USEFUL LINKS
Foreign & Commonwealth Office – Travel and living abroad:
www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad
UK Visas and Immigration:
Life in the UK test:
Schengen Office:
UK Council for International Student Affairs:
Europassport
Who is EuroPassport?
McKenzie is partnered with EuroPassport as part of a network of trusted lawyers across Europe who assist in checking eligibility
and submission of applications for European citizenship and passports.
Any EU member country citizenship will enable you to exercise rights of freedom of movement across the European Union ("EU") and
European Economic Area ("EEA") following the UK's departure from the EU ("Brexit").
There are a number of ways that you might acquire such citizenship. For instance, many nationals of countries of North and South America
with ancestry from any of the EU member countries such as Portugal, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Greece, etc. may be able to acquire
the citizenship by descent of those countries. Similarly, people with ancestry from Northern Ireland or the Irish Republic might be entitled
to acquire citizenship of the Republic of Ireland. There are also many other ways that you may acquire EU citizenship.
If you wish to explore whether you may be entitled to this, we will be able to put you in touch with our colleagues at EuroPassport in order
to assist you:
Who is EuroPassport?
Toronto-based EuroPassport Inc. is the first online company that helps people expedite the process of obtaining European citizenship. You
do not however have to be Canadian or resident in Canada for them to be able to assist you.
Their documentation and legal experts cut through the red tape and high legal costs, assisting individuals by locating relevant,
hard-to-find documents required for EU citizenship and passport applications.
Whether you need this for work, study, or as a legacy for your family, their experts will help you navigate the thorny path to approval,
ensuring nothing is left out, and no errors are made that might sabotage your success.
McKENZIE
UK IMMIGRATION SOLICITORS IN CENTRAL LONDON
Tel: 07901 558 466
Email: kmckenzie@kmckenzie.co.uk
McKENZIE
UK IMMIGRATION SOLICITORS IN CENTRAL LONDON
Tel: 07901 558 466
Email: kmckenzie@kmckenzie.co.uk
NEWS & RESOURCES
Because Kevin and his team pride themselves on being up-to-date, and (to make life simpler for you)
offer a service specific to your situation and needs, you will not find published on this website the usual (often soon, or already, out-of-date) articles, case studies, or lists of immigration sub-categories - all of which can be unhelpful – even positively dangerous – for a legally unqualified person
Northern Ireland in Ireland, the UK and Europe
(This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unportedlicense.)
South America (orthographic projection)
(This file is licensed under the Creative CommonsAttribution 3.0 Unported license.)
Portrait by Rembrandt's studio, c 1656, now believed to be of the famous philosopher Spinoza, whose recent ancestors fled Portugal to settle in the Netherlands as part of the Portuguese Jewish diaspora.
A little-known potential way of acquiring EU (Portuguese or Spanish) citizenship:
The Portuguese government may grant Portuguese nationality through naturalisation to the descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Portugal and Spain in the 15th century. This measure was approved by the Organic Law No. 1/2013 of 29 July.
(The Spanish government introduced similar provisions, bur these are no longer operative.)
