• 30 December 2011 Visa application services in Albania are now operating as normal We are pleased to announce that we have resumed service at the visa section in Tirana. • 29 December 2011 Half-day working at the bank counter in Kathmandu visa application centre The bank counter at the visa application centre will close at 12:00 on 30 December on the occasion of Tamu Lhosar. • 23 December 2011 Romanian people smuggler jailed A Romanian man caught trying to smuggle 4 Albanians into the UK has been jailed for 2.5 years, today at Hull Crown Court. • 23 December 2011 Youth mobility scheme - arrangements for Taiwanese applicants From January 2012, Taiwanese young people will be able to live and work in the UK as part of the youth mobility scheme. If you have been allocated a certificate of sponsorship from Taiwan's National Youth Commission, you can make your visa application online from 29 December 2011. • 22 December 2011 Taiwan is added to the Tier 5 youth mobility scheme From 1 January 2012, Taiwan will join the list of countries and territories that participate in the UK's youth mobility scheme, under Tier 5 of the points-based system. The countries that already participate in the scheme are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Monaco. The scheme is for young people from participating countries and territories who want to come and experience life in the UK. Every year, the UK government allocates a number of places on the youth mobility scheme for each country and territory. For 2012, Taiwan, Japan and Monaco will each receive an allocation of 1,000 places. This is in line with the number of places offered to UK nationals on their reciprocal schemes. Australia, Canada and New Zealand's allocations will match the number of UK nationals who were issued visas on their reciprocal schemes in the previous year: Australia - 32,500 places Canada - 5,000 places New Zealand - 10,000 places The Immigration Rules will be amended on 1 January 2012 to reflect the addition of Taiwan to the scheme. A statement of changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 1693) was laid before Parliament on 8 December, and can be downloaded from our Statements of changes to the Immigration Rules page. For details of the scheme, see the Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme) section. • 22 December 2011 Sham marriage gang is jailed Members of a sham marriage gang, who compiled crib sheets to remind bogus brides and grooms of their partners' names, have been jailed at Leeds Crown Court. • 22 December 2011 Immigration fraudster jailed A man who used a fake identity to claim British nationality for himself and his family has been jailed. • 21 December 2011 4 arrested at Thames Valley restaurant 4 people have been arrested following a UK Border Agency raid on an Indian restaurant in Thames Valley. • 21 December 2011 6 arrested in Milton Keynes immigration raids 6 people have been arrested following UK Border Agency raids in Milton Keynes. • 21 December 2011 Chislehurst man jailed for drug smuggling A man from Chislehurst has been sentenced to 8 years in prison at Canterbury Crown Court, after being found guilty of smuggling approximately 15kg of the drug 2C-B into the UK. • 21 December 2011 Muscleman sentenced for importing steroids A Polish body-builder was sentenced at Laganside Crown Court today after he was caught illegally importing and selling steroids in Northern Ireland. • 21 December 2011 Two jailed for sham marriage plot Two members of a bogus wedding party were today jailed at Newry Crown Court for attempting to cheat UK immigration rules. • 21 December 2011 Closure of Tehran visa application centre: alternative arrangements for visa applicants in Iran The visa application centre at the British Embassy in Tehran is closed until further notice. • 20 December 2011 London 2012 Games spectators: visa applications open from 1 January 2012 From 1 January 2012 you can apply for visitor visas to come to the UK to watch the Games. • 20 December 2011 Olympics: visa applications open from 1 January 2012 From 1 January 2012 we will begin processing visitor visas for those coming from outside the UK to watch the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Games will be the biggest event that the UK has hosted and many extra visitors will arrive during the busy summer period in 2012. We will process your application and, if you meet the requirements, will issue your visa with a start date that will cover you for the whole Olympic and Paralympic Games period. This means that you can kick-start your preparations for travelling to the UK for the Games from the beginning of 2012. You can use our simple tool to help you find out whether you need to apply for a visa. If you are coming to watch the Games as a visitor, you will be allowed to stay in the UK for up to 6 months in most cases. If you want to stay for longer than 6 months, you should read the visas and immigration section to find out about non-visitor immigration categories. You can make your application online, by post or at 1 of our visa application centres. Our visas and immigration section provides full details of how you can apply. • 20 December 2011 UK Border Agency continues crackdown on south west immigration offenders Nearly 200 immigration offenders have been removed from the UK after being found living or working illegally in Devon and Cornwall in 2011. • 20 December 2011 Latvian people smuggler jailed A Latvian man has been jailed for 2 years for helping smuggle Iranian immigrants into the UK, following an investigation led by the UK Border Agency. • 20 December 2011 The UK and Ireland to improve the Common Travel Area The UK and Ireland have signed an important agreement reinforcing their commitment to preserving the Common Travel Area (CTA) while further cracking down on illegal immigration and spurious asylum claims. • 20 December 2011 Air hostess charged over Heathrow cocaine seizure An air hostess has been charged with attempting to smuggle 4kg of cocaine into the UK through Heathrow Airport. • 20 December 2011 Disruption to visa application services in Albania Owing to a technical problem, we cannot currently receive or process visa applications in Albania. • 20 December 2011 Yorkshire weapons smugglers are jailed Two men who tried to bring offensive weapons into the UK through Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster have been jailed for a total of 5 years. • 19 December 2011 Appealing immigration and asylum decisions from 19 December 2011 From today, the UK government's Ministry of Justice is introducing new fees for some asylum and immigration appeals, and changing the way customers can submit their appeals. This new policy reflects the government's view that users of the appeals system, who can afford to pay, should contribute to the system's cost. Fees of £80 for a paper consideration and £140 for an oral hearing will be applied to appeals against decisions taken on or after 19 December 2011. These are low-level fees that should be affordable for people who are required to pay. The proposed fees are not set at full cost recovery, but only recover around 25 per cent of the full cost of administering the appeal system. The government considers that it is an appropriate balance between low, affordable fees which enable access to justice, and a meaningful contribution towards the costs of the Tribunal. Applicants who appeal decisions dated 19 December 2011 or later from outside the UK will be required to submit their appeals directly to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) in Leicester and will no longer be able to send them to the visa application centre overseas that made the initial decision. For more information about this process please see the Ministry of Justice website. Applicants who want to appeal a decision dated before 19 December 2011 from outside the UK are still able to send their appeal to the visa section that made the initial decision. For further information about this process please see the Appeals section on our website. A new online payment facility will be available shortly. This will allow applicants to make an appeal and payment online for decisions dated from 19 December 2011. Appellants must be able to pay using a MasterCard or a Visa credit or debit card or be submitting an appeal which does not require a fee to be paid. Appellants can ask another person to pay the fee on their behalf using their payment card details, with their permission. For more information about submitting appeals online please see the Ministry of Justice website. • 19 December 2011 Impact of sanctions against Iran on applicants under the points based system The new measures contained in the Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order 2011 require UK credit and financial institutions to cease all business with banks incorporated in Iran and their branches and subsidiaries wherever located, and with the Central Bank of Iran. This means that UK credit and financial institutions are prohibited from entering into or continuing with transactions or business relationships with these entities, unless licensed to do so by HM Treasury. These new restrictions are in addition to the EU requirements already in place. Further details about these measures can be found on the HM Treasury website. In addition, HM Treasury has issued a number of general licences which exempt certain activities from the requirement of the Order. For more information on the licence please refer to the Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order 2011 on the HM Treasury website. These sanctions are most likely to affect applicants for visas in the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and Tier 1 (Investor) categories. Before making an application relying on funds that must be transferred to the UK but are currently held in Iran, you should check that you will be able to transfer the funds. You should do this by applying to HM Treasury for a licence if you want to transfer more than 40,000 euros and by speaking to the bank in the UK with whom you wish to deposit your funds. Students receiving a loan of more than 40,000 euros from the Government of Iran will also need to make a specific licence request to HM Treasury. The licence application form is available on the HM Treasury website. • 19 December 2011 Counterfeit Christmas crackdown at Birmingham Airport If it seems too good to be true - it probably is. That was the warning from UK Border Agency and Trading Standards officers at Birmingham Airport today as they displayed a haul of counterfeit goods seized in the run up to Christmas. • 19 December 2011 Temporary closure of visa application centre Kathmandu As a result of the ongoing Bandha, the visa application centre in Kathmandu will remain closed until further notice. • 19 December 2011 Mandatory registration scheme for summer or winter school applications in China The UK Border Agency has established a mandatory registration scheme for organisations intending to arrange or lead a tour of young people to the UK for summer school or winter school programmes to the UK. • 19 December 2011 The 2012 youth mobility scheme – additional information for applicants in Japan The UK Border Agency gives no priority to immigration agents. They do not have the ability to enhance your chances of selection for the 2012 youth mobility scheme process. • 16 December 2011 Sussex sham marriage fixer jailed A Sussex woman who arranged a sham marriage with her hairdresser to boost her chances of staying in the country illegally has been jailed for 18 months. • 16 December 2011 UK visa applicants in Kosovo now have the option to pay online in euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, applicants applying for a UK visa in Kosovo will be given the additional option of paying for their application online in euros. • 16 December 2011 Six arrested in raid on London Lebanese restaurant UK Border Agency officers have arrested 6 illegal workers after carrying out an enforcement operation on a west London Lebanese restaurant. • 16 December 2011 Heroin and cocaine seized at Harwich Heroin and cocaine worth £6,560,000 has been seized at Harwich by the UK Border Agency - the second major drugs seizure at the port in recent weeks. • 16 December 2011 Drug swallower from London sentenced for smuggling attempt A north London man who attempted to smuggle cocaine worth around £70,000 through London City Airport has been jailed for 5 years. • 16 December 2011 Online appointment bookings in the UK will be unavailable on 17 December 2011 Our online service to book appointments in the UK will be unavailable between 3pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 17 December 2011. • 16 December 2011 West London man admits porn charges A west London man has admitted possessing thousands of obscene pornographic images, following a joint