Many South Africans are concerned about how Brexit can affect their UK immigration status directly or indirectly. Here is the latest update and advice from Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants on the issue. Latest developments on Brexit The UK Government released a policy paper on the position of EU citizens in the UK at the end of […]

One of the lesser-known immigration routes is the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur immigration. This immigration route offers many advantages to South Africans and other non-EEA graduates, who have exciting business ideas they want to implement in the UK.

One of the most common concerns for UK employers wanting to sponsor a Tier 2 (General) employee, and for the prospective Tier 2 employee, is how to meet the Tier 2 (General) minimum salary threshold.

One of the biggest concerns for South Africans relocating to the UK is whether their children of school-going age will be able to attend a state-funded UK school.

When one receives the initial spouse visa, the relief is often very big, and thoughts of the extension seem far away.

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Government’s cabinet reshuffle and SA’s subsequent ratings downgrade, paired with the economic implications that are to follow, have made those South Africans who might otherwise have stuck it out in Mzansi, skittish.

VG Immigration has noticed that a lot of visa and Biometric residence permit (BRP) holders in the UK are not aware that they need to report any change in their circumstances to the Home Office.

In order to provide clarity on the issue of UK visa applications and Tuberculosis Testing, the consultants at Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants have compiled a short guidance on the matter.

People often think that getting married in the UK is extremely easy.

There is often confusion amongst first-time UK visa applicants.

Non-EU nationals living and working in the UK, who are facing a breakdown of their marriage, have to not only deal with the stresses that can be caused by the separation but also have the added concern of how the divorce could affect their UK immigration status.

Many persons are surprised to find out that it is possible to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) based on continuous lawful residence in the UK.

Many non-EU citizens studying in the UK are pleasantly surprised when they are informed by Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants that it is possible to switch to a Tier 2 permit from within the UK, upon completion of their studies. The biggest advantage of such a switch is of course that the Tier 2 Immigration route will ultimately lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. This is excellent news for persons currently on a student visa in the UK.

From 6 April 2017, there will be a number of rule changes to the Tier 2 Immigration Route. Breytenbachs Consultants have reported on these prospective rule changes to Tier 2, over the past few months, and can now confirm that the UK Home Office has laid it before Parliament for approval.

In the past few months, the consultants at Breytenbachs Immigration have been receiving more and more distressed calls from clients who are calling as employers are terminating or suspending their employment, due to their immigration documentation not being in order, according to the employer.

The situation for EU nationals currently living in the UK, following the Brexit vote, remains unclear. Indications also seem to be as if there will, unfortunately, not be a decision on the situation of EU nationals living in the UK soon.

Where an individual is resident but not domiciled in the UK there are special rules that apply to that person’s overseas income and capital gains. Only UK assets are charged to inheritance tax. The government has been consulting on possible changes to the rules from 6 April 2017.

There are a number of UK immigration changes coming into effect in April 2017.  One of these is the introduction of the UK Immigration Skills Charge, as well the annual UK Home Office fee increases.

There are a number of UK Immigration changes that will be implemented in April 2017. It is important that UK visa applicants take note of the various changes, in order to prepare themselves for these changes, and where possible to apply beforehand, in order to avoid the more strict requirements.

People are often surprised to hear that they do not necessarily have to marry in order to join their partner in the UK.

Last week we discussed the popularity of the UK as an overseas destination for students looking to study abroad and the importance of choosing the best suitable educational institute. In this edition, we are focusing on the costs of studying in the UK and the situation regarding dependants of the Tier 4 Student.

Many South African parents get anxious about the stance of tertiary education institutes in South Africa and are looking at the possibility of their children rather studying overseas. Persons are however often overwhelmed, as they are not sure where and how to start the process, what visa to apply for and what to expect in terms of cost.

Many clients applying for UK visas for the first time, are very surprised to hear that they are subject to pay a UK Immigration Health Surcharge.  In order to provide first-time applicants with the necessary information on this levy, the consultants at Breytenbachs Immigration have compiled some guidance on the issue.

As most South African expats will tell you, arriving in the UK involves a steep learning curve. From which end of the Tube platform to stand at to get a seat – through to what time to telephone the GP’s receptionist to actually get an answer, knowledge comes with experience.