HappiER New Year! πŸΎπŸŽ‡

 




The New 2021 Year is almost here. 2020 has been unusual but rather than indulge in clichΓ©, we’d like to highlight the positive things.

#1 As always, you, our customers, kept us busy. 
And for that, we are saying a Big Thank You! The immigration work doesn't stop in the pandemic, visas still expire and need to be renewed or changed from one to another. We have adapted by offering more online consultations and appointments (face-to-face meetings are still available, subject to the London restrictions); using Dropbox for the documents and generally, working in the "new normal”.  

#2 UK Visas & Immigration was still processing applications and issuing visas. 
Yes, the process wasn't anywhere near as fast as normal, and Priority services were paused (still mostly the case now), but the Government officials did adapt, in their own ‘Government’ way. When visa centres shut their doors in the spring (when we all thought it would be over by the summer), we were asked to email your supporting documents to the caseworkers, so they could consider the case in the meantime. Yes, the app (for reusing the biometrics) was being introduced slowly and eventually stopped altogether (except for students), but, hopefully, it paved the way for the future. After a decade of the Governments being keen on collecting the biometrics (fingerprints and a digital photo) every time you apply for a visa, in the past few years this trend has been reversing. For example, Schengen countries were already reusing biometrics before the pandemic. Let's hope the UKVI will revive its app sooner rather than later. Until then, the visa centres remain open and are designated as essential services. 

#3 The visa rules were adapted not to penalise those affected. 
Again, it wasn't always perfect or fast enough, but it was there in the end. Under the current rules, no one affected by the pandemic will be penalised for overstaying a UK visa or having to breach its conditions. For example, in most cases you can count the furlough pay in your next visa application. 

#4 The new Points-Based Immigration System started on 1 December 2020.  
We have already mentioned how much better it was than the old, tired and overstrict Tier 2 category. The work visas are now open to all citizens (not just Europeans) who have the right skills to meet the demand of the post-Brexit labour market.  

That’s our final message for 2020, it simply remains to wish you and your families a safe, healthy and HappiER New Year!  

1st 4Immigration team

OISC ref F200800152

Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HN

www.1st4immigration.com

Property Management in London from our sister company, MTV Properties, www.mtv-properties.com

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