investigation by the UK Border Agency and Metropolitan Police. • 15 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Kosovo must be paid for online in euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, applicants applying for a UK visa in Kosovo will be given the additional option of paying for their application online in euros. • 15 December 2011 Applicants applying for a UK visa in Moldova will have the additional option of paying online in euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, applicants applying for a UK visa in Moldova will be given the additional option of paying for their application online in euros. • 15 December 2011 Two illegal workers arrested in Newton Abbot Two men are in custody awaiting removal from the UK after our officers arrested them for working illegally at a restaurant in Newton Abbot. • 14 December 2011 Birmingham men jailed for smuggling £50 million of cannabis On 13 December 2 men from Birmingham were jailed for 18 years after the UK Border Agency found £50 million worth of smuggled cannabis. • 14 December 2011 Illegal worker caught in Lincolnshire An illegal immigrant was caught working at a barbers in Sleaford last week. • 14 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Hungary must be paid for online in Euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online in Hungary. • 14 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in the Czech Republic must be paid for online in Euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online in the Czech Republic. • 14 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Bulgaria must be paid for online in Euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online in Bulgaria. • 14 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Poland must be paid for online in Euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online in Poland. • 14 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Austria must be paid for online in Euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online in Austria. • 13 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Finland must be paid for online in Euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online in Euros. You must then go to the visa application centre at the British Embassy in Helsinki to submit a printed copy of the application form and biometric data (fingerprints and photograph). You will no longer be able to pay at the visa application centre in Helsinki from this date. Appointments to submit applications at the visa application centre at the British Embassy in Helsinki are already booked online. The introduction of online payments is part of a wider move to allow almost all our customers to apply and pay for their visas online by 2013/14. • 13 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Iceland must be paid for online in Euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online in Iceland. • 13 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Croatia must be paid for online in Euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online. • 13 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Macedonia must be paid for online from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online. • 13 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Sweden must be paid for online in Euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online in Sweden. • 13 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Slovenia must be paid for online from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online. • 13 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Denmark must be paid for online in Euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online in Denmark. • 13 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Serbia must be paid for online in Euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online. • 13 December 2011 All applications for a UK visa made in Norway must be paid for online in Euros from 19 December 2011 From 19 December 2011, all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system and paid for online in Norway. • 13 December 2011 Seven illegal workers arrested in west London Our officers raided a west London noodle bar last week and arrested 7 staff members as part of an operation to crack down on illegal working. • 13 December 2011 Nine immigration offenders caught Nine immigration offenders, with no right to be employed in the UK, have been caught in raids by our officers on nail bars in Glasgow and Clydebank. • 12 December 2011 Leicester sham marriage trio jailed Three people were jailed at Leicester Crown Court for taking part in a sham marriage conspiracy designed to secure the right to remain in the UK for an illegal immigrant. • 12 December 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in China The visa application centre in China will be closed on the 26 and 27 December 2011 and then again 2 January 2012 for the Christmas and New Year holidays. • 12 December 2011 Bangladeshi restaurant owner jailed for immigration offences The owner of the Anamika restaurant has been jailed for 23 months after admitting trying to cheat UK immigration rules. • 12 December 2011 Aberdeenshire restaurant facing large fine An Aberdeenshire restaurant is facing a large fine after being found employing illegal workers. • 12 December 2011 Avoid buying counterfeits this Christmas Avoid counterfeits this festive season as you may get more than you bargained for. • 9 December 2011 Online appointment bookings in the UK will be unavailable on 11 December 2011 Our online service to book appointments in the UK will be unavailable between 10:00 and 16:00 on Sunday 11 December 2011. This is to allow us to carry out essential maintenance. During this time applicants in the UK will not be able to book appointments online. • 9 December 2011 Changes to appeals against immigration and asylum decisions from 19 December 2011 The Ministry of Justice will be introducing appeal fee charges for some asylum and immigration appeals from 19 December 2011. People who want to appeal against a decision notice dated 19 December 2011 or later will need to pay a fee. The appeal fee will apply to most categories of visas and decisions. Any exemptions to the fees will be outlined by the Ministry of Justice. This will not affect any decision notices that are dated before 19 December. Also, from 19 December people will need to lodge their appeals at the tribunal in the UK. We will no longer accept appeals at any of our overseas visa application centres. Full guidance about the changes will be published on the Ministry of Justice website from 19 December 2011. • 9 December 2011 Visa application express courier service in Mongolia DHL are now offering an express courier service for UK visa applications (except settlement applications) in Mongolia. The cost of this service is $125 and must be paid at the DHL office before submitting your application. This service does not affect the outcome of your application. Mongolian visa applications are couriered to Beijing where they are processed and then returned to Ulaanbataar via courier. Using the existing standard courier service, processing and returning of documents usually takes between 15 and 25 working days. The new express service will reduce the time taken by up to 6 working days. For further information please see the DHL website. • 9 December 2011 Mandatory online payment for UK visas for applicants in Brunei From 16 January 2012, all UK visa applicants in Brunei will be required to pay for their visa online, as part of the online application process using either a Visa card or Mastercard. In addition to credit cards, this includes debit cards and pre-paid cards, bearing the Visa and Mastercard logos. Other methods of payment will not be accepted from this date. Once customers have applied and paid for their visa online they will still need to visit the British High Commission to submit their documents and provide their biometrics (fingerprints and digital photograph). Appointments to attend the British High Commission should be booked online on completion of the online application form. The online payments will provide a more streamlined visa application process for customers and is part of a wider move to allow almost all of our customers to apply and pay for their visas online by 2013-14. • 9 December 2011 Public holiday closures in Azerbaijan The visa application centre in Azerbaijan will be closed on 26 and 27 December 2011 and 30 December 2011 to 3 January 2012. • 9 December 2011 Two immigration arrests in Halstead Two more illegal workers have been arrestedby officers in Halstead. • 9 December 2011 Illegal workers found at Dartford restaurant Three immigration offenders have been arrested following a raid at a Dartford restaurant. • 9 December 2011 London sham marriage fixer jailed A sham marriage fixer behind an attempted immigration scam has been jailed following an investigation by our officers. • 9 December 2011 Illegal workers caught at Lincolnshire takeaways Three businesses in Lincolnshire are counting the cost of employing illegal immigrants. • 7 December 2011 Online appointment bookings in the UK will be unavailable on 8 December 2011 Our online service to book appointments in the UK will be unavailable between 18:30 and 23:30 on Thursday 8 December 2011. This is to allow us to carry out essential maintenance. During this time applicants in the UK will not be able to book appointments online. This booking service is for applicants in the UK who wish to book an appointment for a premium application at one of our public enquiry offices, or to give us their biometric information. Applicants in other countries can continue to book appointments in the usual way. Our online service to book appointments in the UK will also be unavailable between 10:00 and 16:00 on Sunday 11 December 2011. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you • 7 December 2011 Avoid a counterfeit Christmas. The UK Border Agency and Trading Standards officers launch a warning to shoppers over counterfeit goods in the run up to Christmas. • 7 December 2011 Mandatory online payment for UK visas for applicants in Singapore From 16 January 2012 all UK visa applicants in Singapore will be required to pay for their visa online as part of the online application process using either a Visa card or MasterCard. In addition to credit cards, this includes debit cards and pre-paid cards, bearing the Visa and Mastercard logos. Other methods of payment will not be accepted from this date. Once customers have applied and paid for their visa online they will still need to visit the visa application centre to submit their documents and provide their biometrics (fingerprints and digital photograph). Appointments to attend the visa application centre should be booked online on completion of the online application form. The online payments will provide a more streamlined visa application process for customers and is part of a wider move to allow almost all of our customers to apply and pay for their visas online by 2013-14. • 6 December 2011 The 2012 youth mobility scheme for Japanese nationals – how to apply The 2012 youth mobility scheme will open in January 2012. There will be 1,000 places available for applicants to apply to live, work and study in the UK for up to 2 years. The application procedure has changed from previous years and applicants will be chosen at random and not first come first served. Feedback from previous years has shown that customers feel the first come, first served method of applying was unfair. We have therefore introduced a random selection method which ensures all applicants receive equal opportunity for selection. To request an application appointment for the 2012 youth mobility scheme you will need to send an email to YMS2012-APPOINTMENT@vfshelpline.com. The header or subject line of the email must contain your name, date of birth and passport number. For example: YAMADA Taro - 31/01/1990 - TH123456789. In addition you must state in your email you are applying for the youth mobility scheme and in which country you plan to apply from. The email account will be open for 48 hours from 12:00pm on Wednesday 4 January 2012 (Japan time) and will close at 12:00pm on Friday 6 January 2012 (Japan time). You will receive an automated reply confirming receipt of your email. When the email account has closed, 1,000 applicants will be chosen at random. We will send an email to successful applicants by 12 January confirming acceptance, further instructions on how to make an appointment and what supporting documents will be required to apply for their youth mobility scheme visa. You will only be able to apply for a visa if you have received the confirmation email. Only applicants receiving the second email confirming their successful selection are allowed to apply. A list of all applicants eligible to apply for the youth mobility scheme visa will be checked at the visa application centre at the time of application. Any applications received that are not on the list will not be considered. If you are a Japanese national living overseas you must apply following these instructions and if successful can apply in your country of residence. • 6 December 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in the Philippines The visa application centre in Manila will be closed from the 26 December and will reopen on 3 January 2012. • 6 December 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in Brunei The visa application centre in Brunei will be closed from the 26 December and 27 December 2011 and then again on 2 January 2012. • 6 December 2011 Biometric residence permits – online checks to simplify the process for employers It will soon be much easier for employers to carry out checks to let them know whether foreign nationals have the right to work in the UK, Immigration Minister Damian Green announced today. From spring 2012, firms will be able to go online to verify that the details contained on a foreign employee's biometric residence permit (BRP) are correct. Damian Green said: 'It is vital that we work with employers to give them the tools they need to meet their obligations. 