Immigration News

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) recently released a compelling report highlighting the urgent need for a shift in how asylum accommodation is managed in the UK. With annual costs for housing and supporting asylum seekers in the UK now at a staggering £41,000 per person, up from £17,000 in 2019/20, the current system is unsustainable. […]

If you’re planning to visit the UK and you’re from a country that doesn’t require a visa for short stays, there’s an important update you should be aware of; the UK is introducing the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. This new requirement is part of the UK’s effort to improve its border security and will soon apply […]

The UK is transitioning to a fully digital immigration system, replacing physical immigration documents with an online record known as an eVisa. This change will affect millions of people, making it crucial to understand how to navigate the new system effectively. In this article we go through what this change means and what steps you can […]

A changing landscape 2024 has already seen many immigration measures which impact employers recruiting and retaining international staff. From the 65% increase of the Immigration Health Surcharge fee, to the 47% increase of the minimum salary threshold, we have seen the previous UK government implement steep measures to reduce net migration, which have negative impacts […]

In response to the recent surge in organised racist, Islamophobic and violent riots across the United Kingdom, we, Seraphus, stand in solidarity with those targeted by these despicable acts. The disturbing wave of far-right violence has not only inflicted fear upon racialised communities but has also attacked the institutions dedicated to supporting migrants and asylum seekers. Attacks […]

Although there was a highly publicised increase in fees for immigration applications in October 2023 and to the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees in February 2024, there have been other increases brought in gradually since that time in April and July 2024. Amongst these changes, it is largely underreported that there is scheduled to be […]

The Labour Party’s landslide victory in the recent general election has the potential to mark a turning point for UK immigration policy. With a clear mandate, Keir Starmer’s government is could implement changes to reshape the UK’s approach to asylum, skilled workers, and broader immigration issues. But will they? Or will they instead sell surface […]

The term ‘legal aid desert’ refers to areas where there is a significant lack of legal aid services, leaving many individuals without access to the legal assistance they need. In the UK, this issue is particularly acute in asylum and immigration cases, where vulnerable individuals face substantial barriers to justice without adequate legal representation. This article explores […]

The Home Office had announced that before the start of 2025 the immigration system will be digitalised but it is not without complication. In this article we run you through the basics of the new eVisas and what to do if you are an EU citizen or family member with passport endorsements.  As a part […]

The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 received royal assent on 25 April 2024, marking a dark moment in British legal history. This Act contradicts the Supreme Court’s judgment in the case of AAA, HTN, RM, AS, SAA, ASM v the SSHD [2023] EWCA Civ 745, asserting Rwanda as a safe country and […]

If you are settled in the UK and you have a non-British partner or child, you might wonder what your financial circumstances must be to bring them to the UK or to renew their visa, particularly since the increase in the income thresholds has recently been discussed in the media.   The rules about this are […]

March 2024, marked five years since the full opening of the EU Settlement Scheme which granted millions of European nationals and their family members the right to live in the UK after Brexit came into effect.   The scheme is for EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens who were living in the UK by 31 December 2020 […]

In this article, we delve into the urgent call for fair and compassionate immigration policies, particularly focusing on the need to establish safe routes for Palestinians in Gaza to reunite with their families in the UK. As the geopolitical instability and future, environmental changes persist, it gives rise to consider how this lack of pathways […]

Today, the UK government announced another statement of changes to the immigration rules, along with a memo explaining their rationale behind the changes. While some changes were anticipated, the statement of changes has implemented an immediate closure of the Ukraine Family Scheme, along with changes to other Ukraine schemes. Closure of Ukraine Family Scheme Effective […]