Sunday, August 13, 2017
Immigration Matters: Irish citizens will retain UK free movement rights...
Immigration Matters: Irish citizens will retain UK free movement rights...: Prime Minister Theresa May will give free movement rights to Irish citizens after the UK leaves the European Union, according to the Sunda...
Irish Citizens will retain UK free movement rights after Brexit
Prime Minister Theresa May will give free movement rights to
Irish citizens after the UK leaves the European Union, according to the Sunday
Telegraph.
The paper is calling the offer a “Schengen” style deal between
Britain and Ireland, although this would go beyond a border-less travel area.
However, we are still awaiting the Government’s formal proposal to the EU on sensitive
issue of the Northern Irish border, straddling miles of country roads and farmland.
Although it has barely been mentioned, Britain and Ireland,
along with the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, has enjoyed an open border
area since 1923, almost 50 years before they joined the Common Market - the
free trade area which evolved into the European Union we know today. The Common
Travel Area (CTA) allowed Irish citizens to live, work and remain in the UK as
settled residents without filling in Indefinite Leave to Remain forms.
Many of my own Irish relatives came to the UK in the 1960’s
with no passport and never needed one to travel back and forth between Britain
and Ireland. In the 1950's and 1960's, it was the Irish who did the jobs the
British workers did not want to do, such as road construction and care.
I
had many childhood holidays in Ireland long before I eventually applied for my
first British passport.
There is also talk of CCTV cameras and automated number
plate technology to track the movement of goods in vehicles across the Irish
border, as part of a lighter customs regime.
With unelected EU officials playing a game of pre-negotiation
hardball, it looks like the UK will have little option but leave the single
market and customs union in a so-called hard Brexit.
The Brexit negotiations are creating uncertainty in the
markets and with EU migrants, even though Theresa May announced that they are
welcome to remain
in the UK indefinitely.
The number of EU, as well as non-EU nurses applying to work
in the UK has fallen dramatically, and thousands of British nurses are taking
jobs overseas in countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
See also:
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Immigration Matters: NMC to lower IELTS English language score for 7.00...
Immigration Matters: NMC to lower IELTS English language score for 7.00...: My sources tell me that the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) are about to reduce the IELTS English language score from an overall band s...
NMC to lower IELTS English language score from 7.00 to 6.5 for international Nurses to work in the UK
My sources tell me that the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) are about to reduce the IELTS English language score from an overall band score of 7.00 back down to 6.5 for international overseas trained nurses applying for registration to work in the UK.
The stringent IELTS requirement has been a stumbling block for many overseas trained nurses who want to apply for a Tier 2 working visa (work permit) to work in the UK as a Nurse (RGN). Even nurses with a UK degree have failed the test a number of times and had to leave the UK as they had run out of time with the Home Office.
Before 2007, nurses had to achieve a score of 6.5 in all four elements - Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. This was increased following consultations during a time when the government was trying to put the brakes on non-EU immigration.
The move follows news that NMC (the body which regulates and registers nurses) registrations by EU and non-EU trained nurses have reached worryingly low levels. In December 2016, just 100 EU nurses applied to join the register, compared with 1300 just six months earlier. Earlier this year, we reported that the number of EU nurses registering to working the UK had plummeted by 90%, which NMC head, Jackie Smith blamed on the Brexit effect.
The Nursing Times reported in May that the regulator was 'taking stock' of the English controversial language testing system requirement,which is actually more like an IQ test, after some NHS Trust chief nurses and nursing agencies warned that the exam was blocking overseas nurse recruitment.
There are thousands of nursing job vacancies in the UK in NHS hospitals and nursing homes. If you would like to migrate to the UK on a working visa as a nurse you should visit the NMC website. Most employers will expect you to have at least registered and preferably, where applicable, taken the online test and passed the IELTS exam.
See also:
The stringent IELTS requirement has been a stumbling block for many overseas trained nurses who want to apply for a Tier 2 working visa (work permit) to work in the UK as a Nurse (RGN). Even nurses with a UK degree have failed the test a number of times and had to leave the UK as they had run out of time with the Home Office.
The move follows news that NMC (the body which regulates and registers nurses) registrations by EU and non-EU trained nurses have reached worryingly low levels. In December 2016, just 100 EU nurses applied to join the register, compared with 1300 just six months earlier. Earlier this year, we reported that the number of EU nurses registering to working the UK had plummeted by 90%, which NMC head, Jackie Smith blamed on the Brexit effect.
The Nursing Times reported in May that the regulator was 'taking stock' of the English controversial language testing system requirement,which is actually more like an IQ test, after some NHS Trust chief nurses and nursing agencies warned that the exam was blocking overseas nurse recruitment.
There are thousands of nursing job vacancies in the UK in NHS hospitals and nursing homes. If you would like to migrate to the UK on a working visa as a nurse you should visit the NMC website. Most employers will expect you to have at least registered and preferably, where applicable, taken the online test and passed the IELTS exam.
See also:
Monday, June 26, 2017
EU migrants welcome to remain in UK indefinitely as Prime Minister outlines special settled status deal
Prime Minister Theresa May announced today plans to allow EU
citizens living in the UK to remain here as residents following Brexit designed
to put their "anxiety to rest".
