
Mastering Immigration Law Subscription Updates April 2024
As we progress through the year, the UK’s immigration system continues to evolve, bringing forth a series of important changes that impact both migrants and employers. HJT’s Mastering Immigration Law brings these crucial immigration updates to our valued subscribers, ensuring you stay informed and prepared in this ever-changing regulatory environment.
First and the foremost on focus are the recent immigration fee and salary adjustments for overseas workers.
As of April 2024, significant alterations to UK immigration policies and fees have been implemented. These changes are particularly relevant for immigration advisors guiding clients through various application processes.
Since 4 April 2024, the Immigration Salary List (ISL) supplanted the Shortage Occupation List. This transition eliminates the previous 20% salary reduction for shortage occupations. The Migration Advisory Committee is yet to assess ISL salaries in relation to the increased thresholds.Important reminder: on 24 July 2024 the fees for permission to stay applications, including those under Appendix FM, will rise by 20% to £1,258 from £1,048. Transitional provisions will be available for certain applicants, such as those who requested a fee waiver before 9am on 24 July 2024 and were refused.
Furthermore, there has been a rise for Immigration Judicial Review fees in the Upper tribunal. Currently the fee for permission to apply for JR is now £169. HJT has announced the date of the annual Judicial Review Conference, see here.
There have been significant changes in relation by way of either newly introduced policies or revisions to the existing Guidance in place.
The Migrants at Work has launched a Judicial Review challenging the recent policy that prevents care workers from bringing their dependants to the UK. The organisation argues that this policy, part of a broader strategy to reduce net migration, forces care workers to choose between family life and employment in the UK’s health and social care sector.
The legal challenge contends that the policy is discriminatory on grounds of gender and ethnicity and breaches the public sector equality duty. It alleges that the Home Secretary has not adequately considered the needs of care sector employees in formulating this policy.
Furthermore, the Right to Work Checklist has also been updated that affects compliance across all work sectors and businesses holding Sponsor Licence.
Key changes effective from 13 June 2024 include revised procedures for EEA citizens with pre-settled status, clarification on digital identity verification processes, and new information on checks for specific visa holders. Employers are advised to review these updates to ensure compliance with current regulations.
For those seeking entry clearance to the UK, Defined Certificates of Sponsorship (DCoS) are a crucial requirement. The Home Office has provided detailed information on the decision-making process for these certificates in their guidance document titled ‘Defined Certificate of Sponsorship’.
Should applicants or sponsors encounter delays or issues with their DCoS requests, there is a dedicated channel for resolution. Enquiries about pending DCoS applications can be directed to the work escalations team via a dedicated email.
This streamlined process aims to facilitate smoother processing of sponsorship certificates, which are vital for many individuals planning to work in the UK.
For migrant workers subject to the Police Clearance Certificates, the Home Office has recently issued new guidelines regarding the process of obtaining criminal record checks from abroad. This updated information is particularly relevant for individuals who have lived outside the UK and are now applying for certain visas or positions that require background verification.
The guidance, titled ‘Criminal record certificate’, provides important clarifications on the documentation required. It highlights that in countries where criminal records are maintained at a regional rather than national level, applicants must submit separate certificates for each area where they have resided. This ensures a comprehensive review of an individual’s background across all relevant jurisdictions.
Additionally, the guidance addresses situations involving ongoing legal proceedings where an applicant has pending prosecutions, their application may be temporarily suspended.
On the asylum and public law front, there are quite a few noteworthy changes to be taken in consideration.
The Home Office has revised its approach to electronic tagging of asylum seekers. Reviews of tagging conditions will now occur every four months, rather than quarterly. This adjustment aims to balance monitoring requirements with operational efficiency.
Efforts to secure suitable accommodation for vulnerable asylum seekers have intensified. Particular attention is being paid to those released on bail, with a focus on ensuring their housing needs are met promptly and appropriately. This initiative reflects a growing awareness of the unique challenges faced by this group.
The long-awaited Brook House inquiry continues to progress. This investigation into alleged mistreatment at the immigration removal centre has garnered significant attention. While full details are yet to emerge, the inquiry’s findings are expected to have far-reaching implications for the management of detention facilities and the treatment of detainees.
These updates underscore the ongoing evolution of the UK’s asylum system, as it strives to address complex challenges while maintaining fairness and efficiency.
The changes reported here are just the tip of the iceberg. Our subscribers enjoy access to detailed updates across numerous other areas of immigration law, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the latest developments.
At HJT, our core mission is to keep immigration advisors at the forefront of these developments. This commitment is exemplified through our regular updates to the Mastering Immigration Law (MIL) content. Our subscribers benefit from access to the most comprehensive information and lucid explanations of recent changes, empowering them to provide the highest standard of representation to their clients.
We pride ourselves on delivering timely, accurate, and insightful analysis of the ever-evolving immigration landscape. By staying abreast of these changes through our resources, advisors can confidently navigate the complexities of immigration law and offer expert guidance to those relying on their expertise.
A comprehensive list of all the updates is listed for our subscriber’s reference under the Updates & Videos module. Please log in to access.
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HJT is pleased to also inform that the Pre Order for the latest hard copy manual 2024 edition for MIL is now in full swing. The subscription unlocks an instant access to 17 Modules with full updates to every area of UK Immigration, 15% discount on live courses with experts, CPD coverage and much more.
With a new government now in place, we anticipate further changes on the horizon and MIL will be your reliable companion throughout these times.
Curious? Request a FREE DEMO by contacting us at enquiries@hjt-training.co.uk or call us 07544164692.
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Written by Shareen Khan
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