New English language requirement for partners

A new requirement was announced on 9 June 2010 which providing that any migrant who wishes to enter or remain in the UK as the partner of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK will, from Autumn 2010, be expected to demonstrate that they can speak and understand English through a test. This test is compulsory.

This requirement is expected if:

-        you are a national of a country outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland; and

-        you are in a relationship with a British citizen or a person settled here; and

-        You want to apply to enter or remain in the UK as that person's husband, wife, civil partner, fiancé (e), proposed civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner.

 

The test requires a basic demonstration of English (speaking and listening), which consists of simple, everyday expressions and very basic phrases.

You will meet the English language requirement automatically if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Therefore, you will not need to take a test if you belong to one of those Countries.

The following Countries are considered to be majority English-speaking Countries:

   Antigua and Barbuda

   Australia

   The Bahamas

   Barbados

   Belize

   Canada

   Dominica

   Grenada

   Guyana

   Jamaica 

   New Zealand

   St Kitts and Nevis

   St Lucia

   St Vincent and the Grenadines

   Trinidad and Tobago

   The United States of America

    14 June 2010

 

Revised application form and guidance for the Highly Trusted sponsor

A new version of the application form and guidance for the Highly Trusted sponsors license (under the points-based system) has been introduced today. The old version of the form and guidance has been revised in order to bring clarity to some of the questions that the sector has raised around the required information and reflects changes to the current operation procedures.

Immigration Minister hears views on ending child detention

Yesterday in a meeting held in Glasgow, views on alternatives to detaining children for immigration purposes were raised and discussed.

There was a wide range of views from different people and representatives which consisted of local authorities, children’s charities and refugee organizations.

Damian Green stated:

'We are determined to replace the current process with something more humane without compromising our need to remove people who have no right to be in this country”.

16 June 2010

Detention of children in Dungavel ends

The Home Office has announced that children of failed asylum will no longer be detained overnight at Dungavel immigration removal centre. Many families detained in Scotland may undergo health and welfare screening and will then be moved to Yarl’s Wood centre which consists of specialist facilities i.e. support services. This change is portrayed as a ‘positive outcome’.

Immigration minister Damian Green stated: 'This work has now started, because it is in all our interests, including those children currently in detention, to do it quickly, but to also do it well and safely."

15 June 2010

Update to the Tier 2 policy guidance for skilled workers

An addition to the policy guidance for Tier 2 of the points-based system (version 04/10) has been published by the UK Border Agency.

This addition outlines the length of the permission to stay in the UK that may be given to all Tier 2 applicants. However, it also clarifies that this will not be applicable to those applying under the Graduate trainees and Skills transfer sub-categories of Tier 2 (Intra company transfer). The new policy is available on the UK Border Agency website.

02 June 2010

Settlement route for refugees

The UK Border Agency announced in March of this year that those granted five years limited leave to remain in the UK as refugees or under humanitarian protection between August 2005 and July 2006 can, at the end of their limited leave, apply for settlement.

If subsequently, the application for indefinite leave to remain is successful, then the applicant can apply for British citizenship under the current legislation provided that the application is made by July 2013 and the applicant meets the relevant requirements.