Prime Minister Theresa May
Briefing MP’s in the parliament on the outcome of Friday’s
EU summit, Mrs May confirmed that all EU nationals lawfully resident for at
least five years will be able to apply for "settled status" and to
bring spouses and children, the BBC reports.
EU migrants who arrived after a date yet to be agreed will
have two years to "regularise their status" but will not enjoy the
same rights.
The government has published a document summarising the UK's
offer to EU citizens, which you can read here.
May said she wanted to give reassurance and certainty to the
3.2 million EU citizens living in the UK - in addition to citizens of the three
EEA countries and Switzerland – as they are an "integral part of the
economic and cultural fabric" of the UK.
However, she wants any deal on their future legal status and
rights to be reciprocal and also give certainty to the 1.2 million British
expats living on the continent after the UK leaves the EU - expected to be on
29 March 2019.
This promise could prove difficult to keep, as EU countries, such as France
and Spain, already have less advantageous conditions for British expats than
offered to EU citizens living and working in the UK.
For instance, retired Brits are now facing
the bleak prospect of paying for expensive health insurance or jumping on an
Easyjet flight home every time they need treatment. This option could become closed to them if they are no longer resident in the UK.
The main points of the UK's
proposal to EU citizens are:
- EU migrants granted settled status will be able to live, work, study and claim benefits as they can now
- The important cut-off date for eligibility will be no earlier than 29 March 2017 and no later than 29 March 2019
- EU family members of EU citizens living abroad will be allowed to return and apply for settled status
- Those EU nationals in the UK for less than five years at the specified date will be allowed to continue living and working in the UK and once resident for five years, they can apply for settled status
- Migrants arriving after the cut-off point will be able to stay temporarily, however, they should have "no expectation" that they will be granted permanent residence
- A period of "blanket residence permission" with less of the onerous requirements may apply to give officials time to process applications to stay in the UK
- The Home Office will no longer request evidence that EU citizens who weren't working held "comprehensive sickness insurance"
Those granted settled status, which is the same as ‘indefinite
leave to remain’ (ILR) or permanent residence, will be "treated as if they were
UK citizens for healthcare, benefits and pensions".
Mrs May added that the process of application – currently an
85-page form - would be simplified and a "light touch" approach applied
to EU citizens, although she did say that criminal record checks will still be carried out when pressed by opposition MP's.
Non-EU citizens will continue to endure the ever-changing
lengthy Home Office forms and increasing high fees in order to gain indefinite leave
to remain in the UK.
"Under these plans, no EU citizen currently in the UK
lawfully will be asked to leave at the point the UK leaves the EU," Mrs
May said.
The widely expected plan should be good news for migrants
worried about their post-Brexit status in the UK. Since Britons voted to leave
the EU last year there has been a sharp increase in applications for ILR and UK
citizenship. It has been suggested that those who have already obtained ILR may still have to apply for settled status.
Croatian citizens are currently subject to a 7 year restriction - similar to those imposed on previous EU entrants Bulgaria and Romania - on working from the date Croatia joined the EU.
Croatian citizens are currently subject to a 7 year restriction - similar to those imposed on previous EU entrants Bulgaria and Romania - on working from the date Croatia joined the EU.
Despite fears that hundreds of thousands or European
citizens living here would return home, most seem to have remained as they have
already made their life in the UK either running businesses or holding down good jobs.
UK property prices have started to fall slightly following the Brexit vote and recent general election which saw the Conservatives lose their overall majority.
See also:
Immigration Matters: EU migrants welcome to remain in UK indefinitely a...
Immigration Matters: EU migrants welcome to remain in UK indefinitely a...: Prime Minister Theresa May announced today plans to allow EU citizens living in the UK to remain here as residents following Brexit design...
EU migrants welcome to remain in UK indefinitely as Prime Minister outlines special settled status deal
Prime Minister Theresa May announced today plans to allow EU
citizens living in the UK to remain here as residents following Brexit designed
to put their "anxiety to rest".
Briefing MP’s in the parliament on the outcome of Friday’s
EU summit, Mrs May confirmed that all EU nationals lawfully resident for at
least five years will be able to apply for "settled status" and to
bring spouses and children, the BBC reports.
EU migrants who arrived after a date yet to be agreed will
have two years to "regularise their status" but will not enjoy the
same rights.
The government has published a document summarising the UK's
offer to EU citizens, which you can read here.
May said she wanted to give reassurance and certainty to the
3.2 million EU citizens living in the UK - in addition to citizens of the three
EEA countries and Switzerland – as they are an "integral part of the
economic and cultural fabric" of the UK.
However, she wants any deal on their future legal status and
rights to be reciprocal and also give certainty to the 1.2 million British
expats living on the continent after the UK leaves the EU - expected to be on
29 March 2019.
This promise could prove difficult to keep, as EU countries, such as France
and Spain, already have less advantageous conditions for British expats than
offered to EU citizens living and working in the UK.
For instance, retired Brits are now facing
the bleak prospect of paying for expensive health insurance or jumping on an
Easyjet flight home every time they need treatment. This option could become closed to them if they are no longer resident in the UK.
