Nineteen visa applicants arrested in Bangladesh PDF Print E-mail

Nineteen London-bound visa applicants have been arrested in Bangladesh following a joint operation involving the UK Border Agency and Bangladeshi police.

The group were arrested on suspicion of fraud at the UK Border Agency in Dhaka.

The applicants were suspected of providing forged documentation and false bank statements with their business visitor visa applications to attend the Boishaki Mela in East London as stall holders.

The Bangladeshi police worked in close cooperation with UK BA officers in Dhaka, discovering that the applicants had misrepresented their employment status and produced forged bank statements.

The group admitted that they had paid agents up to £10,000 each to facilitate their visa applications and provide forged documents.

Philippa Rouse, director of visa services, UK Border Agency said:

'The UK Border Agency is working hard with our international law enforcement partners to target the organised criminal gangs who attempt to abuse our immigration system.

'As this case shows, that work often starts thousands of miles away.

'We want to welcome genuine visitors to the Britain, whether it be for business or tourism. But we will not tolerate fraud, and those caught trying to con the system face long bans from the UK.'

The UK BA has a a integrated fraud assessment unit in Bangladesh, which successfully uncovers and investigates high volumes of fraud and forgery in UK visa applications.

In cases such as this, the unit works closely with the police, other Embassies and High Commissions to ensure the integrity of documentation, and to identify and take action against fraud.

Nick Low, British Deputy High Commissioner in Bangladesh said:

'I strongly advise anyone wanting to obtain a visa to visit the UK not to listen to agents who offer to sell forged documents and say they can guarantee a visa.

'They are criminals who have absolutely no influence over the decision or how quickly it is made.'

In cases of fraud, the UK BA will refuse the UK visa application and ban the applicant from travelling to the UK for up to 10 years.

They may also refer the applicant and any agent involved to the police for further investigation and possible charges.

Anyone who has information about immigration crime should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be assured.
 
Removing full right of appeal for family visitors PDF Print E-mail

A clause in the Crime and Courts Bill, published today, will remove the full right of appeal for those applying to enter the UK as a family visitor. Subject to Parliamentary approval and Royal Assent, this change is expected to come into force by 2014. Refused applicants will still be able to appeal on limited grounds of human rights or race discrimination.

In June 2012 we will also introduce secondary legislation which will tighten the family and sponsor definitions in family visit visa appeals. Subject to Parliamentary approval, these changes are expected to come into force in July 2012. Those applying to visit a cousin, uncle, aunt, niece or nephew will no longer have access to a full right of appeal, and to use that appeal right, the family member being visited in the UK must have settled, refugee or humanitarian protection status.

These changes will only affect applicants who have been refused a visa to visit family members. No changes are being made to the rules governing who can qualify for entry to the UK as a visitor and genuine visitors are welcome.

Consultation

Between July and October 2011, the Home Office carried out a consultation on whether applicants refused a family visit visa should have a full right of appeal. 39 per cent of respondents felt that a full right of appeal should not be retained for this category and 28 per cent felt that it should. 33 per cent didn't comment.

The Independent Chief Inspector will continue to monitor visa refusals where applicants have no full right of appeal and the UK Border Agency will use this feedback to improve our application and decision making processes.

Further changes following the 2011 family migration consultation will be announced in due course.

As well as removing the full right of appeal for family visit visas, the Crime and Courts Bill also includes provisions relating to UK Border Agency investigatory and other powers.
 
New Maintenance requirement for tier 1 general post 14 June 2012 PDF Print E-mail

On 15 March 2012, a written ministerial statement was laid in Parliament outlining a number of changes to the Immigration Rules.

From 14 June 2012, the personal savings you must have to support your application will increase.

If you plan to make a Tier 1 application on or after 14 June 2012, you must ensure the correct funds are held in your account as soon as possible.

We have also clarified the length of time you must hold the funds before you make your application.

 


 For applications received before 14 June 2012
 For applications received on or after 14 June 2012

Tier 1 applicants - entry clearance

£2,800

£3,100

Tier 1 applicants - already in the UK

£800

£900

Dependents of Tier 1 applicants who have been in the UK for less than 12 months

£1,600

£1,800

Dependents of Tier 1 applicants - all other applications

£533

£600
 
Service disruption at public enquiry offices PDF Print E-mail
Our public enquiry offices (PEOs) have been experiencing disruption due to IT problems in April and May 2012. These technical issues have affected approximately 1,000 applicants, mostly at our Croydon PEO.

We are working to that ensure a normal service is operating by 18 May.

If you have been affected by the technical problems at one of our PEOs

If you have recently attended a 'premium service' appointment at one of our PEOs and were unable to provide us with your biometric information, we have made provisions for you to give us your biometric information. We will:

  • offer extended opening hours across the PEO network;
  • offer new appointments, before 18 May at one of our other PEOs; and
  • contact all of those affected directly in the next 2 working days to offer you a new appointment.

Booking a 'premium service' appointment

If you would like to book an appointment at one of PEOs for a 'premium service' appointment please see our 'Booking an appointment' page for further information.

Tackling the technical problems

We are developing more robust contingency arrangements to better manage service disruption.

We also intend to review our opening hours and appointment scheduling systems to provide a better service for applicants; and to better manage service disruption.
 
Changes to the Immigration Rules come into effect on 6 April 2012 PDF Print E-mail

As previously announced, a number of changes to the Immigration Rules came into effect on 6 April.

These include changes for migrants coming to the UK under the following routes of the points-based system:

  • Tier 1 - high-value migrants.
  • Tier 2 - skilled workers, including: new arrangements for students switching into Tier 2 and confirmation that the limit for non-EU skilled workers allowed into the UK will remain at 20,700 for the next 2 years.
  • Tier 4 - students.
  • Tier 5 - temporary workers.

In addition to these changes the government is also increasing from 6 April, the funds that applicants will need to provide evidence of, in order to meet the maintenance requirements for Tier 4 and Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme). Changes to the level of funds needed for applicants in Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 5 (Temporary worker) will come into effect on 14 June.

Changes are also being made to:

  • Curtailment (cutting short the leave you have if you fail to start, or have ceased your work or study).
  • The visitor rules, with the creation of a new visitor route for permitted paid engagements to allow a small group of professionals, artists, entertainers and sportspersons who are to come to the UK to undertake short-term remunerated activities, for up to 1 month without formal sponsorship.
  • The overseas domestic worker routes.
  • The extension of leave to remain, so that Tier 2 migrants can now extend for a further 3 years, to take their stay up to a maximum of 6 years in total.

A more detailed summary of the changes can be found in the UK Border Agency news story published on 15 March and the news story published on 4 April, when the changes to the rules were laid in Parliament.
 
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