'Our new online checking service will also turn up the pressure on those who wish to live and work here illegally. The message is clear - the UK is no longer a soft touch for illegal workers.' It was also announced that from 29 February 2012 BRPs will be issued to more categories of foreign nationals, including refugees and those granted permission to settle in the UK. BRPs, which hold a person's fingerprints and photograph on a secure chip, are issued to non-EEA nationals with permission to remain in the UK for more than 6 months. They are an important step forward in the fight against immigration abuse and illegal working. BRPs are simplifying the process of checking an individual's right to work by replacing the wide range of documents currently in use. The new online checking service for employers will enable quick and easy real-time checks on permits and their holder's identity and right to work in the UK. Around 600,000 BRPs have been issued since November 2008. From next year they will cover all those applying from inside the UK to remain here for more than 6 months. To meet increased demand and provide foreign nationals with more locations around the UK where fingerprints and photographs can be taken, the immigration minister has today announced that a contract for the collection of this information has been awarded to the Post Office Ltd. The contract will run for 4 years and Post Office Ltd will offer a network of around 100 locations from spring 2012. • 5 December 2011 Sponsor management system unavailable 11 December 2011 Our sponsor licence application and sponsorship management system will be unavailable 09:00 - 18:00 on Sunday 11 December 2011 while we carry out essential maintenance. • 2 December 2011 Illegal workers caught at Lincolnshire takeaways Three businesses in Lincolnshire are counting the cost of employing illegal immigrants. On 8 November 2011 officers paid a visit to Asia Garden, Wragby Road, Lincoln. All of the staff were questioned and their immigration status checked. • 2 December 2011 Illegal gangmaster has assets confiscated A man who acted as an illegal gang master has had assets worth more than £310,000 seized. Kuldip Singh and Zuber Mohammed both pleaded guilty to offences under the Gangmaster Licensing Act (GLA) and were given suspended prison sentences in December 2009, following an investigation by the UK Border Agency immigration crime team. • 1 December 2011 'Apply online' and online booking service in the UK will be unavailable on Saturday 3 December 2011 Our 'apply online' service for applicants in the UK will be unavailable between 08:00 and 23:59 on Saturday 3 December 2011 while we carry out essential maintenance. During this time, applicants in the UK will not be able to submit applications, book appointments, pay for their applications online, or use our 'application form finder' tool. 'Apply online' in the UK is the only service that will be affected. Applicants outside the UK will still be able to apply online using our Visa4UK service. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you. • 1 December 2011 Half-day working for bank counter in Nepal visa application Centre The bank counter at the visa application centre will close at 12:00 on 2 December 2011 to allow for some essential IT upgrades. The application submission and passport collection times remain unaffected. • 1 December 2011 Sponsor management system unavailable 3 December until 4 December 2011 Our sponsor licence application and sponsorship management system will be unavailable between 08:00 on Saturday 3 December until 16:00 on Sunday 4 December 2011 while we carry out essential maintenance. We will also carry out maitenance on Sunday 11 December 2011. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you. • 1 December 2011 Nuneaton takeaway faces fine for illegal worker A Nuneaton business is facing a £10,000 fine for employing an illegal worker. This follows a visit made to Benny's Chicken, Church Street on 1 November 2011 by officers who checked the immigration status of all the staff. • 1 December 2011 Woman charged over Gatwick airport cocaine seizure An Essex woman has been charged with attempting to smuggle an estimated 12kg of cocaine into the UK via Gatwick airport. • 1 December 2011 WorldBridge website will be temporarily unavailable on 3 December The WorldBridge website will be unavailable on Saturday 3 December between 08:00 and 10:00 (UK time) for scheduled maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause. • 1 December 2011 Illegal workers caught in Herefordshire and Evesham Three businesses in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are counting the cost of employing illegal immigrants. On 9 November 2011 officers paid a visit to Bengal Mix, High Street, Bromyard. As they entered the restaurant a worker tried to run off but was apprehended by officers. He was questioned along with all the other staff. Checks on his immigration status showed that he was a failed asylum seeker from Bangladesh with no right to be in the UK. • 1 December 2011 Man charged following cannabis seizure at Belfast international airport A 38-year-old Belfast man has been charged with attempting to smuggle approximately 4kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of £40,000 into the UK via Belfast international airport. • 30 November 2011 Possible disruption to contact centres caused by strike action If you phone any of our contact centres on Wednesday 30 November, it may take longer than usual for you to get through to an adviser. This is because of strike action. We expect our service to be back to normal tomorrow. We apologise for any inconvenience • 30 November 2011 Closure of Tehran visa application centre: alternative arrangements for visa applicants in Iran The visa application centre at the British Embassy in Tehran is closed until further notice. We are currently unable to accept or process visa applications from Iranian nationals in Tehran wishing to travel to the UK. Applications already submitted in Tehran are not currently being progressed. Alternative arrangements for visa applicants Iranian nationals wishing to submit an application for a visit visa only can do so at any visa application centre worldwide. Iranian nationals, who normally live in Iran, may submit applications for all visa categories at the following visa application centres in Abu Dhabi and Turkey: • United Arab Emirates - Dubai and Abu Dhabi • Turkey - Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa and Gaziantep All applications must be submitted online and attendance at the visa application centres is by pre-booked online appointment only. It is mandatory for visa applicants in Turkey to pay for their applications online. Please be aware that due to the circumstances it may not be possible to process visa applications within our published customer service standards. Further information can be found on the United Arab Emirates and Turkey pages of this website. • 30 November 2011 30 November strike action Robust arrangements are in place to maintain the security of the border during today's strike action. Over recent weeks and months we have undertaken significant work, including: • training managers, staff and contractors to the high standards needed to carry out secure border checks; • asking staff from overseas posts to provide additional cover on the day; and • working with travel partners such as airlines and port operators to identify potential pressure points. Preparations have been focused on ensuring that every option has been considered, so that a pool of suitably trained staff is available to operate the border securely. Staffing has been structured to allow maximum flexibility, to meet the aim of maintaining a full range of checks. UK Border Agency chief executive Rob Whiteman said: 'Securing the border is our priority, and over the last weeks and months we have considered all options to ensure we are prepared for union action. 'We always aim to minimise any disruption caused by the decision of unions to strike, but travellers could see longer waiting times at some ports and airports.' Advice for customers The 4 Home Office unions are participating in a strike which will affect border control from the beginning of the evening of Tuesday 29 November until 23:59 on Wednesday 30 November. We are aiming to keep disruption at a minimum, but our priority remains the security of the border and we could see longer waiting times at some ports and airports. We have put contingency plans in place and will work hard to keep delays to a minimum. You may wish to check with your carrier if you are travelling today. Passengers arriving in the UK can assist us by: • having travel documents, including passports, available and taken out of any wallets; • using automatic e-passport gates (where available); • having landing cards fully completed and ready; and • staying in family groups. Visa application services overseas might be affected by the strikes in the UK. Appointments at our public enquiry offices in the UK might also be affected, and we might not be able to process premium applications on the same day. Our Liverpool, Solihull and Belfast offices are closed for appointments. If you phone any of our contact centres in the UK, it might take longer than usual for you to get through to an adviser. Our other services in the UK, including enforcement, will be as close as possible to business as usual. We would like to thank customers for their patience as we work to maintain the security of the UK's border. We will post additional information on this website as it becomes available. • • 29 November 2011 Visa section in Tehran closed Following the attacks on the British Embassy in Tehran on 29 November 2011 the visa application centre is closed until further notice. We are currently unable to accept or process visa applications from Iranian nationals in Tehran wishing to travel to the UK. Applications already submitted in Tehran are not currently being progressed. Further updates will be published on this website. • 29 November 2011 30 November strike action Robust arrangements are in place to maintain the security of the border ahead of planned strike action on Wednesday 30 November 2011. Over recent weeks and months we have undertaken significant work, including: • training managers, staff and contractors to the high standards needed to carry out secure border checks; • asking staff from overseas posts to provide additional cover on the day; and • working with travel partners such as airlines and port operators to identify potential pressure points. Preparations are focused on ensuring that every option has been considered, so that a pool of suitably trained staff is available to operate the border securely. Staffing on the day will be structured to allow maximum flexibility to meet the aim of maintaining a full range of checks. UK Border Agency chief executive Rob Whiteman said: 'Securing the border is our priority, and over the last weeks and months we have considered all options to ensure we are prepared for union action. 