UK Launches Visa Fee Reimbursement Scheme to Help Scale-Ups Hire Overseas Talent
Government opens 10-week public consultation on new Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement
Government tells Heathrow expansion bidders to re-house immigration detention centres
Latest News
Oxfordshire seeks High Court injunction to halt anti-immigration flag campaign
Oxfordshire county council wants a High Court order to stop an England-flag campaign linked to anti-immigration protests. The authority says unauthorised flags cost £15,000 to clear and risk public safety, while critics warn the displays intimidate newcomers.
The Independent teams with Refugees at Home for Refugee Week partnership
The Independent will provide advertising and editorial support to Refugees at Home and US charity Choose Love during Refugee Week 2026. The partnerships aim to raise funds and awareness for community-based refugee support, offering engagement opportunities for UK employers.
Practical guide: How to make a ‘valid’ UK immigration application in the eVisa era
A detailed 18 June blog from Whytecroft Ford sets out the checklist for submitting a ‘valid’ UK immigration application. The user-friendly explainer is timely as digital-only filing and carrier status checks make technical errors more costly for employers and travellers alike.
UK extends validity of expired BRPs & BRCs as digital e-Visa roll-out hits delays
The Home Office has pushed back the deadline for migrants to replace physical BRP/BRC cards with digital e-Visas, citing implementation challenges. Expired BRPs remain valid to 31 Dec 2026 and BRCs linked to the EU Settlement Scheme to 31 Dec 2030, though the documents can no longer be used for right-to-work or right-to-rent checks. Employers and mobility teams gain vital time but must still move quickly to complete the shift to fully-digital status.
EU launches Channel anti-smuggling action plan in coordination with the UK
Brussels has rolled out a 13-point plan to combat illegal Channel crossings, emphasising joint EU–UK policing, intelligence and returns. The move signals tougher border checks this summer and could translate into stricter compliance audits for UK employers that move goods or people through northern France and Belgium. ([brusselstimes.com](https://www.brusselstimes.com/eu-affairs/2195030/eu-steps-up-anti-smuggling-operations-along-channel-as-crossings-decline))
Home Office publishes 17 June update to Register of Licensed Sponsors
UKVI’s 17 June sponsor-register update adds 136 new licence holders (notably in AI and health care) and removes 42 non-compliant firms. The dynamic list is an essential due-diligence tool for employers and supply-chain managers who rely on sponsored workers. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-of-licensed-sponsors-workers))