Barar and Associates News

*** UPDATE *** UK visa holders with visa expiring before 1 September 2020 can benefit from the grace period explained below. UK visa holders with visa expiring before 1 September 2020 can apply to switch to another visa within the UK. However, this seems to currently not apply to visitors or individuals with leave of […]

British Nationals (Overseas) citizens: New UK visa route The UK government has published a guidance about the new UK visa route for British Nationals (Overseas) (BN(O)) today as a response to the Chinese Government’s national security law. The UK government appreciates that there are approximately 2.9 million BN(O) citizens who may suffer from a restriction […]

Future of UK Immigration: UK Points-Based immigration system further details statement On 13th July 2020, the UK government has published further details on how the new immigration system will operate after freedom of movement ends on 31st December 2020.  The Points-Based system will be brought in phased stages and the government will be publishing further guidance on […]

A further group of VACs will be reopening from next Sunday 12th and Monday 13th of July. VACs following a Sunday – Thursday working week will open on the 12th of July. Please kindly find the below list of VACs that will be reopening from 12th/13th July. Algiers Atlanta Baghdad Basra Boston Cape Town Chicago […]

British Nationals (Overseas) citizens: New immigration rules The UK Government has announced a change in the immigration rules for British Nationals (Overseas) citizens of Hong Kong (BN(O)s). Under the current immigration rules, BN(O)s can only come to the UK for up to 6 months per year without a visa, and they cannot work nor study […]

Updates to the representative of an overseas business visa route – June 2020 The Home Office has published changes to the Representative of an overseas business category, also known as the Sole Representative visa, on 4th June 2020. So, what has changed? Firstly, the applicant must have been genuinely recruited and employed outside the UK […]

Update COVID-19: Service and Support Centres, English language tests, and 90-day validity of replacement visas The Home Office has recently updated their guidance on advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents, containing updated information on Service and Support Centres (SSCs) in the UK, English language testing centres in the UK, and the 90-day […]

Some UKVACs reopen on 22 June 2020 As of 22 June 2020, some UKVACs (UK visa application centres) based abroad will reopen and resume services where local restrictions allow. You can find the list of the UKVACs which will reopen below and refer to each of their websites for more details. Adana Alexandria Amman Ankara […]

Update COVID-19: family or private life visas  The Home Office recently updated their guidance relating to the impact of the COVID-19 on visa applications on the basis of family or private life. Those visa applications are for individuals applying as a fiancé, fiancée, proposed civil partner, spouse, civil partner parent, child, dependant or simply on […]

As of 1 June 2020, some UK Visa and Citizenship Application (UKVCAS) Centres will re-open for applicants who had existing appointments but had their appointments postponed due to the suspension of service. The UKVCAS will be sending all the abovementioned applicants an email explaining the next steps they need to take to rebook their appointments. […]

The Home Office has published an updated guidance for temporary residents whose visa expires between 24th January 2020 and 31st July 2020. Previously, for those who had their visas extended until 31st May 2020 due to travel restrictions or self-isolation, the Home Office will automatically extend their leave until 31st July 2020. Additionally, the Home […]

Today, the Home Office has published a Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules. Apart from changes in relation to the EU Settlement Scheme that shall take effect on 24 August 2020, all other changes shall take effect on 4 June 2020. Changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Eligible family members of the people of […]

The Home Office has recently published a new guidance that explains the support migrants living in the UK can get under this current climate. Possibility to access public funds You can make a ‘change of conditions’ application for access to public funds if you have a UK family or private life visa and that you […]

The Home Office has published a new guidance for Tier 4 sponsors, Tier 4 migrants and short-term students for those who cannot travel or in self-isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Extension of Tier 4 visa If your Tier 4 student visa expires between 24th January 2020 and 31st May 2020, where you would normally […]

Sponsor Licence under the new UK immigration system A new UK immigration system will come into effect from 1 January 2021 and will affect Sponsor Licence applications. A UK employer who wishes to hire non-British nationals needs to first apply for and be granted a Sponsor Licence. Sponsor Licence applications A Sponsor Licence application is […]

Under the Home Office’s recently published guidelines for advice to Sponsors amidst the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis, Sponsors can place their sponsored employees on Furlough. What if the Sponsor had to reduce their salary? If the sponsored employee’s salary had to be temporarily reduced to 80% of their salary or £2,500 per month, whichever is the […]

This advice is relevant to you if you are affected by travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19. If you are in the UK and your visa expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 May 2020 As mentioned in our previous article, if you cannot leave the UK due to travel restrictions or self-isolation related to […]

COVID-19 advice for Tier 2, 4 and 5 sponsors The UK government has published advice for sponsors amid the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis for their Tier 2, 4 and 5 migrants. Absences Sponsors do not need to report absences for their students and workers if their absences are due to coronavirus. For example, if the students […]

NHS workers will have their visas extended The Home Secretary has announced yesterday that NHS staffs including doctors, nurses, and paramedics whose visas expire before 1st October 2020 will automatically have their visas renewed for one year. Additionally, this automatic extension will automatically apply to their dependent family members. The Home Secretary hopes this move […]

UK visas extended because of COVID-19 The UK Government has declared that visa holders in the UK who cannot leave the UK to return home due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) will be able to extend their visas. This must be because of self-isolation or travel restrictions related to the pandemic. If you are in this […]