'We always aim to minimise any disruption caused by the decision of unions to strike, but travellers could see longer waiting times at some ports and airports.' Advice for customers The 4 Home Office unions are participating in a strike which will affect border control from the beginning of the evening of Tuesday 29 November until 23:59 on Wednesday 30 November. Starting times will vary as each port has different shift patterns. We will aim to keep disruption at a minimum, but our priority remains the security of the border and we could see longer waiting times at some ports and airports. We have put contingency plans in place and will work hard to keep delays to a minimum. You may wish to check with your carrier if you are travelling on Wednesday 30 November. Passengers arriving in the UK can assist us by: • having travel documents, including passports, available and taken out of any wallets; • using automatic e-passport gates (where available); • having landing cards fully completed and ready; and • staying in family groups. Visa application services overseas might be affected by the strikes in the UK. Appointments at our public enquiry offices in the UK might also be affected, and we might not be able to process premium applications on the same day. Our Liverpool, Solihull and Belfast offices will be closed for appointments. Our other services in the UK, including enforcement, will be as close as possible to business as usual. We would like to thank customers for their patience as we work to maintain the security of the UK's border. We will post additional information on this website as it becomes available. • 28 November 2011 Guangzhou visa application centre relocation The visa application centre in Guangzhou is relocating to a new location in the same building. To facilitate this move, we will stop taking visa applications at 15:00 on Friday 2 December 2011 and will be closed on Monday 5 December 2011. • 28 November 2011 £400,000 benefit fraudster jailed A serial fraudster who used a fake identity to get British citizenship and claim hundreds of thousands of pounds in benefits has been jailed. • 28 November 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in Singapore The visa application centre in Singapore will be closed from the 23 December 2011 to 27 December 2011 inclusive and then again on 2 January 2012. • 28 November 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in Vietnam The visa application centre in Hanoi will be closed from the 26 and 27 December 2011 and also on 2 January 2012. The visa application centre in Ho Chi Minh will be closed on the 26, 27 and 30 December 2011 and also on the 2 January 2012. • 28 November 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in Bangkok The visa application centre in Bangkok will be closed on the 26, 27 and 30 December 2011 and also on 2 January 2012. • 28 November 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in Mongolia The visa application centre in Mongolia will be closed on 26, 27, 28 December 2011 and 2 January 2012 for Christmas and New Year holidays. • 28 November 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in Burma The visa application centre in Rangoon will be closed on the 26 December to 27 December 2011 and also on 2 January 2012. • 28 November 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in Cambodia The visa application centre in Phnom Penh will be closed on the 26 December to 27 December 2011 and also on 2 January 2012. • 28 November 2011 Luton sham marriage gang members jailed The ringleader of a gang that staged a sham marriage at Luton Register Office has been jailed today alongside 2 of his accomplices. • 25 November 2011 Drugs seized at Harwich Heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis worth £4.1 million have been seized at Harwich by UK Border Agency officers who found the drugs hidden in a trailer full of Christmas decorations. • 25 November 2011 Online appointment bookings in UK unavailable on Sunday 27 November 2011 Our online service to book appointments in the UK will be unavailable between 09:00 and 18:00 GMT on Sunday 27 November 2011. This is to allow us to carry out essential maintenance. During this time, applicants in the UK will not be able to book appointments online. This booking service is for applicants in the UK who wish to book an appointment for a premium application at one of our public enquiry offices. Applicants in other countries can continue to book appointments in the usual way. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you. • 25 November 2011 30 November strike action Robust arrangements are in place to maintain the security of the border ahead of planned strike action on Wednesday 30 November 2011. Over recent weeks and months we have undertaken significant work, including: • training managers, staff and contractors to the high standards needed to carry out secure border checks; • asking staff from overseas posts to provide additional cover on the day; and • working with travel partners such as airlines and port operators to identify potential pressure points. Preparations are focused on ensuring that every option has been considered, so that a pool of suitably trained staff is available to operate the border securely. Staffing on the day will be structured to allow maximum flexibility to meet the aim of maintaining a full range of checks. UK Border Agency chief executive Rob Whiteman said: 'Securing the border is our priority, and over the last weeks and months we have considered all options to ensure we are prepared for union action. 'We always aim to minimise any disruption caused by the decision of unions to strike, but travellers could see longer waiting times at some ports and airports.' Advice for customers The 4 Home Office unions are participating in a strike which will affect border control from the beginning of the evening of Tuesday 29 November until 23:59 on Wednesday 30 November. Starting times will vary as each port has different shift patterns. We will aim to keep disruption at a minimum, but our priority remains the security of the border and we could see longer waiting times at some ports and airports. We have put contingency plans in place and will work hard to keep delays to a minimum. You may wish to check with your carrier if you are travelling on Wednesday 30 November. Passengers arriving in the UK can assist us by: • having travel documents, including passports, available and taken out of any wallets; • using automatic e-passport gates (where available); • having landing cards fully completed and ready; and • staying in family groups. Visa application services overseas might be affected by the strikes in the UK. Appointments at our public enquiry offices in the UK might also be affected, and we might not be able to process premium applications on the same day. Our Liverpool, Solihull and Belfast offices will be closed for appointments. Our other services in the UK, including enforcement, will be as close as possible to business as usual. We would like to thank customers for their patience as we work to maintain the security of the UK's border. We will post additional information on this website as it becomes available. • 25 November 2011 Former soldier jailed for cocaine smuggling A former soldier from south London has been jailed for 6 years for attempting to smuggle cocaine into the UK via Heathrow Airport • 24 November 2011 Immigration fraudster jailed A Pakistani man who used a fake identity to claim asylum and benefits has today been jailed following an investigation. • 24 November 2011 Visa application centre update The WorldBridge visa application centres in Alexandria and Cairo will be closed on Election Day, 28 November 2011. Please note that document collection service from our Cairo visa application centre will only be available from 12:00 until 14:00 only on 29 and 30 November 2011. • 24 November 2011 Man charged over Gatwick airport cocaine seizure An east London man has been charged with attempting to smuggle an estimated 2kg of cocaine into the UK via Gatwick airport. • 24 November 2011 Five arrested in Earls Court Five illegal workers have been arrested following simultaneous UK Border Agency raids on 2 eateries in Earls Court. • 24 November 2011 Temporary suspension of visa services in Moldova Our visa service in Chisinau will be suspended from Monday 28 to Wednesday 30 November 2011 due to essential maintenance of our premises. Additional appointments will be available on 23 to 25 November and from 5 to 7 December. We aim to process all applications in line with our published customer service standards. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. • 23 November 2011 Extension of employment restrictions for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals Controls to restrict how Bulgarian and Romanian nationals access the UK labour market will be extended until the end of 2013, Immigration Minister Damian Green announced today. This means Romanian and Bulgarian (EU2) nationals seeking to work in the UK will continue to require permission from the UK Border Agency before they can work in the UK. The minister said: 'Maintaining these controls will make sure migration benefits the UK and does not adversely impact on our labour market. The government is radically reforming the immigration system, and has already announced an annual limit on work visas and tough new rules for students to ensure net migration is reduced from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands. 'The Migration Advisory Committee has made a clear case for extending the existing restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians. This government has also made clear that we will always introduce transitional controls on all new EU member states as a matter of course.' The decision supports the government's commitment to reduce employers' dependence on migrant workers, particularly for lower skilled jobs. This will help the unemployed to find their way back into work and help the domestic workforce to acquire the skills the economy needs. A report from the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) looked at the impact on the domestic labour market if the transitional controls were removed. It found that lifting the current restrictions could cause more EU2 nationals to come to the UK to work, particularly in lower skilled occupations where there is greater risk of displacement of resident workers and a negative impact on wages. Permission to work will normally be given only where the worker has a specific job offer and the work is in skilled employment for which the employer has been unable to find a suitably qualified resident worker. There are also quota-based arrangements for lower skilled jobs in the agricultural and food processing sectors which will stay at the same level for 2012 and 2013. The extension of the restrictions does not affect the position of those who have already been authorised to take employment in the UK. The Migration Advisory Committee's report into EU2 (Bulgarian and Romanian) nationals was released on 4 November 2011 and can be found under the 'see also' section on the right side of this page. • 22 November 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in Singapore The visa application centre in Singapore will close on 23 December to 27 December 2011 inclusive and then again on 2 January 2012. • 22 November 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in South Korea The visa application centre in Seoul will close on 26 December to 28 December 2011 inclusive and also on 2 January 2012. • 22 November 2011 The visa service resumes in Damascus. Following the temporary suspension of services earlier this week, we will resume our visa service at the visa application centre in Damascus with effect from Tuesday 22 November 2011. Customers whose appointments were cancelled during the time of closure can now book a new appointment. • 22 November 2011 Visa biometric enrolment in Christchurch Following the earthquake in Christchurch, we are still unable to offer visa appointments at the biometric enrolment centre. We will be sending a mobile biometric enrolment unit to Christchurch until the new office is fully operational. The next mobile biometric clinics will be held at the Sudima Hotel (near the Christchurch airport) on the following dates: • 12 December 2011 • 5 January 2012 • 26 January 2012 Please book your appointment online through the online application system. You will need to bring your passport, application form and appointment letter to your appointment. Please email us at EC.Enquiries@fco.gov.uk if you have any further queries. If you need to make an appointment outside of these dates biometric enrolment centres are also open in Auckland and Wellington on weekdays. • 22 November 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in Australia The biometric enrolment centres in Australia will close on 23 December 2011 for the Christmas and New Year holidays, and will reopen on 4 January 2012. • 21 November 2011 Christmas and New Year holiday closures in New Zealand The biometric enrolment centres in New Zealand will close on 23 December 2011 for the Christmas and New Year holidays, and will reopen on 4 January 2012. • 21 November 2011 Visa application times in Gambia update Visa applicants intending on travelling to the UK over the Christmas period will need to submit their application by 1 December 2011. • 18 November 2011 UK head of people smuggling gang jailed A woman who ran the UK arm of an international people smuggling gang has been jailed for 5 years, following an investigation by the UK Border Agency. • 18 November 2011 Quarterly reports detailing the penalties given for employing illegal workers to be published We will shortly publish quarterly reports detailing the penalties given to people or organisations who employ illegal workers. • 17 November 2011 Customs declarations for international post this Christmas - how to get it right To reduce delays and any unnecessary charges this Christmas, the UK Border Agency is reminding people to fully complete customs declaration forms when sending and receiving international parcels. International postal shipments that arrive in the UK may be subject to customs examination. Therefore, any item sent through the postal system must be declared accurately and lawfully. If not, the item could be seized under current postal regulations. If you are considering buying and receiving gifts from outside the UK, you (the importer or recipient) are responsible to ensure all items are correctly described and have the actual purchase price included. If not, your parcel could be delayed and you may face additional charges. The UK Border Agency deals with a large number of postal items in the run up to Christmas and immediately after. To reduce delays and unnecessary charges, please follow these tips to ensure your parcel is processed correctly. 