Significant changes in the UK’s immigration system

We can all expect significant changes in the United Kingdom’s international status and immigration system in the upcoming decade. Boris Johnson firmly establishes control over the UK government. Now we can only await the consequences of future Brexit negotiations and the UK’s departure from the EU on 31 January 2020.

As part of their electoral manifesto, the Conservative Party revealed its revolutionary plans to modify the existing immigration system. Such changes include a new NHS visa and a point-based system for visa applications; similar to what is currently in place in Australia. We can analyze the information heard from UK officials to form a more precise prediction of the upcoming changes.

National Health Services Visa (NHS Visa)

The Queen explained, during her speech in the House of Commons, that the new visa would provide expedited entry for qualified doctors, nurses and medical workers to the United Kingdom.

Boris Johnson specified the effects of the plans during the 2019 November general election. The changes he mentioned included a reduction in the cost of a visa for healthcare providers from £928 to £464. The Prime Minister also asserted that the consideration process of these visa types would take two weeks. The minimum salary threshold is currently £30,000. It will also be abolished for skilled migrants who apply for a five-year visa.

The NHS is currently facing a shortage of qualified nurses and doctors. It means that the reduction in the NHS visa fee is an overall improvement. However, it is unclear whether the cost will stay the same when applying for either a three-year and a five-year visa.

Currently, the process of consideration of visas under standard services finish within 15 business days, and for an additional £220 foreign applicants can get a decision within five business days. The Conservative Party’s goal to consider visa applications for health workers within two weeks would significantly contribute to the growth of the NHS’s workforce.

The previously mentioned abolition of the salary threshold of £30,000 for medical workers, who will apply for five-year visas, will be the most contributing aspect of the new system. Such change will surely increase the demand for healthcare work placements in the UK and attract qualified medical workers globally.

An additional long-awaited change will be the removal of the annual quota of migrant medical workers entering the UK. It will assist the country’s healthcare system in filling the shortage of healthcare based labor.

The new points-based immigration system

According to the Queen’s speech, a fairer point-based immigration system will allow skilled workers from around the world to contribute to the UK economy. At present, we already have a point system for applicants who are not EU citizens. Since the introduction of the point system in 2008, it has become more complex and rigorous.

Our team is ready to provide advice and assistance to enterprises and individuals. We will also keep you updated on the latest developments and report on changes in UK immigration policy. Contact us now to arrange a consultation with one of our immigration specialists.

Coming changes in the UK immigration system after Brexit: expert views

Boris Johnson confirmed his plans to make changes in the UK immigration and visa system after Brexit. The system will be separate from the Home Office. Currently the ministerial department responsible for immigration and security in the UK. This process will likely change how the Home Office functions.

Expert views

The majority of lawyers and campaigners suppose the primary goal of these changes is to increase border control. They also believe that the implementation of these changes must complete within an adequate time and resource frame. The failure to do so may adversely affect the immigration and visa system.

Migration specialists speculate that the Conservative party focuses on decreasing the amount of immigration. Therefore, the new system will be comparable to the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agency in the US. Both organisations are currently responsible for security and immigration enforcement.

Some lawyers believe that the new system would make less justifiable decisions. Its focus will be directed towards controlling and restricting migration. Moreover, the system will prioritise reducing the number of migrants to peoples’ interests and wishes. Consequently, past mistakes, such as the Windrush scandal, are likely to repeat.

Some experts are concerned that the coming changes in the UK immigration system could disrupt immigration services. The Home Office’s past mistakes, such as the EU Settlement Scheme and the Windrush scandal, weakened the public’s confidence and trust in the immigration system. It would take time for the newly created department, responsible for the immigration decision-making process, to build its trust with the public and start functioning efficiently.

Other legal specialists believe that any negative experience could help the government to create a new department with a well-structured and planned system in the future.

For now, we can only reflect on these speculations and hope for the best.

The costs of studying in a UK university

How much does studying in the UK cost when it comes to studying at a university? In the UK, you can get a world-class education, because a British diploma is the dream of many. The price varies depending on the subject studied and the status of the university. The study period affects the total cost by the duration also. In the magistracy, the training time lasts one year, while a bachelors degree takes three years to earn. Applicants have the right to submit documents to six universities at once, and each will need to meet the applicant in person.

Why would I study in the UK?

A diploma from a British university gives excellent prospects; providing an opportunity to work in any organisation in the world that is relevant to your speciality. Graduates from British universities are always in high demand. A student with a British education indicates excellent knowledge of both the English language and the profession they chose.

