Gherson is a London law firm specialising in UK immigration, nationality, extradition and Human Rights law.
As the UK immigration world is continuously evolving, with new immigration routes, new guidance and new rules being implemented regularly by the Home Office, it is essential to keep up-to-date with the latest immigration news and announcements. We aim to report on the majority of these changes via our blogs. We also often post overviews of the numerous immigration routes and discuss requirements within the different visa categories.
So what have we been talking about this week?
Home Office Coronavirus travel update
With guidance surrounding the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic continuously changing, we aim to highlight important guidance issued by the government. This week we discussed the rules in respect of travelling to the UK and whether an individual is required to self-isolate upon arrival. Specifically, we looked at the restrictions which relate to the country from which you are arriving and the exemptions which may apply depending on your occupation.
Please refer to our blog if you are unsure whether you are required to self-isolate upon arrival to the UK: https://www.gherson.com/blog/home-office-coronavirus-travel-update, posted on 26 October 2020. Please note, this information was correct at the time of posting but is subject to change.
How COVID-19 may affect individuals trying to obtain British citizenship
For individuals wishing to obtain British citizenship, there are strict residence requirements which must be met in order for an application to succeed. An individual wishing to make such an application must not have been absent from the UK for more than a stipulated number of days during the relevant qualifying period. Unfortunately, the global pandemic has for many made it impossible to travel, resulting in increased absences from the UK, which, in most cases, were unavoidable.
We discuss here what the specific residence requirements are in respect of absences from the UK along with the current guidance with regard to potential discretion being applied by the Home Office: https://www.gherson.com/blog/covid_and_british_citizenship_applications, posted on 27 October 2020.
After the EAW: the UK’S new legislation
Following the UK’s departure from the EU, the UK Government has set about amending current legislation and enacting new legislation, some of which comes into force on 1 January 2021. Here, we look at The Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Act 2020 which received Royal Assent on 22 October 2020. We discuss the implications and effects of this new legislation with regard to the powers of arrest of individuals wanted for extradition: https://www.gherson.com/blog/after-eaw-uk-new-legislation, posted 28 October 2020.
COVID-19: Advice for UK Visa Holders & Temporary UK Residents who have been granted ‘exceptional assurance’ until 31 October 2020
The global impact of COVID-19 left many individuals stranded in the UK, unable to return to their home countries. A number of these individuals who held permission to be in the UK, saw their permission expire whilst they were unable to travel. As a result of this, the UK authorities introduced ‘exceptional assurance’ which provided short-term protection against the negative consequences an individual may face when remaining in the UK after the expiry of their leave. Currently, no extension to this provision has been announced and as a result, this protection currently expires on 31 October 2020.
Read more on this here: https://www.gherson.com/blog/exceptional_assurance_ends_31_october_2020, posted on 28 October 2020.
Gherson has extensive experience in all aspects of UK immigration law. If you have any queries relating to the blogs published, or are interested in talking to us about your specific circumstances, please do not hesitate to contact us for further advice.
The information in these blogs is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in these blogs. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
©Gherson 2020