Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for Children Born in the UK After 7 Years of Residence
Overview In the UK, children born in the country who have lived here continuously for seven years may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This route acknowledges the strong ties a child develops with the UK over time and offers a path to settlement based on their best interests and long-term […]
Registration of Children born outside the UK(Section 3(1) BNA 1981)
Section 3(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981 is a crucial provision that grants the Home Secretary a broad discretionary power to register a child as a British citizen. Unlike other sections of the Act that set out clear entitlements, Section 3(1) allows for flexibility and consideration of individual circumstances. Here’s a breakdown of its […]
Deprivation of Citizenship on National Security grounds
The case U3 v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] UKSC 19 is a significant UK Supreme Court decision concerning the deprivation of British citizenship on national security grounds. Background The appellant, anonymised as U3, was a British-Moroccan dual national who traveled to Syria in 2014 with her husband and three children, residing […]
The UK Government’s 2025 Immigration White Paper
The UK Government’s 2025 Immigration White Paper, titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, outlines significant proposed reforms aimed at reducing net migration and reshaping the country’s immigration framework. Published on 12 May 2025, the document emphasizes a shift towards a more controlled and skills-focused immigration system. Key Proposals Extension of Settlement Qualification Period: The […]
Leave Outside the Immigration Rules (LOTR) Explained
In UK immigration law, “outside the immigration rules” (often referred to as Leave Outside the Rules or LOTR) refers to a discretionary power of the Home Secretary to grant a person permission to enter or remain in the UK even if they do not meet the specific requirements of any of the published Immigration Rules. […]
Good character guidance amended to block illegal migrants from naturalisation
Recent changes in UK immigration policy have significantly tightened the path to British nationality for individuals who have previously entered the UK illegally or arrived via irregular routes. These changes came into effect on February 10, 2025, through updates to the Home Office’s “Good Character” guidance for citizenship applications. Here’s a summary of the key […]
British Nationality Changes – Effective 10th February 2025
Home Office guidance on Nationality: good character requirement was updated on Monday to clarify that citizenship applications that include illegal entry will normally be refused, regardless of when the illegal entry occurred. The Good Character guidance explains the rules that Home Office staff use to assess whether someone applying for British citizenship (sometimes referred to as ‘naturalisation’) […]
Sponsor Licence compliance – why immigration audits are important
In the UK, a mock immigration audit is an internal review process conducted by employers to ensure compliance with immigration laws, particularly in relation to the Right to Work checks and related employment practices. The goal of this exercise is to simulate a potential government audit carried out by agencies such as the Home Office to avoid fines, penalties […]
Recent updates to the UK spouse visa rules in 2024
Recent updates to the UK spouse visa rules in 2024 have introduced significant changes, particularly in the financial and eligibility criteria. To apply for a UK spouse visa, the Home Office has outlined several detailed requirements under categories such as eligibility, finances, accommodation, and language proficiency. Here’s a comprehensive guide: Eligibility Requirements Age and Relationship: […]
English language requirements for immigration applications
The UK government places significant emphasis on English language proficiency for foreign individuals applying for a visa. For many visa types, meeting specific English language requirements is essential, and completing the wrong test may result in your application being refused. Who needs to meet the English language requirement? Not all applicants are subject to the […]