UK Immigration News

The Home Office has been blasted by more than 40 human rights’ groups after introducing 24-hour GPS monitoring of people on UK immigration bail. The move, which involved no consultation process, has been described as ‘an expansion of surveillance powers’ and ‘authoritarian’.

 

At the end of June, a grace period for UK immigration right to rent checks for EU citizens will expire. The Home Office recently issued new guidance ahead of changes that will come into effect in a few weeks’ time. The grace period is currently in place for citizens of the European Economic Area and Switzerland living in the UK to apply for settled status.

 

MPs are urging UK Home Secretary Priti Patel to publish an independent assessment of the impact of ending free movement, which was promised within six months of the new UK immigration bill being passed. The current UK immigration bill was given Royal Assent on 11 November 2020, meaning that the report should have been published on 11 May 2021.

 

Campaigners have warned that UK schools could be put under unnecessary pressure to snoop on the UK immigration status of EU pupils from July. Fears are growing over a ‘hostile environment’ in schools, and damage to relationships with parents, when applications for the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) close on 30 June 2021. 

 

The Home Office has been hit by a legal challenge over what has been described as ‘insufficient’ consultation on its New Plan for UK Immigration. Lawyers have argued that a consultation on proposed changes to the UK immigration and asylum system ‘failed to allow people to meaningfully respond’, according to a report published by The Independent.

 

The UK Tier 1 investor visa is attracting wealthy Chinese and Hong Kong nationals despite the coronavirus pandemic, according to new research. Real estate firm Astons found that rich investors from China and Hong Kong were ‘most likely’ to head to the UK during the pandemic.