Wednesday, 4 March 2015

Immigration News - March 2015

Education


New Tier 4 Inspection Package with John Vine

We are pleased to announce that John Vine, former Chief Inspector of Immigration and Border Control has recently joined Veristat as an Associate and will be working with us on the development and implementation of a new package for Tier 4 inspections.

John, who was first appointed by the Home Secretary in 2008, created a new regulatory body from inception and has inspected the efficiency and effectiveness of every aspect of Immigration and Border Control in the UK. He stepped down from this role on 31st December last year after six and a half years in post.

He has published over 70 reports and made over 500 recommendations for improvement including the ‘Vine’ report on Border Control which was laid before Parliament in 2012 and led to the creation of a new robust standard of Border Control at airports and seaports throughout the UK. He also examined processes and customer service provided to those wishing to migrate or settle in the UK, and as entry clearance monitor, inspected the quality of decisions to grant or refuse foreign nationals the right to enter the UK for work, study or to visit.

His reports are high profile and have attracted considerable media attention, leading to considerable improvement and change in this field including the creation of Border Force in 2012 and the break-up of the Border Agency the following year. John regularly appears before the Home Affairs Select Committee and speaks at a broad range of events and institutions.

We look forward to working with John and will be circulating details of the new package shortly. If you would like to be among the first to receive information on the new inspections package please contact don@veristat.co.uk.


Migration Statistics Quarterly Report, February 2015 (Studying in the UK)

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published their Migration Statistics Quarterly Report.

 Net long-term migration to the UK was estimated to be 298,000 in the year ending September 2014, a statistically significant increase from 210,000 in the previous 12 months. However, this is still below the peak of 320,000 in the year ending June 2005.

 The key points in relation to studying in the UK are as follows:
  • Immigration for study increased from 175,000 to 192,000 in the year ending September 2014, but this change was not statistically significant.
  • Over the same period, visa applications to study at a UK university (main applicants) rose by 2% to 171,065.
  • There were 220,116 study visas granted (excluding student visitors) in 2014, a rise of 0.7%.
  • There were large increases in the number of study visas granted (excluding student visitors) for Chinese (+2,070, +3%) and Saudi Arabian (+1,084 or +12%) nationals, but falls in Indian (-999, -7%) and Nigerian (-1,521, -13%) nationals.
  • The number of study-related sponsored visa applications (main applicants) overall fell 1% in 2014 (208,427) compared with 2013 (210,099). 
  • There was a slight rise in sponsored visa applications for the university sector (+0.3% to 168,565) and independent schools (+3% to 14,035). However, there were falls in the further education sector (to 19,365, down 10%) and English language schools (-5% to 3,351).
You can download the full report here. 

 http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/migration1/migration-statistics-quarterly-report/february-2015/stb-msqr-feb-2015.html



Migrant journey: fifth report (Studying in the UK)

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have published their fifth ‘Migrant Journey’ report. This publication provides evidence on the behaviour of migrants entering the UK immigration system for the 6 main routes of entry to the UK and the common pathways through the immigration system that result in settlement.

The key points in relation to studying in the UK are as follows:
  • Migrants granted student visas (not leading to settlement) were less likely to have achieved settlement or have valid leave to remain after 5 years (16%). Only 1% of these had achieved settlement within the 5-year timeframe.
  • The large majority (76%) of migrants issued a study visa in 2004 no longer had valid leave to remain 5 years later.
  • For people issued a study visa in 2004, only 3% had gained settlement 5 years later, and a further 21% still had valid leave to stay in the UK, either as students or in another route.
  • Of the people issued a study visa in 2008, 55% had expired leave after just 2 years, reflecting the fact that many people on student visas will come to study shorter courses, and not just a longer degree.
You can view the full report here. 





Working in the UK

Migration Statistics Quarterly Report, February 2015 (Working in the UK)

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published their Migration Statistics Quarterly Report. Net long-term migration to the UK was estimated to be 298,000 in the year ending September 2014, a statistically significant increase from 210,000 in the previous 12 months. However, this is still below the peak of 320,000 in the year ending June 2005.

