elengine:



Thank you so much for providing this useful information. I'm a skilled worker with NRPF and I can see it clearly that I'm only entitled to 15 hours starting from September. Unfortunately I know a lit of people with the same visa status that are claiming the 3o hours. Sope oti lo

This is incorrect
15 hours or 30 hours options are only applicable in Nursery School
Automatically all primary school (reception inclusive) pupils in the UK are eligible for 30 hours at default.

elengine:



Thank you so much for providing this useful information. I'm a skilled worker with NRPF and I can see it clearly that I'm only entitled to 15 hours starting from September. Unfortunately I know a lit of people with the same visa status that are claiming the 3o hours. Sope oti lo

You're welcome

Do they live in Scotland or Wales, as different rules apply there

skankhunt101:
Hello everyone, I’d like someone to help answer the below questions, thanks

1. My newborn is only a few days old. When is the appropriate time to apply for an international passport for him? Please note that we don’t have any immediate travel plans.

2. When is the best time to apply for his visa and add him as my dependent? Is it necessary to do this now, or can I wait until I’m ready to proceed?

3. I’ve scheduled a private circumcision for him. Will this cause any concerns or issues with the healthcare visitor?

Thank you in advance

Congratulations 🎉

1. Not mandatory to get him a passport, completely up to you

2. No strict timelines on adding him as a dependant, but you are required to pay for the IHS from 3 months as he will no longer be eligible for free NHS treatment

3. Won't be an issue as long as you choose a professional (i.e. experienced) and follow the after care instructions

oluwaleokey:


This is incorrect
15 hours or 30 hours options are only applicable in Nursery School
Automatically all primary school (reception inclusive) pupils in the UK are eligible for 30 hours at default.

OP was talking about preschool i.e. nursery attached to a primary school. 15/30 hours apply here until the child turns 4 and starts reception.

Zahra29:


Congratulations 🎉

1. Not mandatory to get him a passport, completely up to you

2. No strict timelines on adding him as a dependant, but you are required to pay for the IHS from 3 months as he will no longer be eligible for free NHS treatment

3. Won't be an issue as long as you choose a professional (i.e. experienced) and follow the after care instructions

Thank you so much

Zahra29:


OP was talking about preschool i.e. nursery attached to a primary school. 15/30 hours apply here until the child turns 4 and starts reception.

My bad...
His last statement caught my attention that I forgot he was referring to preschool...
Many thanks Zahra29

Visa fees on the rise again. Increase roundly above inflation

https://www.employmentlawworldview.com/uk-home-office-announces-new-visa-and-sponsorship-fees-effective-april-2025/

jedisco:
Visa fees on the rise again. Increase roundly above inflation

https://www.employmentlawworldview.com/uk-home-office-announces-new-visa-and-sponsorship-fees-effective-april-2025/

It’s really shocking to see a fee rise just after a year of previous increases. What’s really happening, is this country that broke?

Goke7:


It’s really shocking to see a fee rise just after a year of previous increases. What’s really happening, is this country that broke?

Immigration in the UK has been largely commoditised and increasingly seen as an easy way to generate revenue without the backlash other wider changes see. Many locals would even welcome this.

It seems the posturing is now to have yearly increases so big jumps come as less of a shock. For example, this rise has largely gone under the radar even among migrant communities

The kinda things one sees sef. More should be done to support many young minds back into work which we all know they'd find beneficial.

Why should we be bringing in tens of thousands of farm workers when we have almost a million young NEETs? Same also applies to care which is only slowly being adressed.


Holly, 17, had to drop out of college for having too much time off and explained she has a long-term condition that makes her sick, as well as autism and ADHD. "I'm still living with my parents but I'm also on PIP," she says.

"I'm working on getting a fit note at the moment," she says, referring to a note from her doctor that could lead to her being signed off. It would mean she'd get more money in benefits - around double the amount a jobseeker receives with no condition to look for work - but she'd then risk losing it if she got a job, a situation she believes is perverse.
https://archive.is/t21X6

Zahra29:
Important changes to the skilled worker route, effective April 9:

- Recruitment of care and senior care workers from overseas, or other immigration routes, will be banned in effect (applies to England only):

Employers will be required to prioritise care workers who have lost their sponsorship and/or are looking for new employment before they can consider overseas applicants or those on other immigration routes (doesn't apply to applicants already in a sponsored role).

