Changes to immigration rules announced

The Home Office has published a Statement of Changes in the U.K. Immigration Rules outlining changes to its immigration system.

Key Points:

• Beginning Oct. 1, European Economic Area and Swiss nationals will no longer be able to use national identity cards to enter the U.K. and will need to use a passport instead.
  • EEA/Swiss citizens with status or pending applications under the EU Settlement Scheme or the Frontier Worker Permit Scheme can continue to use their national identity cards until at least the end of 2025.
• Beginning Oct. 6, all applicants who apply for any visa while in the U.K. must remain in the U.K., Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands from the date of submitting the online form until the application is decided.
• Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, the Youth Mobility Scheme will be available to applicants from Iceland and India. There will be additional qualifying criteria for Indian applicants, including the need to have a degree level qualification or three years of skilled work experience.

Additional Information: The Home Office will provide additional updates and guidance on the new rules in the coming months.

BAL Analysis: Non-EU citizens with a Biometric Residence Permit (as well as EU citizens) applying for a Skilled Worker Visa or Student Visa from within the U.K. on or after Nov. 30, 2021, will be able to use the U.K. Immigration ID Check app. If they do, they will not need to attend an appointment and will receive a digital immigration status. BAL will continue to follow changes to the U.K. Immigration Rules and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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