news Archive

» 20-05-2009 | HSMP Forum judicial review
The UK Border Agency has put arrangements in place for migrants covered by the judgment of 6 April 2009 in the judicial review brought by the HSMP Forum Ltd.

» 13-05-2009 | Restaurant hit with record fine
TA Colchester restaurant has been fined £96,000 for employing illegal workers - the largest fine ever handed down by a court in the UK for such an offence.

» 11-05-2009 | New visa regimes and changes to IRIS accounts
The UKBA has announced new visa regimes and changes to IRIS accounts for passport holders of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho.

» 19-04-2009 | Salmond intervenes in deportation
First Minister Alex Salmond has written to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith urging her to reverse an immigration tribunal decision.

» 27-03-2009 | New immigration applicants to get identity cards
Parliament has approved an expansion of the identity cards scheme to several categories of immigration applicants from outside the EEA.

» 10-03-2009 | New student immigration system set to launch
The UK Government has announced the go-live date for the student tier of its new points-based system for migration.

» 22-02-2009 | Migrant workers face tougher tests
Measures to raise the bar for foreign workers wishing to enter the United Kingdom are unveiled by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

» 09-02-2009 | New countries face tough visa rules
Visa checks are to be introduced for five countries after they failed to pass the United Kingdom's strict new Visa Waiver Test.

» 04-02-2009 | Downturn will bring big fall in migrant workers
Companies facing decline in demand for goods and services will reduce their use of agency staff, MPs are told.

» 04-02-2009 | The horror of the ID card system
Stories of people's unsatisfactory experiences dealing with the new UK Border Agency.

» 03-12-2008 | Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill
New bill to strengthen border controls, ensuring newcomers to the United Kingdom earn the right to stay.

» 11-11-2008 | Fewer jobs available for migrant workers
The number of jobs available to foreign workers through the shortage occupation route will be reduced, the Government has announced.

» 06-11-2008 | ID cards plan 'still on track'
Home Office denies that it is performing a "complete roll-back" on its £5bn identity card scheme by restricting trials to workers at just two airports.

» 08-09-2008 | Strict new jobs list for migrant workers
A new list of shortage jobs for migrant workers is presented to the Home Office by independent advisors.

» 29-08-2008 | Identity cards for foreign nationals
From 25 November 2008 the UKBA begin to issue identity cards to those applying for further leave to remain in the UK under certain categories.

» 15-08-2008 | Employers told to prepare for points-based system
The UK Border Agency launch new TV advert in advance of new route for skilled migrant workers going live in November.

» 30-06-2008 | New points based system
From June 30th all highly skilled workers, entrepreneurs and investors wanting to come to the UK will be able to apply for their visa under a new points based system.

» 12-06-2008 | British workers lack skills and drive
Workers lack skills and motivation of eastern European migrants, says DWP study.

» 19-06-2008 | Illegals firms named and shamed
Companies which employ illegal immigrants have been named and shamed in an attempt to crack down on people smuggling.

» 08-04-2008 | High court declares new immigration rules unlawful
Tougher new immigration rules for skilled workers who want to remain in the UK have been declared unlawful by the high court.

» 03-04-2008 | Borders policing body begins work
The UK's new border agency is officially launched - but ministers say further legislation is needed in the autumn before it is fully operational.

» 03-04-2008 | Launch of Britain's new unified Border Agency
Border, immigration, customs and visa checks will be united in the country's new UK Border Agency, the Home Office has announced.

» 03-04-2008 | Borders policing body begins work
The UK's new border agency is officially launched - but ministers say further legislation is needed in the autumn before it is fully operational.

» 01-04-2008 | Tough new laws to tackle visa cheats
Visa cheats who try to gain access to the UK by using false documents or deception now face a ten year ban.

» 29-02-2008 | Points-based immigration system in effect
Employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants could be jailed for up to two years under a new law coming into force now.

» 13-02-2008 | Gangmasters face losing licences
Nine gangmasters who employ hundreds of migrant workers face having their licences revoked after the largest crackdown of its kind.

» 29-01-2008 | Earning right to work after entry as student
Regina (Payir and Others) v Secretary of State for the Home Department in the Court of Justice of the European Communities.

» 25-01-2008 | UKVisas wins e-Government award
UKvisas wins award for Innovation in Strategy, for the delivery of innovative strategies resulting in improved services.

» 15-01-2008 | Firms hit out at new rules on illegal staff
Employers face fines of up to £10,000 for every illegal worker they hire if they check their employment status but fail to keep records.

» 15-01-2008 | ID cards for foreigners within three years
The introduction of compulsory identity cards for foreign nationals in Britain will take at least three years to complete, ministers are to confirm this month.

» 17-12-2007 | £1,000 bond planned for visits by overseas relatives
Families who sponsor visits by overseas relatives to Britain will first have to pay a bond, expected to be £1,000, under new immigration proposals out this week.

» 22-11-2007 | A points based system
From 2008, a points based system will begin to operate in the United Kingdom. This will enable the United Kingdom to control migration more effectively, tackle abuse and identify the most talented workers.

» 22-11-2007 | Employers face new fines for illegal working
Businesses must source migrant labour through legal means or face severe penalties, the Home Office announces as part of its comprehensive programme to reform Britain’s immigration controls.

» 16-11-2007 | Requirements change for foreign students
From 30 November the academic technology approval scheme (ATAS) will become a mandatory requirement for students intending to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for more than 6 months.