1. Fully complete (or instruct full completion) of a customs declaration form (CN22/23) for all items you are sending or receiving. Do not leave anything undeclared or be tempted to adjust item values in any way. 2. Don't buy counterfeit items - you will lose the item and the money you spent on it. Counterfeits are illegal and can be dangerous, so don't risk your own or your family's safety. If it looks too good to be true it probably is. 3. When sending or receiving items, you must clearly write the true value of its contents and who they are for on the declaration. For example; o 1 scarf for auntie, value 20 US dollars o 1 pair of socks for uncle, value 10 US dollars o 1 blanket for niece, value 20 US dollars 4. Each person can receive up to £40 worth of gifts before a VAT is to be paid. The UK Border Agency will check to ensure items are as described and have the correct value. 5. All items purchased by you, or of a commercial nature sent from outside the UK will be liable for tax and duty if the value of the goods is more than £15. 6. Some items are free from any charges or have lower VAT rates. The most common ones listed below: o books or sheet music (no VAT and no customs duty) o original paintings (5 per cent VAT and no customs duty) o children's shoes and clothing (0 per cent VAT and customs duty applicable o antiques over 100 years old (5 per cent VAT and no customs duty) 7. Make sure your sender (or if you are posting to another country) is thorough and precise when completing the customs declaration attached to the parcel. The more information you provide will ensure, the correct charges are applied where appropriate. 8. If the items are personal belongings or returned goods this must be clearly marked on the declaration. If you feel the charges are wrong (for example the declaration was not accurately filled out by the sender) it may be possible to have the item re-assessed. However, we can only usually do this after the charges have been paid. For more information on your obligations and customs declaration please visit our postal pages. • 17 November 2011 Ten million cigarettes seized at North Shields port Officers have intercepted approximately 10.4 million cigarettes that were being transported though the North Shields ferry terminal. • 17 November 2011 Four illegal workers arrested in Oldham raids Four immigration offenders have been caught by our officers during an enforcement raid in Chadderton. • 17 November 2011 Bride and groom jailed over sham marriages A Polish couple involved in sham marriages across the North West have today been jailed at Burnley Crown Court. • 17 November 2011 Trio jailed for Cardiff sham marriage plot A man from Pakistan and 2 Hungarian women have been jailed after our officers foiled a plot to stage a sham marriage in Cardiff. • 16 November 2011 Minimum salary for sponsorship under family route should be raised A minimum salary of between £18,600 and £25,700 before tax should be introduced for UK residents sponsoring a partner or dependent for citizenship, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) recommended today. The MAC was asked to identify a salary that would prevent any sponsor, their spouse or their dependents from becoming a burden on the state. The MAC was asked by the government to consider what the minimum income threshold should be for a British resident sponsoring a spouse, partner or dependent for settlement in the UK under the family route. This was part of the government's review of the family migration routes. Presently the threshold is an annual income of £5,500 after tax, excluding housing costs. This is equivalent to £13,700 before tax and including housing costs. The thresholds are based on the income levels at which a family is not entitled to state benefits or contributes at least as much to the public finances as it consumes in services. A salary threshold of £18,600 would reduce settlement through the family route by 45 per cent, the MAC estimates. A minimum of £25,700 would reduce it by 63 per cent. Chairman of the MAC, Professor David Metcalf CBE, said: 'The current threshold of £5,500 seems low considering the government's desire to ensure new migrants settling in the UK are not a burden on the state. 'Our recommendations are made on a purely economic basis and we recognise that family migration is not determined by economics alone. However our analysis suggests there is justification for raising the pay threshold.' Potential methods for calculating higher salary thresholds to account for child and adult dependants are also set out in the MAC report. • 16 November 2011 Apply online unavailable on 16 November Apply online will be unavailable between 19:00 and 21:00 due to maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. • 15 November 2011 24 arrested in illegal working raids in Cornwall The UK Border Agency has arrested 24 illegal workers during a series of raids at businesses across Cornwall • 15 November 2011 Drugs seized at North Port Our officers have intercepted illegal drugs that were being transported through North Shields ferry terminal. • 15 November 2011 Drugs baron jailed for running cannabis business The members of an organised crime group have been sentenced to almost 43 years in prison for importing almost 3.5 tonnes of cannabis into the UK. • 14 October 2011 Officers discover illegal workers in Bolton restaurants Two restaurants in Bolton both face fines after officers discovered illegal workers in enforcement operations last night. • 14 November 2011 Changes to the handling of UK visa applications in Uganda From 16 November 2011 all applications for a UK visa must be completed using our online application system before going to the visa application centre in Kampala to submit a printed copy of the application form and biometric data (fingerprints and photograph). Appointments to submit applications at the visa application centre must be booked online when completing the online application form. The visa application centre in Kampala will only accept applications from those who have applied and booked an appointment online. A 'drop in' service at the visa application centre will only be available to genuine emergency/time sensitive cases. This is part of a wider change to allow almost all our customers to apply for their visas online by 2013/14. • 14 November 2011 Changes to the shortage occupation list come into effect Changes to the shortage occupation list come into effect from today (Monday 14 November 2011). • 14 November 2011 Illegal workers caught in Dereham Three illegal workers have been caught in Dereham following a raid by our officers on 10 November • 14 November 2011 Lorry driver jailed for £2m cocaine smuggling attempt Dutch lorry driver was sentenced to 10 years in prison at Canterbury Crown Court on 4 November after pleading guilty to cocaine smuggling. • 14 November 2011 Four in detention after Devon illegal working raids Four illegal workers are in detention awaiting deportation after our officers caught them in raids on businesses in Exeter and Exmouth. • 14 November 2011 Four arrested in Cornwall immigration raids One man has been deported and 3 men are in detention awaiting removal after our officers found them working illegally at 2 restaurants in Cornwall. • 14 November 2011 Cruise liner barman jailed for Southampton cocaine smuggling attempt A cruise liner worker who attempted to smuggle £432,000 worth of cocaine hidden inside his shoes has been jailed for 8 years. • 14 November 2011 British Embassy and visa application centres closed on 27 November 2011 The British Embassy and the visa application centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be closed on 27 November 2011 in lieu of Al Hijra. • 11 November 2011 Illegal workers found at Herne Bay takeaway From 14 November 2011 visa applications submitted in Pristina, Kosovo will be decided at the UK Border Agency's regional hub for Central and Eastern Europe, at the British Embassy in Warsaw. Prior to this change, decisions on these applications were made at another UK Border Agency hub in Skopje, Macedonia. • 11 November 2011 Changes to the handling of UK visa applications in Kosovo From 14 November 2011 visa applications submitted in Pristina, Kosovo will be decided at the UK Border Agency's regional hub for Central and Eastern Europe, at the British Embassy in Warsaw. Prior to this change, decisions on these applications were made at another UK Border Agency hub in Skopje, Macedonia. The online appointment system for applicants in Kosovo, which had been temporarily suspended in order to implement this change, has now been reopened and full appointments are now available. The visa application process in Pristina will not change. You will still be able to apply online through our Visa4UK service and book an appointment at our visa office at the British Embassy in Pristina to submit your application form, passport and supporting documents, enrol your biometric information, and pay the visa application fee. Applications, passports and documents will then be taken securely by courier to Warsaw, where a decision on your application will be made. Passports and documents will be securely couriered back to our office in Pristina, where you can collect them. There will be no additional cost to applicants, and processing target times will not change. We aim to process most non-settlement applications within 15 working days of submission in Pristina, in line with our published customer service standards. These changes are part of a worldwide UK Border Agency programme to provide a more effective and flexible visa service, with more consistent customer standards and decision quality and better resilience during peak periods. • 10 November 2011 Illegal immigrants caught in Wolverhampton Nine illegal immigrants were caught in Wolverhampton on Tuesday 8 November during a UK Border Agency and West Midlands Police operation. • 9 November 2011 Six illegal workers found in Kirkcaldy hotel Six illegal workers have been detained pending their removal from the UK after they were caught in an illegal working operation by our officers. • 9 November 2011 Nine arrested in Brent immigration raid Nine people have been arrested following a raid on a food production plant in Brent. • 9 November 2011 Illegal workers caught in Aberdeenshire takeaway for second time Two men have been caught working illegally in a UK Border Agency operation at a Port Elphinstone takeaway - the second time illegal workers have been found there in less than 3 months. • 8 November 2011 Minimum annual pay best way to determine right to settlement for highly skilled workers Minimum annual pay is the best way to select which highly skilled migrant workers should be eligible for settlement, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended. In a separate report the MAC has also advised that relaxing the current employment restrictions on workers from Bulgaria and Romania would cause further disruption to the UK labour market. The MAC was commissioned by the government in June to identify the most suitable economic criteria for determining which Tier 2 migrant workers could settle permanently in the UK and what the economic effects of restricting or removing settlement rights would be. The MAC has made the following recommendations: • a simple pay threshold be used to decide eligibility for automatic settlement among Tier 2 (general) migrants; • migrants entering through the Tier 1 (exceptional talent) route to proceed to settlement after 5 years subject to continuing to meet the criteria for that route; • a pay threshold between £31,000 and £49,000 for Tier 2 (general), set at the time of entry and adjusted for inflation or changes to average pay, would be economically defensible; • sportspeople should also be subject to the same pay criteria as other migrants under Tier 2 (general); and • government and businesses should work together to upskill the UK labour market to mitigate the impact of restricting settlement rights. Professor David Metcalf CBE, Chairman of the MAC said: 'After extensive consultation the MAC has recommended a pay threshold as the best way to decide if a worker can stay in the UK. This is based on sound economic theory. 