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Mayor Urges Government to Halt New Visa Rules Threatening TfL Workers

Immigration Changes, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has urged the government to reconsider recently introduced immigration measures that could see hundreds of Transport for London (TfL) employees forced to leave the UK. The appeal follows mounting concern from unions representing transport workers affected by the new visa thresholds. Growing Fears Among TfL Staff Under changes implemented on 22 […]

Mayor Urges Government to Halt New Visa Rules Threatening TfL Workers Read More »

Understanding Right to Work Checks in the UK: A Guide to Home Office Share Codes

Immigration Changes, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

In the UK’s increasingly stringent immigration landscape, employers must exercise due diligence when hiring non-UK nationals. A simple oversight in right to work checks can lead to severe financial and reputational consequences. Fortunately, the Home Office’s share code system offers a secure, digital solution to streamline verification while keeping businesses fully compliant with immigration laws.

Understanding Right to Work Checks in the UK: A Guide to Home Office Share Codes Read More »

A professional image representing the UK’s Temporary Shortage List and immigration policy, showing diverse professionals from healthcare, engineering, and construction sectors collaborating against a London skyline. Charts, gears, and the Union Jack highlight workforce growth, economic progress, and the strategy behind the Migration Advisory Committee’s Temporary Shortage List.

Migration Advisory Committee Publishes Stage 1 Report on Temporary Shortage List

Immigration Changes, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has released its Stage 1 report on the Temporary Shortage List (TSL), outlining key recommendations on how the list should be structured and which occupations warrant further review for inclusion. This marks the first major step in shaping a new framework designed to respond swiftly to short-term labour shortages, while reducing long-term dependence on migrant labour.

Migration Advisory Committee Publishes Stage 1 Report on Temporary Shortage List Read More »

A realistic editorial photograph of a red-brick UK university building with the Union Jack flag, books, graduation caps, and a balance scale symbolising the levy on International Student income funding maintenance grants for British students; muted tones, professional and academic atmosphere.

Labour Confirms International Student Levy to Fund Maintenance Grants

Immigration Changes, Study Visa, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

The Labour government has confirmed that a new levy on UK universities income from international students will be used to fund the reintroduction of targeted maintenance grants for disadvantaged domestic students. The announcement, made by education secretary Bridget Phillipson at the Labour Party Conference 2025, marks a major shift in how higher education funding will be distributed.

Labour Confirms International Student Levy to Fund Maintenance Grants Read More »

UK travellers completing biometric checks at modern EU border kiosks under the new Entry/Exit System (EES), with signs for EES registration at airport and Eurostar terminals.

What Is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and How Will It Affect UK Travellers?

Immigration Changes, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

When Will the EES Begin? From 12 October 2025, the European Union (EU) will introduce its new Entry/Exit System (EES). This digital border scheme will change how British citizens are processed when travelling to the Schengen area. It will replace the current system of passport stamps with an electronic record of entry and exit. Which

What Is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and How Will It Affect UK Travellers? Read More »

A split infographic with a red background on the left and a blue background on the right. On the left side, a UK passport, globe, and calendar marked “10 Years” are shown. On the right side, a UK map with a large red X and a calendar showing “£60K Salary” are displayed. The layout is designed in a vintage flat style with bold contrasts.

Labour vs Reform: The Clash Over Indefinite Leave to Remain

UK Immigration News /

UK Immigration has once again become a defining political battleground. Labour and Reform are setting out sharply different visions for the future of settlement rights in Britain, with Labour seeking tougher but contributory pathways to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), while Reform proposes nothing short of scrapping it altogether.

Labour vs Reform: The Clash Over Indefinite Leave to Remain Read More »

Illustration showing Sponsor Licence Revocations, with a falling bar chart and red arrow highlighting rising enforcement against UK businesses.

Sponsor Licence Revocations at Record Levels — What Employers Need to Know

Immigration Changes, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

UK immigration landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Between July 2024 and June 2025, the Home Office revoked 1,948 sponsor licences, a record number and more than double the 937 revocations in the previous year. For businesses, this sharp escalation is not just a headline in fact it’s a warning. Sponsorship is no longer just a compliance exercise; it is now one of the most scrutinised areas of immigration law.

Sponsor Licence Revocations at Record Levels — What Employers Need to Know Read More »

Digital ID or Digital Disaster? Lessons from Britain’s Troubled Tech Rollouts

Immigration Changes, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

Starmer’s government has confirmed plans to introduce mandatory digital identity cards for every adult in the UK. The initiative aims to curb illegal immigration by requiring individuals to verify their right to live and work through a digital ID, stored on a smartphone app. Employers and landlords would need to check this ID against a central database before offering jobs or housing.