McKENZIE
UK IMMIGRATION SOLICITORS IN CENTRAL LONDON
Tel: 07901 558 466
Email: kmckenzie@kmckenzie.co.uk
NEWS
We are able to give you up-to-date Coronavirus (Covid-19) advice, appropriate to your circumstances, for UK visa applicants (whether inside or outside the UK), temporary UK residents and British nationals overseas who need to apply for visas, further leave to remain, or passports, who are affected by travel restrictions or other problems associated with coronavirus
Other recent developments:
France suspends rule denying British residents of other EU countries transit
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/30/french-border-officials-in-uk-turn-back-british-residents-of-other-eu-countries?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Brexit: How has pet travel to EU countries been affected?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/59644699
UK ministers eager to ease immigration rules for Indian citizens:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jan/01/uk-ministers-eager-to-ease-immigration-rules-for-indian-citizens?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/19/uk-judge-rules-that-age-assessment-of-asylum-seekers-was-unlawful?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
News regarding Home Office policy with regard to the 29 March 2022 deadline for Surinder Singh-based family relocation applications - family permits under the EU Settlement Scheme:
Investor category now withdrawn for new entrants (February 2023) (further leave applications, settlement applications, and applications by family members to join main applicant still possible):
https://amp.ft.com/content/f990e61f-ece8-4bc9-91d9-58fee67e2ba3
Care Workers have been added to the Shortage Occupation List (effective 16.2.22), as a sub-category of the Skilled Worker visa category. This means that Care Workers applying for a Health and Care Worker visa will benefit from relaxed eligibility criteria. This includes a lower minimum salary requirement: they will now have to earn at least £20,480 in order to qualify. Care Workers will remain on the Shortage Occupation list for 12 months (provisions for this since renewed, in February 2023)
Ministers ‘looking seriously’ at changing rules that exclude young Hong Kongers from BNO scheme
Ministers ‘looking seriously’ at changing rules that exclude young Hong Kongers | The Independent
UK expected to ease visa restrictions for Ukrainians fleeing war
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60550238
28.2.2022 UK could expand revised visa rules for Ukrainians after criticism
Subsequent Home Office guidance said the visas were available only to spouses, unmarried partners of at least two years, parents or their children if one is under 18, or adult relatives who are also carers.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/feb/28/uk-government-could-expand-revised-entry-rules-ukrainians?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
28.2.2022 Ukraine invasion: Extra 100,000 people will be able to seek sanctuary in UK, Priti Patel announces | Politics News | Sky News
1.03.2022 UK to relax visa rules for extended family of Ukrainians in Britain
8.3.2022 Prevailing situation at various visa centres in Europe
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60664797
8.3.2022 Boris Johnson creates new minister to deal with Ukrainian refugee crisis
"The Home Office is currently trying to expand its operations in cities near the Ukrainian border to process applicants. Hundreds of people seeking help are already in Calais but have been asked to apply from Paris or Brussels.
The department is understood to have accepted dozens of staff from HMRC to help with the current crisis and is training more people to deal with visa applications.
By Wednesday, the Home Office plans to have opened a new office in Lille, 75 miles away from Calais, which can process visa applications from Ukrainians who have travelled to the port. It is also examining funding a travel service from Calais to Lille."
9.3.2022 “About 760 visas have been granted under the Ukraine Family Scheme, Mr Shapps said, with 22,000 applications "on their way through".
"Ukraine war: Visas a shambles, Brits with Ukrainian family say"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60673933
14.3.2022 The new Humanitarian Sponsorship category now operational
How to sponsor Ukrainian refugees and offer them a UK home
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/60735121
March 2022 ECJ rules that EU citizens living in the UK before Brexit never needed private health insurance
("comprehensive sickness insurance")
March 2022 Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules brings in new work visas - Global Business Mobility
("GBM"), High Potential Individual, & Scale-Up; changes made to rules re private & family life-based applications
6.4.2022 Proposed changes to student rules:
6.4.2022 Digital immigration status checks with right to work and rent, replacing the use of biometric residence
permits, enters into force
11.4.2022 Global Business Mobility ("GBM") visa launches - largely replaces Representative of an Overseas Business
visa
News article 24.4.2022 with guidance as to how to urgently renew British passports
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/how-urgently-renew-passports-home-26790183.amp
April 2022 Fee increases for immigration and nationality applications
3.5.2022 Ukraine Extension Scheme opens as part of the Ukraine Scheme, to allow those already in the UK to switch or extend their leave to remain, for a period of 36 months
30.5.2022 High Potential Individual visa category opens:
"The High Potential Individual (HPI) route is a short-term work visa for individuals at an early career stage, who have shown they have potential to benefit the UK workforce.
From 30 May 2022, you can apply for the HPI route if you have graduated from an eligible international university in the 5 years immediately before your application."
