Immigration News Weekly Roundup – 4 April 2025
The start of April 2025 sees the introduction of the new ETA requirement for European visitors alongside crucial Court of Appeal clarifications on asylum standards, revocation appeals, and COVID-related policies.
European visitors to Britain must now purchase an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permit for trips effective yesterday, 3 April 2025. The digital permit is available at a cost of £10 until 9 April, when the price will increase to £16. This measure, introduced by the UK government to strengthen immigration security through pre-screening of visitors, follows similar schemes already implemented for American, Canadian and other visa-exempt nationals. The ETA allows visits of up to six months and remains valid for two years.
A buffer period for implementation will run until approximately September or October, during which travellers can still enter without the permit. This scheme mirrors the EU’s ETIAS system, which has been delayed until 2026.
The Home Office has recently updated two key guidance documents. The eVisa support videos, and the Online immigration status (eVisa). Practitioners are encouraged to review these updated resources to ensure they are providing clients with the most current information.
Three significant Court of Appeal decisions have been handed down in recent weeks, each with important implications for immigration practice. InASJ (Somalia) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWCA Civ 282, the court clarified the application of the lower standard of proof in asylum cases, particularly regarding internal relocation. The case involved a Somali man at risk from Al-Shabaab in his home area who was denied refugee status because the tribunal found he could reasonably relocate to Mogadishu. The court ruled that the lower standard of proof does not require decision-makers to accept every assertion made by an asylum seeker about internal relocation unless there is “no real doubt” the assertion is untrue. Instead, judges must holistically evaluate all relevant circumstances to determine whether relocation would be “reasonable” or “unduly harsh.” The court confirmed that the Upper Tribunal applied the correct approach when it inferred from unexplained travel funding that the appellant had access to greater support networks than claimed, making relocation reasonable.
In SA v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWCA Civ 357, the Court of Appeal addressed jurisdictional limits in appeals against protection status revocation. The appellant’s refugee status had been revoked after the Home Office discovered she was Yemeni rather than Saudi Arabian as claimed. When appealing this decision, the First-tier Tribunal erroneously allowed her appeal by considering humanitarian protection based on her disputed Yemeni nationality—a status never actually granted to her. The Court of Appeal held that tribunals must frame their inquiry around the original basis of protection (in this case, Saudi Arabian nationality) and not an entirely different claim that contradicts the appellant’s own position. While noting that the Upper Tribunal should have invited submissions before reaching its decision on this point, the Court found this procedural unfairness was remedied by the appellant having the opportunity to argue the point on appeal.
The final significant case, Seerangan v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWCA Civ 354, concerns the scope of the Coronavirus Exceptional Assurance policy. Led by Lord Justice Underhill, the court ruled that this policy does not apply to unregularised overstayers. The appellant had sought Exceptional Assurance claiming COVID-19 prevented his return to India. His subsequent application for leave to remain under the Skilled Worker Appendix was refused due to his overstayer status. The court held that to benefit from the policy, individuals must have maintained regularised status through successive assurances, finding no clear undertaking in UKVI communications that the appellant would not be treated as an overstayer. This judgment emphasises that temporary COVID-related measures did not override fundamental immigration requirements and that timely applications remain essential to maintain legal immigration status.
These developments highlight the continuing evolution of UK immigration law and policy, with both administrative changes and judicial interpretations shaping practice in this field. Practitioners should take note of the clarifications regarding standard of proof in internal relocation cases, the jurisdictional constraints when appealing protection status revocations, and the limited scope of COVID-related exceptional policies for maintaining lawful immigration status.
As we wrap up this week, an important reminder to immigration advisors regarding the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme: remember to advise EU clients that failing to register for an ETA before travelling to the UK can lead to serious consequences. Airlines are now required to verify passengers have a valid ETA before boarding, and those without one may be denied boarding at their departure airport. Though a grace period runs until September/October 2025, entry without an ETA cannot be guaranteed.
To help you address these challenges, HJT is offering a timely new course: Travelling to the EU and Schengen Area. This live online session will cover visa requirements for UK nationals travelling to EU countries, Schengen area requirements including the proposed Entry/Exit system, work and study limitations, and guidance on challenging decisions.
