The Home Office has suspended its police registration requirement for foreign nationals.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals are no longer required to register with local police stations after entering the U.K. or changing their address.
  • Those who received an email or letter, or whose visa states that they must register at a police station, are no longer required to do so.
  • Individuals who registered with the police before the requirement was suspended no longer need to keep the police registration certificate.

BAL Analysis: U.K. authorities suspended the police registration requirement to streamline the entry process and remove burdens on foreign nationals having to appear in person to fulfil the requirement.

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

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The governments of New Zealand and the U.K. have updated their Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) and Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) by 2024.

The countries have agreed to:

  • Increase the eligible age range from 18-30, to 18-35 for both YMS and WHS applicants.
  • Increase the length of stay from two years for YMS visas and 23 months for WHS visas to three years for both programs.
  • Extend the visa holders right to work for the full duration of the visa.
  • Place a 15,000 cap for U.K. nationals applying for the WHS.

Additional Information: More information on the YMS is available here. Information on the WHS is available here.

BAL Analysis: The improvements to the YMS and WHS will not be implemented until legislation has been passed. The governments of New Zealand and the U.K. have committed to implementing the changes by 2024 at the latest.

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

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Home Office has published updated processing times for certain visas.

Key Points:

  • Standard visitor visa. Standard visitor visa applications for those traveling to the U.K. for business purposes are taking an average of six weeks to be processed instead of three weeks after the appointment at the visa application center. Priority services may be available for a quicker turnaround.
  • Transit visas. Transit visa applications are taking an average of six weeks to be processed instead of three weeks after the appointment at the visa application center.
  • Study visas. Those who have applied for short-term study, student or child student visas should expect wait times of three weeks or longer to receive their visa after attending the biometrics appointment or use the ID Check app.
  • Work visas. Standard work visa applications are taking considerably longer than the expected. Applicants should expect wait times of three weeks or longer to receive their visa. Individuals applying for a Turkish Business Person visa should expect to receive a decision on their application within 12 weeks.
  • Family visas. Individuals should receive a decision for a family visa within 24 weeks instead of 12 weeks after attending the biometrics appointment.

Additional Information: The Home Office is currently prioritizing Ukraine visa scheme applications. Priority and super priority services have been temporarily suspended for work, study and family visa applications. Visa applicants are reminded that processing times begin when applicants attend their biometrics appointment or when applicants’ identities are confirmed using the U.K. Immigration: ID Check app. A full list of wait times for other visa types is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Home Office is seeing an increase of visa applications due to the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions around the world and European nationals needing to apply for visas as a result of Brexit. Foreign nationals intending to travel to the U.K. should apply for their required visa as soon as possible to avoid delays and complications.

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

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Home Office has announced that it will add Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to its electronic visa waiver program.

Key Points:

  • Beginning June 1, Bahraini and Saudi Arabian nationals will be able to apply to travel to the U.K. for up to six months with an electronic visa waiver.
  • Individuals entering the U.K. through the electronic visa waiver program will be able to perform business activities, study, or receive medical treatment.
  • Travelers must apply through this website between three months and 48 hours before departure.

Additional Information: Nationals of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates continue to be able to apply for an electronic visa waiver. More information regarding the electronic visa waiver program is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Home Office added Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to the electronic visa waiver program to enhance diplomatic and economic ties. The electronic visa waiver allows travelers to enter the U.K. without obtaining a visa provided they complete an online waiver each time they travel to the country.

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

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The U.K. Passport Office has reported processing delays related to an increase in new and renewal passport applications.

Key Points:

  • The Home Office advises those in need of a new passport to allow up to 10 weeks after applying to receive their new passport.
  • The Passport Office encourages applicants to apply online, stating it is the cheapest and easiest method.
  • Individuals can use the passport application tracker three weeks after applying for a passport by filling out a paper form at a local Post Office using Check and Send.

Additional Information: Those who have had to cancel planned trips that were insured can appeal to the Financial Services Ombudsman who may require the insurer to refund a customer if they can prove they took reasonable action to receive a passport in time. More information on tracking a passport application is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Passport Office is seeing an increase of passport applications due to the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions around the world. U.K. citizens intending to travel abroad and in need of a new passport should renew their passport as soon as possible to avoid delays and complications. Fast track services are available for a higher fee although appointments are limited.

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

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Home Office has published a Statement of Changes in the U.K. Immigration Rules, providing updated information about the new Global Business Mobility Route and other immigration programs.

Key Points:

  • Beginning April 11, foreign companies will be able to sponsor foreign nationals and their dependents through five subcategories of the new Global Business Mobility route, which is designed to help foreign-owned businesses establish a presence in or transfer employees to the U.K. Before any of the applications can proceed, a sponsor license must be obtained.
    • Subcategory 1 – Senior or Specialist Worker. This subcategory replaces the intra-company transfer (ICT) route and is for foreign nationals who will be temporarily working in the U.K. for a connected group company.
    • Subcategory 2 – Graduate Trainee. This subcategory replaces the ICT – graduate trainee route and is for foreign workers who are part of a graduate training course and who are completing a work placement at a connected U.K. group company in preparation for a position as a senior manager or specialist outside the U.K.
    • Subcategory 3 – U.K. Expansion Worker. This subcategory is for foreign nationals who will be temporarily working in the U.K. as a senior manager or specialist to set up a branch or subsidiary of their foreign-owned company.
    • Subcategory 4 – Service Supplier. This subcategory is for foreign nationals who will be temporarily working in the U.K. as either a contractual service supplier employed by a foreign-owned company or a self-employed independent professional based overseas and must provide services covered by one of the U.K.’s international trade agreements.
    • Subcategory 5 – Secondment Worker. This subcategory is for foreign nationals who are being seconded to the U.K. as part of a high value contract or investment by a foreign-owned company and will be temporarily working in the U.K.
  • Global Business Mobility route applicants can also submit applications for their dependent partner and children. The subcategories of the Global Business Mobility route do not provide pathways to settlement (permanent residence).

