Immigration Rights

If you are working towards your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) UK immigration status, you may already know that time spent outside the UK—even for a holiday or a business trip—might affect your ILR eligibility. The qualifying period for ILR (often 5 years but sometimes 10, depending on your route) requires a certain amount of […]

For many long-term residents the choice between indefinite leave to remain (also known as ‘ILR’ or ‘settlement’) and British citizenship is crucial. At Seraphus, we understand the uncertainties of immigration statuses. This guide explains the differences, highlights the benefits and limitations of each, and offers practical information to help you make an informed decision about […]

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 on 17 January 2025, the new process under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to automatically convert eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status will begin before the end of the month. The plan to automate some pre-settled to settled status conversions was first announced in 2023. This new approach will remove the […]

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 […]

In his previous articles, Seraphus director Christopher Desira has looked at the concept of migration, the dynamic between migrants, the international community and the state, as well as the shortcomings of these entities in protecting the latter. In this article, Christopher presents the legal concept of ‘jus cogens’ and begins to explore how appealing to […]

At Seraphus, we care about improving access to justice. We provide advice services and workshops to charitable organisations and participate in advocacy work to try to address the systemic problems in immigration law. We understand acutely what’s at stake when people cannot access good quality legal advice, and we recognise just how volatile and dangerous the […]

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 […]

This Pride Month, June 2024, Seraphus reflects on the support available to LGBTQI+ refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK. June is recognised as LGBTQI+ Pride Month, a time dedicated to celebrating and commemorating the LGBTQI+ community. While many events claim to be inclusive, LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum often face barriers to participating in […]

In his previous articles, Seraphus director Christopher Desira has looked at the dynamic between the international community, migrants, and the shortcomings of the former in protecting the latter. In this article, Christopher turns his attention to the role of individual states, and how their existence under principles of Westphalian sovereignty leads to the antagonisation of […]

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 […]

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 […]

In his first piece, Seraphus director Christopher Desira looked at the evolution of migration, and its ubiquitous nature across civilisation and history. He also considered the evolving rhetoric around migration, and the way in which migrants are often seen as a burden on the state. In this piece, Christopher delves further into the dynamic between […]