This is the final part of our four-part series on the 2025 UK Immigration White Paper. In Part 1, we examined proposed changes to work routes and the closure of the care worker visa. Part 2 explored rising sponsorship costs and reduced options for international graduates. Part 3 focused on tougher English language rules, longer settlement timelines, and new barriers to citizenship. We now turn to the UK’s digital border transformation, changes to Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), and reforms to the asylum and humanitarian system. These proposals mark a new era in how the UK controls entry and responds to people seeking protection.

The UK is gradually introducing a new system known as the Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA. This is not a visa but a digital permission that travellers from certain countries must get before coming to the UK. It applies to people who do not normally need a visa to visit, such as those from the United States, Australia, or Canada.

The ETA was first introduced in 2023 for Qatari nationals and is being rolled out in stages to other countries. By the end of 2024, it is expected to apply to all non-visa nationals. Travellers must apply online or through an app before they travel, and if approved, their authorisation is linked electronically to their passport. It usually lasts for two years or until the passport expires.

The main purpose of the ETA is to improve border security. It allows the UK Government to check people before they arrive and to refuse permission in cases where someone may pose a risk. For example, the UK authorities can refuse an ETA application if someone has a criminal record, owes money to the NHS, or has broken immigration rules.

Although it is not called a visa, the ETA process includes some of the same checks—especially around what’s known as suitability. Suitability checks are background checks to see whether someone’s personal or immigration history makes them unsuitable to enter the UK. These checks are already part of almost every UK visa application, and the ETA brings them into the process for people who normally don’t need a visa.

For travellers, this means more paperwork before boarding a flight. But for the Government, it offers better control over who enters the country and helps reduce the risk of overstaying or illegal working.

Asylum and Humanitarian Routes Face New Restrictions

In the year ending March 2025, the UK received 109,343 asylum claims — the highest number since 1979. This was a 17% rise from the previous year. Just under half (49%) of initial decisions resulted in grants of protection. This is down from 61% in 2024. Around 45,084 people were granted protection at first decision — a 35% drop year-on-year. The tribunal backlog remains high, with 91,000 cases pending at the end of 2024. Roughly 42,000 appeals were still waiting to be resolved.

Under the new white paper, arriving in the UK without permission—no matter the threat of danger in one’s home country—could become grounds for refusing an asylum claim outright. The Government intends to introduce faster removal procedures, curtail appeal rights, and tighten eligibility across all humanitarian routes.

The UK plans a new Displaced Talent Mobility Scheme. It will bring in 10,000 skilled refugees over five years. The UN will help assess applicants. The scheme excludes family members and targets only high-demand skills.

Comparable programmes already exist internationally. In the United States, the Welcome Corps at Work initiative matches skilled refugees with US employers and provides a pathway to permanent residency—often including their families. Talent Beyond Boundaries performs a similar matching service internationally. These US schemes usually include family members. They also offer strong support for integration. This makes them more ambitious than the UK’s proposal.

Taken together, the UK’s proposed scheme represents a modest and selective approach compared to international equivalents. Employers will play a key role in making the scheme successful. Its success will also rely on clear identification of the prioritised skills and on whether future policy changes include family reunion.

What Should You Do Now?

These proposals are not minor adjustments. They represent a complete rethinking of who can come to the UK, on what basis, and for how long. If these planned changes affect you or those you advise, now is the time to assess the situation. Make informed decisions. Take action.

Review your situation or that of your clients carefully. Check eligibility under the current rules, and consider submitting applications before new restrictions come into force. Prepare for English language requirements, revisit financial planning, and ensure all documentation is in order.

With these sweeping reforms, the 2025 Immigration White Paper redefines the future of UK migration policy—from visas and settlement to family life, borders, and citizenship. If you’ve not yet read the earlier parts of this series, we recommend going back to Part 1 for a full understanding of the scale and structure of these changes.

This is a turning point. Understanding what’s ahead—and acting in time—could make all the difference.

The post UK Border Reform 2025: ETA Rules & Digital Checks Explained first appeared on UK VISA SUCCESS with Svitlana Shlapak.

Welcome to Part 3 of our four-part guide to the UK Government’s 2025 Immigration White Paper. This section focuses on how the Government is reshaping the path to long-term residence and British citizenship. From stricter English requirements to a longer wait for settlement, the emphasis is shifting towards deeper integration but at a higher cost for migrants and their families.

Part 1 covered new work visa rules and the closure of the care worker route. In Part 2 you’ll find an explanation of higher sponsorship costs and shorter graduate visas. Part 4 explores the UK’s new digital border and tighter asylum controls.

The proposed changes would extend existing English language progression requirements to a wider range of visa categories. Under Appendix FM, all partners of British citizens or settled persons must demonstrate A1-level English to enter the UK, A2 when applying to extend their stay after 33 months, and B1 when applying for settlement, usually after 60 months on this visa.

The Government now proposes a new staged English language model for most immigration routes. Under this plan, the applicants would need to demonstrate A1-level English when first applying for a visa. They would then need to show A2-level English when applying for an extension and meet B2-level English when applying for settlement. This model mirrors the existing requirements under Appendix FM, which already applies to partners of British citizens and settled persons.

At present, most adult dependants of workers and students are not required to meet any English language requirement. Introducing this tiered model would be a major shift in policy, placing greater emphasis on language ability for anyone planning to build a long-term future in the UK.

Some routes would remain outside these new rules. Visit visas, short-term student visas, seasonal work schemes, and protection-based routes such as asylum and humanitarian protection would not require applicants to meet any English language thresholds. These are short-term or exceptional categories, and the Government has so far excluded them from these changes.

Ministers argue that the proposed language rules are designed to support better long-term integration. The Government believes that stronger English skills improve access to jobs, reduce pressure on public services, and help migrants participate fully in British life. These principles appear in Section 117B of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. The Immigration Act 2014 added this section, and it came into force in July 2014. This section sets out the public interest in ensuring that people who seek permanent residence in the UK are able to speak English, as part of the wider assessment of private and family life claims under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

However, although the aims focus on integration, the proposed rules create new burdens. Extra exams mean more financial cost, time, and preparation. This could especially affect families with lower incomes, or those in areas with few test centres. For many, particularly from non-English-speaking countries, these changes could make an already complex system even harder to navigate. As the consultation process continues, these concerns will likely play a central role in shaping the final version of the new rules.

Settlement Will Take Longer for Most

Previously, many people could apply for settlement in the UK after five years of lawful residence. Under the Government’s new proposals, this qualifying period could double to ten years for most applicants. Exceptions may apply to partners of British citizens or those who make an “exceptional contribution” to UK society, though the white paper does not clearly define what qualifies as exceptional. It might include volunteering or working in sectors deemed critical.

The Government claims this shift is intended to reinforce the idea that settlement should be earned over time through long-term commitment and integration. It aligns with broader efforts to tighten migration rules and reduce net migration figures. By extending the required residence period, the UK aims to ensure that only those who demonstrate sustained economic and social contribution can achieve permanent status.

By contrast, both Canada and Australia generally allow permanent residency much earlier. In Canada, skilled workers can apply for permanent residency after three years of residence through programs like Express Entry. In Australia, many skilled migrants qualify for permanent residency within four years. These shorter timelines make both countries more attractive for international talent looking for stability and long-term opportunities. The UK’s proposed ten-year requirement risks discouraging skilled individuals who might favour faster-settlement countries.

Upcoming Changes to Family Migration Rules

The Government is reviewing family migration rules with the aim of introducing a unified set of standards across all family visa categories. Right no

w, family visa rules vary by route. Appendix FM sets rules for partners, children, and parents of British citizens or settled persons. Article 8 routes follow different standards based on private life. Other discretionary cases also have separate criteria. The white paper proposes consolidating these into one framework, with standardised requirements for relationship evidence, income, accommodation, and suitability.

