Immigration news

There have been a number of scandals involving UK Visas and Immigration at the Home Office as well as other organisations that work with them:

Many of the UK visa fee increases are not that great, fortunately.  However, this is not the main point.  UK Government visa fees are prohibitively expensive already.  The UK must have the highest or amongst the highest visa related fees in the World.  For example, indefinite leave to remain applications cost £2389 each.  For a family of four that is more than ten thousand pounds.  Many people have been put into financial hardship paying the huge visa fees.

The Brexit crisis continues.   There are only about ten days to go and there is no agreement.  If Brexit does ever happen, it is important that the new system deals with inevitable skills shortages due to the end of free movement for EU citizens.  Lowering salary thresholds should help employers.   However, the Tier 2 visa and Tier 2 Sponsor Licence system is overly complicated and expensive.   Will this eventually change we wonder?

These are the biggest changes in the immigration rules in the UK for many years.  The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa scheme will end on 29 March 2019, to be replaced by the UK Innovator visa scheme.  The investment requirement for the Innovator scheme is much lower at £50,000.  However, there could be greater uncertainties when applying.   You need to show innovation in your new business in the UK.  However, what exactly does this mean?

This is a reminder that there are problems in the UK as well as in other Countries.  The UK is due to leave the EU soon.  Inside the EU or not there has to be a better future.  Injustice and unfairness should not continue.  In our experience officials cover up for each other, so achieving justice can be very difficult.  Employers with Tier 2 Sponsor Licences frequently have great difficulty employing migrants on Tier 2 visas.  Difficulties that Tier 2 visa migrants and others have with renting properties makes the situation even worse.

There have been numerous concerns about the US visa Trump travel ban.  Families have been kept apart and companies have suffered due to this.  There is no real evidence that people visiting from the Countries on the ban list are more likely to cause problems in the US.  Probably this whole thing is politically motivated in an attempt to attract support.