The UK Government’s latest immigration white paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published in May 2025, outlines a raft of sweeping reforms that signal a much harsher environment for migrants, international students, workers, and families hoping to build a life in the UK. At Garth Coates Solicitors, a firm that has long championed the…
The UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, is preparing to publish a wide-ranging immigration white paper outlining fresh plans to reduce net migration, which reached 728,000 in 2024, according to the latest government figures. The anticipated proposals mark the latest attempt by a UK government to lower net migration—the difference between the number of people entering…
The UK’s higher education sector is facing an escalating financial crisis, with a significant number of institutions implementing emergency cost-saving measures in response to falling income — a situation now exacerbated by recent and proposed restrictions on international student visas. According to a new analysis published by Universities UK, more than half of UK universities…
The UK Home Office has come under renewed scrutiny after it emerged that dozens of individuals and asylum seekers who were victims of modern slavery or trafficking were wrongly detained in immigration detention centres, despite formal rulings that they were vulnerable and should not have been held. According to information released to the BBC following…
The UK Government is reportedly preparing to introduce a new immigration policy that will place tighter controls on visa applications from certain countries identified as having disproportionately high asylum claim rates. The upcoming reforms, expected to be outlined in a new Immigration White Paper, aim to reduce the number of individuals who enter the UK…
The UK Government is currently in discussions with French authorities to develop a new bilateral agreement and arrangement aimed at addressing the persistent rise in small boat crossings across the English Channel. The proposed pilot scheme would focus on the reciprocal return of certain asylum seekers and represents a significant step toward coordinated border management…
The UK Home Office has implemented new UK immigration fees and nationality fees effective from 9 April 2025. These adjustments affect a wide range of application categories, including visitor visas, naturalisation, and settlement routes. Applicants are encouraged to review the updated fees before submitting applications to ensure accurate budgeting and compliance. Updated Key UK Immigration…
The UK Government has now extended its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system to include travellers from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland. This expansion marks a significant development in the UK’s border control strategy, with the new requirements already in effect as of April 2025. Previously applicable to visitors from select…
The Home Office has introduced significant changes to the UK Immigration Rules, presented to Parliament in March 2025, set to impact applicants across multiple categories, from workers and students to family members and visitors. These modifications aim to streamline processes, enhance clarity, and strengthen compliance measures. Key Highlights Skilled Worker Visa: Minimum Salary Threshold Increase…
As UK immigration practitioners continue to observe shifting global migration patterns, a notable trend has emerged: more American nationals are choosing to settle in the United Kingdom, with increasing numbers now seeking British citizenship. According to a recent article published by The Guardian, applications from US nationals for British naturalisation have more than doubled in…
