UK Marriage Visa update

We have been involved in UK immigration matters for the past 6 years roughly, over the years we have witnessed the many changes and additions to the UK Visa laws.

I personally have submitted most application types that have been available over the past few years:

Old HSMP
Work Permits
Sole Representative Visas
Marriage Visas
Dependent Visas
Student Visas

Recently I have witnessed a real tightening of the way the UKBA and entry clearance officers are looking at Visas and the supporting evidence required with each application.

Even though there are guidance notes for each application there are still various details/questions that the public often have a hard time confirming. Family based applications were excluded from the Points Based System but it is my opinion that these applications too have become far more of a challenge than previously.

Recently a UK Marriage Visa was submitted through the Visa processing office in Turkey, Istanbul and normally with the documentation that was provided an approval should been reached within 4-6 weeks BUT the approach the caseworker used when deciding on the case made it impossible for an approval and the application was sent back refused.

This was the first time I had ever seen a marriage visa application refusal and you can imagine the disappointment for the applicant and British Spouse.

One thing noticed that even though there should be Generic supporting evidence for each application the truth is that each application has to have a thorough and clear explanation that confirms each piece of evidence and what it is confirming or trying to demonstrate.

Do not expect the entry clearance officer to understand or make sense of just a whole bunch of papers...it is vital to either use a professional visa/immigration agent or to have a step by step explanation to avoid any issues or delays.

Heroin Smuggler gets 10 years

23 December 2009 A man from Staffordshire received a 10 year jail sentence after being found guilty of attempting to smuggle 42 Kilos of Heroin into the UK at Canterbury Crown Court

The UKBA officers stopped the man and after questioning found 42 packages with Heroin.

The UKBA is determined to stop drugs from entering the UK and within the UK they are motivating residents and anyone with info on drugs to contact crimestoppers without having to reveal any personal details.

Latest Statement of Change in Immigration Rules

10 December 2009 The most recent Statement of Change in UK Immigration rules was presented to parliament.

These changes included:

• Applications for leave to remain or settlement on the basis of long residence will no longer be assessed by UK Border Agency Public Enquiry Posts
• Within the child visitor category there will be a provision to permit exchange visits by overseas students to state funded and other schools
• Tier 4 Migrants will require an electronic confirmation of acceptance of studies in order to score the necessary points to come and study in the UK
• Overseas govt workers will now provide a route to switch for these people in to the Tier 5 category which is meant for temporary workers

These changes are due to come into affect on January 1st 2010 except the Tier 4 changes which will come into play on the 22 February 2010

UK Border Agency responds to claims on Pakistani Visa applications

11 December 2009- UKBA Executive Lin Homer responded to claims in the British Media that Pakistani visa applications to come to the United Kingdom are more likely to be refused.

She was reported to have said that there is no discrimination against any one nationality, applications from all countries including Pakistan are assessed in the same manner against the same criteria as everyone else.

All applications require the applicant to submit enough supporting evidence to support their applications.