The main points of the UK's
proposal to EU citizens are:
- EU migrants granted settled status will be able to live, work, study and claim benefits as they can now
- The important cut-off date for eligibility will be no earlier than 29 March 2017 and no later than 29 March 2019
- EU family members of EU citizens living abroad will be allowed to return and apply for settled status
- Those EU nationals in the UK for less than five years at the specified date will be allowed to continue living and working in the UK and once resident for five years, they can apply for settled status
- Migrants arriving after the cut-off point will be able to stay temporarily, however, they should have "no expectation" that they will be granted permanent residence
- A period of "blanket residence permission" with less of the onerous requirements may apply to give officials time to process applications to stay in the UK
- The Home Office will no longer request evidence that EU citizens who weren't working held "comprehensive sickness insurance"
Those granted settled status, which is the same as ‘indefinite
leave to remain’ (ILR) or permanent residence, will be "treated as if they were
UK citizens for healthcare, benefits and pensions".
Mrs May added that the process of application – currently an
85-page form - would be simplified and a "light touch" approach applied
to EU citizens, although she did say that criminal record checks will still be carried out when pressed by opposition MP's.
Non-EU citizens will continue to endure the ever-changing
lengthy Home Office forms and increasing high fees in order to gain indefinite leave
to remain in the UK.
"Under these plans, no EU citizen currently in the UK
lawfully will be asked to leave at the point the UK leaves the EU," Mrs
May said.
The widely expected plan should be good news for migrants
worried about their post-Brexit status in the UK. Since Britons voted to leave
the EU last year there has been a sharp increase in applications for ILR and UK
citizenship. It has been suggested that those who have already obtained ILR may still have to apply for settled status.
Croatian citizens are currently subject to a 7 year restriction - similar to those imposed on previous EU entrants Bulgaria and Romania - on working from the date Croatia joined the EU.
Croatian citizens are currently subject to a 7 year restriction - similar to those imposed on previous EU entrants Bulgaria and Romania - on working from the date Croatia joined the EU.
Despite fears that hundreds of thousands or European
citizens living here would return home, most seem to have remained as they have
already made their life in the UK either running businesses or holding down good jobs.
UK property prices have started to fall slightly following the Brexit vote and recent general election which saw the Conservatives lose their overall majority.
See also:
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Immigration Matters: UK election splits the country and calls for a sof...
Immigration Matters: UK election splits the country and calls for a sof...: The UK General Election is finally over resulting in a hung parliament, with Theresa May's Conservative party winning 318 seats - eigh...
UK election splits the country and calls for a softer Brexit approach
The UK General Election is finally over resulting in a hung
parliament, with Theresa May's Conservative party winning 318 seats - eight
short of an outright majority.
Mrs May won more seats than any other party and can still
form a government, courtesy of ten DUP MP's in Northern Ireland. However,
she did not obtain the desired "mandate" to negotiate a hard Brexit
with EU leaders and ‘remainers’ in her own party could push to stay in the
single market, while others could seek to derail the whole project.
If either of the above scenarios came true the whole nation-dividing
EU referendum and Brexit dream will have been for nothing, as nothing much will
have changed – other than the UK losing its seat at the European table.
Free movement will have to stay as part of any single market
deal, which effectively throws any net migration targets out of the
window.
Remain campaigners and repentant EU leavers could be
forgiven for sighing a breath of relief, although May has vowed to keep moving
forward with ‘business as usual’ style negotiations starting this month.
The election result shows that country has spoken. The people
do not want a hard "no deal is better than a bad deal" exit from the
EU, as illustrated by the collapse in UKIP vote and young voters turning to
Labour. If a second ‘in/out’ referendum were to take place now, what do you
think the result would be?
In the meantime, life goes on as usual for most us (not, unfortunately for those MP in office) and we have to carry on making our own 'economy' and driving the vehicle towards our passion and goals.
The UK is still a popular destination for working and wealthy migrants seeking a safe country with a strong economy and rule of law.
Europe is the most sought after region in terms of high net worth immigration, accounting for over half of the total number of global citizenship applications, with the Caribbean in second place, followed by North America in third. Recent studies conducted by global immigration experts, ranked the Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Program among the “top ten best in the world”.
See also:
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Immigration Matters: Manchester suicide bombing terror attack kills 22,...
Immigration Matters: Manchester suicide bombing terror attack kills 22,...: A young heath and social care student from Lancashire has been named as the first victim of the Manchester suicide bomb attack at Manchest...
Manchester suicide bombing terror attack kills 22, first victim named as health and social care student
A young heath and social care student from Lancashire has been
named as the first victim of the Manchester suicide bomb attack at Manchester
Arena last night.
Georgina Callander with Ariana Grande
Georgina Callander, 18, pictured here with Ariana Grande a
couple of years ago, was one of 22 people who died after the explosion on
Monday at the end of a concert by the US singer, who tweeted that she was "broken" by the tragic events.
News is coming through that the youngest victim was an eight year old girl killed in the blast. The girl, Saffie Roussos, 8, was a pupil at Tarleton Primary School, in
Lancashire
The suspect, as yet unnamed by the police, is said to have
been a lone attacker who detonated a
homemade bomb in the packed foyer at 22:33 BST on Monday, in what Prime Minister
Theresa May called an "appalling, sickening" terrorist act.
Armed police have arrested a 23-year-old man in Chorlton,
south Manchester, in connection with the attack, the BBC has reported.
In a statement by Runshaw College in Leyland made with
"enormous sadness", they confirmed that Georgina was on the second
year of a health and social care course.
"Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to
all of Georgina's family, friends, and all of those affected by this
loss," the college said.
"We are offering all available support possible at this
tragic time, including counselling with our dedicated student support
team."
Georgina was studying for qualifications to enable her to
give service to others and our thoughts and prayers go to her and all the
victims and families.
Relatives are using social media to hunt for missing loved
ones, and an emergency number, 0161 856 9400, has been set up.
The UK is an open country where people can visit and stand close to government buildings. They can roam freely in city centres and airports. Will this have to change in order to guarantee the safety of its citizens and visitors?
I have been to many countries where people are scanned with metal detectors and have their bags searched before entering public buildings, shopping malls, airports and railway stations. After the initial surprise, you eventually learn to live with it and feel safer for it. Sadly, this increased level of security could become a part of our life in the UK.
The UK is an open country where people can visit and stand close to government buildings. They can roam freely in city centres and airports. Will this have to change in order to guarantee the safety of its citizens and visitors?
I have been to many countries where people are scanned with metal detectors and have their bags searched before entering public buildings, shopping malls, airports and railway stations. After the initial surprise, you eventually learn to live with it and feel safer for it. Sadly, this increased level of security could become a part of our life in the UK.
Tuesday, May 09, 2017
Immigration Matters: Prime Minister May sticks to election pledge to re...
Immigration Matters: Prime Minister May sticks to election pledge to re...: With a surprise general election set for 9 June, Prime Minister Theresa May has confirmed the Conservative pledge of slashing net migratio...
Prime Minister May sticks to election pledge to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands
With a surprise general election set for 9 June, Prime Minister Theresa
May has confirmed the Conservative pledge of slashing net migration
to the "tens of thousands", or what she described as
"sustainable levels".
Mrs May, who is currently twenty points ahead of her nearest rival, Labour
leader Jeremy Corbyn, in the UK election polls, said
it was important to reach net migration targets to reduce pressure on public
services and the lower paid workers.
Theresa May
She said: "I think it is important that we continue,
and we will continue, to say that we do want to bring net migration down to
sustainable levels.
"We believe that is the tens of thousands, and of
course once we leave the European Union we will have the opportunity to ensure
that we have control of our borders here in the UK, because we'll be able to
establish our rules for people coming from the European Union into the
UK."
Referring to Brexit, May continued: "That's a part of
the picture that we haven't been able to control before and we will be able to
control it.
"Leaving the EU means that we won't have free movement
as it has been in the past."
Party sources had earlier revealed to the press that the
commitment would appear in the party's
General Election manifesto.
Amber Rudd
On Sunday, Home Secretary Amber Rudd confirmed she wanted to
"continue to bring immigration down", which under her watch have
started to fall.
Who will make our coffee and croissant?
Miss Rudd, who took control of the Home Office from Theresa May added:
"I did hear that Pret a Manger had come out and said, 'It's
absolutely essential for us to have European workers because if we don't we're
going to have to make more of an effort to recruit in the UK'.
"Well, good. I'd like them to make more of an effort to
recruit in the UK. So we will be trying to push them as well to do more in the
UK.
"Them and all business – so that we make sure we look after
people who are otherwise unemployed in the UK better".
Pret's director of human resources claimed it would struggle
to staff its outlets after Brexit because so few British people apply for jobs.
Andrea Wareham said the industry was not seen as sufficiently desirable to
attract a significant number of British jobseekers.
The coffee chain employs
people from 110 countries, but in London you are more likely to find European workers running the show. With millions of able bodied British people claiming benefits, it is hardly surprising that Amber Rudd refuses to pander to those worried about who will make their coffee or warm up their croissant in the stores that seem occupy almost every other shopfront in London. How did we all manage before Starbucks started our obsession with coffee?
None of the main parties has said that EU migrants living here would not be able to continue to live and work in the UK.
Recent immigration figures reveal that net migration fell to
273,000 in the year to September, which is the first time in two years that the
balance of people arriving and leaving the UK slid below 300,000.
The number of international students coming to study in
Britain dropped to their lowest level since 2002, which contributed to the
overall net migration figures.
Jeremy Corbyn said Labour would introduce a "fair"
and managed immigration system that "works for all", while pointing
out many immigrants have made a "massive contribution" to the NHS,
education, industry and public transport services.
The previous Blair Labour government opened the doors to
millions of migrants across all sectors from care workers and nurses to
international students. At the same time the EU expansion took place adding at
least 2 million migrants from former Soviet Bloc countries such as Poland and
Romania.
Since coming to power in 2010, the Conservatives have reversed the spiralling
immigration trend with tough new measures - such as scrapping the Post Study Work Visa, reforming the visa appeal system and introducing fines to landlords housing illegal immigrants - even if former Prime Minister David
Cameron’s original targets have not yet been reached.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Immigration Matters: Fines issued to property landlords under right to ...
Immigration Matters: Fines issued to property landlords under right to ...: Fines for immigration breaches were imposed on 62 property landlords between February and Sept last year under Home Office ‘right-to-rent’...
Fines issued to property landlords under right to rent rules
Fines for immigration breaches were imposed on 62 property landlords between
February and Sept last year under Home Office ‘right-to-rent’ rules, the Press
Association has revealed.
The Right to Rent rules requires landlords or householders
to obtain evidence that tenants or lodgers have a right to be in the country by
taking copies of official documents such as passports or identity cards.