- Minimum salary for sponsorship is to rise from £23,200 to £25,000, which means that Band 3 entry level roles will no longer meet the salary threshold for sponsorship

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/updates

Largely welcome and long overdue aside the band 3 exemption which has been a good outlet for many care workers. Hopefully, that is tweaked down the line.
Following Boriswave, there had been a glut in the sector and this would ensure that those already in are supported to integrate into British society. Even international students should also benefit as they'd be reasonable availability of work to support with paying their fees. Not even considering the many NEETS which recent changes might encourage back to work.

Ultimately it makes sense for labour to cut numbers in areas where there is glut so they have the leeway to bring in folks in areas of more need e.g tradesmen which house builders have been asking for to help address the housing crises.

jedisco:


Immigration in the UK has been largely commoditised and increasingly seen as an easy way to generate revenue without the backlash other wider changes see. Many locals would even welcome this.

It seems the posturing is now to have yearly increases so big jumps come as less of a shock. For example, this rise has largely gone under the radar even among migrant communities

Rather I just see a Guinea pig scenario where once you’re thinking of revenue increase you turn on immigrants and when you want to rant on society ills you also turn on immigrants. So they are both your problem and revenue tap. phew!

Goke7:


Rather I just see a Guinea pig scenario where once you’re thinking of revenue increase you turn on immigrants and when you want rant on society ills you also turn on immigrants. So they are both your problem and revenue tap. phew!

Hehe... its a bitter-sweet scenario. Due to current demography change, migration is an inevitable necessity.

Ultimately, most of those they're milking will become citizens and have the full access to the benefit system. Whats good is that most are in health/care- so they know as e dey be - dem no need orientation

Goke7:


Rather I just see a Guinea pig scenario where once you’re thinking of revenue increase you turn on immigrants and when you want rant on society ills you also turn on immigrants. So they are both your problem and revenue tap. phew!

Bills and taxes are going up in pretty much every sector next month - in some sectors by much bigger margins than most of the immigration fee rises - for example council tax, employers national insurance (which many businesses have been lamenting as unaffordable) , energy price cap etc
AND UK passport application fees are going up as well.

At the same time, benefit payments are due to be slashed or frozen for a large proportion of recipients, so I think it's quite disingenuous to make out like immigrants are the only ones facing fee increases or are specifically being targeted.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-passport-application-fees

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2025/03/council-tax-increase-2025-2026/

https://www.sage.com/en-gb/blog/employers-national-insurance-rise/

jedisco:


Largely welcome and long overdue aside the band 3 exemption which has been a good outlet for many care workers. Hopefully, that is tweaked down the line.
Following Boriswave, there had been a glut in the sector and this would ensure that those already in are supported to integrate into British society. Even international students should also benefit as they'd be reasonable availability of work to support with paying their fees. Not even considering the many NEETS which recent changes might encourage back to work.

Ultimately it makes sense for labour to cut numbers in areas where there is glut so they have the leeway to bring in folks in areas of more need e.g tradesmen which house builders have been asking for to help address the housing crises.

It's not a band 3 exemption per se. Trusts that pay above the new salary threshold will still be able to sponsor.

The government estimates that about 39,000 - 49,000 care workers have been displaced due to the revocation of hundreds of sponsorship licenses. The new rule is to prioritise the employment of these workers above new entrants including international students.

The rule should also help curb much of the CoS racketeering because firms now have to provide evidence that they have tried to recruit from the displaced pool of workers, and in addition prove that there was literally no one suitable - they will no longer be able to sell a vacancy or give it out to just anyone.

Housebuilders/construction workers will most likely be brought in on a temporary/ seasonal visa scheme similar to agricultural workers.

Goke7:


It’s really shocking to see a fee rise just after a year of previous increases. What’s really happening, is this country that broke?

We'll find out on Wednesday.

Lexusgs430:


If you don't present a return ticket with VV, you WOULD be denied boarding, let's assume you scale through at your departure airport, you would not pass through at any UK airport...... And the airline that brings you in, would also be fined, used to be £2000 (might have increased)....


Buying one leg is more expensive, why are you considering that route.......

Because of situations at home, we wanted to leave the return open so that given one week or even 3 days notice, we can just book the return without the stress of cancelling and rescheduling an existing one.

fursh:


My parents arrived five days ago, but they were initially denied boarding at MMA because I had purchased a one-way ticket for them. I had to quickly buy a return ticket before they were permitted to board, and they almost missed their flight. Interestingly, upon arrival in Manchester, no questions were asked about their tickets. To avoid any issues, I strongly advise you get a return ticket

Mine came 3 days ago, was initially denied till I got a return ticket. At Heathrow, no questions asked.

Seen Lexus's response to the possible reason for the bolded.

Viruses:


Because of situations at home, we wanted to leave the return open so that given one week or even 3 days notice, we can just book the return without the stress of cancelling and rescheduling an existing one.