A particular focus is on Article 8 claims made outside the standard family routes. The Government says the current rules allow for broad interpretation of compassionate or private life cases. This sometimes leads to approvals even when applicants don’t meet the standard criteria. The proposed changes will set stricter definitions for what counts as ‘exceptional circumstances’ or ‘unjustifiably harsh consequences’. Applicants won’t be able to rely on family ties alone unless they meet the main eligibility requirements.

Another anticipated change is the alignment of documentary requirements. Currently, family applicants face varying expectations depending on the route, whether it is the need for extensive evidence of a genuine relationship, accommodation assessments, or financial documents. The Home Office intends to create uniform documentary standards for all applicants, reducing inconsistencies between different case types.

These changes will not necessarily make it easier to apply. The aim is to limit discretion and make decisions more predictable. This could make it harder to get approval in discretionary cases. Applicants with complex histories or unusual family situations may struggle under the new rules. The Government plans to formalise these proposed changes by the end of 2025, depending on the results of the consultation.

Unlawful Entry May Block Citizenship

In February 2025, the UKVI updated its good character guidance. From 10 February 2025, if you apply for British citizenship after entering the UK unlawfully—such as without valid entry clearance, by small boat, or hidden in a vehicle—officials will normally refuse your application, even if your arrival happened many years ago. This represents a significant change. Previously, unlawful entry only counted against an applicant if it took place within the ten years prior to the application.

The new guidance confirms that unlawful entry will normally result in a refusal on good character grounds unless one of the narrow exceptions applies. These include individuals who were victims of trafficking or children who were brought to the UK without choice. For most applicants, however, there is now a strict presumption against granting citizenship in cases of illegal arrival.

The guidance also underlines the importance of lawful residence under the British Nationality Act 1981. Applicants under section 6(1) must show five years of lawful residence in the UK before the date of application. Applicants under section 6(2)—usually spouses or civil partners of British citizens—must show three years. If a person entered the UK unlawfully, their residence from that point will be considered unlawful and may prevent them from meeting this requirement, even if they have lived in the UK for far longer.

Judicial Review

In response to these developments, Wilson Solicitors have issued a pre-action protocol letter in preparation for a judicial review. They argue that the February 2025 guidance breaks the UK’s duty under Article 31 of the Refugee Convention. This article protects refugees who arrive without permission but claim asylum quickly. They also argue that the policy lacks fairness and legal certainty, particularly because there is no clear path to appeal.

The Home Office has indicated that it may adjust the guidance to reflect Article 31 concerns, but the legal action is expected to continue. Until a court rules otherwise or the guidance is amended, individuals who entered the UK without permission, regardless of how long ago, face a serious risk of refusal if they apply for British citizenship.

Language skills, lawful residence, and ‘good character’ are becoming central to your ability to stay in the UK permanently. But there’s more: the final article explains the digital transformation of the UK border and new restrictions on asylum and humanitarian routes. Don’t miss Part 4 to complete your understanding of these landmark changes.

The post Staying for Good? English Language Rules and Routes to Settlement first appeared on UK VISA SUCCESS with Svitlana Shlapak.

This is the second article in our four-part series on the 2025 UK Immigration White Paper. In Part 1, we explored how the system is being reshaped around skills and the closure of the care worker route. Here, we look at the rising cost of sponsorship and major reforms to graduate and talent-focused visas. These changes will hit employers and students hard, especially those planning long-term futures in the UK.

Skilled Worker Visa

The UK Government plans to raise the Immigration Skills Charge by 32%, making it more expensive for employers to hire workers from abroad. This charge applies to every Skilled Worker visa sponsorship and must be paid annually for each worker. Large employers currently pay £1,000 per worker per year, and this will rise to £1,320. Smaller businesses and registered charities pay £364, and they will soon face a new charge of £480 per year.

The Government introduced the Immigration Skills Charge in April 2017. The aim was to encourage employers to invest in training local workers rather than relying on overseas recruitment. This fee is separate from visa application charges and can quickly add up, especially for businesses sponsoring several workers over multiple years.

Raising this charge could hit small businesses and non-profit organisations the hardest. Many employers in hospitality, social care, and construction already operate on tight budgets. If these proposals go ahead, some may stop offering sponsorship altogether, reducing job options for overseas applicants.

Graduate Visa Time Cut Short

The Government now proposes to reduce the post-study Graduate visa from two years to just 18 months. The Graduate route allows international students who complete a UK degree to stay and work without employer sponsorship. The proposed change would reduce the time they have to remain in the UK after their studies. This affects their ability to find a job or switch into a longer-term visa, such as the Skilled Worker route. For students aiming to build a career in the UK, every month matters. Cutting six months from this period could make the UK less attractive, especially as countries like Canada and Australia continue to offer generous post-study options.

How Canada and Australia Help Graduates Stay and Settle

In contrast, Canada offers international graduates a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that lasts up to three years, depending on the length of their study programme. This permit allows full-time work with any employer, giving graduates more time and flexibility to build their careers.

Australia also provides generous options: graduates can usually stay for two to four years under the Temporary Graduate visa, with additional time for those in regional areas or holding higher qualifications. These longer post-study periods make both countries attractive destinations for international students who want to work and remain long term.

Both Canada and Australia also allow graduates to build up experience that helps them apply for permanent residence. In Canada, graduates who complete an eligible study programme and gain at least one year of skilled work experience through the PGWP can apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class stream of the Express Entry system. This route rewards Canadian work experience and gives former students a competitive edge.

In Australia, graduates use the Temporary Graduate visa to work and then apply for permanent residence through the Skilled Independent visa or the Skilled Nominated visa. These routes depend on the graduate’s occupation, work location, and total points under the General Skilled Migration system. Many students who complete their studies in Australia successfully apply to stay permanently. In contrast, the UK Graduate route does not count towards indefinite leave to remain, which may affect how students choose where to study.

Historical Development of the Graduate Route

The UK has introduced or reintroduced a post-study work route four times in the past two decades, each time reflecting shifts in political priorities and economic needs. These routes have aimed to attract international graduates, support the labour market, and maintain the UK’s competitiveness in global education.

The first scheme appeared in 2004 with the launch of the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS), which allowed STEM graduates to stay in the UK for 12 months. In 2007, the Government broadened access through the International Graduate Scheme (IGS), extending the opportunity to graduates across all subjects. A year later, in 2008, IGS was replaced by the Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) route, which gave graduates two years to work without sponsorship in any sector. This system remained in place until 2012, when the Government abolished it due to concerns about misuse and lack of control.

The Return of the Graduate Route and Its Future at Risk

After nearly a decade with no dedicated post-study work route, the UK reintroduced the scheme for the fourth time in 2021 under the Graduate route, allowing most international degree holders to stay for two years (or three for doctoral graduates) without employer sponsorship. This reintroduction was part of the wider Points-Based Immigration System and was intended to help the UK compete with countries like Canada and Australia.

In 2021, the UK reintroduced the post-study visa as the Graduate route under the Points-Based Immigration System, granting two years of unsponsored work permission to most graduates and three years for doctoral students. The aim was to attract global talent and make the UK a top destination for international education. Reducing the time limit now appears to be politically motivated. Ministers are likely responding to concerns over net migration figures, suggesting that some students and dependants may be using the study route as a route to long-term stay without serious employment prospects. However, there are concerns that shortening the Graduate visa risks undermining the UK’s reputation in global education and could push high-potential graduates to competitor countries.