'Imposing greater controls on settlement may mean that the annual limit on entry into Tier 1 and Tier 2 would not need to be reduced as much as it would otherwise to meet the government's objective of reduced net migration.' A number of changes have already been made to the Tier 2 migrant workers route by the government which are likely to see the number of settlement applications fall. Therefore, a 'do nothing' option is defensible but, equally, the MAC believes the government's intention to control settlement numbers is legitimate. The effects of any change will not be fully felt until 2016. This will allow time for employers and government to work together to upskill the UK workforce in those occupations most affected. The MAC was also asked to look at the consequences of maintaining or lifting the current employment restrictions on workers from Bulgaria and Romania. The government has the option of lifting the transitional controls at the end of 2011 or keeping them in place for a further 2 years when they must be lifted under EU law. After analysing the UK labour market the MAC has concluded that lifting of the restrictions could see more Bulgarian and Romanians come to the UK for work. There is a risk that this would have an adverse impact on the UK labour market and UK employment. Professor Metcalf said: 'While there is uncertainty about how many additional A2 workers would come to the UK if restrictions were lifted, it is clear there would be an increase. The UK labour market is currently seriously disturbed and there is a risk that lifting the restrictions would exacerbate this.' You can download these reports from the Migration Advisory Committee page. • 8 November 2011 Statement from Rob Whiteman, UK Border Agency chief executive Official response to Brodie Clark's statement of 8 November by Rob Whiteman, UK Border Agency chief executive. "Brodie Clark admitted to me on 2 November that on a number of occasions this year he authorised his staff to go further than Ministerial instruction. I therefore suspended him from his duties. In my opinion it was right for officials to have recommended the pilot so that we focus attention on higher risks to our border, but it is unacceptable that one of my senior officials went further than was approved." • 8 November 2011 Minimum annual pay best way to determine right to settlement for highly skilled workers Minimum annual pay is the best way to select which highly skilled migrant workers should be eligible for settlement, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended. In a separate report the MAC has also advised that relaxing the current employment restrictions on workers from Bulgaria and Romania would cause further disruption to the UK labour market. The MAC was commissioned by the government in June to identify the most suitable economic criteria for determining which Tier 2 migrant workers could settle permanently in the UK and what the economic effects of restricting or removing settlement rights would be. The MAC has made the following recommendations: • a simple pay threshold be used to decide eligibility for automatic settlement among Tier 2 (general) migrants; • migrants entering through the Tier 1 (exceptional talent) route to proceed to settlement after 5 years subject to continuing to meet the criteria for that route; • a pay threshold between £31,000 and £49,000 for Tier 2 (general), set at the time of entry and adjusted for inflation or changes to average pay, would be economically defensible; • sportspeople should also be subject to the same pay criteria as other migrants under Tier 2 (general); and • government and businesses should work together to upskill the UK labour market to mitigate the impact of restricting settlement rights. Professor David Metcalf CBE, Chairman of the MAC said: 'After extensive consultation the MAC has recommended a pay threshold as the best way to decide if a worker can stay in the UK. This is based on sound economic theory. 'Imposing greater controls on settlement may mean that the annual limit on entry into Tier 1 and Tier 2 would not need to be reduced as much as it would otherwise to meet the government's objective of reduced net migration.' A number of changes have already been made to the Tier 2 migrant workers route by the government which are likely to see the number of settlement applications fall. Therefore, a 'do nothing' option is defensible but, equally, the MAC believes the government's intention to control settlement numbers is legitimate. The effects of any change will not be fully felt until 2016. This will allow time for employers and government to work together to upskill the UK workforce in those occupations most affected. The MAC was also asked to look at the consequences of maintaining or lifting the current employment restrictions on workers from Bulgaria and Romania. The government has the option of lifting the transitional controls at the end of 2011 or keeping them in place for a further 2 years when they must be lifted under EU law. After analysing the UK labour market the MAC has concluded that lifting of the restrictions could see more Bulgarian and Romanians come to the UK for work. There is a risk that this would have an adverse impact on the UK labour market and UK employment. Professor Metcalf said: 'While there is uncertainty about how many additional A2 workers would come to the UK if restrictions were lifted, it is clear there would be an increase. The UK labour market is currently seriously disturbed and there is a risk that lifting the restrictions would exacerbate this.' You can download these reports from the Migration Advisory Committee page. • 7 November 2011 New policy guidance on the marriage visa age of 21 The UK Border Agency has issued new policy guidance following the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Quila and Bibi v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] UKSC 45. This case challenged the requirement under paragraph 277 of the Immigration Rules for both foreign spouses and their sponsors in the UK to meet a minimum age of 21 before the foreign spouse could be granted a visa to enter or remain as a spouse or partner. Paragraph 277 (along with other paragraphs of the Immigration Rules) was amended on 27 November 2008 to raise the minimum age from 18 to 21. The Supreme Court has ruled that, whilst they recognised that the Secretary of State was pursuing a legitimate and rational aim of seeking to address forced marriage, the change to the rule (increasing the minimum marriage visa age from 18 to 21) disproportionately interfered with the Article 8 rights of those who were in genuine marriages. The guidance primarily affects applicants whose applications for entry clearance or leave as a fiancé(e), proposed civil partner, spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner were refused under paragraphs 277, 289AA, or 295AA of the Immigration Rules solely because they or their sponsor were aged between 18 and 20 and whose application was refused on that basis between 27 November 2008 and October 2011. This applies to applications made within or outside the UK. The guidance sets out how such applicants can apply for a review of the original decision to refuse a visa which might now result in a visa being issued. Changes to the Immigration Rules have been laid in Parliament today to reinstate a minimum age of 18 for a spouse, civil partner, fiancé(e), proposed civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner and for their sponsor in order to qualify for entry clearance, leave to enter, leave to remain or a variation of leave on that basis. These rules will come into effect on 28 November 2011. The new policy guidance explains how applicants affected by the judgment can request a review of an earlier refusal due to the age requirement by 31 May 2012. Further information on how to request a review can be found under the partners and families section, Husband, wife or civil partner, Unmarried or same-sex partner, and Fiance(e) or proposed civil partner categories. • 5 November 2010 Government announcement on settlement reforms The Home Secretary has outlined the government's approach to reform of the settlement rules, including a decision not to pursue the 'earned citizenship' policy. Earned citizenship concerned the path to settlement and British citizenship, and was planned to come into force in July 2011. It will now not be introduced. Outlining the government's approach to settlement reforms, the Home Secretary said: 'It is too easy, at the moment, to move from temporary residence to permanent settlement. 'We will not implement Labour's policy of earned citizenship, which was too complicated, bureaucratic and, in the end, ineffective. 'If people enter this country saying that they will only stay here temporarily, then it is obvious that they should only stay here temporarily. 'Working in Britain for a short period should not give someone the right to settle in Britain. Studying a course in Britain should not give someone the right to settle in Britain.' We will make further announcements in due course. In the interim, the current rules and requirements for obtaining settlement and citizenship will remain in place. • 4 November 2011 Pair jailed for channel tunnel drug smuggling attempt A man and woman from the Netherlands have been jailed for a total of 20 years after attempting to smuggle 7 kgs of cocaine through the Channel Tunnel. • 2 November 2011 Changes to the student visa system - cutting abuse and raising standards Tough new rules and enforcement action to stop abuse of the student visa system mean that over 450 education providers will no longer be able to sponsor new international students. In total these colleges could have brought more than 11,000 students into the UK to study each year. New UK Border Agency regulations have significantly raised the standards education providers must meet before they can bring international students to the UK. So far, over 400 colleges have lost their right to recruit international students after they failed to sign up for the new inspection system. As well as cutting abuse, the new standards will help ensure that genuine international students receive the highest quality education. In addition, a targeted UK Border Agency investigation into more than 100 colleges has led to 51 having their licences to recruit international students revoked. The investigation followed a spike in applications from South Asia just before the English language requirement rules were tightened. More than 4,500 of these applications to study have been refused or withdrawn as a result. One college advertised classes even though the website said it was shut for maintenance, while another could not even produce a list of students enrolled or a timetable of classes. On inspection, others could not produce any records of student attendance, or evidence of checking student qualifications. Immigration Minister, Damian Green said: • 'Widespread abuse of the student visa system has gone on for too long and the changes we have made are beginning to bite. • 'Too many institutions were offering international students an immigration service rather than an education and too many students have come to the UK with the aim of getting work and bringing over family members. Only first-class education providers should be given licences to sponsor international students. • 'We have curbed the opportunities to work during study and bring in family members. We have also introduced new language requirements to ensure we only attract genuine students whose primary motivation is to study.' As well as going through tough new inspections, colleges that want to keep bringing in international students must also meet new higher sponsorship standards to ensure they are fulfilling their immigration responsibilities. Those who do not meet these standards will be removed from the sponsorship register. The UK Border Agency has also created a list of more than 2,000 banks and financial institutions who can