The key points in relation to working in the UK are as follows:
  • The most commonly stated reason for immigration to the UK is work.
  • In the year ending September 2014, work-related visas granted (main applicants) increased by 8% (+8,833) to 115,680, largely reflecting a 14% increase (+6,142) for skilled work.
  • Latest employment statistics show estimated employment of EU nationals (excluding British) living in the UK was 269,000 higher in October to December 2014, compared with the previous year. Whilst, non-EU nationals in employment fell by 29,000 for the same period.
  • National Insurance number (NINo) registrations to adult overseas nationals increased by 24% to 768,000 in the year ending December 2014, compared with the previous year.
  • Most of the work visa applications were for the Information and Communication (23,151); Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities (10,439); and the Financial and Insurance Activities (6,529) sectors.
  • 56% of the sponsored skilled workers for this period were from Indian nationals and a further 12% were USA nationals.
  • 27,000 Romanian and Bulgarian (EU2) citizens came to the UK for work in the year ending September 2014 – an increase of 10,000 on year ending September 2014, although not statistically significant.


Migrant journey: fifth report (Working in the UK)

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have published their fifth ‘Migrant Journey’ report. This publication provides evidence on the behaviour of migrants entering the UK immigration system for the 6 main routes of entry to the UK and the common pathways through the immigration system that result in settlement.

The key points in relation to working in the UK are as follows:
  • 20% (18,359) of those issued skilled work visas (with a potential path to settlement) in the 2008 cohort had been granted settlement 5 years later and a further 8% (6,912) still had valid leave to remain.
  • Indian nationals were issued the largest proportion (39%) of skilled work visas in the 2008 cohort and, of these skilled Indian nationals, 19% had received settlement after 5 years, while a further 7% still had valid leave to remain.
  • Of the top 5 nationalities issued skilled work visas in the 2008 cohort, American and Australian nationals on work visas were less likely to have settled after 5 years (13%) whereas Chinese nationals were more likely to have settled (38% of Chinese skilled workers had reached settlement by 2013).
  • Migrants granted work visas (not leading to settlement), were less likely to have either achieved settlement or have valid leave to remain after 5 years (6%). Only 2% of these had achieved settlement within the 5-year timeframe.
  • Of those granted settlement in the 2013 cohort, almost half had originally been issued a family or skilled work visa, which could potentially lead to settlement and 14% were granted settlement on arrival.


Turkish ECAA business guidance

UKVI have published revised modernised guidance on how they decide applications from self-employed Turkish businesspersons who wish to apply for an extension of stay in the UK to establish themselves in business or continue to operate their business under the Turkish EC Association Agreement.

The paragraph on ‘requests for further information’ in relation to evidence to assess an applicant has met the requirements of the Turkish ECAA has been updated, along with a few other minor housekeeping changes.

The revised guidance can be viewed here.



Restricted certificate allocations (February 2015)

The restricted certificates allocation for February 2015 published by UKVI can be viewed here. The figures show that all valid applications for restricted COS which score the minimum 32 points continue to be granted with carry-overs from the previous month(s).





General Immigration Matters


Migration Statistics Quarterly Report, February 2015 (Other Immigration Matters)

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published their Migration Statistics Quarterly Report.
Net long-term migration to the UK was estimated to be 298,000 in the year ending September 2014, statistically significant increase from 210,000 in the previous 12 months. However, this is still below the peak of 320,000 in the year ending June 2005.

