UK Immigration News

From 1 April 2005, service standards for all schemes managed by WP(UK) will include the time taken to process payments in order to reflect the end-to-end process for applications. The standards will also be based on the applications received during a period.

With effect from 00.01 hours BST on Saturday 2 April 2005, and until further notice, working holidaymaker applications at the visa sections in Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Gaborone and Windhoek will not be accepted.

Work permits are valid for endorsement by Entry Clearance Officers for six months after the date of issue. After six months the work permit is no longer valid for use.

With effect from 4 April 2005 the Reviews Team will only accept two reviews per original application refused. From this date the reviews team will consider the grounds of refusal provided in respect of the initial work permit application and also undertake a full review of all other elements of the work permit decision.

The Chancellor announced in Budget 2004 a new entitlement for graduates from 50 of the world’s top business schools to work in the UK for up to 12 months on completing MBAs.

From 1 October 2004 new service standards were introduced for all schemes managed by WP(UK). The following information sets out those service standards and approximate timescales for deciding applications.

The Home Office announced a number of changes to Immigration Rules and policy today. These include new rules affecting marriage visitors and dependants of visiting forces personnel.

The Home Office has introduced an increase in the application fees for the following types of applications.

There has been a recent increase in the number of further leave to remain applications being received by Work Permits (UK). In response to customer feedback they have put in place procedures for requesting urgent treatment of applications under certain circumstances.

As part of the new five year strategy for immigration and asylum announced on 07 February 2005, changes have been made to the Working Holidaymaker Scheme.

The Home Office have proposed increases to application fees for the following UK Immigration categories, to take effect from 1 April 2005.

A new points system that aims to ensure migrants wanting to work in the UK have the right skills is at the heart of the governments new immigration strategy.

The Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) has recently been the subject of a comprehensive review. The outcome of this review will be announced in due course.

New procedures will come into effect on 1 February that affect foreign nationals subject to immigration control who want to get married in the United Kingdom (UK).

The tsunami in Asia has caused widespread disruption. There is a possibility that the UK’s visa services in the countries affected may be closed or restricted while our Visa Section staff assist their colleagues taking care of British nationals in the region.