Digital ID or Digital Disaster? Lessons from Britain’s Troubled Tech Rollouts Read More »

Image representing the surge in American nationals applying for UK Citizenship, highlighting London’s global appeal, diversity and opportunities.

Surge in American Nationals Seeking UK Citizenship as London’s Global Appeal Grows

Immigration Changes, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

A record number of American citizens are applying for British citizenship, with many citing London’s cultural openness and international standing as driving factors. The sharp increase, reported by the Home Office, reflects a growing trend among US nationals who view the UK, particularly the capital, as a place where liberal values and global opportunities converge.

Surge in American Nationals Seeking UK Citizenship as London’s Global Appeal Grows Read More »

Reform UK Proposes to Scrap Indefinite Leave to Remain: What It Means for Migrants

Immigration Changes, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

Reform UK has announced a controversial policy proposal that, if implemented, would fundamentally reshape the immigration landscape in Britain. The party has pledged to abolish Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), the immigration status that currently allows migrants to settle permanently in the UK after five years.

Reform UK Proposes to Scrap Indefinite Leave to Remain: What It Means for Migrants Read More »

Editorial illustration showing UK deportation issues, with the Houses of Parliament and Union Jack on one side and foreign travellers at a border control on the other, symbolising deportation policies and government enforcement.

Foreign Offenders from Certain Nations Among Least Likely to Face Deportation

UK Immigration News /

Foreign nationals convicted of crimes in the UK are facing vastly different outcomes depending on their country of origin, with new analysis suggesting that offenders from Iran, Iraq, India and Pakistan are among the least likely to be removed from Britain.

According to figures from the Home Office and Ministry of Justice, almost 19,400 foreign offenders remain in the community despite being subject to deportation orders, a sharp rise of nearly 25 per cent in just two years. While around 12,000 deportations have been carried out over the same period, a closer look reveals striking disparities in how different nationalities are treated.

Foreign Offenders from Certain Nations Among Least Likely to Face Deportation Read More »

A professional desk with stacked folders labelled “Shortage Occupation List”, “Immigration Salary List” and “Temporary Shortage List”, alongside a compliance checklist, policy update document, a construction helmet, and a laptop with charts. The blurred silhouette of the UK Parliament in the background symbolises government oversight. The image reflects the evolution of UK immigration policy and employer compliance requirements.

Understanding the Shortage Occupation List, Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List 

Immigration Changes, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

UK immigration has always been in flux, but few areas illustrate this better than the government’s approach to roles in shortage. From the introduction of the Shortage Occupation List in 2008, to the short-lived Immigration Salary List and now the freshly introduced Temporary Shortage List, each policy shift reflects changing political priorities, labour market pressures

Understanding the Shortage Occupation List, Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List  Read More »

Image for article on the temporary closure of the Refugee Family Reunion route (HC 1298), redirecting families to stricter Appendix FM.

Refugee Family Reunion Route Suspended Under Statement of Changes: HC 1298

Immigration Changes, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

On 4 September 2025, the Government introduced significant changes to the Immigration Rules through Statement of Changes HC 1298. Central to these reforms is the suspension of the refugee family reunion route. The move has been described in the accompanying explanatory memorandum as a “temporary pause” while the Home Office undertakes “a full review and reform of the current family rules to ensure we have a fair and properly balanced system”. No firm timescale has been given, though the Minister has indicated that a new family policy will be outlined before the end of the year.

Refugee Family Reunion Route Suspended Under Statement of Changes: HC 1298 Read More »

Illustration of UK immigration and asylum system showing student visas, asylum claims, and loopholes, reflecting how international students use asylum to stay in the UK.

Why Apply for Asylum When Other Legal Routes Exist to Stay in the UK? 

Immigration Changes, Study Visa, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

UK Home Office has announced a new campaign targeting international students who overstay their visas, warning tens of thousands that they risk removal from the United Kingdom. This comes against the backdrop of what the government has described as an “alarming” rise in the number of students legally entering the UK on study visas only to claim asylum when their leave to remain expires, even though we could assume they have successfully completed their degrees and are eligible to apply for a Graduate visa or seek a suitable job in the UK under the Skilled Worker route. 

Why Apply for Asylum When Other Legal Routes Exist to Stay in the UK?  Read More »

A professional office desk with Skilled Worker visa documents, laptop, and UK flag, symbolising the process of changing employers in the UK.

