UK Immigration News

Chinese tourists are visiting Schengen visa Countries and are avoiding the UK. As the UK is not part of the Schengen visa regime tourists have to apply separately for an UK visa to visit the UK. A Schengen visa allows entry to fifteen European Countries including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

The UK Border Agency already had a concession for those applying to study A-Levels in the UK which allowed students applying to study A-Levels to make an overseas visa application based on a conditional offer. GCSE results are not released until the end of August. This is somewhat inconvenient for students as some A-Level courses start in early September.

From 1 June 2009, UKBA will check all applications as soon as they are received.

The UK Home Secretary announced on 21 May 2009 that all former Gurkhas who have served in the British Army for at least four years will now be eligible for settlement in the United Kingdom.

On 20 May 2009 the UK Border Agency (UKBA) put in arrangements that will benefit many HSMP visa holders following the judgement of 6 April 2009 in the judicial review brought by HSMP Forum Ltd. This relates to the continuous residence requirements to gain indefinite leave to remain in the UK; also known as settlement or permanent residence.

It is important to note that from 31 March 2009 there will be significant changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points based system: