Latest UK Immigration Rules Changes Revealed
In its latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC1780), published on 7 September 2023, the Home Office announced various changes to a number of UK immigration routes. In this post we highlight some of the key changes to the Immigration Rules that applicants should be aware of, including:
· Removal of the right of Administrative Review for EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) refusals;
· Removal of NHS debt as a basis for refusing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) application;
· Introduction of a new Appendix Children;
· Increase in the eligible age range and duration of stay for Australian and Canadian citizens on the Youth Mobility Scheme, as well as the addition of Andorra to the scheme;
· Incorporation of the settlement concession for pre-1997 Gurkhas into the Immigration Rules and extension to encompass pre-1997 Hong Kong military unit veterans and family members.
These changes will come into effect on various dates from 28 September 2023.
Removal of the Right of Administrative Review for EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Refusals
Since 1 November 2018, EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applicants who face refusals based on eligibility or are granted pre-settled status instead of settled status have been granted an additional avenue for administrative review. Additionally, there currently exists a right to an administrative review for decisions to cancel EUSS status on specific grounds.
Changes are being made to Appendix AR and Appendix AR (EU) of the Immigration Rules to abolish the right to administrative review (but not the right of appeal) for all decision types where it is currently applicable for the EUSS, the EUSS family permit, and the S2 Healthcare Visitor visa. These modifications will be effective for all relevant decisions made on or after 5 October 2023.
Furthermore, some minor technical modifications are being made to the Immigration Rules for the EUSS in Appendix EU. These changes in Appendix EU aim to elucidate the existing policy regarding cases where a dependent parent or child has previously been granted limited leave under Appendix EU, clarifying that they do not need to demonstrate dependency for subsequent applications under Appendix EU. Adjustments are also being made to the definition of the ‘required date’ in Annex 1 of Appendix EU, explicitly stating that the specified required date in sub-paragraphs (a)(viii) and (ix) does not apply to applicants relying on either a person with a Zambrano right to reside or a family member of a qualifying British citizen.
Removal of NHS Debt as a Basis for Refusing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Application
Currently, individuals from visa-exempt countries (including EEA citizens) visiting the UK for up to six months as visitors can enter based solely on their nationality, as indicated by their passport or other travel document.
However, in October 2023, the UK is launching an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, meaning that non-visa nationals will need Electronic Travel Authorisation in order to transit through the UK, stay for six months as a visitor or stay for three months on the Creative Worker visa concession.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme is being launched in a phased manner, starting with specific nationalities. Residents of Qatar travelling to the UK will require an ETA from November 2023, and residents of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will require an ETA from February 2024. More nationalities will be added to the scheme later and, eventually, all travellers visiting or transiting through the UK without requiring a visa for short stays or holding any other immigration status prior to their journey will need to apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation.
In its latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, the Home Office is making a change to Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisations to remove NHS debt as a basis for refusing an ETA application. Currently, the Immigration Rules state that an ETA application may be rejected if the applicant has not paid relevant NHS charges for overseas visitors, amounting to a minimum of £500. However, the Home Office has now decided that it cannot process NHS debt information rapidly enough to meet its service standard of 3 days for deciding an ETA application. Therefore NHS debt is being removed as a basis for refusing an ETA application.
Applicants should keep in mind, however, that a successful ETA application does not automatically guarantee entry at the UK border. Therefore, travellers intending to enter the UK, carrying outstanding NHS debts, and failing to settle them prior to travel, may face denial at the UK border upon arrival.
At present, Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisations also states that a lawful resident of Ireland travelling to the UK from within the Common Travel Area (CTA) is not required to obtain an ETA. The Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules clarifies that the ETA exemption for lawful residents of Ireland travelling within the CTA will necessitate individuals aged 16 and above to demonstrate their Irish residency, if requested by a UK official, to qualify for this exemption. The Home Office released guidance on 20 July 2023, outlining acceptable documents for proving residency and benefiting from this exemption. These documents include a Permanent Residence Certificate, European Health Insurance Card, Irish driving licence/learner permit, Medical card and GP visit card, National Age card, and Irish Residence Permit.
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VISHAL SHAH
CEO - OM Group of Companies
OM INTERNATIONAL
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