UK Foreign Secretary|United Nations General Assembly
Showing posts with label UK Marriage Visa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UK Marriage Visa. Show all posts
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Monday, 19 September 2011
UK Marriage Visa and Settlement Changes are Due
The UK Immigration Minister, Damian Green has confirmed in a speech that the UK Govt is tackling the issue of UK marriage Visa and Settlement route. In the speech he stressed the importance of looking at abuse of the Marriage and Settlement Visa into the UK.
Currently there is a consultation on this issue and also on preventing these visa applications bypassing UK Immigration Laws which is possible at the moment.
Recent Reports Have Shown:
About 20% of UK Marriage Visa Sponsors were either unemployed or had an income below that of the national minimum wage.
37% of these sponsors were living with either other family or friends
In 2009 2,6 million pounds was spent on telephone translation services and 400,000 GBP on document translations
Two thirds of a sample of marriage visa applicants that were approved in 2009 had never visited the UK before making the permanent move.
The UK Govt is currently undertaking a consultation on assessing the changes that should take place:
there needs to be a more clear defined definition on what makes up a real marriage and help identify shame or fake marriages
introduce a new minimum income threshold for those sponsors in the UK looking to sponsor a family migrant
extension of the period from 2 to 5 years in order to apply for settlement, this too should help curb the abuse of the marriage visa and settlement routes
all marriage visa applicants under the age of 65 need to show that they have a basic understanding of everyday English.
Currently there is a consultation on this issue and also on preventing these visa applications bypassing UK Immigration Laws which is possible at the moment.
Recent Reports Have Shown:
About 20% of UK Marriage Visa Sponsors were either unemployed or had an income below that of the national minimum wage.
37% of these sponsors were living with either other family or friends
In 2009 2,6 million pounds was spent on telephone translation services and 400,000 GBP on document translations
Two thirds of a sample of marriage visa applicants that were approved in 2009 had never visited the UK before making the permanent move.
The UK Govt is currently undertaking a consultation on assessing the changes that should take place:
there needs to be a more clear defined definition on what makes up a real marriage and help identify shame or fake marriages
introduce a new minimum income threshold for those sponsors in the UK looking to sponsor a family migrant
extension of the period from 2 to 5 years in order to apply for settlement, this too should help curb the abuse of the marriage visa and settlement routes
all marriage visa applicants under the age of 65 need to show that they have a basic understanding of everyday English.
Saturday, 16 July 2011
UK Govt Launches Family Visa Consultation
Following the post on the proposed changes to the Settlement/Family/Dependent Visa set to come into force soon, the UKBA has announced they intend on the following changes:
They will be looking at curbing sham marriages by defining more clearly what (to them) constitutes a real marriage
A major new plan is to set up a minimum income threshold that UK Sponsors will need to earn or demonstrate in order to support the new migrants in the UK and help with integration into life in the UK.
Changing the period that a migrant (on the basis of marriage) needs to spend in the UK before they can apply for settlement from 2 to 5 years.
English level needed to demonstrate when they apply for settlement is set to be changed to B1
Working with local organisations to try curb abuse of vulnerable people forced into sham marriages
Reviewing the appeal process for family visitor visas
For more detailed info you can click here
They will be looking at curbing sham marriages by defining more clearly what (to them) constitutes a real marriage
A major new plan is to set up a minimum income threshold that UK Sponsors will need to earn or demonstrate in order to support the new migrants in the UK and help with integration into life in the UK.
Changing the period that a migrant (on the basis of marriage) needs to spend in the UK before they can apply for settlement from 2 to 5 years.
English level needed to demonstrate when they apply for settlement is set to be changed to B1
Working with local organisations to try curb abuse of vulnerable people forced into sham marriages
Reviewing the appeal process for family visitor visas
For more detailed info you can click here
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Settlement-Family Visas due to change
I read an article on the Telegraph web-site that confirmed that there will be some major changes to UK Settlement and Family Applications. The changes mentioned in the article are extending the period of time needed to claim settlement from 2 years to 5 years.
The changes are another step that the authorities are attempting to reduce the numbers of migrants entering the UK and also their aim is to limit the abuse of this particular Visa as they claim that there have been many sham marriages in the past few years. If a couple needs to remain together for 5 years before the migrant can claim settlement rather than the 2 years currently then the idea is that this would curb abuse.