High Potential Individual Visa

The UK Government plans to expand the High Potential Individual (HPI) route by adding more international universities to the approved list. This visa offers a strong option for recent graduates from top-ranked global institutions, as it does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship. Successful applicants can work in any sector, be employed, self-employed, or even establish a business. The visa lasts two years, or three years if the applicant holds a PhD. While the HPI visa does not currently lead directly to settlement, many visa holders use it to switch into routes like Skilled Worker or Global Talent, which do offer settlement opportunities. Between May 2022 and June 2024, around 4,500 main applicants received HPI visas, far fewer than the 200,000 Graduate visas granted during the same period. Examples of qualifying institutions include Harvard, MIT, Oxford, Stanford, ETH Zurich, University of Toronto, National University of Singapore, and the University of Melbourne. The relatively low uptake suggests that the visa’s eligibility criteria and application process remain strict despite recent efforts to broaden it.

Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent visa remains one of the UK’s most attractive immigration routes for highly skilled professionals in science, engineering, humanities, arts, and digital technology. Applicants can qualify either by securing an endorsement from a recognised body or by holding a prestigious award approved by the Home Office. The visa offers a high degree of flexibility: it does not require employer sponsorship, allows individuals to change jobs without permission, and permits freelance or self-employed work. Successful applicants endorsed under the exceptional talent category can apply for settlement after three years. Those endorsed under the exceptional promise category become eligible after five years. In recent years, this route has grown significantly in popularity. Between April 2020 and April 2023, over 17,000 individuals applied under this visa, and by the year ending September 2023, the number of grants had increased by 58% to more than 4,000. Endorsing bodies such as UKRI, Arts Council England, and Tech Nation have played a major role in the route’s development, with UKRI alone endorsing over 5,000 applicants. The Global Talent visa is now a key part of the UK’s strategy to attract and retain world-class talent.

The Innovator Founder Visa

The UKVI first introduced two major entrepreneur visas in 2013: the Start-up visa (for early-stage founders, no investment required) and the Innovator visa (for more experienced entrepreneurs with a £50,000 investment requirement). These replaced earlier routes like the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa, introduced in 2008, which required £200,000 or £50,000 in qualifying investment funds, depending on the applicant’s background. Despite their purpose to attract more entrepreneurs, these routes saw limited uptake. Between 2019 and 2022, only a few hundred Innovator and Start-up visas were granted each year, and the success rates, while comparatively high in percentage, reflected low overall application numbers.

Innovator Founder Visa: Progress, Challenges, and High Entry Barriers

In April 2023, the Government launched the Innovator Founder route to simplify the system. This new visa removed the £50,000 investment requirement and merged the previous Innovator and Start-up routes. In its first year, the number of Innovator Founder visa grants rose to 494, a year-on-year increase of 88%. Another 492 Start-up visas were also granted before that route officially closed. Despite these improvements, the visa still presents difficulties. Endorsing bodies remain cautious, often requiring a proven business model, innovation, scalability, and occasionally charging high fees or demanding equity. Applicants must also meet an English language requirement at level B2, which is higher than many other UK immigration routes. Although the Innovator Founder visa offers a direct route to settlement after three years, many applicants still find it difficult to satisfy the criteria, giving this route a reputation for being one of the most demanding in the UK’s immigration system.

The UK’s talent and graduate routes are evolving—but not necessarily in favour of applicants. The next article explores a different kind of shift: stricter language rules, longer settlement timelines, and new barriers to citizenship. Head to Part 3 to see how integration and long-term residence will be redefined.

The post UK Visa Changes 2025: Who Pays and Who Stays? first appeared on UK VISA SUCCESS with Svitlana Shlapak.

Zahra had her plan: a Master’s in Birmingham, followed by two years of graduate work. Her brother Tariq, working in care in Kenya, hoped to join her under the UK’s care worker route. But in May 2025, everything changed. The UK Government published its immigration white paper that outlines proposed reforms before laws are officially drafted. White papers are not legally binding, but they signal the Government’s intentions and often lead to new legislation or changes to the Immigration Rules. This particular white paper, shaped by political pressure to reduce net migration, sets out a major overhaul of the current system. For Zahra and Tariq – and thousands of others with similar hopes – the road ahead has just become far more difficult.

This article is the first in a four-part series explaining the UK Government’s 2025 Immigration White Paper. The white paper sets out one of the most significant immigration reforms in over a decade. Because these proposals could affect thousands of individuals and families, I’ve broken them down into four clear sections to help you understand what’s changing and how it may impact you.

 What Is a White Paper—and How Did This One Take Shape?

A white paper is an important government document that spells out future policy trends but isn’t yet law. Think of it as the official draft before legislation: it invites feedback, sets the direction, and acts as a bridge between political debate and legal reform. This particular immigration white paper, Restoring Control Over the Immigration System, was developed over several months and reflects thorough discussions in both the House of Commons and House of Lords. Ministers, MPs, peers, industry leaders, and charities contributed to debates, captured in Hansard. Hansard is the official written record of everything said in Parliament on issues ranging from tech-driven border controls and care-worker shortages to refugee sponsors and Windrush compensation. The name Hansard comes from Luke Hansard, the 18th-century printer who first published the official reports of parliamentary debates.

Following these parliamentary debates, the Home Office turned proposals into a structured white paper, clearly laid out under five key principles:

1. reducing net migration,
2. linking immigration to skills
3. enforcing simpler but stricter rules
4. improving legal defences against misuse, and
5. supporting integration.

The white paper then moves into a consultation phase: feedback is gathered from professionals and the public, opportunities for revision are provided, and only then, depending on consultation findings, might some proposals be translated into changes to the Immigration Rules or guided into Parliament as legislation. Not every policy in the white paper is guaranteed to progress. Those with enough support and legal alignment are more likely to reach formal regulations; others may be dropped or modified. This staged approach ensures the final rules are both practical and legally sound – a crucial process for developments as impactful as these.

So, what exactly has the Government proposed in this white paper—and what emerged from the parliamentary discussions that shaped it?

Higher Skills Could Soon Be Required for Work Visas

Under current rules, it’s possible to apply for a Skilled Worker visa with A-level equivalent qualifications (RQF Level 3). This makes a wide range of roles eligible, including positions in hospitality, retail, and logistics. However, the Government now proposes to raise the minimum skill level to RQF Level 6, which is equivalent to a university degree. If implemented, this shift would mean that many existing jobs (such as chefs, warehouse supervisors, and support workers) would no longer meet the requirements. Employers would likely struggle to fill key roles, especially in sectors already facing staff shortages.

Short-Term Options Proposed for Lower-Skilled Roles

The white paper suggests that a limited, time-restricted route for lower-skilled roles could remain but only under strict conditions. Employers may be permitted to recruit from overseas where a role appears on the Shortage Occupation List, but only if the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) agrees there is a long-term shortage, and only where the sector has a credible domestic workforce strategy. They must also demonstrate active efforts to train and hire UK-based staff. If approved, such roles would be capped and subject to regular review.

Examples could include fruit pickers in agriculture, certain roles in food processing, or meat hygiene inspectors, sectors historically reliant on overseas labour. These would not lead to settlement and would be tightly controlled.

This list of eligible roles is maintained under the Immigration Salary List, introduced in April 2024, which replaced the older Shortage Occupation List. While the purpose remains similar—to highlight jobs that face significant recruitment difficulties in the UK—the criteria and structure of the new list are stricter. You can view the most recent version here:
gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-salary-list

For sectors like hospitality, food production, and seasonal work, these proposals create considerable uncertainty, as continued access to overseas labour is not guaranteed.

Care Worker Route Is Closing

The white paper proposes ending new overseas recruitment for care workers. Thousands of migrants have come to the UK to train and work in social care, helping to support the country’s ageing population. In 2023, the Government issued a record 106,000 Skilled Worker visas for social care roles, making up around 75% of all health and care worker visas. However, this number dropped significantly in 2024, with just 27,174 Health and Care Worker visas granted – a sharp decline of 81% compared to the previous year.

