If you are in the UK on a Tier 4 student visa, you may be coming to the end of your studies and looking at ways of remaining in the UK. Whether you are looking for long-term work, or have another reason for remaining in the UK, this blog will outline the alternative visa options to which it is possible to switch from a Tier 4 student visa. 

  We are regularly asked about acquisition of Scottish citizenship. Sometimes by a person, understandably unfamiliar with the UK’s constitutional intricacies, who conflates the terms British/Scottish. Sometimes by a person asking about Scottish ancestry. Sometimes by a British national resident in England, perturbed by recent political events, who is making plans to relocate. Sometimes by a Scottish born Brit, resident in England, who is seeking reassurance following a flurry of headlines suggesting a second referendum on Scottish independence is imminent.  

  The Global Talent visa route opened yesterday 20 February 2020 and provides an entrance level for highly talented and promising individuals in the fields of science, technology, engineering, medicine, humanities, culture and the arts to live and work in the UK. It replaces the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) category. It is to all extent and purposes an updated version of status which embraces the UK Governments agenda in the overhaul of the current system for workers.

Today the Home Office released a policy statement on the UK’s new “points-based immigration system”, setting out their approach for how immigration to the UK will work post-Brexit. Hailing the scheme as revolutionary, the Home Secretary Priti Patel said that “we will attract the brightest and best from around the globe, boosting the economy and our communities, and unleash this country’s full potential.” So, how will this new system work? And what’s different?

If you are an Indian national and looking to move to the UK to reside with your British partner, then you’ll need an appropriate visa for your initial entry in order to reside here long term. For a general overview as to visa types, evidence required and application procedures, feel free to watch our short webinars. If a fiancé(e), partner or spouse visa is what is you want to apply for, our guide below to getting a UK visa for Indian citizens will help you understand the process.

If you are a South African national intending to come to the UK as the spouse or partner of a British citizen, or someone settled in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa to do so. In this blog we will discuss the stage after submitting a spouse visa application and outline the process which must be completed using the Home Office commercial partner active in South Africa, TLS Contact.

  The EU Settled Status Scheme ( EUSS ) under Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules, opened to all applicants on 30 March 2019. A significant amount of applications have now been processed with either pre settled status or settled status being issued. Indeed Home Office statistics indicate that as of  31 December 2019, over 2.7 million (2,756,130) applications had been received with over 2.4 million (2,450,220) applications had been concluded .

The UK has left the European Union. As of 11pm on 31 January 2020, the UK ceased to be a member of the EU. However, due to the transitional period provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement, EU law continues to apply until 31 December 2020. This includes free movement law. As such, EU nationals and their family members can continue to come to the UK until the end of this year.

If you are a Pakistani citizen with a partner who is either a British citizen or holds indefinite leave to remain in the UK, you’ll no doubt be actively on the hunt for ways to plan your future together. You may already know that there are a number of different visa options depending on where both of you intend to live and what your present circumstances are. For a general overview of the visa types and evidential requirements, check out our short 6 minute introductory webinar here.

Australian nationals who want to come to the UK as the spouse or partner of a British citizen, or someone settled in the UK, will need to apply for a visa before coming to the UK. Any other non-EU nationals living in Australia will need to follow the same process. Below we examine the second stage of the submission process for all applicants applying for a UK family visa from Australia and provide some helpful pointers in navigating the heavily criticised VFS Global website.