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Now travel restrictions are lifting globally you will no longer be able to extend your visa automatically on this basis and you are expected to take all reasonable steps to leave the UK where it is possible to do so or apply to regularise your stay in the UK. From Gov.UK * A lack of translated coronavirus guidance is jeopardising the safety of non-English speakers in the UK, a joint letter to the health secretary claims. The government said it has translated public health information into 25 languages, reaching a “wide audience”. From BBC * Boris Johnson faces Eurotunnel test. The EU wants the UK to drop its opposition to a role for the European court of justice in British affairs to ensure trains keep running between France and the UK after Brexit is implemented on 1 January. From The Guardian * BORIS Johnson’s points-based immigration policy risks opening up Britain to over 600 million people, an alarming report has found. MigrationWatch UK said the lack of a cap on numbers combined with a salary cap of £25,000 – less than the UK average wage – will make it easier for the vast majority of citizens from across the world to come to Britain. From The Sun * A gridlock in the UK’s visa processing system has left people unable to work or travel to see dying relatives during the pandemic despite being legally resident, prompting renewed criticism of the Home Office’s privatised visa service. From Independent Image: FreePik

First virtual citizenship ceremony: As a result of coronavirus restrictions, group citizenship ceremonies have been suspended. However, citizenship ceremonies will now be allowed to take place via video conferencing. The move will allow applicants to complete their unique citizenship journey and become British citizens. From Gov.UK * Priti Patel Promises Culture Change At UK Visa Department. The new measures will include comprehensive training for everyone working in the Home Office to ensure they understand and appreciate the history of migration and race in this country. From NDTV * Family of five forced to pay £2,200 to submit biometrics for their application after the only available appointments, which are normally free, were priced at £440 each. From Independent * A CARE worker on the frontline of the battle against coronavirus has been told to leave the country. From The Argus * Survey reveals betrayal of migrant women during Covid. “We feel that the pandemic has not only exposed the holes in our current safety nets, but given us an opportunity to look deeply at what we must to do in order to build a more equal society”. From Politics * UK Visa Application Centres in Brazil re-opening. From 27 July UK Visas and Immigration is beginning a phased resumption of services and our Visa Application Centres in Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo will be open from the same date. From LH4U Image: FreePik

From 27 July UK Visas and Immigration is beginning a phased resumption of services and our Visa Application Centres in Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo will be open from the same date. Customers who were unable to attend an earlier appointment, can now log into their account to book a new appointment. Customers who have completed their application on GOV.UK, but didn’t previously book an appointment at the Visa Application Centre, can also do so from today. Your safety is our priority, so customers visiting our Visa Application Centres may be asked to observe physical distancing, undergo temperature checks or be required to wear facemasks, subject to local authority guidelines. Please also be aware, that due to restrictions still in place globally, we are not currently able to offer the following services: Super Priority Visa, Priority Visa Service (visit), Priority Visa for Settlement Service and Walk-in services. Due to the ongoing global impact of Coronavirus, disruptions to local travel and courier routes have increased transit times in some regions. LH4U Customers Our advisers are already working on deadlines for clients who have ongoing processes. All new information will be handled with each candidate who needs services at centers in Brazil. Source: https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/br/en/news/uk-visa-application-centres-in-brazil-re-opening Image: FreePik

The government released more details about the UK points-based system On 13 July 2020, the government set out further details on the UK’s points-based system. These new arrangements will take effect from 1 January 2021, once freedom of movement with the European Union (EU) has ended. It will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally and aims to attract people who can contribute to the UK’s economy. Irish citizens will continue to be able to enter and live in the UK as they do now. Visa application process New immigration routes will open later this year for applications to work, live and study in the UK from 1 January 2021. Skilled workers The points-based system will include a route for skilled workers who have a job offer from an approved employer sponsor. From January 2021, the job you are offered will need to be at a required skill level of RQF3 or above (equivalent to A level). You will also need to be able to speak English and be paid the relevant salary threshold by your sponsor. This will either be the general salary threshold of £25,600 or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher. If you earn less than this – but no less than £20,480 – you may still be able to apply by ‘trading’ points on specific characteristics against your salary. For example, if you have a job offer in a shortage occupation or have a PhD relevant to the job. Global talent scheme The global talent scheme will be opened up to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. It will allow highly-skilled scientists and researchers to come to the UK without a job offer. International students and graduates Student visa routes will be opened up to EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. A new graduate immigration route will be available to international students who have completed a degree in the UK from summer 2021. You’ll be able to work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to 2 years, or 3 years if you are a PhD graduate. Visiting the UK EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and other non-visa nationals will not require a visa to enter the UK when visiting the UK for up to 6 months. EU citizens living in the UK If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen living in the UK before 31 December 2020, you and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021. From gov.uk Image: FreePik

