Can immigration lawyers guarantee success of an application
It is often said that reputable lawyers do not guarantee success of an immigration application. This is only partially true and the answer may be somewhat different depending on whether your focus word is “success” or “guarantee”. Another factor is whether your application is made strictly under the immigration rules or require exercise of discretion; […]
Travelling abroad after submitting an application for naturalisation as a British citizenship
This post offers a guidance on how to plan your trips outside the UK after you have submitted an application to become a British citizen.
Additional Work and Secondary Employment for Skilled Workers
In light of the forthcoming changes to the standard qualifying period for ILR, Skilled Workers may choose to top up their income from sponsored employment by taking on additional and supplementary work. This may help to meet the stricter eligibility requirements after 2026 changes come into effect. This post explains the rules regarding permitting activities and restrictions that apply.
UK Immigration Reform – progressing to 2026
The Immigration Reform 2026 follows the Immigration White Paper of May 2025 and sets out a wide-ranging overhaul of the UK immigration system. The reforms aim to reduce net migration by tightening eligibility for workers and students, extending the qualifying period for permanent settlement, and introducing an earned settlement scheme with new income requirements. While some changes have already been implemented in 2025, further proposals due to take effect from April 2026 could significantly affect skilled workers, care workers, graduates, and dependent family members. This article outlines the changes introduced so far, the reforms under consultation, and the potential impact on settlement, family life, and long-term residence in the UK.
How “earned settlement” scheme will affect sponsored Skilled Workers and their dependants
A longer route to settlement Earned settlement scheme stipulates a new 10-year baseline requirement for settlement which will apply across most immigration categories and may, in some cases, extend the residence requirement for ILR to 30 years. Dependants will no longer qualify for ILR at the same time as the main applicant or after 5 years […]
Some thoughts on the new Asylum and Returns policy
On 21 November 2025 the government published a new policy paper, Restoring Order and Control: A Statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, described as “perhaps the most substantial reform to the UK’s asylum system in a generation”. In the Foreword to the Statement, the Prime Minister goes out of his way to proclaim […]
Is immigration appeal better than a fresh application?
If you are unfortunate to have been refused a visa, you may be faced with a choice – go for an immigration appeal (if you have the right of appeal) or make a fresh application. I will try and give you here some guidance on the advantages and disadvantages of appeals and fresh applications. The […]
Making the most of the immigration rules – tips for international students
Last month the government announced the intention to overhaul the immigration rules and make the path to settlement and British citizenship a longer journey for most. It will also be more difficult for employers to sponsor a worker and the duration of a graduate visa will be refused. Some international students may now rush to […]
Can sponsorship costs be passed to the employee?
Immigration rules expressly prohibit passing the sponsorship costs to the employee. However, visa fee and the IHS can be paid by either employee or the employer. The new rules explain when and how the sponsor may recover these costs.
Discretion in applications for indefinite leave to remain
Is there discretion to grant indefinite leave to remain where some of the requirements of the rules are not met? This question is particularly burning for the applicants under the long residence rule who have lived in the country lawfully for 10 years and want to settle permanently.