UK Immigration News

Following the tragedy of last week that saw 700 immigrants drown in the Mediterranean Sea whilst attempting to immigrate to Italy, Prime Minister David Cameron has changed his stance on supporting further search and rescue plans.

After Thursday's European summit to discuss the highly dangerous journey facing immigrant's illegally crossing the Mediterranean Sea, Cameron expressed his support for expanding search and rescue resources. It has been suggested that this will be a popular move ahead of the UK General Election on 7 May.

The question of immigration is a burning issue, especially in the run-up to the general election. Twenty years of rising immigration has meant that 6.5 million adults of working age now live in the UK, who were born abroad. Britain has been referred to as being an "Island of immigrants".

The UK Home Office has introduced changes to its Secure English Language Testing (SELT), reducing the number of language test providers and increasing security measures. Immigrants applying for visas or visa extensions will now have to take the new SELT test as part of their application.

Providers of the English language testing

The two providers selected to deliver SELT with the new changes are: Trinity College London for UK applicants, and IELTS SELT Consortia for both the UK and the rest of the world.

Major UK immigration changes took effect on 6 April 2015 with the Tier 2 visa category set for substantial changes. The most significant change is the introduction of an NHS surcharge for most UK visa applicants.

New NHS Health Surcharge and other Application fees

From 6 April 2015 UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) increased visa application fees across the board. The Government fees for Tier 2 visa and sponsorship applications can be accessed here.

Relatives of a decorated World War II veteran say he died less than three hours before his grandson could visit him to say one 'last goodbye'; it is said because of delays caused by an outsourcing company paid millions by the Home Office to help process travel visas.

A new scheme is being phased in at UK border crossings, so that UK immigration can collect data on all passengers leaving the country. The information is obtained by staff working for airlines, ferry companies, etc who record details of every traveller leaving on a commercial flight, or by sea or by rail. The data collected is then passed on to the Home Office.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The government wants the checks to identify individuals who are in the UK illegally. This means that passport and travel details will be transmitted to the Home Office.