Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules imposes an English language requirement on those seeking entry clearance or leave to remain in the UK as a partner or as a parent of a child in the UK.
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Since 9 July 2012, the Immigration Rules have required applicants seeking entry clearance or leave to remain in the UK as a partner (spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e) or unmarried partner) to provide evidence that that they meet a minimum financial threshold as part of their application.
...A recent report has found that the UK is viewed by professionals as one of the most attractive countries in the world to relocate to, second only to the United States.
...A recent report into the likely impact of the closure of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme has concluded that any initial impact will be minimal, and farmers should continue to be able to recruit a sufficient number of seasonal workers in the first few years after the restrictions have been lifted.
...The Court of Appeal heard the Secretary of State’s appeal against the determination of the Upper Tribunal in Ahmadi (s47 decision: validity; Sapkota) [2012] UKUT 147 (IAC).
...This case concerned a challenge by way of Judicial Review of the legality of paragraph 319C(h)(i) of the Immigration Rules. This requires those who are applying for leave to remain as the partner of a relevant Points Based System (‘PBS’) Migrant to have, or have last been granted, leave to remain as the partner of a PBS Migrant.
...A High Court judgment in the case of SM and TM and JD and Others v SSHD [2013] EWCA 1144 (Admin) has upheld the rights of children affected by immigration decisions.
...The European Commission has proposed measures to ensure the better application of EU law on people's right to work in another Member State and so make it easier for people to exercise their rights in practice.
...The Home Office is removing the full right of appeal for applicants refused leave to enter the UK as a family visitor.
...The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by two women who were challenging the lawfulness of a section of the Government’s family Immigration Rules.
English language requirements
Mrs Saiqa Bibi and Mrs Saffana Abdulla Mohammed Ali had raised a legal challenge against a rule requiring spouses and partners to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the English language before they are granted a visa to enter or remain in the UK.
This requirement was introduced by the Government on 29th November 2010 and applies to people who are:
Amnesty International and the Still Human Still Here coalition have published a report looking at why so many initial asylum decisions – 25% - are overturned on appeal in the UK.
...The Home Office has published a statement of intent outlining planned changes to requirements for those applying to settle in the UK, or become naturalised as British citizens.
...The UKBA has introduced a ‘genuine entrepreneur’ test to ensure only those with the intention and ability to start a viable business are able to use the Entrepreneur immigration route.
...A number of changes to the Immigration Rules came into effect on 6th April 2013. These changes have been discussed before and, as a reminder, they include:
...The UK Border Agency is to be split into two separate entities – an immigration and visa service and an immigration law enforcement organisation - as part of a package of recently announced changes.
...The European Commission has proposed to make it easier and more attractive for non-EU national students, researchers and other groups to enter and stay in the EU for periods exceeding three months.
...Following a change to the Immigration Rules that came into force on 31 January 2013, if you are an individual seeking to enter, or remain in, the UK under the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category, then you are now required to satisfy the UK Border Agency that you genuinely intend and are able to establish, take over or become a director of one or more businesses in the UK within the next six months. As an applicant for a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa, you will also be required to show that you genuinely intend to invest your money in one or more UK businesses.
...The UK Immigration Rules make provision for entrepreneurs with high growth potential businesses to apply to come to, or remain in, the UK under the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category, where they have received at least £50,000 in funding from a registered venture capital firm, a UKTI endorsed seed funding competition, a UK Government Department or a Devolved Government Departments.
...The latest provisional figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the net migration figure for the year ending June 2012 was 163,000 - a fall of 84,000 from the previous year.
Changes to immigration rules
According to the Government, this fall follows a number of changes introduced to the immigration rules, including a tightening up of the immigration routes where abuse was most common. The Government claims that its changes will ensure the country continues to attract highly skilled workers and genuine, talented students.
Migration figures
The ONS figures also show that:
The Home Office has launched a new consultation to reduce the number of passengers arriving in the UK without proper travel documentation.
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