no longer provide evidence to verify a student has sufficient funds for their course. If a bank is on the list, a student citing that institution will not be granted a visa. Further measures to tighten the student regime are due in April. The post study work route, which has allowed graduates free labour market access, will be closed and students wishing to stay and work will need to apply under the skilled workers visa route . There will also be new time limits on student visas and tougher rules on work placements. In the mean time the UK Border Agency is continually monitoring the behaviour of all sponsors and will take action against any that are not complying with standards of education provision or immigration control. The changes to the student route form part of the Government's comprehensive package to overhaul the immigration system, taking action on families, settlement, those coming here to work, as well as students, in order to bring immigration levels back down to sustainable levels. • 28 October 2011 Changes to settlement requirements for Tier 2 migrants and work permit holders On 6 April 2011, the Immigration Rules were amended to introduce a salary requirement for settlement applications made by work permit holders and migrants under Tier 2 of the points-based system. Their applications must now include written confirmation from their employer or sponsor that they are being paid at or above the appropriate rate for their job as set out in the Tier 2 codes of practice. From 31 October 2011, there will be further changes to the Immigration Rules. Work permit holders and Tier 2 migrants will need to provide specified documents to confirm that they are being paid at or above the appropriate rate for their job. This is in addition to the employer's confirmation. From 31 October, any settlement application by a Tier 2 migrant or a work permit holder must include: • a payslip and a personal bank or building society statement; or • a payslip and a building society pass book. If they do not provide this evidence, their application may be refused. Before we amended the Immigration Rules in April to incorporate an income requirement for settlement, we conducted an equality impact assessment. You can find this in our Impact assessments section. The 31 October changes to the Rules are considered to be relatively minor and do not change that assessment. We will continue to have regard to the equality considerations of these changes, and will work to limit or mitigate, where possible, any adverse impact that is identified. • 25 October 2011 Arrangements for Tier 4 sponsors allocated zero CAS under the interim limit The UK Border Agency has announced new arrangements for Tier 4 sponsors who were granted their sponsor licence between 16 December 2010 and 28 February 2011, and were allocated zero confirmations of acceptance for studies (CAS) under the Tier 4 interim limit. Sponsors who were granted their licence between these dates, and who did not assign CASs before 28 February 2011, were allocated zero CAS under the interim limit. CAS allocation These sponsors are now eligible to claim a CAS allocation in line with the policy and guidance for sponsors who did not have a Tier 4 sponsor licence during the period 1 March 2010 to 28 February 2011, as set out in Appendix A, paragraph 115H(i)(c) of the Immigration Rules. Eligible sponsors can request this CAS allocation using the sponsorship management system in the usual way. If you need any further information, please contact our sponsorship team at SCOC@UKBA.gsi.gov.uk. Educational oversight The UK Border Agency, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) have also agreed to allow these sponsors to apply for educational oversight, where they did not do so by the original deadline of 9 September 2011. These applications must be received by QAA and ISI by 11 November 2011. The Tier 4 sponsor guidance, which you can download from our Tier 4 sponsors page, sets out the consequences for not meeting the deadline for applying for educational oversight. Those provisions of the sponsor guidance apply equally to sponsors to whom this notice and the extended deadline for educational oversight applications apply. Eligible sponsors should contact QAA at a.biscoe@qaa.ac.uk or ISI at Thommy.dewes@isi.net. Highly Trusted Sponsor status These sponsors will also be required to apply for Highly Trusted Sponsor status. We will require them to apply for Highly Trusted Sponsor status by the end of March 2012 or once they have held their licence for 12 months, whichever is later. For details of the criteria for obtaining Highly Trusted Sponsor status, and how to apply, see the Tier 4 sponsor guidance. In particular, sponsors must be able to show a track record of monitoring student attendance. • 24 October 2011 List of financial institutions for Tier 4 is published In June 2011, we announced that we would be publishing a list of financial institutions which we consider, on the basis of experience, do not verify financial statements to our satisfaction. Today we are publishing an initial list of financial institutions that fall under this category. We will use the list when verifying maintenance funds under Tier 4 of the points-based system. An applicant will receive no points for maintenance if they submit documents showing that the funds are held in a financial institution on the list. The list forms part of the reforms to the student immigration route. The change is to ensure that we can verify that student visa applicants hold the required maintenance funds to support themselves and pay for their course in the UK. We will give a 30-day notice period from the date when a financial institution is first listed before the new rule takes effect. This will enable applicants to make the necessary financial arrangements, so that they can provide financial documentation which meets the new requirements. The list will be kept under review, and we will make additions or deletions as appropriate. We will continue to verify financial information from financial institutions not on the list, on a case-by-case basis. We may refuse applications on the basis of these individual checks. You can find the list, and details of the criteria we use to assess financial institutions, by following the link on the right side of this page. • 24 October 2011 Arrests in Edinburgh are connected to jailed London legal adviser Seven immigration offenders have been arrested in Edinburgh by our officers, after obtaining visas with the help of fraudulent applications from a jailed legal adviser in London. • 24 October 2011 Drug swallower is sentenced after London smuggling attempt A Nigerian man who tried to smuggle cocaine worth approximately £140,000 through London City airport has been jailed for 7 years. • 18 October 2011 Reduction in jobs available to migrants Specialist jobs that are no longer required in the UK will be removed from a government-approved list that helps to ensure the UK only accepts migrant workers that the country needs. The shortage occupation is part of the Tier 2 immigration route via the Points Based System. Highly skilled migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) seeking to work in the UK must apply for visas via this route. The government today accepted recommendations from the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) that will see the number of jobs covered by the list drop by 40,000, bringing the total down from 230,000 to 190,000. Only a minority of these jobs will be filled by migrant workers. The MAC recommended the changes where evidence from a range of industries and sectors showed resident workers are available to fill the vacancies. Immigration Minister Damian Green said: 'Alongside our limits on overseas workers we are also taking action to provide businesses with the skills they need from the British workforce and reduce their need for migrants. 'We want the brightest and the best people from outside the EU with the skills we can benefit from in the UK.' Occupations that the MAC recommended be removed from the list include: • secondary education biology teachers; • speech and language therapists; • pharmacists; • orthoptists; • veterinary surgeons; and, • rank and file orchestral musicians. Added to the list will be: • actuaries; • high integrity pipe welders; • environmental scientists; and, • geochemists The government has accepted the MAC's recommended list in full however, rank and file orchestral musicians will not be removed from the list immediately, until further discussions take place with the industry to discuss the resident labour market test. The revised list will come into effect from 14 November 2011. This means that: • For applications covered by the annual limit, the new list will apply to all applications by Tier 2 sponsors for restricted certificates of Sponsorship made on or after 14 November 2011. • For applications outside the annual limit, the new list will apply to all unrestricted certificates of sponsorship assigned to migrants on or after 14 November 2011. Employers can only bring someone into the UK under Tier 2 if the job is on the shortage occupation list or if they pass a resident labour market test (no suitable resident workers apply after advertising the job in the UK first for 4 weeks). • 17 October 2011 Media reports on the detention of children: UK Border Agency response The UK Border Agency today reiterated the need to hold families for short periods at UK ports and airports in small numbers of cases in order to act in the interests of vulnerable children and protect the border. On occasions, families will need to wait for short periods in safe, secure accommodation on site while enquiries are made to establish whether they should be admitted to the UK - or, if they have no right to enter the country, until the time of the next available return flight. If the timing of the next flight means that overnight accommodation is needed, families stay together at the recently refurbished family suites at Tinsley House, near Gatwick airport. In the case of unaccompanied children, it can take time to work with social services to arrange alternative accommodation. The UK Border Agency considers that it has a duty of care not to release vulnerable young people before suitable assistance is arranged. Brodie Clark, head of the UK Border Agency's border force, said: 'We have always been clear that we may need to hold some families at the border while enquiries are made to decide whether they can be admitted to the country or until the next available return flight if they are refused entry. In the case of unaccompanied children, we may need to hold them until alternative accommodation is arranged, usually through social services. 'The number of passengers held is very small compared to the millions that we process and tens of thousands we refuse entry to at the border each year, and it is always for the shortest possible period. 'Not doing so would weaken border security by allowing people into the country who have no right to be here, and, equally, to release unaccompanied children before social workers have arrived to support them would put them at great risk.' For those families who have been in the country for some time but have no legal right to stay, the government has introduced a new process for managing their return which encourages them to leave voluntarily and without the need for enforcement action. If they do not take up this option and their return needs to be enforced by the UK Border Agency, a new type of pre-departure accommodation may be used to hold them for a very short period prior to their return. This accommodation, known as Cedars, opened in August and is located near Gatwick. Cedars has a completely different look and feel from an immigration removal centre, and families can only be referred there after advice has been sought from the Independent Family Returns Panel to ensure that the welfare of the children has been taken into account. So far, fewer than 10 families have been returned following a brief stay in Cedars. • 17 October 2011 Luxury yacht gang jailed for cannabis smuggling plot A gang caught trying to smuggle 4 tonnes of cannabis on a luxury yacht have been jailed for over 33 years between them. • 14 October 2011 Officers discover illegal workers in Bolton restaurants Two restaurants in Bolton both face fines after officers discovered illegal workers in enforcement operations last night. • 14 October 2011 Illegal worker found in Bangor restaurant An illegal worker has been arrested and detained after being found in a Bangor restaurant during a raid by our officers. • 14 October 2011 Two illegal workers discovered at Warwick car wash Two illegal immigrants were caught at a Warwick car wash yesterday (Thursday 13 October) when our officers paid a visit. • 14 October 2011 The visa service resumes in Damascus From