UK Immigration News

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has announced that their visa application centres in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt have been closed temporarily due to the ongoing security situation.

This also affects some visa applications for people located in Sudan and Yemen as applications for certain types of visa applications for nationals of these two countries are processed in Cairo.

According to an pharmaceutical industry advocate group, there has been a significant reduction in the number of non-EU pharmacists working in the UK due to the recent immigration cap imposed by the Government.

"[The immigration cap] affected non-EU overseas pharmacy students who have just completed their UK degree and who have had offers of pre-registration training jeopardised by the ruling," said Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice said.

For some non-EU citizens who wish to study in the UK, applying now for a student visa may be advisable. The UK Government concluded a consultation on stricter student immigration rules on 31 January 2011. Immigration Minister Damien Green has said recently that stricter regulations are "in the best interest of legitimate students".

Top people in the UK education sector are warning the Government that restrictions on student immigration will adversely affect British universities.

A consultation on whether the Government should tighten the reigns on student immigration for non-EU students taking below-degree level courses is currently underway.

UK Tier 1 highly skilled Visas will end in less than three months time. The replacement exceptional talent visa will be extremely difficult to obtain. If you are in the UK and qualify for the Tier 1 (General) highly skilled migrant visa you should seriously consider applying soon. It may take some time for you to obtain the relevant documents. You should also note that since 23 December 2010 it has not been possible to make Tier 1 (General) visa applications from outside the UK.

Scottish Universities are warning the UK Government that Scotland will have one of the strictest visa regimes in the World for foreign students if the Government goes ahead with its plans to reduce student immigration.