The key points in relation to other immigration matters are as follows:
  • 624,000 people immigrated to the UK in the year ending September 2014, a significant increase from 530,000 in the previous 12 months.
  • There were statistically significant increases for immigration of non-EU citizens (+49,000 to 292,000) and EU (non-British) citizens (+43,000 to 251,000).
  • Immigration of British citizens increased by 4,000 to 82,000, although this was not statistically significant.
  • The number of people emigrating from the UK remained stable with 327,000 emigrating in the year ending September 2014.
  • There was a statistically significant increase (+24,000 to 90,000) in the number of immigrants arriving to accompany or join others in the year ending September 2014.
  • There was a 6% increase in asylum applications (24,914) in 2014, compared with 2013 (23,584). However, this remained a low relative compared to the peak of 84,132 in 2002. The largest number of asylum applications in 2014 came from Eritrea (3,239), Pakistan (2,711), Syria (2,081), and Iran (2,011).


Migrant journey: fifth report (Other Immigration Matters)

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) have published their fifth ‘Migrant Journey’ report. This publication provides evidence on the behaviour of migrants entering the UK immigration system for the 6 main routes of entry to the UK and the common pathways through the immigration system that result in settlement.

The key points in relation to other immigration matters are as follows:
  • More than three-quarters of people (77%, 32,607) issued family visas in the 2008 cohort had been granted settlement 5 years later with a further 4% still having valid leave to remain.
  • Of the top 5 nationalities issued family visas in the 2008 cohort, Somalis were the least likely to have settled after 5 years (43%) and Bangladeshi (93%), Pakistani (88%) and Indian nationals (87%) were the most likely.
  • Migrants granted family visas in the 2008 cohort (81%) were more likely to achieve either settlement or have valid leave to remain after 5 years compared to earlier cohorts (68% in the 2004 cohort).
  • Of those granted settlement in the 2013 cohort, almost half had originally been issued a family or skilled work visa, which could potentially lead to settlement and 14% were granted settlement on arrival.

Derivative rights of residence

UKVI have published revised guidance on the derivative rights of residence under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006. 

The revised ‘derivative rights of residence’ guidance can be viewed here.



Family members of EEA nationals who have retained the right of residence

UKVI have published revised guidance outlining how they consider an application for a document confirming a right of residence where a family member of an EEA national has retained a right of residence in the UK. 

The revised guidance can be viewed here.


Immigration Act: deportation of foreign criminals

New powers introduced in the recent Immigration Act 2014 to crack down on the misuse of appeals by criminals to delay their removal from the UK have led to 300 being removed and nearly 500 more going through the system.

The new Act has reduced the number of appeals available to foreign criminals from 17 to 4.
Policy guidance on the appeals process from the Immigration Act 2014 can be viewed here.
Further information can be read here.


New appointment: Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration 

The Home Secretary has appointed David Bolt as the new Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration.

John Vine stepped down from this role on 31st December 2014.

Further information can be read here.





Veristat Services


Compliance checks and reducing visa refusals

Veristat HTS Health Check is a one or two day objective, external review covering key areas likely to arise during a Home Office visit together with examples of good practice drawn from over 5 years’ experience of conducting compliance audits for schools, colleges and universities.
For further information contact don@veristat.co.uk.


Training for employers

We are increasingly being asked to provide training on Right to Work and/or Tier 2 sponsor duties. These are normally half day courses conducted on your premises for a standard charge of £400 plus VAT and travel costs, regardless of the number of people attending. 

If you think your organisation would benefit from training in either or both of these areas, please contact us for a no commitment discussion of your requirements at enquiries@veristat.co.uk


Online Right to Work Learning and Assessment

We have recently set up an online review of employer right to work checks with a self-assessment.  The package is priced at £39 plus VAT and provides a comprehensive introduction to UKVI’s requirements for checking employees’ right to work and 20 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 100 to enable you to test your learning. It is suitable for both small and large employers, with reductions for higher numbers of users and the potential to incorporate onto your own online leaning platform. 

Contact Helen Stewart-Mills by email at helen@veristat.co.uk or call 0844 335 1619 for further information.


LinkedIn ‘HR Immigration’ Group

We have set up a ‘HR Immigration’ group on LinkedIn, which aims to provide a networking space for UK employers and HR/recruitment professionals to share and discuss news and best practice about current UK immigration issues.

To join this group please go to http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=6537658
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