Between April 2024 and January 2025 alone, main applicant approvals under this route fell from 115,000 to 23,200, marking one of the most dramatic reductions in recent visa trends. These figures reflect deeper issues: England’s adult social care sector reported over 131,000 vacancies in 2023–2024, with a vacancy rate of 8.3% almost twice the national average. This means that for every 100 care jobs in England, more than 8 remained unfilled during that period.

From March 2022 to March 2024, approximately 185,000 migrant workers entered care jobs in the UK. This temporary influx helped ease some of the pressure, but the demand has remained consistently high. The proposed closure of this route to new overseas applicants means only those already in the UK will be able to extend or switch until 2028. Employers and families who had relied on this route for staffing or reunification will need to look for alternative immigration routes.

This white paper marks a serious tightening of the UK’s immigration framework. But there’s more to understand—especially about costs, visas for graduates, and what’s changing for families. Continue reading Part 2 to learn how the financial and post-study visa rules are shifting.

The post 2025 UK Immigration White Paper: What’s Changing and Why first appeared on UK VISA SUCCESS with Svitlana Shlapak.

Amira, an Italian national, moved to the UK in 2015. She worked full-time, rented a flat in Manchester, and built a stable life. In March 2020, she flew to Spain to visit her parents. Then COVID-19 hit. Flights stopped, borders closed, and she couldn’t return until January 2021.

Later, in October 2022, Amira’s UK employer sent her to Germany to manage a new office. The overseas posting lasted 11 months. Now she wants to apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Can she still apply? Or have her two long absences broken her continuous residence?

This article will help you understand exactly what needs to happen for someone in this situation to succeed.

What does continuous residence mean?

To apply for settled status (Indefinite Leave to Remain for EEA nationals and their family members), you need to live in the UK for five years in a row. This is called continuous residence. You have to stay in the UK for most of that time. If you leave, you need to come back within six months in any 12-month period. If you stay away for longer, you might break your residence.

However, you can leave once for up to 12 months if there is an important reason. This could be because of illness, study, or work overseas. It still counts as continuous residence as long as you return within a year. You can also have a second long absence if the reason was related to COVID-19. For example, if your flight was cancelled, you had to quarantine, or you were told to work from abroad.

If you stayed away for more than 12 months because of COVID-19, you will not lose the time you already spent in the UK. But the extra time away will not count towards your five years. Your residence will pause at the 12-month point and start again when you return.

There is one more thing to keep in mind.

If you stay outside the UK for more than five years after getting pre-settled or settled status, the Home Office will treat your earlier residence as broken. The same applies if you’ve been removed, excluded, or deported from the UK. This is known as a supervening event, and it means your continuous residence no longer counts. If that applies to you, you may need to start the five years again. If none of these things happened and your absences followed the rules, you can still apply for settled status.

Does leaving twice break continuous residence for EU settled status?

The Home Office normally allows just one long absence of up to 12 months during your five-year residence period if the reason was important. However, you can still meet the continuous residence rule if you had a second long absence and that second absence was clearly linked to COVID-19. This special rule makes it possible to rely on both absences without breaking your residence: one for COVID-19 and one for another important reason, such as work overseas.

The Home Office guidance confirms that COVID-related reasons can include anything from cancelled flights and remote work instructions to simply choosing to stay abroad because of local restrictions or family support. But to rely on this flexibility, you need to show that each absence was necessary, did not go beyond 12 months, and was well documented.

As long as both absences meet those conditions and relate clearly to separate reasons: one general and one connected to the pandemic,  your continuous residence can still be considered unbroken.

What counts as a COVID absence?

When deciding whether to accept a COVID-related absence, the Home Office takes a flexible and case-by-case approach. You don’t need to meet a specific test or show extreme hardship. Instead, you just need to explain your situation clearly and provide enough evidence to show how the pandemic affected your ability — or your choice — to return to the UK.

The key point is that the Home Office understands how unpredictable and disruptive the pandemic was. You may have stayed abroad because of official restrictions, but they will also accept personal circumstances like family responsibilities, housing issues, or local safety concerns. The absence doesn’t need to be sudden or dramatic. Even a planned decision to stay overseas, made during the pandemic period, can count — as long as it was genuinely related to COVID-19.

There is no fixed list of acceptable reasons or required documents. Instead, the guidance encourages you to give honest, consistent details supported by anything you can reasonably provide. That could be emails from your employer or university, booking confirmations, quarantine notices, medical notes, or even a personal statement explaining your decision.

You also don’t need to prove that returning to the UK was impossible. It’s enough to show that, in light of COVID-19, returning within the normal time limit wasn’t the best or most realistic option. If your explanation makes sense, and your absence stayed within the 12-month window, the Home Office is likely to treat it as acceptable.

What proof will you need?

To support your application, you need to show clear evidence for each time you were outside the UK for an extended period. The Home Office wants to understand not just when you left and returned, but why you were away for so long. The evidence doesn’t have to be formal or complicated, but it does need to make your reasons clear.

Start by confirming your travel dates. This could be through flight tickets, boarding passes, or travel confirmations. Then focus on explaining the reason for your absence. If your university or employer advised you to study or work remotely, include that email or letter. If your plans changed because of cancelled flights or quarantine rules, save those messages and confirmations too.

For COVID-related absences, you can also use medical letters, shielding notices, or test results if you had the virus. But even if you don’t have official documents, a personal statement that clearly explains what happened — backed by any practical proof you can find — can still help.

If your absence was for work or another important reason, include anything that shows why it was necessary. This could be a letter from your employer confirming the overseas assignment or any documents showing the timing and purpose of your trip.

You can upload all your documents when you apply online. If you use a paper form, include copies with your application. Make sure everything is clear and easy to read. The Home Office may contact you if they need more information, so it’s a good idea to keep your documents organised and ready.

By explaining your story clearly and showing honest evidence, you’ll give your application the best possible chance of success.

Can Amira Still Get Settled Status?

Yes, Amira can still qualify for settled status — if she explains her absences clearly and provides the right evidence. Her first long absence in 2020 was linked to COVID-19 travel disruption. That fits within the Home Office’s guidance and doesn’t break her continuous residence. Her second absence in 2022 lasted 11 months and was for an overseas work assignment. This is also acceptable, as the rules allow one absence of up to 12 months for an important reason like work.

Because each absence stayed within the 12-month limit and related to a different allowed reason, Amira can rely on both without losing her five-year residence. She just needs to show that both absences were necessary and well-documented. If she does this, the Home Office should treat her continuous residence as unbroken, and she should be able to switch from pre-settled to settled status.

Steps to Protect Your Continuous Residence

If you have spent long periods outside the UK but one of those absences was linked to COVID-19, you may still be able to get settled status. The key is to make sure both absences meet the allowed conditions and are clearly explained.

Start by checking your travel dates to confirm that neither absence lasted longer than 12 months. If you are unsure about your entry and exit dates, you can make a subject access request to UKVI. This allows you to request any official records they may hold about your travel history. These records could support your application and help you feel more confident about your timeline.

Once you know the dates, look at the reasons behind each absence. Collect anything that helps explain your time away, such as emails from your employer, proof of remote study, flight changes, or medical notes. You do not need formal documents for everything, but your explanation needs to be honest, clear, and supported where possible.

When you apply, keep your explanation short and easy to follow. Focus on the facts. Make it simple for the caseworker to understand how your absences fit within the Home Office guidance.

If your absences were for separate valid reasons — one related to COVID-19 and one for an important reason like work — and both were under 12 months, you are likely to meet the continuous residence requirement.

Getting the details right makes a big difference. With a little preparation and the right documents, you can give your application the strongest possible chance of success.

The post Continuous Residence EU Settled Status Guide first appeared on UK VISA SUCCESS with Svitlana Shlapak.

Who Is Affected by the March 2025 Changes?

The UK’s March 2025 immigration updates affect a broad group of people: visitors, students, workers, and families already in the country.

