IMMIGRATION NEWS WEEKLY ROUNDUP 16th AUGUST 2024

The UK immigration realm has seen important developments in the last week, with changes that could have far-reaching effects on various sectors of the economy and society.

?In a move that has drawn attention from many in the tech industry, the UK Home Secretary has commissioned a comprehensive review of the IT and engineering sectors' reliance on international talent. This nine-month examination, to be conducted by the Migration Advisory Committee , aims to scrutinise skills shortages, recruitment practices, and potential policy adjustments to encourage more domestic hiring. The Government's underlying goal is to address high migration levels whilst simultaneously tackling labour market weaknesses. This review comes at a time when employers are already grappling with a costly immigration system and recent changes to skilled worker visa requirements.

Meanwhile, the UK has witnessed a marked decline in migrant visa applications over the past year. The number of overseas workers, students, and their families applying for UK visas has plummeted by one-third, from 141,000 to 91,000. This sharp decrease follows the introduction of stricter immigration rules by the Conservative government, particularly affecting international students and health and care workers. The health sector has been hit especially hard, with an 80% reduction in health and care worker visa applications, raising concerns about potential future strains on the UK's healthcare system.

?The education sector is not immune to these changes either. UK universities, which have long relied on the tuition fees of international students, are now facing significant financial pressures due to the drop in student visa applications. This decline may be partly attributed to economic issues in countries like Nigeria, a major source of international students for the UK.

?As the UK moves towards a digital immigration system, from August 2024, physical immigration documents will be replaced by eVisas, affecting right to work checks and requiring individuals to create UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) accounts to access their digital status. This shift is part of a broader plan to digitalise all immigration products by 2025, with UKVI offering support resources to guide employers and visa holders through this transition.

?On the social front, planned far-right rallies failed to materialise over the weekend, overshadowed by a large turnout of anti-racist protesters. The director of public prosecutions' warning of potential 10-year prison sentences for rioters may have played a role in deterring violence. In a show of solidarity, all legal regulators have expressed support for immigration lawyers who have been targeted by far-right groups. The Solicitors Regulation Authority has also published an updated review with a view to assist immigration advisors in sharing the best practices to assist vulnerable asylum seekers in their immigration journey.?

Lastly, a significant legal development has emerged for carers under the Zambrano principle. An Upper Tribunal decision has challenged the Home Office guidance on Zambrano carers, ruling that the 'realistic prospect' test for alternative immigration routes is incorrect. This judgement aligns with a recent High Court ruling and could have important implications for Zambrano carer applications, despite the route being closed since August 2023.

Considering this week's developments, it is expected that the Government may implement changes to current policies regarding asylum seekers and other immigration matters.

?As ever, HJT remains committed to keeping all immigration practitioners fully informed of the latest developments. We will continue to support you through our range of services, including our live online training sessions and subscription-based access to our comprehensively updated Mastering Immigration Law resource content.

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