Key developments

Stay informed with the latest shifts and trends in immigration law, crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in practice. This topic provides insights into recent legislative changes, landmark cases, and policy updates that impact immigration law specialists.

View Immigration by content type:

News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Sub Topics We Cover

Case Reviews Coronavirus (COVID-19) Immigration calendar Monthly Highlights archive Ukraine conflict Weekly highlights White Paper and post-Brexit immigration

Latest Immigration News

Home Office launches call for evidence on modern slavery victim identification reforms

Home Office launches call for evidence on modern slavery victim identification reforms
Council adopts regulation enabling phased implementation of Entry/Exit System

Council adopts regulation enabling phased implementation of Entry/Exit System
Immigration weekly highlights—17 July 2025

Immigration weekly highlights—17 July 2025

The following Immigration news provides comprehensive and up to date legal information on Immigration weekly highlights—17 July 2025

EUSS guidance updated for continuous residence change and travel data use

EUSS guidance updated for continuous residence change and travel data use

Featured Immigration content

Parental consent for minor child—letter

Parental consent for minor child—letter

Parental consent for minor child—letter[Insert address of [parent OR guardian] in home country][Insert Home Office address where application is...

Can an applicant have two applications pending with the Home Office at the same time, where one application has been made under the Immigration Rules, and the other under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016?

Can an applicant have two applications pending with the Home Office at the same time, where one application has been made under the Immigration Rules, and the other under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016?

Can an applicant have two applications pending with the Home Office at the same time, where one application has been made under the Immigration Rules,...

Changes of law and policy, rights against retrospective legislation, and legitimate expectation

Changes of law and policy, rights against retrospective legislation, and legitimate expectation

Changes of law and policy, rights against retrospective legislation, and legitimate expectationChanges to immigration law may mean that a person who...

Biometric Immigration Documents

Biometric Immigration Documents

Biometric Immigration DocumentsWhat is a Biometric Immigration Document?A Biometric Immigration Document (BID) is the key ‘document’ that evidences...

Q&As

If an individual is a student holding an Asylum Registration Card (ARC), and (1) the ARC does not confirm any restriction on working hours, and (2) the Employer Checking Service check simply confirms ‘ARC Student: Student restrictions (no self-employment)’, will the 20-hour work week limit apply to this individual or are they permitted to work full-time within a Shortage Occupation role?

If an individual is a student holding an Asylum Registration Card (ARC), and (1) the ARC does not confirm any restriction on working hours, and (2)...
Read More >
2nd Jun
Practice notes

Passport stamps, vignettes and codes—examples and common problems [Archived]

Passport stamps, vignettes and codes—examples and common problems [Archived]This Practice Note is no longer updated as it relates to the position...
Read More >
Produced in partnership with Kathryn Bradbury and Rhona Azir of Payne Hicks Beach
30th May
Q&As

When a skilled worker is about to go on maternity leave, does the employer have an obligation to top up any statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance in respect of— a) the employee’s continued employment as a sponsored worker, in order for the employer to meet its sponsor obligations b) the employee’s ability to extend their visa, to ensure they meet the salary requirements for an extension, and/or c) the employee’s ability to apply for settlement?

When a skilled worker is about to go on maternity leave, does the employer have an obligation to top up any statutory maternity pay or maternity...
Read More >
2nd Jun
Practice notes

Applying for a sponsor licence under Workers and Temporary Workers: eligibility and suitability

Applying for a sponsor licence under Workers and Temporary Workers: eligibility and suitabilityThis Practice Note summarises the eligibility and...
Read More >
30th May
Q&As

Do you need to submit a separate VAF4A (Appendix 2) form when making an entry clearance application using the new online form? On what basis can the Home Office request this?

Do you need to submit a separate VAF4A (Appendix 2) form when making an entry clearance application using the new online form? On what basis can the...
Read More >
Produced in partnership with Nick Nason of Edgewater Legal
30th May
Practice notes

What is the right of abode?

What is the right of abode?The right of abode—statusThe right of abode in the UK is an immigration status. A person who has the right of abode is free...
Read More >
Produced in partnership with Adrian Berry of Garden Court Chambers
30th May
Q&As

Is there a positive legal obligation for an employer to report to the Home Office where they discover that an employee, or ex-employee, does/did not have the right to work? Is the position different where the employer is a licensed sponsor?

Is there a positive legal obligation for an employer to report to the Home Office where they discover that an employee, or ex-employee, does/did not...
Read More >
2nd Jun
Practice notes

Examination, entry, search and seizure powers of immigration officers

Entry, search and seizure powers of immigration officersIP COMPLETION DAY: The Brexit transition period ended at 11pm on 31 December 2020. At this...
Read More >
Produced in partnership with Bijan Hoshi of Garden Court Chambers
30th May
Practice notes

Retention of documents by the Home Office [Archived]

Retention of documents by the Home Office [Archived]Important note—Archived Practice Note: this Practice Note is no longer updated as it relates to...
Read More >
Produced in partnership with Christopher R. Cole of DG Legal and Nathan Woodcock LL.B. of Woodcock Law
2nd Jun
Practice notes

Children applying for indefinite leave under Part 8 and Appendix FM: procedure

Children applying for indefinite leave under Part 8 and Appendix FM: procedureA child may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to enter or remain...
Read More >
30th May
Practice notes

Adequate maintenance

Adequate maintenanceFor partners and children applying under Appendix FM where the sponsoring partner is receiving one or more specified benefits,...
Read More >
Produced in partnership with Jo Renshaw of Turpin Miller
30th May
Precedents

Approval of naturalisation application—information sheet

Approval of naturalisation application—information sheetI am pleased to enclose a letter from the Home Office that confirms that your application for...
Read More >
30th May
Practice notes

Appendix FM: the suitability requirements and the general grounds for refusal

Appendix FM: the suitability requirements and the general grounds for refusalThe suitability requirements in Appendix FM mirror, to a certain extent,...
Read More >
Produced in partnership with Jo Renshaw of Turpin Miller
30th May
Q&As

Is it possible to add further branches to a sponsor licence where all of the entities have the same parent company, but the parent company or head office itself is not the licence holder? Also, what is the situation if one operating company applies for the licence, but the intention is to subsequently form a parent company and other subsidiaries which will also need to sponsor workers?

Is it possible to add further branches to a sponsor licence where all of the entities have the same parent company, but the parent company or head...
Read More >
30th May
Practice notes

Sponsoring a Skilled Worker

Sponsoring a Skilled WorkerThe Skilled Worker route enables UK employers with an appropriate sponsor licence to recruit or continue to employ skilled...
Read More >
2nd Jun
Practice notes

Locating guidance and using archives for immigration research

Locating guidance and using archives for immigration researchThis Practice Note explains how to locate current Home Office guidance relating to...
Read More >
30th May

Popular documents

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit

Contributory negligence in personal injury claims

Contributory negligence in personal injury claimsContributory negligence is a partial defence which can lead to a discount in damages.Other defences may also be relevant. See Practice Notes: Did the claimant consent to the risk of injury? and Was the claimant involved in an illegal activity?If a

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?

Can shares in a limited company that have not been paid-up at all be cancelled?A limited company having a share capital may not alter that share capital, except in the ways listed in section 617 of the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). Shares in a company cannot simply be cancelled without following an