Grenfell Tower Update - Further Guidance
A previous blog Home Office sets out Grenfell Tower Policy for survivors and directly affected individuals, 6 July 2017, analysed the directions given to caseworkers in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire in West London in June of this year.
Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis announced an update on 11 October 2017: “The government believes it is right to provide this specific group of survivors greater certainty over their long-term future in the UK, subject to their continued eligibility and the necessary security and criminality checks being met”.
Now eligible survivors granted the initial 12 months’ leave to remain will be able to apply for further leave to remain and this may lead to indefinite leave after 5 years’ lawful residence. Updated guidance will soon be published.
The government also announced further guidance for relatives. The Grenfell Tower – Relatives policy (guidance on handling extensions of limited leave involving relatives of those directly affected by the Grenfell fire) was published on 11 October 2017.
The policy applies to those relatives who were last granted a short period of leave (less than 6 months) to support a survivor of the fire or to make funeral arrangements and who wish to remain here. The guidance does not cover those not directly affected, those entering the UK for other reasons or anyone outside the UK. The guidance states it is a short term policy and there is no fee or form required.
Leave to remain granted under the policy will be for a period of 6 months from the relative’s date of entry to the UK outside of the Immigration Rules and leave will be granted with the condition that there is no recourse to public funds and with a prohibition on work or study.
The policy states that leave is time limited and any further leave sought on expiry will be considered on a case by case basis.
The policy states that a refusal to grant leave is not an appealable decision. Enforcement action will not be taken where the relative’s leave to enter has expired and whilst they are being considered under the policy.
Contact our Immigration Barristers
For advice and assistance in relation to making an application under the Grenfell Tower policy, contact our Immigration Barristers on 0203 617 9173 or via our contact form.