Failure to do so can lead to fines of up to £3000.
The data on Home Office civil penalties levied for letting
to tenants or lodgers without the right to rent were reveled following a
Freedom of Information request.
The level of fines i ranged from £80 to £3,000, with most
relating to one or two tenants, with three cases involving three tenants.
Despite the reports of 62 fines, it should be remembered that there are around 2 million buy-to-let landlords in the UK who provide accommodation for the private and public sector, for instance through private sector leasing or accommodation for homeless families.
Some investment experts (like stockbrokers and bankers who sell shares) claim that the stock market offers the best returns, but where else can you use 80% leverage or loans to purchase investments which gives a healthy yield and capital growth over the longer term?
Put another way, will your bank lend you £80,000 to buy shares or even their own managed unit trusts and pension funds? To save you time and embarrassment from being laughed out of the bank, I'll give you the answer: "NO"! Why? Because it's too "risky" they will say. Try asking them.
Too risky for them to lend on, but not for their financial advisers to sell you to save for your retirement! They will lend on property on a buy-to-let investment at rates starting at LESS than 2%.
You pay one fifth of the price of a property, the bank lend your four fifths and the tenant pays off 100% of the loan.
The UK is an attractive place to work, start a business or buy property - even with no money down, with no restrictions on foreign buyers and a vibrant mortgage market with record low interest rates. Leading economists predict that, despite Brexit, house prices will continue rising due to shortages of stock and strong demand in the rental sector.
If you would like to learn more about investing in UK property, I have a limited number of complimentary tickets to a LIVE EVENT - Beginners Property Course (held in the UK), which will give you the basic knowledge and techniques to get started. If you are interest, email me your full name and telephone number to euukimmigration@gmail.com.
See also:
Turn Your Passion into Profit
If you would like to learn more about investing in UK property, I have a limited number of complimentary tickets to a LIVE EVENT - Beginners Property Course (held in the UK), which will give you the basic knowledge and techniques to get started. If you are interest, email me your full name and telephone number to euukimmigration@gmail.com.
See also:
Turn Your Passion into Profit
Immigration Matters: Fast-track asylum appeal system to be reintroduced...
Immigration Matters: Fast-track asylum appeal system to be reintroduced...: The Justice Secretary will reintroduce time limits for the appeals of detained asylum seekers and foreign criminals against removal from t...
Fast-track asylum appeal system to be reintroduced to speed up removals
The Justice Secretary will reintroduce time limits for the
appeals of detained asylum seekers and foreign criminals against removal from
the UK, as part of proposals to bring back a fast-track appeal system.
Judges said the previous fast-track appeal rules were
unlawful in 2015, but the government will implement safeguards and a case
management system, which will be considered by the independent Tribunal
Procedure Committee.
The new rules, if implemented, will affect detainees (including
foreign offenders and failed asylum seekers) appeal against a Home Office
removal (deportation) decision to remove them from the UK.
The previous fast-track appeal system, meant that cases
before the First-tier
Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) were governed to time
limits, and could be decided in as little as 12 working days of an initial
decision. Appeals heard by the Upper Tribunal were given more time under the
system eventually ruled unlawful by judges.
Under the government's proposals, the time between an
initial decision and conclusion of an appeal to the tribunal would be capped at
between 25 and 28 working days.
The Justice Secretary Liz Truss said: "It is vital that
foreign nationals who have no right to remain in the country should be removed
as quickly as possible.
"We must ensure that foreign criminals and failed
asylum seekers are not exploiting the justice system by attempting to stay in
the UK after their claims have been rejected.
"Our proposals are also better for detainees as it will
see their detention time cut."
The Home Office said the new procedure will expedite 2,000
cases a year saving the taxpayer an estimated £2.7 million. State legal aid has funded appeals to the tune tens of millions of pounds in the past, which excludes the costs of running the courts and tribunals, and paying immigration judges over £100,000 per year taking into account pensions and benefits.
The Law Society, which represents the legal profession, claims the fast-track system puts speed
before justice.
The have been a number of changes to the Immigration Rules this month. To find out how you may be affected by the April immigration changes click here.
The have been a number of changes to the Immigration Rules this month. To find out how you may be affected by the April immigration changes click here.
UK Prime Minister, Theresa May
The previous Home Secretary, Theresa May, slashed the number
of appeals available in order to help clear the backlog of thousands of cases
clogging up the courts for years.
Now Prime Minister, Mrs May has announced a surprise June
general election this week and has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to
reduce net migration to “sustainable numbers” below 100,000 per year.
The Conservatives want to increase their majority in
Parliament and strengthen their hand in the Brexit negotiations following the triggering
of Article 50 on 29 March 2017, which will take the UK out of the European
Union.
See also:
Monday, April 17, 2017
Immigration Matters: How will UK Immigration changes on 6 April affect ...
Immigration Matters: How will UK Immigration changes on 6 April affect ...: This year the Home Office has implemented a number of key changes to the UK Immigration Rules, including introducing recommendations by ...
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Immigration Matters: Cyprus, the fastest route to EU citizenship and Eu...
Immigration Matters: Cyprus, the fastest route to EU citizenship and Eu...: As people all over the world celebrate the Easter holidays, the ancient island of Cyprus comes to mind, which plays a part in early Christ...