» 14-11-2007 | 10,000 in security industry could be illegal, says Smith
Jacqui Smith is forced to admit that as many as 10,000 non-EU nationals licensed to work in the security industry may be illegal immigrants.

» 01-11-2007 | Points based system - English language tests
From 2008, a points based system will begin to operate in the United Kingdom. This will manage the flow of individuals wishing to come to or remain in the United Kingdom to work, train or study.

» 30-10-2007 | Labour plans migrants points system
Ministers will close the door to Bulgarians and Romanians hoping to live and work in Britain as the government tries to deflect criticism that it has lost control of the immigration system.

» 02-11-2007 | UKVisas launches new visa application forms
New visa application forms (VAFs) will be introduced worldwide on 29 October. From 29 October 2007 all visa applicants will need to use these new, improved forms to make an application.

» 16-10-2007 | Byrne heralds new balance in migration policy
The Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne, has pledged a ‘new balance in migration policy’ during a speech to public servants in Essex.

» 17-10-2007 | Migrants are a boon to UK economy, says study
Migrants are more skilled and often more reliable and hardworking than British workers, and are fuelling the country's economic growth to the tune of £6bn a year, according to an official study.

» 21-09-2007 | Workers must prove language skills
Tens of thousands of migrant workers will have to pass a test of English before they can enter Britain under new rules announced by the prime minister, Gordon Brown, this month.

» 12-09-2007 | Firms face recruitment ban for exploiting migrant workers
Rogue employers convicted of exploiting migrant workers will face being banned from recruiting any more staff from abroad, the home secretary has promised.

» 28-08-2007 | Call for selective amnesty for illegal migrants
The Liberal Democrats will renew pressure on the government to grant a "selective amnesty" to many of the estimated 500,000 illegal immigrants living in Britain.

» 20-08-2007 | Visa rule changes put care homes on alert
Elderly people could be left without adequate care because changes to migration rules will create a "forced mass exodus" of thousands of overseas workers, an MP has warned.

» 25-07-2007 | UK to get 'unified' border force
Britain is to get a "unified border force" to boost the fight against terrorism, the prime minister has said.

» 20-06-2007 | 'Ridiculous' visa rulings set out
UK tourist visas are often denied to would-be visitors because they "plan a holiday for no particular purpose other than sightseeing", a report says.

» 12-06-2007 | Shortage of skilled staff in London worsens
London's business leaders say skills shortages in the capital are getting worse, with the government's education and training reforms failing to produce sufficient skilled staff for their needs.

» 12-06-2007 | Migrant scheme reforms may have breached law
The government breached anti-discrimination laws after controversial changes to its immigration programme for highly-skilled workers, according to CRE.

» 12-06-2007 | Immigration laws too complex, says minister
The biggest overhaul of Britain's immigration laws for more than 35 years is being planned by the Government, which has admitted that their complexity has undermined public confidence in the system.

» 05-06-2007 | Rules to make migrants integrate
Ministers say citizenship should depend on good behaviour, passing English tests and knowledge of UK.

» 25-05-2007 | Tories unveil marriage visa restrictions
Conservative plans to restrict the number of people eligible to come to Britain to marry were welcomed by ministers as an "endorsement" of government measures.

» 15-05-2007 | Rogue employers to face illegal working crackdown
The Home Office drive against illegal working moves forward as talks begin with industry on implementation of new legislation designed to crackdown on bogus employees.

» 19-04-2007 | New points based system to start in the new year
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne unveils the timetable for introducing the UK’s tough new Australian-style points based system for migration.

» 29-03-2007 | £1,000 fine for sponsors of immigrants who overstay
Britons who sponsor immigration visas for family visitors or overseas staff, will face £1,000 fines if they overstay, under new immigration reforms.

» 27-02-2007 | Prove your worth to be a Brit, says Brown
Immigrants will not be granted permanent British citizenship unless they undertake community work and prove they are in tune with British values, Gordon Brown has warned.

» 18-02-2007 | Foreign doctors could be forced to leave
Foreign doctors who came to Britain to work in the NHS could be forced home. High Court backs government's controversial decision.

» 20-02-2007 | Irish detainees exempted in deportation of foreign prisoners
Dozens of Irish prisoners in England and Wales who were in detention centres facing deportation are to be released in the next week.

» 26-09-2006 | EU approves Bulgaria and Romania
The European Commission has announced that Romania and Bulgaria will be admitted to the EU in January 2007, but under strict conditions.

» 20-09-2006 | Romanians and Bulgarians may face entry restrictions, says Reid
· New EU members could face quotas for UK entry
· Immigration must be managed fairly, police told

» 12-09-2006 | Dari & Tum decision
Yesterday, the Advocate General gave his opinion on this matter. Note: this is not the final judgment. This is only an opinion and not the Court Judgment which is due to published in November 2006.

» 31-08-2006 | Losers in the win-win migration game
Ministers want specific skills test for Bulgarian and Romanian workers.

» 31-08-2006 | Permit scheme to cut flow of east Europeans
Ministers want specific skills test for Bulgarian and Romanian workers.

» 07-08-2006 | Immigration is now making the rich richer and the poor poorer
Equal rights for all workers and a proper inspectorate would make exploitation of migrants much more difficult.

» 07-08-2006 | Home secretary wants to set 'optimum' level of immigration
The home secretary, John Reid, yesterday said that he wanted to see "an optimum level of immigration" set for Britain in an attempt to prevent migrant numbers being used as a party political football.

» 31-07-2006 | Hysteria aside, Labour must lead the immigration debate
The influx is plainly far greater than predicted, and the government cannot afford to be keeping so quiet about it.