If you’re planning to visit the UK from Trinidad and Tobago, you’ll now need a visa. If you’re in the UK under the Ukraine Scheme, new conditions may affect your right to stay.

Care workers and their sponsors face updated salary thresholds. Short-term English language students will need to prove their intentions more clearly.

This article explains the key changes and helps you understand what steps you’ll need to take to stay compliant.

Visa Required for Trinidad and Tobago Nationals

From 12 March 2025, nationals of Trinidad and Tobago will need a visa to visit the UK. You can no longer enter with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This change follows a rise in asylum claims from citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. Many of these were made at the UK border, increasing pressure on immigration staff and resources.

If you’re from Trinidad and Tobago, you’ll need to apply for a standard visitor visa before travelling. ETA applications are now closed to Trinidad and Tobago nationals.

Changes to Ukraine Schemes: Key Updates

Extending Permission to Stay

The Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme (UPE), introduced in February 2025, now covers more children who entered the UK outside the usual routes. This helps these children continue living legally with their parents. To be eligible, the child must already be in the UK and have received permission to enter before the rules allowed them to join parents with Homes for Ukraine status.

Homes for Ukraine: Sponsor Rules Now Consistent

If you’re applying under the Homes for Ukraine route, you’ll now need a confirmed sponsor to meet the new entry and eligibility requirements. The definition of ‘parent’ has also changed. Step-parents are no longer included, to bring this scheme in line with broader immigration policy.

In addition, the temporary option of switching from a travel permission letter to a residence permit after arrival in the UK has ended. All new arrivals will now need to apply for entry clearance before travelling.

Updates to the EU Settlement Scheme

If you’re part of the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), several changes now apply. You can use a biometric residence card that has expired by up to 18 months as proof of identity. If you do, you won’t need to provide new fingerprints.

If you’ve requested an administrative review and you’ve not left the UK, the Home Office will not remove you while that review is pending.

You can no longer sponsor an EUSS family permit if you only became an EU citizen after Brexit.

Suitability checks are also tighter now. If you’ve been involved in conduct that breaches public policy or public security (before Brexit), your application could be refused even without a deportation order.

New Rules for Short-Term English Students

If you’re planning a short English course in the UK, you’ll need to meet new requirements. You have to show that:

• You genuinely plan to study the course you’ve been accepted onto
• You’re not using the course as a route to settle in the UK
• You have enough money to support yourself and won’t work during your stay

To prove your intention, it helps to include a letter of acceptance from your school, evidence of payment or deposits for your course and proof that you’ve arranged accommodation. Bank statements should show you have funds to cover your living costs without working.

The Home Office now expects stronger, clearer evidence from short-term English language students.

Skilled Worker Visa: Updates for Care Workers

If you’re applying as a care worker or senior care worker, or you’re an employer sponsoring someone for these roles in England, the rules are changing from 9 April 2025.

There are two key updates to be aware of:

1. Salary Threshold Increase

The minimum salary floor is rising. From 9 April 2025, care workers and senior care workers will need to be paid at least £25,000 per year (or £12.82 per hour). This is an increase from the previous threshold of £23,200 per year (or £11.90 per hour), which was set in April 2024.

This new rate is designed to stay well above the National Living Wage, which is also going up in April 2025. Going rates for care roles that are based on national pay scales have also been updated.

2. New Local Recruitment Requirement

If you’re an employer in England and want to sponsor a care worker from overseas, you’ll now need to try recruiting from the existing pool of care workers already in the UK who have lost sponsorship.

Before offering a certificate of sponsorship to a new overseas recruit, you’ll have to show that:

• You’ve tried to recruit locally, including from this pool of displaced care workers.
• You’ve received written confirmation from your regional or sub-regional adult social care partnership that there were no suitable UK-based candidates available.

This new rule only applies to care jobs with work locations entirely in England. It does not apply to:

• Jobs based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
• Workers in England who were already sponsored before the changes take effect
• Applicants switching into these roles after working lawfully for the same sponsor for at least three months

3. Salary Deduction Restrictions

Employers cannot reduce the worker’s salary below the required threshold by deducting things like accommodation or sponsorship-related costs — unless this is specifically allowed by law. This change closes loopholes that previously allowed applicants to subsidise their own pay by investing in their sponsor’s business or covering expenses that should be the employer’s responsibility.

These updates are part of the Home Office’s plan to protect migrant workers, prevent exploitation, and ensure that the care sector in England is staffed by fairly paid and lawfully sponsored professionals.

Permit Free Festivals: Updated List

If you’re an artist or performer coming to the UK, the updated Permit Free Festival list for 2025 may help. Performers at these events can now receive payment without needing a work visa.

The list includes major festivals like Glastonbury, Boomtown, Wireless, Latitude, and Reading, among others. New names are added each year, so it’s worth checking the current list before making travel or performance plans.

You’ll still need the correct visa to enter the UK, but for these events, no work visa is required to be paid.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Updates

There are two main ETA changes.

First, children under 18 who study in France can now travel to the UK as part of an organised school trip without needing an ETA — but only if they travel in a group of five or more.

Second, British Nationals (Overseas) are now exempt from the ETA requirement. This is especially relevant for people living in Hong Kong with this status.

These changes simplify travel for thousands of people and reduce administrative delays.

Safeguarding and Child Student Visas

Children applying to study in the UK under the Child Student visa route now face stricter safeguarding checks.

If a child will be living with a nominated guardian, that person must:

• Be a British citizen or have settled status
• Have no serious criminal convictions
• Not live with anyone who has a serious criminal record

The Home Office will refuse the child’s application if the nominated guardian or anyone in their household has received a prison sentence of 12 months or more. Convictions may also result in refusal, depending on the circumstances.

These updates are designed to protect young international students and give peace of mind to their families.

Administrative Reviews: Stricter Validity Rules

If your visa application is refused and you plan to challenge the decision, be aware of new rules for administrative reviews.

You can no longer:

• Apply for a review from outside the UK if your application was made while you were in the UK
• Submit a review of a decision if you’ve already made a new application since that decision

These changes aim to reduce delays and stop people from submitting multiple overlapping applications, which can slow down the decision-making process for everyone.

What These Changes Mean for You

The March 2025 updates to UK Immigration Rules will affect thousands of people in different ways from visitors and students to care workers, families, and performing artists.

If you’re planning to visit, live, work, or study in the UK, make sure you understand the new requirements that apply to your situation. Some rules are now stricter, and others follow clearer, more straightforward procedures.

By staying informed and preparing your application carefully, you’ll improve your chances of success and avoid unnecessary delays or refusals.

The post 2025 UK Immigration Changes: What You Need to Know first appeared on UK VISA SUCCESS with Svitlana Shlapak.

This article will cover three important areas of UK immigration law. These areas may be particularly relevant to some of you who wish to continue residing in the UK after the 30th of June 2021.

These areas are:

1. Your Right to Work in the UK after the 30th of June 2021
2. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice for UK Visa Applicants and Temporary UK Residents
3. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice for Students and Short-term Students

Your Right to Work in the UK

The 31st of December 2020 – the 30th of June 2021

The UK has left the EU, and free movement law in the UK ended on the 31st of December 2020. The six-month grace period ended on the 30th of June 2021.

During this period, the EU, EEA and Swiss nationals had an opportunity to apply for settled or pre-settled status. To do this, they needed to prove their residence in the UK before 31 December 2020. If you haven’t already done so, please do so as soon as possible. I’ve created the online course, explaining how you can do so within a maximum of two hours.

The 30^th of June deadline is tied in with the release of a new ‘DRAFT Code of practice on preventing illegal working: Civil penalty scheme for employers June 2021’ (the code). Draft Code will be effective from the 1st of July 2021. You can check the draft version here.

From the 1st of July 2021

From the 1st of July 2021, EEA citizens and their family members can no longer rely on an EEA passport or national identity card to prove their right to work. They’ll need to confirm their immigration status and their right to work in the UK in the same way as all other foreign nationals do.

