KNOWLEDGE

CENTRE

Summary of key changes to family migration Immigration Rules on 9 July 2012

The UK Border Agency has recently announced a series of changes to the Immigration Rules concerning UK immigration applications made by family members. Most of these changes will come into force on 9 July 2012.

Completing the Common European Asylum System

In 2011, the 27 EU Member States received more than 300,000 asylum applications, a 16.2% increase from 2010.

Snapshot of migration, asylum and free movement in the EU

The European Commission has published a Report on the 2011 developments in the areas of immigration and asylum, accompanied by a Eurobarometer on European citizens’ attitudes towards cross-border mobility, migration...

Summer 2011 interns exempt from Tier 2 cooling off period

Students who worked as interns in the UK last summer and want to return to a graduate job with the same company are now temporarily exempt from cooling off rules, according to the UK Border Agency. Cooling...

Funding cuts place refugee and migrant children at risk

A new report by the Coram Children’s Legal Centre has found that young refugees and migrants on their own in the UK are not being provided with the advice and representation they need, with significant consequences...

Govt “gaming” net migration figures

The Government should switch to a more rational method of measuring student migration flows and only count students who stay on in the UK permanently in net migration figures, according to a new report published by the think tank IPPR.

UN launches study to assess migrants’ rights

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, will undertake a one-year comprehensive study to examine...

Better working conditions and social rights for seasonal workers

Non-EU seasonal workers would enjoy basic working and living conditions, such as a minimum wage and decent accommodation, under draft legislation endorsed by the European Civil Liberties Committee. These...

Court clarifies meaning of 'act of persecution'

The Court of Justice of the European Union has given an Opinion on what constitutes an 'act of persecution' for the purposes of recognition of refugee status for asylum seekers.

Support for victims of domestic violence extended

Help for migrants forced to flee their relationships as a result of domestic violence has been made permanently available from 1st April 2012.

Annual Tier 2 limit announcement

Rules have been laid in parliament confirming changes to Tier 2 of the points based system. Following the Migration Advisory Committee report in October 2011 to advise on the 2012-13 annual limit for Tier 2 and...

New opportunities for Tier 1 (Post-study work) migrants

On 15 March 2012, a written ministerial statement was laid in Parliament outlining a number of changes to the Immigration Rules.