On 13 July 2020, the government set out further details on the UK’s points-based system. These new arrangements will take effect from 1 January 2021, once freedom of movement with the European Union (EU) has ended. From Gov.UK * Care workers do not qualify for health visa in new post-Brexit immigration plans. The government unveils details of how the UK’s new points-based system will operate when it comes into effect on 1 January. From Sky News * Priti Patel sets out post-Brexit immigration plan – including health. From BBC * Tory ministers face fury after pushing through new immigration rules that will block the vast majority of social care workers from coming to work in the UK. From Mirror * Immigrants jailed in UK for year or more ‘must be considered for deportation’ under new rules. From Standard * Governo lançou uma nova campanha para ajudar empresas e indivíduos a se prepararem para o final do período de transição. From Gov.UK

It’s been a quiet few months, but behind closed doors (and on zoom) Brexit hasn’t gone away. Talks between the EU and the UK have continued through the pandemic, and are about to get a lot busier this summer. From BBC * British citizens living in the EU may face significant work and travel hurdles from next year because member states have failed to get to grips with the impact of Brexit on their rights, MPs have been told. From The Guardian * MPs have backed flagship immigration legislation which seeks to end EU freedom of movement rules in the UK. From The Sun * EU supporters expressed their woes on social media after the clock struck midnight and Britain could no longer request a Brexit delay. From Express * British MPs have approved the government’s immigration bill which aims to end EU freedom of movement rules in the UK, one of the key factors that led to Brexit. From Euronews * Scotland could face a labour shortage if the UK Government presses ahead with its planned migration reforms, a new report has warned. From Daily Record * Almost 60,000 people living in Northern Ireland have applied for the settled status scheme, so they can live and work in the UK post-Brexit. From BBC Image: FreePik

Some 70 per cent of Britons believed the crisis demonstrated the importance of immigration to running essential services. From iNews * Immigration rules that have left 1 million migrant workers in the UK at risk of destitution because they cannot claim universal credit should be suspended on public health grounds during the pandemic, a cross-party group of MPs has recommended. From The Guardian * The U.K. tech sector is trying to encourage entrepreneurs affected by President Donald Trump’s immigration restrictions to move to the U.K. and start a company in a city like London. From CNBC * There are an estimated one million undocumented workers in the UK. The coronavirus pandemic has presented them with a new set of challenges and fears over how to maintain an income, remain healthy or even stay alive. From BBC

Free visa extensions should be given to all foreign NHS and social care workers, a group of MPs has said. It is “unfair” that some of the lowest paid workers face charges of thousands of pounds to stay in the country, ministers have been told. From BBC * Boris Johnson will warn the EU today Britain will choose a no-deal Brexit if a trade agreement is not struck by the end of next month. The threat comes despite the head of the World Trade Organisation suggesting that doing so could slow the UK’s economic recovery from coronavirus, and that a deal similar to current arrangements would be better for jobs. From Daily Mail * “The UK’s ‘new’ points-based immigration system isn’t fairer, faster or firmer – it’s complete nonsense” From Independent * Brussels is asking European governments to select together the countries to whom they will first give the green light. The decision it says should be based on factors “including the health situation, the ability to apply containment measures during travel, and reciprocity considerations.” From Forbes * Home Office ‘has no idea how many people are in the UK illegally’. From The Guardian * “The Home Office must clarify the legal basis for the offers of visa extensions”, says the Home Affairs committee of MPs in a coronavirus report published. From Free Movement * Boris Johnson promises to refund NHS workers forced to pay immigration health surcharge. From iNews Image: FreePik