Immigration News

The Labour government has introduced the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, claiming it will strengthen border security and dismantle criminal networks exploiting vulnerable migrants. At first glance, this might sound reasonable—but scratch beneath the surface, and it becomes clear that this bill continues the same harmful approach to migration that treats people as threats rather […]

The Home Office has announced a series of measures aimed at reducing the migration and borders system’s reliance on taxpayer funding. If approved, these changes will result in significant fee increases across various immigration and nationality services. Key fee increases: The government anticipates these changes will generate an additional £269 million annually. These funds are intended to […]

2024 has been an important year for UK immigration law, with several significant changes introduced that impact all corners of the immigration system, from changes to asylum policy and digitalisation, to business and family immigration alike. Below, we outline some of the notable updates and what they mean. Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) The phased rollout […]

As immigration solicitors, we are frequently asked to untangle difficult legal situations which have significant consequences to those who have requested our help. This is particularly apparent in UK family applications, where we are tasked with making applications that bring loved ones together.  One of our recent clients was trying to do just this. They […]

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 […]