With places limited for effective training, we recommend securing your spot early to ensure you’re equipped with the latest guidance to support your clients through these evolving requirements.
To book your spot, visit here
For more information on our other live online courses, visit here
Additionally, all significant updates on Rules, Case Law and procedural changes are covered comprehensively in Mastering Immigration Law. The comprehensive resource ensures immigration advisors can meet the everyday challenges through effective interpretation of the legal resources to accelerate their case successes.
For enquiries and FREE DEMO, contact us enquiries@hjt-training.co.uk or call 075441 64692.
For the full list of updates on media news, reports and Home Office Guidance and Policy updates, SEE BELOW
Immigration News
UK hosts first major international summit to tackle illegal migration – UKVI NEWS
The UK is spearheading the toughest ever international crackdown on organised immigration crime as the Prime Minister and Home Secretary host a landmark summit. The Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) Summit brings together over 40 countries, including the United States, Vietnam, Iraq, and France, to unite behind a new approach to dismantle people smuggling gangs and deliver on working people’s priorities for secure borders.
For full report, click here
Prime Minister announces massive surge in immigration enforcement as returns reach 24,000 since the election – UKVI News
The Prime Minister has announced the government has returned more than 24,000 individuals with no right to be in the UK since the General Election – the highest returns rate for eight years.
For full report, click here
Stereotyping a factor in loss of life in deadliest Channel crossing, inquiry told – The Guardian
Survivors and bereaved relatives have told an inquiry into the biggest ever loss of life in a migrant dinghy in the Channel that they believe stereotyping them as “foreigners” contributed to the failure to rescue them before the majority died.
For full report, click here
Yvette Cooper reviews right to family life for people who enter UK irregularly – The Guardian
Ministers are reviewing how international human rights law is being applied to allow people to stay in the UK after entering by irregular means. The Home Secretary said on Sunday she was looking into the implementation of article eight of the Human Rights Act, which protects the right to a family life and has been used by people to argue for their right to stay in the UK.
For full report, click here
Polish woman, 80, faces deportation from UK after mistakenly filling in form online – The Guardian
A Polish woman has been threatened with deportation by the Home Office because her application form to stay was accidentally filled in online instead of on paper.
For full report, click here
Asylum system risks ‘damaging social cohesion’, Glasgow city council warns – The Guardian
The asylum system risks “damaging social cohesion” with homeless refugees putting “unprecedented pressure” on Glasgow services, the city council has warned. Glasgow city council, the largest asylum dispersal area outside London, had welcomed asylum seekers for decades, said the city convener for homelessness, Allan Casey.
For full report, click here
Investigation launched after racist message ‘blasted out’ at asylum centre – The Guardian
An investigation has been launched after a racist message was reportedly “blasted out” on portable radios used by Home Office contractors at an asylum processing centre. The deeply offensive words were reportedly heard at the Manston processing site for small boat arrivals in Kent.
For full report, click here
What changed after a village air base was used as an asylum centre? – BBC News UK
In March 2023, the government decided a former air base one mile from a small rural village in Essex should be used to house male asylum seekers. Two years on, what is it like for the local community and migrants living at MDP Wethersfield?
For full report, click here
UK introduces new immigration rules for Skilled Worker visa – Financial Express
The new UK immigration rules require employers in England to prioritise recruiting international care workers who are already here and seeking new sponsorship, before recruiting from overseas. From 9 April, care providers who want to recruit a new worker from overseas will have to first prove that they have attempted to recruit a worker from within England who needs new sponsorship.
For full report, click here
European visitors now need an entry permit to visit the UK – France 24
Travellers from Europe will now need a digital Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permit, which UK officials said they were rolling out to boost security and streamline entry processes. There will be a buffer period which could last several months.
For full report, click here
Case Law
ASJ (Somalia) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWCA Civ 282
The Court of Appeal has upheld a decision that a Somali man at risk from Al-Shabaab in his home area could reasonably relocate to Mogadishu. The ruling clarifies that when assessing internal relocation, decision-makers are not required to accept an asylum seeker’s assertions unless proven false beyond doubt. Instead, they should evaluate all relevant circumstances holistically to determine if relocation would be “reasonable” or “unduly harsh.” The Upper Tribunal correctly inferred that the appellant had greater support networks than claimed based on his unexplained travel funding, making internal relocation a viable option.