Cyprus, the fastest route to EU citizenship and European passports for you and your family
As people all over the world celebrate the Easter holidays,
the ancient island of Cyprus comes to mind, which plays a part in early Christian
history. The Apostles travelled to Cyprus and formed some of the earliest Christian churches
in the region during the days of Roman Empire.
Two thousand years and several invading empires later, Cyprus is now a member of the European Union and
Commonwealth, and is strategically placed to take advantage of economic growth
in a growing region as it straddles Europe and the Middle East.
Cypriot EU Passport
Cyprus has recently been ranked the 5th best relocation
destination in the world by an international lifestyle review (source: 2014
report prepared by Knight Frank, a leading independent, global real estate
consultancy firm). Ranked by key business and leisure indicators, Cyprus was
the only European country alongside Switzerland to make it into the top five –
ahead of London, Madrid and Monaco.
The Country is ranked highly because of its favourable
tax regime for new residents, particularly high net worth individuals. And with
at least 320 days of sunshine a year, and classified as the sunniest European
location, you can enjoy an incredible lifestyle on this beautiful island in the
sun.
EU citizenship and passport in 6 months, really?
Europe is established itself as the most sought after region
in terms of high net worth immigration, accounting for over half of the total
number of global citizenship applications, with the Caribbean in second place,
followed by North America in third. Recent studies conducted by global
immigration experts, ranked the Cyprus Citizenship by Investment Program among
the “top ten best in the world”.
The Cypriot immigration policy and legal framework now
enables non-EU applicants to obtain Cypriot citizenship on an expedited basis –
fast. There are a number of reasons the Cyprus Citizenship by Investment (CBI)
Program is now considered to be the most attractive in Europe, including:
- 6 months application process and approval granted within 2 to 3 months - the fastest route to EU Citizenship and European passport.
- There is no requirement to make a donation to the local government, in contrast to many other citizenship programs worldwide.
- Cyprus does not require applicants to live on the island prior, during or after the application process, unlike all other EU countries with citizenship programs that impose residency requirements.
- Simple and straightforward application process with no requirements to disclose source of wealth or funds,
- No medical testing, no interview, and no language requirements.
- Approved by the EU (being one of only two CBI programs in Europe with official EU approval).
Since 2013, there have been over 2,000 successful CBI
applicants under the Cypriot program, generating more than €3 billion in
investment.
So what’s the catch? No catch as such, the rules are clear
and fair. You just have to invest at least 2 million Euros in Cyprus to
qualify. The country wants to attract high net worth investors in exchange for EU citizenship - a passport to a region of 300 million people. However, unlike many other EU citizenship schemes, the rules are flexible and
the process is super quick - you could be holding a red EU passport in six months.
I have been researching EU passport schemes for years, but
never found anything as easy, fast and flexible as the Cyprus investor programme. I
have also found a company that can not only take care of all the paperwork, but
will also source the qualifying real estate investment for you.
This is an investor programme, not a skilled worker or
student scheme, sorry, seriously loaded investors only need apply.
If you would like full details on how you can legally obtain
an EU passport in around six months, email me,
Thursday, April 06, 2017
How will UK Immigration changes on 6 April affect you?
This year the Home Office has implemented a number of key changes to the UK Immigration Rules, including introducing recommendations
by the Migration Advisory Committee to managed migration and Tier 2 working
visas, most of which will take effect on 6 April 2017.
Tier 2 sponsoring employers and those applying or Tier 2
working visas or work permits to work in the UK should take note of the
following new requirements:
Immigration Skills Charge
As announced by UK Immigration Matters last month, an Immigration Skills Charge of £1000 per skilled worker per year will be levied on employers in the Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (ICT) categories, reduced to £364 for small and charitable sponsors. The money raised by the tax will be used for training to help reduce skills gaps in the UK workforce. The charge will not apply to Ph.D.-level occupations, ICT graduate trainees, and those switching in country from Tier 4 student visas to Tier 2
Overseas Criminal Record Certificates
The UK Home Office is extending the requirement to provide criminal record certificates for certain occupations to Tier 2 (General) applicants and their adult dependent partners. The requirement will not apply to those applying under the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer (ICT)) route.
Migrants applying from overseas after 6 April 2017
where the main applicant is coming to work in the UK in the education, health, or social
care sector will be required to obtain criminal record certificates.
Immigration Health Surcharge
First introduced in 2015, non-EEA migrants applying for Tier 2
(ICT) and their dependants will be
required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of
£200 per person per year. This also applies to non-EEA nationals in the UK and applying to extend their visas.
Tier 2 Application changes
The Home Office frequently change application forms, so always check the latest version before submitting an application. Minimum salary threshold for Tier 2 (General) experienced
workers is increasing by £5000 from £25,000 to £30,000, but will be held at £20,800 for “new entrants”.
The Tier 2 category covers UK companies employing or
“sponsoring” non-EEA nationals to work in skilled jobs in the UK. The threshold
and entry bar has been rising for a number of years for non-EEA workers and
there are far less migrants coming to work or study in the UK, in comparison to the Blair government years and we are now seeing net migration falling.
The main changes include:
- A temporary exemption to the Tier 2 (General) minimum salary threshold will apply for nurses, medical radiographers, paramedics, and secondary school teachers in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, and Mandarin until July 2019.