Visa scheme for graduates from top 50 non-UK universities is launched
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/may/30/visa-scheme-graduates-top-50-non-uk-universities-high-potential-individual?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
May 2022 Entry into force of Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and Rwanda offshoring plans
May 2022 Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, following the passage of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022,
including to facilitate removals to Rwanda - key provisions to come into force 28 June 2022
May 2022 ECJ case on which Palestinian refugees are entitled to refugee status
June 2022 Updated Home Office information published regarding special immigration schemes for Ukrainians (including
Ukraine Extension Scheme)
June 2022 No change made to settlement rules for Zambrano carers, despite the judgment in Akinsaya - so EU Settlement
Scheme remains unavailable as a fast-track to permanent residence for them. (However, as at April 2023, Celik now pending in the Court of Appeal)
13.6.2022 Afghan Citizenship Resettlement Scheme launched
28.6.2022 New provisions (Section 4L British Nationality Act 1981) of nationality law introduced to expand the
possibilities for claiming British Citizenship through a grandparent
July 2022 New Home Office guidance published regarding entry clearance fee waiver policy for family visas
July 2022 Revised Home Office guidance published confirming comprehensive sickness insurance no longer
an issue in British Citizenship applications
July 2022 New Home Office policy on when Caseworkers should offer extensions of permission to stay to people who don't
qualify for settlement
July 2022 Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 511) on unaccompanied Ukrainian children
July 2022 New Home Office guidance re external medico-legal reports
August 2022 Upper Tribunal decision in Celik and Batool: no human rights in EU Settled Status appeals, unless the
Home Office consents. (However, as at April 2023, Celik now pending in the Court of Appeal.)
September 2022 Updated Home Office guidance published regarding the Ukraine in-country visa extension scheme
October 2022 Updated Home Office guidance published regarding the good character requirements for naturalisation
October 2022 New right to work check methods introduced for all employees, following the end of the pandemic
October 2022 ECJ decision on age-assessment processes for asylum-seeking children
October 2022 Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, containing updates to Appendix EU and Ukraine Scheme
- effective 9.11.2022
October 2022 New Appendix Temporary Permission to Stay for Victims of Human Trafficking or Slavery to be added to the
Immigration Rules
November 2022 Home Office response to ECJ regarding case law re NHS and comprehensive sickness insurance for EEA nationals
November 2022 Updated Sponsor guidance provisions impacting working hours, pay, and start dates for businesses
sponsoring overseas workers
November 2022 Change to indefinite leave to remain ("ILR") eligibility requirements for people granted refugee status
or humanitarian protection
November 2022 Upper Tribunal decision re Elias involving durable partners
December 2022 Tribunal judges now to be addressed orally as "Judge", and no longer as "Sir", "Madam" or Ma'am"
December 2022 Immigration Skills Surcharge regulations amended to add new exemptions
December 2022 Home Office Country policy guidance notes for Albania updated
January 2023 The High Court has granted permission to appeal in the Rwanda challenges
February 2023 Tech Nation, the endorsing body for digital technology applications under the Global Talent routes, to cease operations on 31.3,23
February 2023 New Home Office policy guidance published on temporary permission to stay for victims of trafficking and slavery
28.2.23 India Young Professionals Scheme: initial ballot system opens, with 2400 visas initially available
March 2023 Kulumbegar v Home Office [2023] EWHC 337 (KB): loss of work may engage an article 8 human rights claim
March 2023 Minimum salary requirement for most categories of Skilled Workers increased from £25,600 to £26,200 - changes effective on 12.4.2023
9.3.2023 Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 1160) - includes: Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme, a new innovator route, and changes to employment and non-employment
March 2023 Appendix Temporary Work - Government Authorised Exchange Scheme route - work experience, internship and other supernumerary work options, using a third party sponsor
April 2023 The High Court has ruled that the Government's second attempt to produce an immigration exemption to Data Protections Act 2018 is still incompatible with UK General Data Protection Regulations
April 2023 The Home Office is taking steps to protect British Citizenship rights for people born to EU Citizens between 1.1.1983 and 1.10.2000
6.4.2023 The Home Office, having suspended this in the wake of the Windrush scandal, resumed data sharing with
the financial sector, requiring the reporting by banks of those found present in the UK with no legal immigration status - whereby the Home Office can require the closure of their bank accounts.