For full decision, click here
SA v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWCA Civ 357.
The Court of Appeal confirmed that the First-tier Tribunal erred in allowing an appeal based on humanitarian protection that had never been granted. The case involved an appellant whose refugee status was revoked after the Home Office concluded she was Yemeni, not Saudi Arabian as originally claimed. The tribunal wrongly considered her case on the basis of being Yemeni, despite this being contrary to the appellant’s own position. The court ruled that appeals against revocation decisions must be considered based on the original claim for protection, not on an entirely different factual basis.
For full decision, click here
Thadeu, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWHC 736 (Admin)
The Court of Appeal ruled that when considering appeals against revocation of refugee status, tribunals must base their assessment on the original protection claim, not on different facts. In this case, the First-tier Tribunal wrongly allowed an appeal based on humanitarian protection for Yemen when the appellant had claimed to be Saudi Arabian and denied being Yemeni. The tribunal had no jurisdiction to consider protection on grounds the appellant herself disputed, highlighting the important link between the facts of a protection claim and the resulting status.
For full decision, click here
Seerangan v Secretary of State for The Home Department [2025] EWCA Civ 354
The Court of Appeal ruled that the Coronavirus Exceptional Assurance policy benefits only regularised overstayers, not those who failed to maintain lawful status. The appellant’s attempt to use this policy after his student visa expired was rejected, with the court finding no undertaking in UKVI’s communication that he would not be treated as an overstayer. The judgment clarifies that short-term COVID-related assurances do not equate to leave to remain and emphasises the importance of maintaining lawful immigration status through timely applications.
For full decision, click here
Independent Reports
UK Parliament calls for evidence: Skilled Work Visas
The Public Accounts Committee has opened an inquiry into the skilled worker visa route following a critical National Audit Office report highlighting Home Office mismanagement. Evidence can be submitted until 24 April 2025. The inquiry will focus on the impact of 2024’s tightened entry requirements, digital improvements, and compliance issues.
For full report, click here
Home Office Guidance and Documents Policy Updates
Guidance: Non-compliance with the biometric registration regulations has been updated on 02nd April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: workers has been updated on 02nd April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Register of licensed sponsors: students has been updated on 02nd April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Powers and operational procedure: caseworker has been updated on 01st April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Collection: eVisa support videos has been updated on 01st April 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Promotional material: How to create, link and access your eVisa in 3 steps: video has been published on 01st April 2025. To view the Promotional Material, click here
Guidance: Check your eVisa is correct before you travel has been updated on 31st March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Transparency data: Online immigration status (eVisa): UKVI account creation data has been updated 31st March 2025. To view the updated Transparency data , click here
Guidance: Ghana: country policy and information notes has been updated on 31st March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Yemen: country policy and information notes has been updated on 31st March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Statutory guidance: Marriage and civil partnership investigation: caseworker has been updated on 31st March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Form: Apply for approved gate check status for travel carriers has been updated on 28th March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Assessing age for asylum applicants: caseworker has been updated on 28th March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Collection: Migration transparency data has been updated on 27th March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Permission to stay as a stateless person: caseworker has been updated on 27th March 2025. To View the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Form AN has been updated on 27th March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Request copies of your personal immigration and borders information has been updated on 27th March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Online immigration status (eVisa) has been updated on 27th March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Document checks and charges for carriers has been updated on 27th March 2025. To View the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Terms and conditions for booking and taking the Life in the UK Test has been updated on 27th march 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Travelling to the UK from Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey or Jersey has been updated on 27th March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Indefinite leave to remain in the UK: your rights and status has been updated on 27th March 2025 to view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Form B(OTA) has been updated on 27th March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Registration as British if your mother had connection to a British Overseas Territory has been updated on 27th March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app has been updated on 27th March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Form: Apply to change your permission to allow access to public funds has been updated 27th March 2025. To view the updated Guidance, click here
Guidance: Form RS1 has been updated on 27th March 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.
