Immigration

The Home Office’s so-called ‘turn around’ tactics in the English Channel have not been shown to have a clear legal basis, according to the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee. In a letter to the Home Secretary, published today, the committee expresses concerns around

Migrant families to Scotland could be better supported by series of changes to UK government immigration rules, an independent expert group has said. The Expert Advisory Group (EAG) on Migration and Population has set out 10 proposals to encourage and support families moving to Scotland.

Immigration lawyer Jack Freeland looks at the latest rules for UK-US travel. The UK eased its restrictions on American travellers in July, and both sides of the pond are once again open for business. As such, it is timely to restate the procedure for applying for a UK spouse or partner visa from the

Immigration is in the news a lot right now, mostly stories about the UK government’s plans to reform the asylum system in response to small boats arriving on the English South Coast, writes Kelly Hardman. The government line is that they want to welcome refugees but expect them to enter t

Organisations and community groups working to support refugees in Scotland will share £2.8 million through a new grant scheme. In total, 56 projects will receive funding to deliver initiatives designed to help new Scots settle in their adopted communities by promoting employability, education,

The Home Office charged children an excessive sum to register as British citizens, a court has ruled. The Court of Appeal ruled that the fee of £1,012 charged by Priti Patel's department breached child welfare rules.

A Nigerian citizen who was refused indefinite leave to remain has successfully challenged the decision of the Home Secretary that there were no exceptional circumstances justifying the exercise of discretion in her favour. Ruth Awa was temporarily unlawfully present in the UK during a period be

Thorntons' Gurjit Pall has urged Scottish businesses to apply for a Home Office sponsor licence as the Brexit transition period draws to a close – to ensure they can still access the best overseas talent. “With the new rules looming, employers should consider applying for a sponsor

A change in the immigration guidance issued by the Home Office is likely to make it much harder for many EU citizens in the UK to become British citizens. Prior to that change, an EU citizen who had acquired “Settled Status”, which gives them “indefinite leave to remain”, cou

Stuart McWilliams details the immigration implications for businesses restructuring during the pandemic. The economic consequences we are experiencing because of the coronavirus crisis are clear. Many businesses are closed, while others are trying to reduce costs as they cope with a loss of income.

Legislation providing for the introduction of a points-based UK immigration system after Brexit has passed second reading in the House of Commons. The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill 2020, supported by the Democratic Unionist Party, was passed by 351-252.

In light of the police-enforced lockdown and other social distancing measures, employers face a new challenge in ensuring they comply with their responsibilities whilst trying to maintain business continuity, writes Gurjit Pall. New measures are now detailed in the Home Office’s guidance to ma

As the UK starts to grapple with the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Home Office has been quick off the mark to make a number of concessions aimed at assisting UK visa holders impacted by the spread of the virus and the associated disruption, writes Jamie Kerr. The first significant sign t

Preserving free movement in Scotland for EU citizens would not undermine the post-Brexit visa regime, according to law firm Fragomen. In a report commissioned by the SNP members at Westminster, the firm endorses the view that a devolved or tailored immigration regime could be introduced north of the

Elaine McIlroy details the recommendations for the new post-Brexit single skills-based immigration system. The topic of immigration has been front page news this week across the UK. In Scotland there have been calls for a 'Scottish visa' and devolution of immigration powers. The UK government a