The article also confirmed that the consultation will look at Article 8, right to family life with a view to assessing how this should be decoded.
I have not found any published articles or news about this on the UKBA website or other web resources but as soon as I locate any confirmation on the details I will post accordingly.
The changes are another step that the authorities are attempting to reduce the numbers of migrants entering the UK and also their aim is to limit the abuse of this particular Visa as they claim that there have been many sham marriages in the past few years. If a couple needs to remain together for 5 years before the migrant can claim settlement rather than the 2 years currently then the idea is that this would curb abuse.
The article also confirmed that the consultation will look at Article 8, right to family life with a view to assessing how this should be decoded.
I have not found any published articles or news about this on the UKBA website or other web resources but as soon as I locate any confirmation on the details I will post accordingly.
Monday, 13 December 2010
English Language Requirement for visa applicants applying to join Partners in the United Kingdom Further explanation
From the 29th November 2010 any non-EU migrant who is looking to enter or remain in the United Kingdom as the partner/spouse/unmarried partner of a British Citizen or a person settled in the UK HAS to demonstrate that they can speak English by taking one of the approved English Language Tests
Any applicant will need to meet the requirement if:
You are a national of a country NOT INSIDE the EU and Switzerland
You are in a relationship with a British Citizen or person settled here
You intend on applying to enter or remain in the UK as a husband/wife/civil partner/proposed civil partner same sex partner, Fiance unmarried partner
Any application type of the above needs to be submitted with proof that they hold at least level A1 in English which is the same as the SKILLED WORKER (TIER2)
With the current rules applicants already have to satisfy various criteria when applying for the permission to enter the UK and have to demonstrate that the marriage is indeed genuine and that applicants can financially support themselves inside the UK.
Any applicant will need to meet the requirement if:
You are a national of a country NOT INSIDE the EU and Switzerland
You are in a relationship with a British Citizen or person settled here
You intend on applying to enter or remain in the UK as a husband/wife/civil partner/proposed civil partner same sex partner, Fiance unmarried partner
Any application type of the above needs to be submitted with proof that they hold at least level A1 in English which is the same as the SKILLED WORKER (TIER2)
With the current rules applicants already have to satisfy various criteria when applying for the permission to enter the UK and have to demonstrate that the marriage is indeed genuine and that applicants can financially support themselves inside the UK.
Monday, 17 May 2010
Birth Marriage and Death Registration - WHY?
17 May 2010- Since about 1837 there has been a requirement to register KEY LIFE EVENTS (births, deaths, marriages, adoption and civil partnership). Obviously the process has undergone some changes but the basic approach used today remains in place.
Registration of such key life events is a vital part of identity documentation and allows the applicant to receive a certificate that supports any further personal applications (e.g. Passports or Driving Licenses)
The General Register Office controls the administration of the registration process in England and Wales. The GRO maintains a national archive of all births, deaths and marriages as well as adoptions and civil partnerships since 2005.
THe GRO may also be able to assist with adopted persons looking to find birth relatives
Registration of such key life events is a vital part of identity documentation and allows the applicant to receive a certificate that supports any further personal applications (e.g. Passports or Driving Licenses)
The General Register Office controls the administration of the registration process in England and Wales. The GRO maintains a national archive of all births, deaths and marriages as well as adoptions and civil partnerships since 2005.
THe GRO may also be able to assist with adopted persons looking to find birth relatives
Sunday, 27 December 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, 10 December 2009
ID Cards for foreign nationals -Tier 2 applicants included
From January 2010 migrant workers and their dependants will receive an ID card when they apply to extend their visa duration under Tier 2 of the UK points system.
All in country Tier 2 applications submitted from 6 January 2010 will need the submission the applicant's biometric details.
Certain categories of of Visas already have a requirement to submit biometrics when extending their stay in the UK. (See Identity Cards for more info)
Click here to find the locations of the Home Office Biometric Enrollment centres
Click here to find the Post Office enrollment locations
Here is the map and a PDF on the process. from the UKBA
All in country Tier 2 applications submitted from 6 January 2010 will need the submission the applicant's biometric details.
Certain categories of of Visas already have a requirement to submit biometrics when extending their stay in the UK. (See Identity Cards for more info)
Click here to find the locations of the Home Office Biometric Enrollment centres
Click here to find the Post Office enrollment locations
Here is the map and a PDF on the process. from the UKBA
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