UK Immigration News

The UK government’s vision to transform Britain into a research and development (R&D) ‘superpower’ requires significant UK visa reforms in order to become a reality, a recent Universities UK report has warned. UK visa fees for researchers and their families to come to the UK can exceed £15,000, representing a huge barrier for researchers seeking UK entry.

 

Nationals of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will be able to apply to travel to the UK for tourism, business, study or medical treatment purposes for up to six months with a UK electronic visa waiver, from 1 June 2022. The UK government said the move will ‘help deepen Britain’s partnership with the two countries and enhance diplomatic ties and economic prosperity’.

 

UK visa application processing times for spouses wanting to work in Britain have doubled, according to Home Office data. There are now fears that lengthier waiting times for visas could deepen Britain’s skills crisis. Those wishing to join family in the UK, and have job offers in place, are now having to renegotiate start dates amid Home Office visa processing delays.

 

A combination of Australian state border restrictions, COVID-related staffing issues and lockdowns, plus the temporary closure of one of three US Consulates in Australia has created a huge bottleneck of US visa application appointment requests. The delays have sparked a backlash from Australians trying to secure US work, study and immigrant visas.

 

The Home Office has paused issuing UK visas to unaccompanied Ukrainian minors fleeing the Russian invasion of their homeland amid safeguarding fears. It’s understood that the UK government has still not made a decision on how to deal with UK visa applications made by children with no parents or guardians.

 

The much-anticipated UK high potential visa is set to launch at the end of May, the UK government has confirmed. The highly selective UK visa scheme will be exclusive to graduates of the world’s top-ranked universities. The scheme is set to open for applications on 30 May 2022, and the UK government hopes it will enhance Britain’s skill base.