Sunday 16 October visa services will resume in Damascus. • 13 October 2011 Heathrow cocaine smuggler jailed A man from Forest Gate has been jailed for 10 years for attempting to smuggle around £177,000 worth of high purity cocaine into the UK. • 13 October 2011 Four charged following sham marriage operation in Downpatrick Four people from Leicester arrested on suspicion of staging a sham wedding ceremony in Downpatrick have appeared in court charged with immigration offences. • 13 October 2011 Illegal workers arrested at Buckinghamshire restaurant A Buckinghamshire restaurant faces a big fine after all 6 members of staff on duty were arrested for working illegally following a raid by our officers. • 13 October 2011 Nine stowaways discovered at North Shields ferry terminal Nine foreign nationals were prevented from illegally entering the country after they were intercepted at North Shields ferry terminal. • 13 October 2011 Ecstasy and cannabis seized at Felixstowe Ecstasy and cannabis worth an estimated £2.9m has been seized by our officers at the Port of Felixstowe. • 12 October 2011 Passport fraudster jailed An illegal immigrant, living in Birmingham, has been jailed for using a false passport to try and stay in the UK. • 12 October 2011 Drug smuggler gets 11 years A drug smuggler who imported heroin hidden in a consignment of vegetables has been jailed following a joint operation with the Middlemarket Drugs Partnership. • 12 October 2011 The UK Border Agency at the British High Commission in Jamaica closed 25 October 2011 Visa applications in Jamaica will not be processed on 25 October. • 11 October 2011 Continuing suspension on visas for English language courses at South China visa application centres From 12 August 2010, the UK Border Agency is lifting the suspension at our 3 South China visa application centres (Guangzhou, Fuzhou and Shenzhen) on Tier 4 student applications for all courses except English language courses. In addition, from 12 August 2010 Tier 4 (General) applicants must be assessed to English language level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) by passing a UK Border Agency approved secure English language test (SELT) before applying for a Tier 4 visa. You are exempt from taking a SELT if you: • are from a majority English-speaking country • will be studying a Foundation Degree, Scottish HND or any course at NQF level 6 and above • will be studying an English language course • have studied as a child student in the UK for 6 months or more, ending within 2 years of the date when your new sponsor assigned your confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) • are a Tier 4 (Child) applicant • will be attending a pre-sessional course linked to a degree For more information, see our Tier 4 (General) - English language ability page. Continuing suspension on visas for English language courses In South China, there is a continuing suspension on students applying for Tier 4 visas to study English language courses. This includes any pre-sessional course that includes English language. However, there are 3 exceptions. You can apply for a visa to study a pre-sessional English language course if you have: 1. an offer for a foundation degree at NQF5, for any course at NQF6 or above or for a Scottish HND, where the CAS is being issued by the same institution or a partner institution named on the licence of the institution offering the main course. If the offer of a place on the main course is unconditional, it should be referred to on the CAS. If the offer of a place on the main course is conditional, you will need to submit a copy of your conditional offer letter with your application; or 2. a conditional offer for any of those courses listed in point 1 above, if the pre-sessional course is being taken at a separate institution. You will need to submit a copy of your conditional offer letter for the main course with your application. The pre-sessional course must be at CEFR B2 level or higher, and you must be at B1 level. A SELT is not required; or 3. an unconditional offer for a NQF level 3, 4 or 5 course, if the CAS has been issued for both the pre-sessional course and the main course. You must take a SELT to prove that you are at B1 level, and the pre-sessional course must be at CEFR B2 level or higher. Students in Southern China cannot apply for Tier 4 visas to study pre-sessional English language courses and other pre-sessional courses which include English as part of the course and which progress conditionally to courses below NQF level 6 (excluding foundation degrees and Scottish HNDs). This suspension will be kept under review. • 11 October 2011 Prime time appointments from 18 October 2011 From 18 October 2011 applicants will be provided with new prime time appointments. • 10 October 2011 ‘Health tourists’ will pay the price for their NHS debts Overseas visitors who fail to pay off their debts for NHS treatment will soon be denied permission to enter or stay in the UK. • 10 October 2011 Disruption to service at Nepal visa application centre on 11 October The bank counter will close at 12:00 on 11 October 2011 due to the the occasion of Kojagrat Purnima. • 10 October 2011 Illegal workers detained in Aberdeen pending their removal from the UK Three illegal workers have been detained pending their removal from the UK after they were caught in illegal working operations by our officers. • 10 October 2011 Two more illegal workers discovered at Hereford restaurant Two illegal immigrants have been caught at a Hereford restaurant where our officers arrested another illegal worker just a week earlier. • 7 October 2011 Hatfield sham marriage duo jailed Two members of a sham marriage gang who attempted to stage a bogus wedding at Hatfield Register Office were jailed yesterday (6 October). • 7 October 2011 Website of fake university is removed An investigation carried out by Somerset County Council has seen the fake 'Glastonbury University' website removed. • 7 October 2011 Processing of visa applications made in Canada From today, the UK Border Agency is closing its visa processing office in Ottawa. Our office in New York now process all UK visa applications made in Canada. • 6 October 2011 Three illegal workers discovered in Newcastle upon Tyne Two businesses in Newcastle upon Tyne are facing fines totalling a potential £30,000 after being caught employing illegal workers. • 6 October 2011 Officers discover illegal worker at Worcester newsagent • 6 October 2011 'Apply online' service restored Following technical maintenance, the apply online service is available again. Users in the UK can use the service to download or upload forms, pay online and book appointments as normal. • 5 October 2011 Tobacco worth £20,000 seized at Plymouth port A man and woman from Preston have had tobacco products worth £20,000 and a car seized by our officers in Plymouth after they were caught trying to bring them through the city's port. • 4 October 2011 Tier 4 sponsors – guidance published in a new format We have published the Tier 4 guidance in a different format. Sponsors should be aware that the content of this document is the same as the guidance we published on 5 September 2011. The new Tier 4 guidance covers: • Highly Trusted Sponsorship (HTS), including the date by which Tier 4 sponsors who are not already highly trusted need to apply for HTS by; what will happen to existing Tier 4 sponsors who do not apply for HTS by the deadline or who do apply and fail; and details of transitional arrangements for sponsors who are not already highly trusted. • educational oversight, confirming the previously announced detail of the new approach, including a reminder of the date by which applications should be made and to which oversight body; and information Tier 4 sponsors who either do not apply by the specified deadline or who apply and fail to obtain it. You can download the sponsor guidance from our Guidance for sponsors page. • 4 October 2011 Two jailed for Channel tunnel heroin smuggling attempt Two men have been sentenced to a total of 20 years for attempting to smuggle approximately 6 kilograms of heroin into the UK via the Channel tunnel. • 4 October 2011 UK grants Taiwanese access to its youth mobility scheme From January 2012, Taiwanese young people will be eligible to apply for a youth mobility scheme visa for the UK. • 4 October 2011 Drug seizure at Belfast International Airport Two people arrested by our officers in connection with a seizure of suspected Class A drugs at Belfast International Airport have appeared in court. • 4 October 2011 Illegal worker discovered at Hereford restaurant A Hereford restaurant is facing a £10,000 fine after an illegal worker was caught during a raid by our officers • 4 October 2011 Man ordered to forfeit £40,000 in cash at Birmingham airport A man from Stoke-on-Trent who tried to leave the UK carrying over £40,000 in cash that he could not account for has been ordered to forfeit the money. • 4 October 2011 Changes to the list of English language tests Today we have made some amendments to the list of approved English language test providers for applications made under Tiers 1, 2 and 4 of the points-based system and for spouse or partner applications. The amendments include: • three tests awarded by Cambridge ESOL now offer certification at 3 levels of the Common European Framework rather than just 2 levels. The tests include the Cambridge English: Key, Cambridge English: Preliminary and Cambridge English: Business Preliminary • the Educational Testing Service (ETS) have updated their web address for their test of English for international communication (TOEIC) and test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) • Pearson have updated their contact details and clarified that they do not issue paper certificates • separate certificate and notification of candidate results sheet are required for speaking part of the City and Guilds English language test You can download the revised list from the right side of this page. When you make an application in an immigration category that requires you to demonstrate your English language ability, you must show that you have passed an appropriate test on the list. • 3 October 2011 North London raid leads to 11 arrests Eleven people have been arrested following a raid by our officers on a car parts supplier in north London. • 3 October 2011 Ten illegal workers discovered at Tamworth car parts firm Ten illegal workers have been arrested in Tamworth following a raid by our officers on a national car parts company. • 29 September 2011 Dangerous weapons handed in at Scottish airports Stun guns and knives were among the 176 weapons that Scottish holiday makers surrendered during a campaign to prevent banned weapons entering the UK. • 29 September 2011 Man jailed after swallowing cocaine A Nigerian man has been jailed for 6 years after trying to smuggle over half a kilogram of cocaine into the country. • 29 September 2011 Changes to ‘personal use’ limits on tobacco imports from the EU On Saturday 1 October 2011, the minimum indicative levels (MILs) for tobacco and cigarettes brought into the UK from the European Union (EU) will be reduced, to align them with levels applied elsewhere in Europe. • 29 September 2011 One week to go on family consultation The 12 week public consultation on reforms to family migration closes on Thursday 6 October 2011. • 28 September 2011 Disruption to points-based system IT systems We are currently upgrading a number of the points-based system IT systems. There will be disruptions in service from 19:00 on Friday 30 September 2011 until 12:00 on Saturday 1 October 2011. During this time the following systems will be unavailable: • sponsorship management system (SMS) • sponsor licence application • online points calculator The changes will affect the structure of applications for sponsor licences and certificates of sponsorship (CoSs) in Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (Intra company transfer). If you begin (and save) a sponsor licence application but you do not submit it by 30 September, you will not be able to complete it after that date. You will need to begin the application process again on 1 October. If you have a partially completed CoS application in Tier 2 (General) or Tier 2 (Intra company transfer) at the 'Work in progress' or 'Ready to go' stage on 30 September, you will not be able to complete and assign it after that date. The number of CoSs allocated to you will not be affected and you will still be able to view the CoS details using the 'View certificate of sponsorship' menu option, but you will need to begin the process to assign the CoS again. • 28 September 2011 Illegal workers and cash found in Gloucester raid Three illegal workers have been caught and more than £7,000 cash seized following a raid on a takeaway in Gloucester.
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