12.4.2023 Amendment confirming implementation of protection of British Citizenship rights for children born to EU Citizens between 1.1.1983 and 1.10.2000
13.4.2023 Launch of the new Innovator Visa Founder route - for entrepreneurs looking to establish an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK
27.4.2023 New sponsor obligations for reporting hybrid working patterns (subsequently revoked - see 18.5.2023 post)
4.5.2023 Two new Hong Kong British National Overseas visa concessions published
12.5.2023 New guidance published on deprivation of British Citizenship (under Section 40, British Nationality Act 1981)
22.5.2023 Guidance given by the Upper Tribunal on the above
18.5.2023 Reversal of new Home Office policy on reporting hybrid working (see 27.4.2023 post)
30.5.2023 The Court of Appeal provides further guidance on "unduly harsh" test for deportation
31.5.2023 Unpublished Home Office policy on NHS debts declared unlawful
5.6.2023 Amendments to the Illegal Migration Bill made at the committee stage
27.6.2023 Justice secretary confirms that the government will not proceed with the Bill of Rights Bill - ending weeks of speculation about its potential demise
29.6.2023 Link to judgment summary for the Court of Appeal's decision today in the Rwanda deportation appeals: https://judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AAA-v-SSHD-summary-290623.pdf
29.6.2023 British Nationality (Regularisation of Past Practice) Act 2023 becomes law. It confirms British nationality status for all children born in the UK between 1st January 1983 and 1st October 2000 to an EU citizen parent who was exercising free movement in the UK at the time of their child’s birth
June 2023 The discontinued Investor visa category - Supreme Court finds "golden visa" scheme unlawful
July 2023 Supreme Court upholds lawfulness of exclusion of Palestinians from resettlement scheme
July 2023 R (on the application of Ali) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWHC 1615 (Admin):the EU Settlement Scheme accurately reflects the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and the European Union in specifying that the child of an EU national is only entitled to stay in the UK after Brexit if they are under 21 or dependent on their parent
July 2023 The UK Government announced the intention to make a significant increase to both application fees and the immigration health surcharge
July 2023 Rexhaj (extended family members: assumed dependency) [2023] UKUT 00161 (IAC): Upper Tribunal holds that If applying before 30 June 2021, the parent of an EU national or of their spouse could obtain entry clearance as a dependent parent without needing to prove they were dependent. This does not extend to when applying for further leave at the end of the 6 months.
July 2023 Illegal Migration Act 2023 becomes law - not all of its regulations in force yet
17.7.2023 Statement of Changes (HC 1496) to the Immigration Rules, dealing with EU Settlement Scheme, abuse of immigration rules, implied withdrawal of Asylum claims, and humanitarian protection claims, restrictions on students
19.7.2023 Dominica, Honduras, Namibia, Timor-Leste & Vanuatu to the visa nationals list (countries whose nationals require a visa to travel to the UK as a visitor)
July 2023 R (on the application of Tazeem) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWHC 1828 (Admin): High Court emphasises the need for procedural fairness by UK Border Control
July 2023 Osunneye (Zambrano, transitional appeal rights) Nigeria [2023] UKUT 162 (IAC): Upper Tribunal holds that appeals based on the case of Zambrano can proceed despite various Brexit regulations.
July 2023 Ahmed v SSHD [2023] UKUT 00165 (IAC): guidance by the Upper Tribunal on the meaning of "historical injustice"
July 2023 Celik v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWCA Civ 921: Court of Appeal holds that individuals who married EU nationals in the UK after 31 December 2020 are not entitled to be granted immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme, unless they previously held or applied for an EEA residence card or family permit as their durable partner. (The position of those who had lawful leave in the UK by that date on a different basis is unclear)
September 2023 Statement of Changes (HC 1780) to the Immigration Rules, removing the availability of administrative review for decisions made under the EU Settlement Scheme; changes to tuberculosis testing; changes to applications involving children
September 2023 New application fees from 4th October 2023 published
September 2023 Illegal Migration Act 2023 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2023: detention powers to be expanded when further provisions of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 come into force on 28th September 2023