Changing Employers on a Skilled Worker Visa

Sponsor Licence, UK Immigration News /

Changing employers on a Skilled Worker visa is possible, but the process is not automatic. Applicants must follow a defined set of steps to remain compliant with immigration rules. Following the significant amendments to the immigration system on 22 July 2025, understanding the requirements for changing employers on a Skilled Worker visa has become more

Changing Employers on a Skilled Worker Visa Read More »

Border Control sign with a Union Jack on a metal fence topped with barbed wire, alongside a deportation arrow sign and a hooded figure carrying a bag under grey skies.

Can Farage’s Deportation Plan Really Help the UK Regain Border Control?

Immigration Changes, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

Reform UK has announced a radical immigration plan that promises to deport up to 600,000 migrants over five years if the party secures power at the next election. Party leader Nigel Farage insists that this is a “credible plan” to restore Border Control, an issue that has dominated political debate since before the Brexit referendum.

Can Farage’s Deportation Plan Really Help the UK Regain Border Control? Read More »

Infographic on UK work visa statistics 2025 showing a 77% fall in Health and Care Worker visas, 90% rise in Temporary Worker visas since 2019, 182,553 total work visas issued, and 24% increase in Graduate extensions,

Latest UK Work Visa Statistics Highlight Changing Migration Trends – June 2025

Immigration Changes, UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

UK work visa statistics reveal striking changes in recent years, reflecting not only policy shifts but also evolving demands in the labour market. According to the latest Home Office figures, 182,553 visas were granted to main applicants across all work categories in the year ending June 2025. While this represents a 36% fall compared with the previous year, it remains 33% higher than 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Latest UK Work Visa Statistics Highlight Changing Migration Trends – June 2025 Read More »

Blue airport-style sign reading “Immigration” with an arrow, symbolising UK border control and the process of long residence and settlement applications in 2025.

Long Residence ILR 2025: Comprehensive Guide to the 10-Year Rule 

UK Immigration News /

The long residence route is one of the most established pathways under UK immigration law, offering settlement to individuals who have made the UK their home for a decade or more. This guide explains what the long residence route is, how the 10-year rule works, the requirements applicants must meet and the impact of recent changes in 2025. 

Long Residence ILR 2025: Comprehensive Guide to the 10-Year Rule  Read More »

Infographic of the UK Temporary Shortage List showing a UK map with icons for construction, IT, engineering, creative, finance, and skilled trades, July 2025.

Jobs on the UK Temporary Shortage List – Effective 22 July 2025

Skilled Worker Visa, UK Immigration News /

On 22 July 2025, significant reforms to the UK Skilled Worker visa route came into force under the Statement of Changes HC 997, following the Government’s Immigration White Paper Restoring Control over the Immigration System published on 12 May 2025. These reforms raised the skill and salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visa applicants, with most eligible roles now requiring RQF Level 6 or above.

Jobs on the UK Temporary Shortage List – Effective 22 July 2025 Read More »

UK to Enforce Tougher University Compliance Standards from September

Student Visa, Study Visa, UK Immigration News /

The UK Government will introduce tougher university compliance standards through more stringent Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) measures for universities from September 2025, marking a significant shift in oversight of international student recruitment. The move, outlined in this year’s immigration white paper, comes amid mounting political and media attention on asylum claims made by individuals holding valid study visas.

UK to Enforce Tougher University Compliance Standards from September Read More »

Labour Party banner with Union Jack design, symbolising proposed government reforms to cap skilled migration and lower UK net migration.

Labour Plans Cap on Skilled Migrant Workers to Cut Net Migration

UK Immigration Changes, UK Immigration News /

Labour Government is considering imposing strict limits on the number of skilled foreign workers UK companies can hire, in a move designed to cut net migration and reduce dependency on overseas labour. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has tasked a newly established Labour Market Evidence Group (LMEG) with reviewing the current shortage occupation system and examining

Labour Plans Cap on Skilled Migrant Workers to Cut Net Migration Read More »

Empty university classroom with books on desks, symbolising potential impact of Foreign Student Ban and tighter UK student visa rules

UK Universities Risk Foreign Student Ban Amid Rise in Asylum Claims

Student Visa, Study Visa, UK Immigration News /

UK universities could soon face strict recruitment limits or even a foreign student ban if too many international graduates submit asylum claims after finishing their studies. UK Government is preparing to impose new performance thresholds for institutions that sponsor student visas, in a bid to tackle what ministers describe as “misuse” of the immigration system.

UK Universities Risk Foreign Student Ban Amid Rise in Asylum Claims Read More »

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