Here at Barar Associates, we like to help make sure that you are fully up-to-date with immigration legal issues. That’s why we wanted to report on the latest news that the Home Office is removing the full right of appeal for applicants who are refused leave to enter the UK as a family visitor.
On 25 April 2013 Royal Assent was given to a clause in the Crime and Courts Bill, published on 10 May 2012, which will allow the change to be pushed through. The change is expected to come into force on or soon after 25 June. The new appeal arrangements will apply to anybody who applies to enter the UK to visit a family member on or after the implementation date.
By removing the right of appeal, we are bringing the family visitor visa in line with all other visitor visa categories. Applicants who are refused can re-apply addressing the reasons for refusal instead of appealing. This will be quicker and cost less than an appeal. In 2011-12 95{70145275b865b2b96860a46c739b9d590938453def75d849770b14797c15d54e} of applications were decided within 15 days, whereas the appeal system can take up to 8 months to deliver a result.
Don’t forget that also From 28 October 2013, unless they are exempt, all applicants for settlement or naturalisation as a British citizen will need to meet the knowledge of language and life requirement by: passing the life in the UK test; and having a speaking and listening qualification in English at B1 CEFR or higher, or its equivalent.
If you would like more advice on the above and how it may affect you then call the top immigration solicitors today on 020 7487 8370.