It shouldn’t be a problem for EEA nationals and their family members with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. They can evidence their right to work by sharing their immigration status digitally, using the Home Office online right to work service.

However, most EEA nationals and their family members who entered the UK after the 31st of December 2020 will not have settled or pre-settled status. Therefore, many EEA nationals and their family members will not have an automatic right to work. For this reason, UK employers need to check this code to understand how to do the right to work checks. Failure to do so can lead to a civil or criminal penalty.

There are two ways to check the right to work: by conducting manual document-based right to work checks and online.

Manual Document-Based Right to Work Checks

To undertake manual check, employers only need to follow three simple steps:

1. Obtain original versions of one or more acceptable documents (from lists A and B of the code).
2. Check these documents in the presence of the prospective employee; and
3. Make copies of the documents, retain the copies, and record the date on which they checked the documents. To do this, they can simply write: ‘the date on which this right to work check was made:[insert date].’

When checking these documents, employers will need to ensure that the prospective employees’ documents are genuine and belong to them. The employers will also need to ensure that all photographs and dates of birth are consistent across all documents and with the prospective employee’s appearance.

List A Documents

List A contains the range of documents that the employers may accept for checking purposes. These documents confirm the person’s permanent right to work in the UK. If employers follow the prescribed right to work checks, they will establish a ‘continuous statutory excuse’ for the duration of that person’s employment.

The documents from List A may include passports showing that the holder is a British citizen. The same rules apply to citizens of the UK and Colonies with the right of abode. Irish citizens also have an automatic right to work in the UK.

Additionally, this can be a certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a government agency or a previous employer.

For a detailed table of List A documents, click this link.

List B Documents

List B contains the range of documents that the employers may accept for checking purposes for a person who has a temporary right to work in the UK. If employers follow the prescribed right to work checks, they will establish a ‘time-limited statutory excuse.’ This means that they’ll need to carry out follow-up checks in future.

A 6-month Statutory Excuse

All employers will get a 6-month statutory excuse if the prospective employee has a document confirming that s/he applied under the EU Settlement scheme before the 1st of July 2021. However, in addition to obtaining a copy of the document, the employer will need to get a Positive Verification Notice from the Home Office Employer Checking Service.

Online Right to Work Checks

From the 1st of July 2021, there will be prospective employees who can only confirm their immigration status digitally. In this case, they’ll also need to use the online service to prove their right to work.

The online service works straightforwardly. First of all, the prospective employee will need to view their own Home Office right to work profile using the GOV.UK service ‘Prove your right to work to an employer’.

Employees may then choose to share this information with the employer by providing them with a ‘share code’. The employer will need to enter this code together with the prospective employee’s date of birth. It will help the employer to access the information via the online service available on GOV. UK’ View a job applicant’s right to work details’.

The prospective employee, or an employee who already works, may provide this to the employer directly, or they may choose to send this via the service, in which case the employer will receive an email from  right.to.work.service @ notifications.service.gov.uk

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice for UK Visa Applicants and Temporary UK Residents

Several days ago, the Home Office updated its ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary residents’ guide. It clarifies the rights to make visa applications in the UK.

According to this guidance, if your visa expires on or before the 30th of June 2021, you can switch to a long-term immigration category from within the UK. The Home Office called it ‘the switching concession’.

They further clarified that if you have permission to remain in any category – you will be able to apply for permission to stay in any other category. You’ll need to meet all of the requirements for permission to stay in the Immigration Rules for the new category, of course.

However, if the Immigration Rules do not allow you to make an in-country application for the new category (for example, Youth Mobility Scheme), then you’ll need to leave the UK and apply for entry clearance to re-enter the UK again.

If You Want to Leave and Your Visa Expired by the 30th of June 2021

If you intend to leave the UK but have not been able to do so and you have a visa or leave that expires by the 30th of June 2021, you may request additional time to stay, known as ‘exceptional assurance‘.

You’ll need to submit an urgent request for an exceptional assurance by emailing cihassuranceteam@homeoffice.gov.uk with the following details:

• full name
• date of birth
• nationality
• Home Office, GWF or any other reference number
• type of visa
• the expiry date of visa
• reason for request
• evidence of flight or evidence showing reason you can’t leave

The subject header of your email should read “Request for an assurance”.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advice for Student Sponsors, Migrants and Short-term Students

The Home Office has also updated its ‘Covid-19: Guidance for Student sponsors, migrants and Short-term students’ Guidance.

The update extends the deadline for student applicants who started their course in 2020 and are studying overseas via distance learning to apply under the graduate route.

The guidance states that such applicants can apply under the graduate route if they enter the UK before the 27th of September 2021 or before their permission expires, whichever is sooner. They’ve extended the deadline. Previously it was the 21st of June 2021.

Other Changes

include reintroducing the concession permitting students who hold permission as a student or child student to commence a course of study over 28 days from the expiry of their permission. The Home Office further clarified that, in relation to the academic progression concessions, a student applicant may only apply for a new course (on the same level as the previous one) if they have successfully completed their previous course.

Graduate route

In the same guidance, the Home Office confirmed that all eligible students could apply under the Graduate route from the 1st of July 2021.

Students will generally need to show that they’ve undertaken their studies in the UK to qualify for the Graduate route. However, if students continued their current studies or commenced a new course by distance or blended learning due to Covid-19, they can also apply to switch into the Graduate route. Like all other applicants, they’ll need to meet the requirements of the route.

The Graduate Route Requirements

Students will generally need to show that they:

1. have successfully completed an eligible course at a higher education provider with a track record of compliance;
2. have existing permission for that course as a Student at the point of application; and
3. make their application in the UK

Also, those students who began a course of 12 months or less in 2020 or 2021 via distance learning and who have not previously entered the UK to study that course will be able to make a Graduate route application. To do this, they’ll need to make a successful Student visa application. The students will need to arrive in the UK before their visa ends. Alternatively, they can arrive by the 27th of September 2021, whichever is sooner.

Those students who began a course of 12 months or less in 2020 or 2021 who have existing permission as a Student to study that course, and who have already travelled to the UK during that period of permission can make a Graduate application. They’ll need to prove their presence in the UK before the end date of their permission.

For more information about this route, visit: http://ukvisasuccess.com/graduate

For instant access to UKVisaSuccess.com online courses showing how to make visas applications CLICK HERE.

The post The Latest June 2021 UK Visa News and Guidance first appeared on UK VISA SUCCESS with Svitlana Shlapak.

No, they don’t!

If EU citizens don’t need to apply for a tourist visa before travelling to the UK, why were there over  30 cases involving German, Greek, Italian, Romanian and Spanish nationals being detained after landing at the UK airports?

To answer this question and make sure you are NEVER DETAINED at the UK border, let us analyse the law together.

IMPORTANT: To be clear, the law, which we’ll be analysing below, relates to EU citizens who entered the UK after 31 December 2020. The law below relates to EEA citizens without settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Who Needs to Apply for UK Visitor’s Visa?

There are three main rules. First of all, you’ll need to apply for UK Visitor entry clearance (visa application outside the UK) to travel to the UK if your country is on the Visa National list. You can access the list HERE.

Secondly, you’ll need to apply even if your country is not on this list, but you would like to:

2. get married or give notice of marriage or civil partnership in the UK. This rule does not apply to ‘relevant nationals’. According to section 62 of the Immigration Act 2014 , a “relevant national” means—
   1. British citizen
   2. a national of an EEA State other than the United Kingdom, or
   3. a national of Switzerland

Thirdly, in the majority of cases, you’ll need to apply for UK Visitors visa even if you are a national of an EEA State or Switzerland if you intend to come to the UK as a visitor for more than 6 months.

Does this mean that the UK authorities can never detain you and send you back to your EU country of origin if you intend to stay in the UK for less than 6 months?

