Home Office roll out strict new rules for foreign students

Home Office announced today a delivery plan for the student Tier 4 of the points-based points system.

Under Tier 4 of the new Australian-style system, which the Government expects to be implemented by March 2009, colleges and universities recruiting non European Economic Area (EEA) nationals must obtain a licence issued by the UK Border Agency. [...]

Extending your student visa

Extending your student visa in the UK should be straightforward, but many discover that the process is not as simple as they think.

We receive hundreds of enquiries from students who want to extend their visas to complete their studies or start a new course. Many are refused by the Home Office for a variety of reasons.

If [...]

Points-based system to go live 27 November 2008 says Immigration Minister

Phil Woolas, Minister of State for Borders and Immigration, announced yesterday that tiers 2 and 5 of the points-based system will go live on 27 November 2008.

In less than four weeks, tier 2, covering skilled workers, will replace the current work permit scheme. Tier 5 covers temporary workers entering the United Kingdom for a [...]

How will Points Based System affect you

Whilst transitional arrangements have been extended for Work Permit holders such as Senior Carers, it will not be possible to extend many immigration categories after the points-based System starts in November.

A number of existing immigration categories will close when tiers 2 and 5 of the points-based system are implemented. After November, anyone in UK [...]

UK Border Agency announce transitional arrangement for Tiers 2 and 5 of Points-Based System

The UK Border Agency has finally published details of transitional measures for existing migrants affected by the Points Based System.

With the introduction of Tier 2 and 5 just weeks away, Immigration Matters and OISC registered advisers have been inundated with calls from worried Work Permit holders.

In particular many Senior Carers and their employers [...]

Immigration Minister barred from BBC TV Question Time

Phil Woolas, the Immigration Minister, has been sensationally blocked from appearing on BBC TV’s ‘Question Time’ tonight by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

Ms Smith made the move following the outspoken new Minister’s embarrassing comments about asylum and immigration.

The Times reported that, in what looks like a snub for Phil Woolas, his boss decided [...]

UK to restrict immigration, new minister says

Britain will restrict immigration to preserve jobs for its citizens, Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said in an interview with the Times on Saturday.

“If people are being made unemployed, the question of immigration becomes extremely thorny … It’s been too easy to get into this country in the past and it’s going to get harder,” the [...]

Business visitors to UK face tougher new rules

Strict new rules to “safeguard the visitor route into the United Kingdom from abuse and keep Britain an attractive place to do business” were published by the Government last week.

The announcement continues.

Under strict new rules those wishing to come to the United Kingdom on business for up to six months must apply for [...]

ID Cards supported by Philippine Embassy in London

ABS CBN news reports that The Philippine Embassy in the UK believes the Identity Card protect Filipinos who have the right to remain in the UK.

The credit-card sized UK Identity Cards, reported by Immigration Matters last month, will show the holder’s photograph, name, date of birth, nationality and immigration status. A secure electronic chip [...]

Romanians demand equal working rights

The BBC reports that a petition signed by more than 4,000 people has been delivered to 10 Downing Street calling for the work rights of Romanians in the UK to be brought in line with other Eastern European immigrants.

Romanians and Bulgarians are not allowed to work freely in Britain, but are restricted to [...]