KNOWLEDGE

CENTRE

Reducing immigration comes at significant economic cost

Think tank IPPR has commented on the latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics, which show that immigration to the UK was 566,000 in 2011 and emigration was 350,000, giving a net migration figure...

Revocation of Highly Trusted Status

London Metropolitan University has confirmed that the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has revoked its Highly Trusted Status for sponsoring international students. In July, the UKBA had suspended the University’s Highly...

Service launched for universities sponsoring foreign students

A new pilot scheme offering universities a range of specialist immigration services has been launched, recognising the importance of universities within the higher education sector. Following feedback from the sector,...

Improvements to Dover Immigration Removal Centre

Dover Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) had made progress and improved in some key areas, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an unannounced short follow-up inspection...

Next steps for the European Migration Network

The European Commission has published its report on the development of the European Migration Network (EMN), a Commission-led network with national contact points in each Member States, as well as Norway. The...

Committee calls for risk based check pilot at borders

The Home Affairs Select Committee has published a report focusing on passport queues following concern over the chaotic scenes witnessed at major UK ports this year. The Committee found that passport queues have...

Changes to the Immigration Rules following the Supreme Court decision in Alvi

In R (on the application of Alvi) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2012] UKSC 33 the Supreme Court held that the UK Border...

Age assessment still an issue for children seeking asylum

A recent report, ‘The Fact of Age’, issued by Maggie Atkinson, Children’s Commissioner for England has revealed problems still occur in age assessments of children seeking asylum. Decision-making...

The new financial requirement for spouses, partners and fiancé(e)s

From 9th July 2012, anyone applying for the first time as a spouse, civil partner, unmarried or same sex partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner will have to show a higher amount of income and/or savings than previously.

Article 8 ECHR changes: New immigration categories based on private and family life

On 9th July 2012, changes to the Immigration Rules came into force. Some of these new Rules will make it easier for people who want to stay in the UK due to their private or family life here.

New targeted interviews for students

Ahead of the summer surge in student visa applications, UK Border Agency officers will be given new powers to interview international students and refuse visas if they are not satisfied the applicant is genuine,...

Rules change for overstayers

The UK Border Agency has advised of changes to the Immigration Rules that will affect people who have overstayed their leave to remain.