It All Depends on Your Intentions

The answer will depend on what you intend to do in the UK. At the UK border, if you are not a British citizen and don’t have the right of abode in the UK, you need to demonstrate that your intentions are aligned with the UK Visitor rules.  In other words, you need to prove to an immigration officer that you’ll only be doing what UK standard visitors are allowed to do by the Rules.

Do EU Citizens Need to Apply for a Tourist Visa before Travelling to the UK?

Prohibited Activities for UK Visitors

As a visitor, you cannot

work

study

marry

get medical treatment

receive payments in the UK.

There are some exceptions to these general rules. You’ll find a lengthy list of these exceptions at Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities. You are welcome to explore. However, I’ll give you a summary below.

What is Work?

Working in the UK includes:

(i) taking employment in the UK; and

(ii) doing work for an organisation or business in the UK; and

(iii) establishing or running a business as a self-employed person; and

(iv) doing a work placement or internship; and

(v) direct selling to the public; and

(vi) providing goods and services.

Receiving Payments

Visitors cannot receive payments from a UK source for any activities undertaken in the UK, except for the following:

(a) reasonable expenses to cover the cost of their travel and subsistence, including fees for directors attending board-level meetings; or

(b) international drivers undertaking activities permitted by the rules; or

(c) prize money; or

(d) billing a UK client for their time in the UK, where your overseas employer is contracted to provide services to a UK company, and the majority of the contract work is carried out overseas. In this case, your payment will need to be lower than your salary; or

(e) multi-national companies who, for administrative reasons, handle payment of their employees’ salaries from the UK; or

(f) paid performances at a permit-free festival as listed in Appendix Visitor: Permit Free Festivals, if you are an artist, entertainer or musician.

When Can Problems Occur when Entering the UK?

If EU citizens can travel to the UK for up to 6 months, why were some EU citizens detained and held in immigration removal centres after trying to enter the UK?

According to this article ‘ EU citizens are being detained and held in immigration removal centres after trying to enter the UK for work without visas or residence status.’

When trying to enter the UK for work without a visa, the EU Citizens acted against the UK Immigration Rules.

Why Were EU citizens Detained?

The UK immigration authorities detained and held EU citizens in immigration removal centres because of their ‘intention to work’. When entering the UK as a visitor, the intention to work in the UK goes against the Standard UK Visitor rules.

What is the Solution?

If you would like to work in the UK, before travelling to the UK, you’ll need to apply for entry clearance (visa), allowing you to do so.

There are a number of work-related UK Immigration routes, which will allow you to do so. For example, you can apply to enter the UK as a start-up or an innovator migrant.

Also, if a Home-Office registered UK employer offered you a job, you can enter the UK as a Skilled Worker.

If you can prove that you have exceptional talent or exceptional promise in a field of science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology or arts and culture – you can apply under the Global Talent route.

If you are a senior employee of an overseas business and would like to establish a branch or subsidiary in the UK, you can apply as a Representative of an Overseas Business. You can also use this route if you are an employee of an overseas media organisation posted to the UK on a long-term assignment.

If you have over £2,000,000 investment funds, you can apply for a Tier 1 (Investor) visa.

How to Explore Your Options

What if you do not have any definite plans at this stage? What if you are not even sure if you would like to live and work in the UK and simply would like to explore your options? Can you do this without the risk of being detained? Yes, you can.  However, when you travel to the UK as a visitor, you need to clearly understand what you can and what you cannot do when in the UK without a visa.

In addition to all other very specific work-related activities, which you can find at Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities, you can:

• attend meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews; and
• give a one-off, or short series of talks and speeches provided these are not organised as commercial events and will not make a profit for the organiser; and
• negotiate and sign deals and contracts; and
• attend trade fairs, for promotional work only, provided you are not directly selling; and
• carry out site visits and inspections; and
• gather information for your employment overseas; and
• be briefed on the requirements of a UK based customer. However, you need to do all work for the customer outside of the UK.

When travelling to the UK for any of the above purposes, ideally, you’ll need to have clear proof in writing. This will unambiguously confirm your intentions.

You can look for a job and attend job interviews. However, when you find a job you like – you’ll need to go back to your country and reapply to enter the UK under the appropriate work-related immigration category.

How to Answer the Questions at the UK Border?

Even if you intend to travel to the UK for a short period of time, UK Immigration Officers may ask you a series of questions at the border. It is to check your intentions. All these questions will have only one aim: to make sure that you are a genuine visitor.

According to the rules, this means that you:

1. will leave the UK at the end of your visit (intention to return); and
2. will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home (intention to return); and
3. you are genuinely seeking entry or stay for a purpose that is permitted under the visitor route as set out in Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities (non-involvement in prohibited activities); and
4. you will not undertake any of the prohibited activities (non-involvement in prohibited activities); and
5. there are sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit. In other words, you will not be working or accessing public funds. You’ll have enough money to pay for your trip, including the cost of the return or onward journey, any costs relating to your dependents, and the cost of planned activities in the UK (no recourse to public funds).

Therefore, the questions they may ask may include (but not limited to):

• Why are you travelling to the UK? (intention to return)
• How long do you intend to stay in the UK? (intention to return)
• Who is paying for this trip? (no recourse to public funds)
• How much money do you have in your bank account? (no recourse to public funds)
• Do you have any savings? (no recourse to public funds)
• Do you have a regular income? (no recourse to public funds)
• Where do you intend to live in the UK? (no recourse to public funds)
• What do you intend to do in the UK? (non-involvement in prohibited activities)
• Do you plan to work in the UK? (non-involvement in prohibited activities)
• Do you plan to study in the UK? (non-involvement in prohibited activities)
• When do you plan to travel back to your country? (intention to return)
• Did you book a return flight? (intention to return)
• Do you have any close relatives living in the UK? (intention to return)
• Are you employed (outside the UK)? (no recourse to public funds)
• Do you have medical insurance? (non-involvement in prohibited activities)
• What do you intend to do if you get ill in the UK? (no recourse to public funds)
• Are you married? (intention to return)
• Do you have any children? (intention to return)

To conclude, when the Immigration Officer asks you any of the above questions, don’t panic. They ask you these questions to check if you meet the rules. So, all you need to do is give clear answers to help you prove your genuine intentions.

Further Help

Finally, if you consider making your UK visa application yourself, you’ll greatly benefit by attending one of UKVisaSuccess.com online courses guiding you through the process. You can get more information and instant access HERE.

The post Do EU Citizens Need to Apply for a Tourist Visa before Travelling to the UK? first appeared on UK VISA SUCCESS with Svitlana Shlapak.

Main Principles of the UK’s New Points-Based Immigration Routes: This article is a part of the UK’s New Points-Based Immigration System’ article/video series. Here is I’ll cover in this article/video series:

The easiest way to get access to all the articles and the videos, which were already created is to go to THIS PAGE.  It is entirely free, and the information will be with you within a few seconds.

The UK’s New Points-Based Immigration Routes: Sponsorship

Certain new and existing UK’s New Points-Based Immigration routes will need to have ‘sponsors’. This requirement will apply to:

1. the Skilled Worker routes;
2. the Health and Care routes;
3. the student route; and
4. some specialised worker routes.

Although specific requirements will vary, the general idea behind Immigration sponsorship is to ensure that the sponsors prove their credibility to the Home Office.

They will need to undergo certain checks to determine genuineness, solvency, role, salary and skills appropriateness and credibility.

Once they’ve proven this, they’ll get a license from the Home Office. They’ll need to pay a fee for this. Some sponsors will also need to pay Immigration Skills Charge. It is to ensure that their mission benefits and is conducive to the wider public good.

All senior personnel and key users who are part of the sponsorship programme will need to undergo criminality and other security checks.