The cost of studying in the UK

The cost of studying at British universities is, on average, 10-17 thousand pounds a year; however, this amount can vary more depending on the status of the university. Besides, you will also need to consider the cost of food, accommodation and other expenses that are unrelated to your studies. To save money, the majority of students choose to live in a hostel, rent a room or an apartment. Living in London is more expensive than staying in other cities. Additional costs include bills, transportation and entertainment expenses. Therefore, the Home Office takes the applicant’s income and financial wealth into consideration when reviewing the application for a UK visa.

What are the requirements under the immigration laws?

There is a minimum threshold for the amount of money an applicant must have before becoming a British university student.

Under the UK immigration rules, the minimum requirement for the cost for accommodation and maintenance (excluding the cost of studying) is 11,385 pounds for university students in London and 9,135 pounds for students in other UK cities. Usually, student fees are paid directly to the university, while living and accommodation fees remain in a personal bank account.

Examples of costs

As an example, a London university student living in a studio with a kitchen and bathroom will spend around 35 thousand pounds.

A student in a small town living in a room in a house with common areas will spend roughly 25 thousand pounds a year.

Our immigration lawyers assist with all types of UK student visas.

EU Citizens and their rights in the UK after Brexit

EU citizens and their families who have been living on the English territory — Rights Of EU Citizens And Their Families In The UK After Brexit

Every EU citizens and their families will still benefit from the right to free movement up to the moment of the UK’s exit from the EU. Besides, they will be able to ask for permission to reside within the country even after the UK’s withdrawal.

The Home Office will give each of the existing lawful residents and their families a grace period by to make all the necessary arrangements for their residence permit as well as to carry out their work or business as usual.

Residence permits

They will have up to two years from the exit day to do so. Home Office will accordingly replace Residence permits delivered in the past as they will not be valid any more. If an applicant didn’t follow these procedures, then he/she in question will not be eligible to any exemptions usually granted by the Government. As a further matter, they will not be allowed to stay in the country.

EU citizens and their families who have been living on the English territory before the specified date, and that had five years’ continuous residence in the UK either at the time of the UK’s exit from the EU or when their grace period is over can receive the settled status. For that, however, they must be able to prove their five years’ residence when completing their application.

EU citizens and their families

As for the EU citizens that have been living in the UK before the indicated date but who do not benefit from the settled status, or have not enjoyed five years’ residence when their grace period has expired, they will be able to remain in the UK to meet the five-year condition. However, they will have to seek a leave to remain from the Home Office. After the five years, they can apply to receive the settled status.
Family members of EU citizens – they can either be EU citizens or non-EU nationals – who have been living in the UK before the UK leaves the EU will also be able to receive the settled status. They must nonetheless fulfil the conditions as mentioned above and should have been in a genuine relationship with an EU citizen for the time they have been resident in the UK.

Family members who have not met the five years’ residence criteria yet will also be able to apply for a leave to remain to do so. Moreover, almost every EU citizens will be able to receive the settlement status in their own right, which means that they do not have to apply as a family member of a resident EU citizen. The previously mentioned point, therefore, concerns mainly non-EU national family members. EU citizens, however, may receive a settlement as a family member. All they have to do is prove their relationship.

Future family members of EU citizens

Prospective family members of EU citizens – that have been in the country before the UK leaves the EU – who arrive at the UK after UK leaves the EU will have to follow the same procedures as non-EU nationals joining British citizens. The protocol will be the same as for EU citizens who come to the country after Brexit takes place.

Children of EU citizens that can apply for the settled status will also be able to apply to obtain the settled status, which would be the case regardless of whether the children were born in the UK or overseas, or if they landed in the UK after Brexit is official. Children of EU citizens who have received the settled status and are born in the UK will enjoy British citizenship and will, therefore, be able to reside in the UK. EU resident parents who have been in the UK before the date the UK leaves the EU, but who still need to make the necessary arrangements for leave to remain after that date to fulfil the five-year condition, will also have to do the same for their child when the latter is born.

The Government will take all the necessary measures

The Government will take all the steps needed so that the students who engage in a higher or further education course during or before the 2018/19 academic year will be apt to seek a permit to reside in the country to carry on with their curriculum.

The Home Office has set the objective of making the new application procedures as seamless as they can get for EU citizens and their families that live in the UK lawfully.