Your only option as you already know, was to buy a more expensive open ticket....... 🎫🔓

Zahra29:


Bills and taxes are going up in pretty much every sector next month - in some sectors by much bigger margins than most of the immigration fee rises - for example council tax, employers national insurance (which many businesses have been lamenting as unaffordable) , energy price cap etc
AND UK passport application fees are going up as well.

At the same time, benefit payments are due to be slashed or frozen for a large proportion of recipients, so I think it's quite disingenuous to make out like immigrants are the only ones facing fee increases or are specifically being targeted.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-passport-application-fees

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2025/03/council-tax-increase-2025-2026/

https://www.sage.com/en-gb/blog/employers-national-insurance-rise/

Are immigrants exempted from those increases in energy, bills and taxes? How is this disingenuous? It’s just last year ilr fees were just increased to £2880 and now to over £3k so a family that has saved and planned with last year figure to apply this year now have to cough out more to cover for the new fees haba, so every year from now we will be seeing increase in visa fees, that’s new and strange.

Goke7:


Are immigrants exempted from those increases in energy, bills and taxes? How is this disingenuous? It’s just last year ilr fees were just increased to £2880 and now to over £3k so a family that has saved and planned with last year figure to apply this year now have to cough out more to cover for the new fees haba, so every year from now we will be seeing increase in visa fees, that’s new and strange.

The bolded is incorrect. ILR fees were last increased in October 2023 to £2885. There was no increase in 2024.

Accusing the government of treating immigrants as guinea pigs is disingenuous. You talk as if immigrants are being specifically targeted when the reality is that nearly every household and business is facing tax and bill increases.

Zahra29:


The bolded is incorrect. ILR fees were last increased in October 2023 to £2885. There was no increase in 2024.

Accusing the government of treating immigrants as guinea pigs is disingenuous. You talk as if immigrants are being specifically targeted when the reality is that nearly every household and business is facing tax and bill increases.

Fine, still an increase in less than one and half years is a kill and not justifiable as these people are also not immune to the other bills and taxes increases but of course it doesn’t matter because they are immigrants and they should bear the cost of being here no matter how much but tomorrow they will be still be objects of attacks of low wages, cheap labour, why citizens can’t get high wages and all those dumb stuff. Let the arrogance continue!

Goke7:


Fine, still an increase in less than one and half years is a kill and not justifiable as these people are also not immune to the other bills and taxes increases but of course it doesn’t matter because they are immigrants and they should bear the cost of being here no matter how much but tomorrow they will be still be objects of attacks of low wages, cheap labour, why citizens can’t get high wages and all those dumb stuff. Let the arrogance continue!

Many immigrants pay reduced/low/no immigration fees in the preceding 5 years to ILR, either because the sponsorship costs are covered or subsidised by the sponsor, or in the case of health and care, the government has waived IHS fees and heavily discounted the application fees.

(There are exceptions such as those on a spousal visa who have to pay full application and IHS fees for 5 years even though they are married to a British citizen)

A one-off fee for permanent residence is not unreasonable, especially as Jedisco likes to point out, it gives the recipient "full access to the benefits system" and other advantages

The last few weeks I have notice the following essays on immigration for ILR on Telegraph: Something is brewing - an anti immigration rhetorics.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/17/boriswave-indefinite-leave-remain-time-bomb-immigration/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/25/taken-for-suckers-time-scrap-indefinite-leave-to-remain/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/10/immigration-boriswave-indefinite-leave-remain-crisis/

Divine88:
The last few weeks I have notice the following essays on immigration for ILR on Telegraph: Something is brewing - an anti immigration rhetorics.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/17/boriswave-indefinite-leave-remain-time-bomb-immigration/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/25/taken-for-suckers-time-scrap-indefinite-leave-to-remain/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/10/immigration-boriswave-indefinite-leave-remain-crisis/

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

jedisco:
The kinda things one sees sef. More should be done to support many young minds back into work which we all know they'd find beneficial.

Why should we be bringing in tens of thousands of farm workers when we have almost a million young NEETs? Same also applies to care which is only slowly being adressed.


Holly, 17, had to drop out of college for having too much time off and explained she has a long-term condition that makes her sick, as well as autism and ADHD. "I'm still living with my parents but I'm also on PIP," she says.

"I'm working on getting a fit note at the moment," she says, referring to a note from her doctor that could lead to her being signed off. It would mean she'd get more money in benefits - around double the amount a jobseeker receives with no condition to look for work - but she'd then risk losing it if she got a job, a situation she believes is perverse.
https://archive.is/t21X6

As a dr you should know better.