- The Shortage Occupation List (jobs listed in this list mean sponsors do not have to carry out Resident Labour Market Tests) has been amended to include secondary school teachers in combined science, computer science, and Mandarin. However, secondary school teachers in chemistry are being removed from the Shortage Occupation List.
- The minimum salary for indefinite leave to remain applicants submitted on or after 6 April 2022 will increase to £37,900.
Relocation of High-value Business to the UK
In order to encourage the relocation of a high-value business and significant new inward investment projects into the UK, some changes are being made to Resident Labour Market Test where the sponsor is a newly registered branch or subsidiary of an overseas business and the investment involves
new capital of £27 million or the creation of at least 21 new British jobs.
Visitor visa rules have been changed so applications for visitor visas can be made at any post in the world designated by the UK Home Office.
EU Passport in 6 Months
Britain is not the only country trying to attract high net worth individuals and businesses. EU countries like Cyprus, Malta and Portugal all offer citizenship, and EU passports in return for varying levels of direct investment,
EU member Cyprus offers probably the fastest and most flexible route to citizenship with no residency requirement and a 6 month application process for individuals with at least 2 million Euros to invest in Cypriot property via their investor programme.
See also:
Fines issued to landlords under right-to-rent offences
EU Passport in 6 Months
Britain is not the only country trying to attract high net worth individuals and businesses. EU countries like Cyprus, Malta and Portugal all offer citizenship, and EU passports in return for varying levels of direct investment,
EU member Cyprus offers probably the fastest and most flexible route to citizenship with no residency requirement and a 6 month application process for individuals with at least 2 million Euros to invest in Cypriot property via their investor programme.
See also:
Fines issued to landlords under right-to-rent offences
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Immigration Matters: Modern Slavery affects 13,000 victims in the UK al...
Immigration Matters: Modern Slavery affects 13,000 victims in the UK al...: When we think of slavery we tend to think of bygone days or people in third world countries. However, modern day slavery is as real as it ...
Modern Slavery affects 13,000 victims in the UK alone from overseas domestic worker slaves to sex workers
When we think of slavery we tend to think of bygone days or
people in third world countries. However, modern day slavery is as real as it
was 200 years ago.
Meenal Sachdev, Director of Shiva Foundation
On the day Theresa May signed the letter invoking Article50, the process which will take Britain out of the EU, I attended a conference in Hertfordshire, Tackling Modern Day Slavery, organised by Meenal Sachdev, Director of the Shiva Foundation. The event was attended by
over 200 including the Police Commissioner of Hertfordshire, the Home Office,
NHS and various charities.
The Home Office estimates that there are 13,000 victims of
modern day slavery in the UK, ranging from exploited workers domestic workers
to women being trafficked into the country to work in the sex trade.
The conference has helped to spread awareness of the
exploitation of people, which could be going on behind closed doors in your
neighbourhood.
Prime Minister, Theresa May
Prime Minister Theresa May introduced the Slavery Act while
serving as Home Secretary, widely seen as her legacy from her successful term
in the Home Office. As a result of the act the maximum penalty for slavery is
life imprisonment.
Rescuing victims from forced labour or servitude is
generally only the first step, as they will need ongoing support and help once
freed. This can extend to support in their own country, for people trafficked
into the UK, where they are often in debt to criminal gangs. Romania is one of
the countries cooperating with authorities in the UK and a number of successful
cross-border operations have been conducted to clamp down on criminals.
Slavery is the second fastest growing form of organised
crime which also encompasses people trafficking, immigration fraud crimes and sham marriages where EEA citizens were flown in to marry Pakistani and African men.
The majority of the examples of crimes, were committed by
gangs from Eastern European countries like Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.
There are a number of charities and organisations which help
victims of modern day slavery including Unseen which has a confidential Modern Slavery helpline:
08000 121 700.
The long term outlook for Britain looks positive within Europe, but outside the European Union. The UK is an attractive place to work, start a business or buy property - even with no money down, with no restrictions on foreign buyers and a vibrant mortgage market with record low interest rates. Leading economists predict that, despite Brexit, house prices will continue rising due to shortages of stock and strong demand in the rental sector.
If you would like to learn more about investing in UK property, I have a limited number of complimentary tickets to a LIVE EVENT - Beginners Property Course (held in the UK), which will give you the basic knowledge and techniques to get started. If you are interest, email me your full name and telephone number to euukimmigration@gmail.com.
See also:
Monday, March 27, 2017
Immigration Matters: UK based Indian charity in visa fraud Immigration ...
Immigration Matters: UK based Indian charity in visa fraud Immigration ...: The UK Charity Commission has disqualified Ravinder Singh, a trustee of a British Sikh charity and banned him from being involved in any c...
UK based Indian charity in visa fraud Immigration scam
The UK Charity Commission has disqualified Ravinder Singh, a
trustee of a British Sikh charity and banned him from being involved in
any charity in future after he was found guilty of visa fraud and using the charity
as a front to bring Indian nationals to the country.
The Khalsa Missionary Society had been struck off from the charity register in February 2016 and it was revealed that 57-year-old had misused the organisation to facilitate the serious crime of immigration fraud.
The Home Office began a criminal investigation into charity, set up to advance the Sikh religion in the UK through prayer meetings and lectures, in 2004, prompting the commission to start its own investigation.