Additional Information: The U.K. will also be launching a new High Potential Individual Route on May 30 and will offer a new Scale-up Visa on Aug. 22. More information is available here. BAL will provide more information on these programs as the launch dates approach.

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

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Home Office has lifted all remaining COVID-19 international travel restrictions.

Key Points:

  • As of March 18, all international travel restrictions, regardless of an individual’s departure country, have been lifted.
  • Travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, will no longer be required to take pre- or post-entry COVID-19 tests, complete the passenger locator form before arrival or quarantine after arrival.
  • U.K. authorities hold the right to implement travel restrictions to manage future COVID-19 variants.

Additional Information: More information on United Kingdom’s decision to lift its COVID-19 international travel restrictions is available here.

BAL Analysis: The U.K. is one of the first countries to remove all international travel restrictions. Individuals can now enter the country without needing to test, quarantine or adhere to other COVID-related policies; however, travelers are still encouraged to check entry requirements before planning travel as they are subject to change. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

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

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Home Office has announced that it will simplify its application process for the Ukraine Family Scheme.

Key Points:

  • Under a change that took effect March 15, the application process for the Ukraine Family Scheme is fully online. Ukrainian nationals who are not in the U.K. and hold a valid passport will no longer be required to provide biometric information when applying for the scheme.
  • To apply for the Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukrainian nationals will have to complete an online application but will no longer need to have an in-person appointment at a visa application center (VAC).
  • Ukrainian nationals must have a valid email address to submit an application. U.K. immigration authorities will contact applicants by email with further travel guidance after the application is processed.

Additional Information: Ukrainian nationals who are applying for the Ukraine Family Scheme before March 15 must submit an online application an book an in-person appointment at a VAC More information regarding the Ukraine Family Scheme is available here.

BAL Analysis: Ukrainian nationals will be able to receive entry permissions entirely online for the Ukraine Family Scheme after March 15. This is welcome news as it will reduce processing times for those needing to enter the U.K. under the Ukraine Family Scheme. Employers and employees are reminded that actions taken as a result of the invasion of Ukraine may change with little or no notice.

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

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Home Office has updated its travel guidance for Ukrainian nationals who are fleeing Ukraine.

Key Points:

  • Travelers who are leaving from Ukraine are no longer required to complete a passenger locator form, take a pre-departure COVID-19 test or book a PCR test upon arrival.
  • Ukrainian nationals who have family in the U.K. can now apply for the Ukraine Family Scheme to live, work and study in the U.K. through this website. To apply for the scheme applicants must:
    • Be applying to join a UK-based family member who is a British national, a permanent resident, someone with refugee or humanitarian protection in the U.K. or someone from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland who has pre-settled status and was living in the U.K. before Jan. 1, 2021.
    • Provide proof that the UK-based family member is an immediate family member, extended family member, or an immediate family member of an extended family member.
    • Have been living in Ukraine on or before Jan. 1, 2022.
  • Ukrainian nationals who do not have family in the U.K. will be able to apply under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Those who enter the U.K. through this scheme will be able to stay in the U.K. for up to 12 months and will be able to work and access public services.
    • More information regarding the Homes for Ukraine scheme is available here. Additional details for those sponsoring Ukrainian nationals under this scheme will be published in the coming weeks.

Additional Information: Individuals can still apply for the Ukraine Family Scheme if an applicant is unable to provide proof of family relationship. More information regarding the U.K.’s travel guidance for Ukrainian nationals, the Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine is available here.

BAL Analysis: The Home Office continues to modify its immigration concessions for those who are fleeing Ukraine. Employers and employees are reminded that actions taken as a result of the invasion of Ukraine may change with little or no notice. BAL will continue to monitor developments regarding the invasion 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.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

 

The Home Office has closed its Tier 1 Investor visa route to all new applications.

Key Points:

  • As of Feb. 17, foreign nationals can no longer apply for an initial Tier 1 Investor visa. The route had allowed individuals to stay and live in the U.K. if they invested funds in companies registered in the U.K.
  • Foreign nationals who currently hold Tier 1 Investor visas can apply to extend their Tier 1 Investor visa before Feb. 17, 2026, and apply for settlement before Feb. 17, 2028. In addition, if an individual had a Tier 1 Investor visa which expired or lapsed in the last 12 months, and they have maintained compliant investments, they may be able to apply for a Tier 1 Investor visa before Feb. 17, 2026.
  • U.K. immigration authorities will be making reforms to the Innovator route in the coming months to provide a new investment route for those wishing to live and work in the U.K.

Additional Information: More information regarding the closure of the Tier 1 Investor visa route is available here.

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

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.