It will directly affect the sponsors, which are educational institutions. They’ll need to:

1. hold educational oversight
2. meet an annual Basic Compliance Assessment. When the Home Office carries out a Basic Compliance Assessment, it will assess the Sponsor against the core requirements. The core requirements are that the Sponsor needs to have:
   1. a visa refusal rate of less than 10%
   2. an enrolment rate of at least 90%; and
   3. a course completion rate of at least 85%
3. undergo additional scrutiny if they wish to teach children.

Radical Changes to the Current Sponsorship Process

The Home Office has introduced many radical changes to its current Sponsorship process. They intend to make the process more efficient and effective by employing faster or simpler working methods. Most importantly, the new sponsorship process will help the Sponsors to bring the migrants much faster.

The Home Office will suspend the cap on Tier 2 (General) applications. Tier 2 (General) is the route of non-British citizen skilled workers to enter the UK.

Also, the UKVI will remove the Resident Labour Market Test. These two measures alone should reduce the application process by up to eight weeks in comparisons to the process, which existed before.

Sponsor Licences for the New Skilled Worker Route

It is vital to begin by saying that Existing Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) sponsors will automatically get a new Skilled Worker licence or Intra-Company Transfer licence from the Home Office. Their licences will expire when their current licences expire. The UKVI will get them the relevant number of Certificates of Sponsorship.

Secondly, under the new system, the new Skilled Worker Route Sponsors will not be concerned with meeting the Resident Labour Market Test. It means that they can deduct at least four weeks from the application process.

Instead, the Sponsor will need to prove to the Home Office that the vacancy for the migration is a genuine one. Also that they will pay the appropriate salary and it will meet the necessary skill test. It is to ensure that the sponsors do not create jobs solely to help a specific person to enter the UK.

Thirdly, the Sponsors will need to pay the Immigration Skills Charge, unless exemptions apply. The fees £1,000 per worker for the first 12 months. Then it will be £500 for each subsequent six-month period. Charities and Small and Medium Enterprises will need to pay only £364 per worker per year. There will be no difference in fees for EU and non-EU workers.

English Language Requirements

You’ll find these requirements in almost every UK’s New Points-Based Immigration route. However, the level may vary. For examples, the degree level students will need to have the ability to speak English at the level of at least B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference, which is A-level equivalent. It will be a slightly lower level for skilled workers: B1 (AS-Level equivalent).

Also, the Home Office will be slightly more flexible in allowing the migrants to meet the English language requirement.

For example, doctors, dentist, nurses or midwives can get a confirmation from their professional bodies that they can speak at the appropriate level.

Also, the UKVI will extend the list of majority English speaking countries to include Ireland and Malta.

Dependants

There will be no change in respect of dependants. Partners and dependants children under 18 of skilled workers and postgraduate students can still accompany their relatives to the UK. They can work full-time and children can access state education. They will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.

The Home Office includes civil and unmarried partners into its definition of ‘partners’.

Switching

Switching is a legal term, which allows migrants to change their immigration categories when already in the UK. The majority of the UK’s New Points-Based Immigration routes will allow this switching. Unsurprisingly, those who want to switch will need to demonstrate that they meet all the requirements for the new immigration route.

Also, as before, those who are on short-term routes in the UK (for example, visitors and seasonal workers) will not be allowed to switch.

Criminality and Deportation

After 31 December 2020, the EU citizens and non-EU citizen will become completely equal as far as the criminality and deportation rules are concerned.

As was the case with all visa-national migrants before, now the Home Office will apply the rules equally to EU and non-EU citizen and will refuse visa applications if a person:

1. a has a conviction with a custodial sentence length of at least 12 months;
2. committed an offence which caused serious harm;
3. is a persistent offender who shows a particular disregard for the law;

If a person is already in the UK and they were convicted fore than 12 months they are most likely to be deported from the UK. If their sentence is for less than 12 months, the UK immigration authorities can still deport them if it is conducive to the public good, including where they have serious or persistent criminality.

Also, where their character, conduct or associations means their presence is not conducive to the public good.

The post Main Principles of the UK’s New Points-Based Immigration Routes first appeared on UK VISA SUCCESS with Svitlana Shlapak.

Last Call for EU Citizens and Their Family Members

From January 2021 EU citizens will need to apply for entry or stay on the same basis as non-EU citizens. It is only if they do not qualify to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme or other routes protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. If they don’t qualify under the EU Settlement scheme, they’ll need to get a UK visa for all activities other than short-term visits.

EU citizens who arrive before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, and their family members, can apply to remain in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme. They have until 30 June 2021 to make an application under that scheme.

Irish Citizens

However, all these changes will not affect Irish citizens as the Home Office intends to maintain the Common Travel Area. These arrangements are between the UK, Ireland and the Crown Dependencies: Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey. These arrangements will remain intact after the end of the transition period.

There will be no change to rights of Irish citizens to freely enter, live and work in the UK without requiring permission. The UK Immigration authorities will continue with no routine immigration controls on journeys from within the Common Travel Area to the UK. There will be no immigration controls whatsoever on the Northern Ireland – Ireland land border.

‘The UK’s New Points-Based Immigration System’ Article/Video Series

To help you understand the forthcoming changes I’ve created a ‘The UK’s New Points-Based Immigration System’ article/video series. It will consist of several articles and videos. This video series will help foreign workers, students, visitors, their family members, UK employers and UK educational institutions understand how the future system will operate. It will give you, guys, time to prepare ahead of many changes, which will happen in 2021.

In this article, I’ll give an overview of the new system. I’ll explain the idea behind it. You’ll find out about the new system requirements, conditions, switching rules, criminality and deportation thresholds. In the next several articles, I’ll concentrate on each category separately, giving more details to applicants, employers and educational institutions.

Here is what I’ll cover in this article/video series:

Phased Implementation of the UK’s New Points-Based Immigration System

As with the old Points Based System, the UK Government intends to implement the UK’s New Points-Based Immigration System in phases.

The idea is to make it as simple to understand and implement as possible.

The UK’s New Points-Based Immigration System Requirements

From 1 January 2021, immigration rights of visa nationals will remain more or less the same. In other words, they’ll need to apply for a visa to enter or remain in the UK.

The situation will be dramatically different for EEA citizens and their family members. From 2021, the EEA citizens will need to obtain prior authorisation from the UK immigration authorities if they intend to be in the UK for more than six months. They’ll also need to apply for a visa if they intend to stay in the UK for less than six months, if the purpose of their visit is different from the purpose of an average visitor. For example, if they intend to get married in the UK or they want to work.

However, as I mentioned before, these changes will not affect those EEA citizens and their family members who arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020 and applied under the EU Settlement Scheme.

The newly arrived EU and non-EU citizens with permission to work in the UK will be able to use an online service to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. This online service allows, for example, prospective or current employers to access ‘real-time’ information about a person’s right to work.

There won’t be any physical document checks. This system will be easy to use and understand. This will also allow video call checks. The online right to rent service will work in the same way.

In other words, all EU citizens who would like to remain in the UK for more than six months will be able to prove all their rights and entitlements via online services. They will be able to access all public services if they entitled to them (e.g. benefits and healthcare) by using the same automated online system.

Biometrics

There won’t be any need for the majority of EU citizens to provide their fingerprints by attending a Visa Application Centre. Instead, they’ll need to use their smartphones to provide scans and photos of their faces.

Those EU citizens who cannot do it will be able to attend Visa Application Centres.

Fees

You’ll need to pay for all visa applications you intend to make. Fees are similar to the current ones. HERE you can have an indicative view of fees.

All migrants will continue to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. However, the Home Office will introduce a new discounted rate for those under the age of 18. Also, they intend to make an exemption to NHS and Social Care frontline workers.

The post Latest News on the UK’s New Points-Based Immigration System (Overview) first appeared on UK VISA SUCCESS with Svitlana Shlapak.