The Khalsa Missionary Society had been struck off from the charity register in February 2016 and it was revealed that 57-year-old had misused the organisation to facilitate the serious crime of immigration fraud.
The Home Office began a criminal investigation into charity, set up to advance the Sikh religion in the UK through prayer meetings and lectures, in 2004, prompting the commission to start its own investigation.
The visa scam took advantage of the UK’s generous policy
towards religious organisations wishing to sponsor ministers. Indian migrants
paid the Khalsa Missionary Society around £4,500 each to sponsor their UK visa
applications and work permits as religious ministers to be employed by the
charity.
In addition to the immigration fraud, funds were laundered through the “charity's bank accounts to give the appearance that the charity was receiving legitimate donations," the commission said in its report.
In addition to the immigration fraud, funds were laundered through the “charity's bank accounts to give the appearance that the charity was receiving legitimate donations," the commission said in its report.
"The inquiry concluded that there had been misconduct
and mismanagement in the administration of the charity. He had breached his
legal duties to protect the charity's assets by using the charity as a conduit
to commit immigration fraud," it adds.
The Commission's inquiry had found that Singh was only one active trustee in the charity and had removed him as a trustee in January 2016.
Theresa May, former Home Secretary and current British Prime Minister
The five-tier points based system for UK working visas, brought in by the last Labour government, was wide open to fraud and scams, as the Entry Clearance Officers (ECO's) were effectively stripped of their powers to veto a work permit decision.
When the hen Home Secretary, now Prime Minister, Theresa May took over the Home Office in 2010, she immediately set about closing down immigration schemes and visa appeal rights. The measures have taken many years to turn the 'immigration tanker' around and net migration has fallen slightly last year.
The last seven years has seen a raft of Immigration Rule changes and Acts, as the Conservatives attempted to reverse the more open door immigration policies of the Tony Blair administration under which around 5 million migrants came to the UK.
Mrs May raised the bar for working visas and brought in minimum income and English tests for foreign spouses, the legality of which was upheld recently in the Supreme Court following a legal challenge.
Brexit may herald a new era for a restricted EU immigration policy, depending on how the Article 50 negotiations develop, which is a worry for the estimated 3 million European migrants living in the UK.
Migrants have always been quick to buy property as soon as they find their feet. I know a number of migrants who came to the UK with "nothing to declare" and pennies in their pockets who are now multi-millionaire property investors.
If you would like to learn more about investing in UK property, I have a limited number of complimentary tickets to a LIVE EVENT - Beginners Property Course (held in the UK), which will give you the basic knowledge and techniques to get started as a property investor. If you are interest, email me your full name and telephone number to euukimmigration@gmail.com.
See also:
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Immigration Matters: Article 50 date 29 March 2017 and UK Brexit within...
Immigration Matters: Article 50 date 29 March 2017 and UK Brexit within...: Earlier this week Prime Minister Theresa May announced that the Article 50 process to take Britain out of the European Union will be forma...
Article 50 date 29 March 2017 and UK Brexit within 2 years
Earlier this week Prime Minister Theresa May announced that
the Article 50 process to take Britain out of the European Union will be
formally triggered on 29 March 2017.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May
The historic decision will start a two year period of intense
negotiations with the UK’s EU partners over tariffs, membership of the single
market and customs union, free movement of labour and immigration rights for
the millions of European and British migrants who live in various parts of
Europe.
In a statement, Brexit Secretary David Davis said: “We are
on the threshold of the most important negotiation for this country for a
generation.
“The Government is clear in its aims: a deal that works for
every nation and region of the UK and indeed for all of Europe – a new,
positive partnership between the UK and our friends and allies in the European
Union.”
The fate of three million EU migrants living in the UK is still
in the balance, as thousands apply for indefinite leave and British
Citizenship. Since millions of British citizens live in EU countries and the UK still needs skilled foreign labour, there will be no mass deportations.
Despite the divorce, custody arrangements will have to be made. After all, like a divorced couple with children, the affairs of Britain and EU member states will be inexorably intertwined for many years to come.
Despite the divorce, custody arrangements will have to be made. After all, like a divorced couple with children, the affairs of Britain and EU member states will be inexorably intertwined for many years to come.
UK net migration fell by 49,000 to 273,000 in the year to
September 2016 according to Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Immigration to the UK is estimated to be 596,000 – made up
of 268,000 EU citizens, 257,000 non-EU citizens and 71,000 British citizens.
Whilst EU immigration from several countries went down,
record numbers of Romanians and Bulgarians - 74,000 – came to live in the UK.
In the meantime, current UK Immigration Rules and EEA regulations still apply.
The historic week ends on a sad note following tragic events which took place in Westminster on Wednesday. Our condolences go out to the families of the people who lost their lives or suffered serious injuries, including a Police Officer and an American and Romanian tourist.
The UK is an attractive place to work, start a business or buy property, with no restrictions on foreign buyers and a vibrant mortgage market with record low interest rates. Last week, a leading mortgage lender announced that it was introducing a fixed rate mortgage with an interest rate of .99%.
If you would like to learn more about investing in UK property, I have a limited number of complimentary tickets to a LIVE EVENT - Beginners Property Course (held in the UK), which will give you the basic knowledge and techniques to get started as a property investor. If you are interest, email me your full name and telephone number to euukimmigration@gmail.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)