UK Immigration News

Speaking during a trade delegation to India, the chairman of the London Chamber of Commerce, Subhash V. Takrar, told reporters says that he is hopeful that there will soon be a relaxation of the UK's immigration regime which should lead to more opportunities for Indians to work and study in the UK.

The United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) has issued a list of Bangladeshi banks that it considers 'do not satisfactorily verify financial statements'. As of 13th December 2012, the UKBA will no longer accept documentation in support of UK points-based system visa applications from any of the banks on the list.

It is a requirement of the points-based system that evidence that the applicant has adequate funds to support himself is provided along with a visa application.

On 20th November 2012, a charter plane flew from the Australian territory of Christmas Island to the Papua New Guinean island of Manus. On board were 19 asylum seekers from Sri Lanka and Iran. They were accompanied by Australian officials and medics.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has used a speech in India to demand that the UK government changes immigration rules to make them more welcoming to international students. Speaking at Amity University in Delhi, which is planning to open a 15,000 student campus in London, Mr Johnson said he wanted to see 'academic freedom'.

David Cameron has announced that the UK government is to reform the 'judicial review' court procedure. This will have a significant effect on thousands of immigration cases.

Judicial review is a procedure whereby, in certain circumstances, where no other remedy is available, a claimant can apply to have a judge review the decision of a public body, or the failure of that body to make a decision, where that public body is acting beyond its powers or 'ultra vires'.

The former Prime Minister of the UK, Tony Blair, is to address an audience of British business lobbyists in London on Wednesday 28th August 2012 in which he will argue that the UK would lose power and influence if it leaves the European Union.

The Daily Telegraph, a UK newspaper, reports that Mr Blair will tell an audience gathered by pro-European lobby group Business in New Europe that, in the 21st century, the UK has a choice between 'power and irrelevance'. He will say that, if the UK leaves the EU, then it will lose what remaining influence it has in the world.