You are thesame people that issue out fit note like you are doing give away. Someone comes to clinic with unshaved beard and old clothes. Boom you guys just issue fit note and say they are depressed and they go on benefit.

However, put aside those gaming the system and going on benefit. There are many genuinely sick people in this country. Could it be that white folks are naturally not strong, could it be the cold or their genetics or maybe it’s a publicly funded health system.

No matter the incentives the government provides I know one thing for sure that it wont make them work. They see that benefit money as birthright.

Goke7:


Rather I just see a Guinea pig scenario where once you’re thinking of revenue increase you turn on immigrants and when you want to rant on society ills you also turn on immigrants. So they are both your problem and revenue tap. phew!

And they cry that China is taking over or the immigrants are taking their jobs and dont adopt British values.

Their matter tire me jare. Make I face my African biz

lavida001:


As a dr you should know better.

You are thesame people that issue out fit note like you are doing give away. Someone comes to clinic with unshaved beard and old clothes. Boom you guys just issue fit note and say they are depressed and they go on benefit.

However, put aside those gaming the system and going on benefit. There are many genuinely sick people in this country. Could it be that white folks are naturally not strong, could it be the cold or their genetics or maybe it’s a publicly funded health system.

No matter the incentives the government provides I know one thing for sure that it wont make them work. They see that benefit money as birthright.

Someone comes to clinic with unshaved beard and old clothes. Boom you guys just issue fit note and say they are depressed

🤣🤣🤣

To the bolded however, you do realise that there are many black and ethnic groups who are also on some form of benefits, including sickness/ disability. It's not solely a white issue.

Zahra29:

....

Housebuilders/construction workers will most likely be brought in on a temporary/ seasonal visa scheme similar to agricultural workers.

Yeah its not a ban. If the treshold remains that way then the annual pay increase should ultimately push all band 3's upto the limit.

Agric workers are different in that crops are seasonal and hence they come and go without meeting residency requirements with maximum limit of 6m per year for most. Homes are built all year round with some sites taking several years to complete hence home builders need fulltime and longterm workers. Secondly if a cap is put on the visa - say 3 years, to limit attainment of longterm stay, then that becomes counterproductive. Why should employers invest bring in folks and upskill them only for them to be asked to leave when they have learned the system and are more productive? Finally, even if they leave early, there'd be longterm negative effects. Workers who see themselves as temporary are unlikely to invest in tbe local economy- buy houses, open businesses e.t.c. Most construction work aside labourers would not be regarded as low skill. If less skilled visas could lead to longterm stay then I wonder why this wouldn't. The country needs young builders who can put 20yrs into building for Britain. All said, it remains to be seen if that pathway would come into effect.

Divine88:
The last few weeks I have notice the following essays on immigration for ILR on Telegraph: Something is brewing - an anti immigration rhetorics.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/17/boriswave-indefinite-leave-remain-time-bomb-immigration/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/25/taken-for-suckers-time-scrap-indefinite-leave-to-remain/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/10/immigration-boriswave-indefinite-leave-remain-crisis/

Hehe... don't let it bother you. It's the usual Torygraph speak. KS has been quick to put Kemi who should have been championing such narratives in a cupboard.
So far, it does not appear Labour is giving thought to any of that and the Cons can't shout too much eitherway. By the time the next election is due, most of the Boriswave crew would be Brits. Na so e dey be

jedisco:


Hehe... don't let it bother you. It's the usual Torygraph speak. KS has been quick to put Kemi who should have been championing such narratives in a cupboard.
So far, it does not appear Labour is giving thought to any of that and the Cons can't shout too much eitherway. By the time the next election is due, most of the Boriswave crew would be Brits. Na so e dey be

It will even have more devastating effects cos it’s not even a smart thing to continue to increase ilr fees and same time then increase the timeline eligibility. Folks are getting wiser now, where elsewhere I can get permanent residence faster and even cheaper. But you know that arrogance of this is Britain and folks won’t mind waiting for 30 years to get ilr but by the time the reality of how they are losing highly skilled workers and revenue hits then that cycle of another wailing will start like we see in the case of international students. I won’t even mind them testing the waters sef make I check something!

Visa Question please:
Parents came to the UK in 2018 (tier 2 work visa).
Daughter (12 years old) joined them in 2022 (as tier2 dependant).

Mother is now British citizen, father now has ILR. Daughter’s Dependant visa is expiring in April.

What sort of visa should be applied for? For the daughter? Is daughter eligible for ILR? Having spent only 2 years and 10 months?

What visa category fits the daughter? Does the 5 year residency before ILR apply to children?