Table of Contents
- UK Digital Visas to Replace Physical Documents by 2025
- Proposed Visa-Free Travel to the UK for Thais
- Care Workers Can No Longer Bring Family Members to the UK
- The UK's Immigration Health Surcharge Increase Takes Effect
- Salary Threshold for Family members of UK Residents will Not be Increased!
- Top German Politician calls for Closer Ties between the UK and EU
- Carers from Overseas are Subjected to Exploitation
- New Increases in UK Visa Fees, from 04 October
- 66% of UK public 'dissatisfied with government’s approach to immigration'
- UK's Visa options are preventing Foreign Investors
- Increase in UK CAS and Student Visa Intake for Autumn 2023
- Businesses request Government to Re-consider Planned Increase in Skilled Worker Visa Fees
22 April 2024
UK Digital Visas to Replace Physical Documents by 2025
The Home Office, in the UK, has announced that it will invite those with physical immigration documents to create a biometric eVisa via email as part of the government’s greater plan to introduce a digital immigration system, with the goal of implementing eVisas for almost all visa holders in the country by 2025. The Home Office will send emails to those with physical immigration documents called biometric residence permits (BRPs), inviting them to make a UK Visas and Immigration account in order to access their digital visa. Users will be able to update their information associated with the document more easily. The process will be available to all permit holders in the summer of 2024, and will be free for physical document holders. Most BRPs will expire by the end of 2024, and all physical immigration documents will be phased out by 2025. Until they expire, the Home Office says that customers should keep carrying their physical documents as they travel internationally. EVisas reduce the risk of fraud and improve border security, as well as eliminate the ability for documents to be lost or stolen. The digital transition will increase automation and be the next step towards a contactless border.
26 March 2024
Proposed Visa-Free Travel to the UK for Thais
In a landmark development that promises to significantly enhance the travel and hospitality landscape between Thailand and the United Kingdom, the two nations have embarked on a strategic partnership that could pave the way for visa-free access for Thai passport holders to visit the UK. During his recent visit to Bangkok, this initiative, part of the broader UK-Thai Strategic Partnership agreement, was sealed with the signature of UK Foreign Secretary, Lord David Cameron. The major highlights of the Agreement are as follows: 1. Visa-Free Travel Talks: A pivotal aspect of the agreement is the initiation of discussions to grant visa-free access to Thai passport holders for short-term visits to the UK. This initiative is anticipated to enhance tourism and business travel, opening new avenues for travel and hospitality sector professionals to explore innovative service offerings and market expansions. 2. Bilateral Strategic Partnership: The agreement elevates the UK and Thailand’s relationship to a strategic partnership level, underscoring a commitment to deepen connections not only in travel and tourism but also in trade, security, and cultural exchanges. 3. Security and Cooperation: Amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, the agreement also encompasses enhanced security cooperation between the UK and Thailand.
12 March 2024
Care Workers Can No Longer Bring Family Members to the UK
New rules to radically cut net migration and prevent visa abuse are now in force as part of the government’s plan to decrease unsustainable levels of legal migration. Therefore, Care workers will now be restricted from bringing dependants, after a disproportionate 120,000 dependants accompanied 100,000 workers on the route, in 2023. In addition, Care providers in England acting as sponsors for migrants will also be required to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the industry regulator for Health and Social Care, to crack down on worker exploitation and abuse within the sector. It forms part of a broader package of measures, which is being implemented as soon as possible, which means a total of 300,000 people who were eligible to come to the UK last year would now no longer be eligible. There is clear evidence that care workers have been offered visas under false pretences for jobs that simply do not exist or to be paid far below the minimum wage required for their work, exploiting them while undercutting British workers. These changes come into force as the government is set to lay rules in Parliament on 14 March 2024 to prevent the continued undercutting of British workers, which includes raising the salary threshold that a skilled worker must meet in order to get a visa and removing the 20% ‘going-rate’ discount for migrant workers in shortage occupations.
08 February 2024
The UK's Immigration Health Surcharge Increase Takes Effect
The increase in the cost of the UK’s Immigration Health Surcharge for student visa holders has now taken effect, with fees rising by 65 per cent from the previous level. From 6th February 2024, student visa applicants, student dependents and youth mobility visa applicants will need to pay £776 GBP per year for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This is an increase compared with £470 GBP previously. However, the rate for students and working holiday makers is reduced from the full £1,035 GBP fee paid by other visa streams. The higher rate will apply to applicants for the Graduate Route of post-study work rights. The increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge was first announced in July 2023, by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said the fees would be used to fund pay increases for public health workers.