Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 27 December 2024

Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 27 December 2024

The Home Office’s operational momentum did not diminish during the festive season, as new developments continued to unfold.
The eVisa registration system has experienced significant technical difficulties as UK residents scramble to meet deadlines, with the surge in applications overwhelming the digital infrastructure.

Despite a 31 December deadline, approximately 1 million UK residents requiring eVisas to prove their right to live and work in the UK have yet to register for the new digital system, which replaces physical residence permits. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that while 3.1 million of the 4 million eligible people have switched to eVisas, concerns persist about the programme’s rollout, including benefits termination issues and international travel complications, though a grace period extends until March 2024 alongside provisions for late applications.

The joy of Christmas celebrations has been overshadowed for countless families caught in the wake of stringent family visa regulations. The increased financial requirements have created an insurmountable barrier, forcing many visa-holding residents to spend the festive period apart from their loved ones, challenging the very essence of family unity during this traditional season of togetherness.

An analysis of research conducted by Reunite Families UK and Coram reveals the significant impact of the UK’s minimum income requirement (MIR) for spouse visas, currently set at £29,000, on family separation. The study of affected families demonstrates that 67% of children see their overseas parent less than annually, with 85% identifying the MIR as the primary obstacle to reunification.

While the previously planned increase to £38,700 is under review by the Migration Advisory Committee, the current threshold continues to create documented adverse effects on children’s wellbeing, including financial hardship, mental health challenges, and emotional distress, leading charities to criticise the UK’s approach to family reunion policies. If the planned increase does go ahead, it would be set to roll out in the first quarter of 2025.

An important caution for all businesses holding sponsor licence. Immigration Enforcement is maintaining vigorous compliance operations throughout the festive period, with licensed sponsors—particularly small businesses—facing heightened scrutiny as part of the government’s intensified campaign against illegal employment practices.

Immigration Enforcement have conducted nationwide operations targeting illegal working, with nearly 1,000 enforcement visits in London alone resulting in 770 arrests. The crackdown, part of the government’s Plan for Change, saw significant increases in enforcement activity across all regions, with businesses facing potential fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

The government’s taking full focus on dismantling criminal gangs and preventing immigration system abuse, whilst operations particularly targeted car washes, nail bars, supermarkets and construction sites suspected of exploiting vulnerable workers.

The recent surge in enforcement visits across various sectors serves as a stark reminder that maintaining sponsor duties is not merely a regulatory requirement but a critical business imperative that demands constant vigilance and proactive management.

The Guidance on Right to work checks has been updated on 23rd December 2024. Business Immigration advisors must thoroughly review these amendments to ensure their corporate clients’ sponsor licences align with the latest regulatory framework, as non-compliance could jeopardise their sponsorship status.

With all the developments in consideration, it is safe to anticipate that as we approach 2025 the UK immigration arena stands poised for significant transformation to its policy reforms, Rules and regulatory changes in Q1 of 2025. As such, staying prepared to deal with the challenges is more crucial than ever for immigration advisors.

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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

Syrian family left in limbo over Christmas as UK halts asylum claims – The Guardian
A Syrian family say they are “fearing for their future” this Christmas after having an imminent decision on their asylum application stopped by the UK government.
For full report, click here

Family separated on Channel crossing cannot reunite in UK, court rules – The Guardian
The court of appeal has ruled that a couple who were separated from their two young children on a migrant dinghy near northern France after the mother fell overboard cannot travel to the UK to be reunited with them.
For full report, click here

UK visa income test ‘cruel’ barrier to family reunions, says charity – The Guardian
Thousands of children are facing Christmas with one of their parents stranded abroad due to the Home Office’s restrictive visa policies, prompting charities to call the UK one of the worst countries for family reunion.
For full report, click here

About 1 million people in UK yet to obtain eVisa days before deadline – The Guardian
About 1 million people who need to obtain eVisas to prove their right to live and work in the UK or return after travelling abroad have not yet done so even though the deadline to register is just over a week away. The eVisa programme set up by the previous government is a digital system to prove the right to reside in the UK for British residents who are not citizens or holders of British passports. No other country is known to be entirely ceasing to issue both physical entry visas and residence permits.
For full report, click here

Illegal nail bar jobs offered despite clampdown – BBC News UK
A BBC investigation has found how, despite a national crackdown, Vietnamese migrants who have arrived in the UK illegally are finding jobs in nail bars and evading detection by authorities.
For full report, click here

Surge in activity to crack down on illegal working across the country – UKVI News
Officers have been out in force across the UK to disrupt rogue employers who hire migrants illegally and exploit vulnerable people, and to address the promise of illegal jobs that are used by criminal smuggling gangs to sell spaces in small boats crossing the Channel. Particular focus has been on targeting car washes, nail bars, supermarkets and construction sites suspected of hiring illegal workers and subjecting them to squalid conditions and illegal working hours at below minimum wage.
For full report, click here

Major UK Visa changes coming in January 2025! Find out all details here – Times of India
Planning to study or work in the United Kingdom? Be prepared for higher financial requirements. Beginning January 2025, individuals from India aspiring to pursue education or employment in the UK will need to demonstrate at least 11% more in financial reserves compared to the current guidelines. This policy change is part of the UK government’s strategy to address concerns regarding the impact of immigration on housing and the economy.
For full report, click here

Independent Reports

Access to immigration legal aid in south-west England, 2024 New depths of an ocean of unmet need? December 2024 Dr Jo Hynes & Joseph Summers
A Public Law Project report reveals that attempts to address Southwest England’s immigration legal aid shortage have failed, with the Legal Aid Agency’s provider directory creating an illusion of support rather than meaningful access to services, despite recent provider changes and fee increases.
For full report, click here

Home Office Guidance and Documents Policy Updates

Collection: Identity checks (immigration staff guidance) has been updated on 24th December 2024. To view the updated Collection, Click here

Guidance: UKVI identity standards: caseworker has been Published on 24th December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Guidance: Brazil: country policy and information notes has been updated on 24th December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: workers has been updated on 24th December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: students has been updated on 24th December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Guidance: Immigration status and enforcement action: caseworker has been updated on 24th December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Guidance: International Sportsperson: caseworker has been updated on 24th December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Guidance: Right to work checks: an employer’s guide has been updated on 23rd December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Overview: Find an immigration removal centre. To view click here

Guidance: Vietnam: country policy and information notes has been updated on 20th December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Overview: View and prove your immigration status: get a share code. To view click here

Guidance: Exemptions for visa applications: caseworker has been updated on 20th December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Guidance: Ethiopia country policy and information notes has been updated on 20th December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Guidance: Processing children’s asylum claims: caseworker has been updated on 20th December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Guidance: Streamlined asylum processing for children: caseworker has been updated on 20th December 2024. To View the updated Guidance, click here

Guidance: Bangladesh: country policy and information notes has been updated on 20th December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Guidance: Cambodia: tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa has been updated on 20th December 2024. To view the updated Guidance, click here

Written by Shareen Khan 

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