates
Guidance: Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT) has been updated on 23rd April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Visit the UK as a national of Trinidad and Tobago has been updated on 23rd April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Illegal working penalties: UK report has been updated on 23rd April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: workers has been updated on 23rd April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: students has been updated on 23rd April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Form: Apply to change your permission to allow access to public funds has been updated on 22nd April 2025. To view the updated Form, click here
Guidance: Libya: country policy and information notes has been updated on 22nd April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Language analysis has been updated on 22nd April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Pakistan – tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 22nd April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Form B(OS) has been updated on 22nd April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Written by Shareen Khan – Legal Content Writer, HJT Training
STAY TUNED FOR MORE IMMIGRATION NEWS NEXT WEEK!
Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration advisors should consult the full decisions and official policy documents when advising clients on specific cases.
