Immigration Assist

If you're a South African planning to study, work, or reunite with family in the UK, it's crucial to understand the significant changes in visa policies that have taken effect in 2025. Here's a comprehensive overview tailored for our community: 📉 Overall Decline in UK Visa Applications UK visa applications have seen a substantial drop, with a 37% decrease in 2024 compared to the previous year. This decline is primarily due to stricter immigration rules implemented by the UK government, affecting various visa categories including skilled workers, students, and family reunification.   ---   🎓 Impact on International Students International students have been significantly affected by these policy change:   Dependants Restriction As of January 2024, most international students are no longer allowed to bring family members to the UK, except for those enrolled in postgraduate research programs or government-sponsored scholarship.   Decrease in Stu...

 If your child is born in the UK while you are on an Ancestry Visa, they may not automatically be granted British citizenship unless one of the following conditions applies: Parent’s Status : If one of the parents is a British citizen or holds Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), the child may automatically acquire British citizenship at birth. Children Born in the UK to Non-British Parents : If you are on an Ancestry Visa, your child will not automatically be British, even if born in the UK. The child’s nationality will typically depend on the parent’s immigration status and the length of time they have lived in the UK. What Steps Should You Take for Your Child? Since your child is not automatically British in this case, you would need to apply for a visa for them to stay in the UK. Child Dependent Visa : You will need to apply for a Child Dependent Visa for your child to remain with you in the UK. This is applicable if you hold an Ancestry Visa and the child is under 18. T...

 If you obtained your UK Ancestry Visa through your husband's UK-born grandparent, but you do not have a UK-born grandparent yourself, your situation becomes more nuanced after a divorce. Here's how it works: Ancestry Visa Based on Spouse’s Grandparent Your Ancestry Visa is linked to your spouse's UK-born grandparent, not directly to you. This means your visa was granted based on your husband's family connection, and not on your own ancestry. The visa allows you to live and work in the UK, as long as you meet the criteria—one of which includes maintaining a genuine relationship with your UK sponsor (your husband). What Happens After Divorce? Visa Validity : The good news is that divorce does not automatically invalidate your Ancestry Visa. However, because your visa was linked to your marriage, a divorce could raise complications, especially if the Home Office views the visa as contingent on the marriage being ongoing. Changes in Circumstances : If your visa was issued ...

  What Happens if Your Spouse Passes Away While You're in the UK on a Family Settlement Visa? Losing a spouse is one of the most painful experiences anyone can go through. If you're living in the UK on a Family Settlement Visa, and your spouse passes away, the emotional toll can be overwhelming. On top of dealing with your grief, you may also be left with concerns about your right to remain in the UK, especially if your visa was based on your relationship. So, what are your options if you're in the UK on a Spouse or Unmarried Partner Visa and find yourself in this difficult situation? Here’s a guide to help you understand what you can do next. Can You Stay in the UK After the Death of Your Spouse? If you came to the UK on a Spouse Visa or Unmarried Partner Visa, you do not have to leave the UK immediately after your spouse passes away. The UK’s immigration rules allow you to stay if your relationship was ongoing at the time of your partner’s death, even if the visa was ...

  Brexit has had a significant impact on the UK economy, changing everything from trade to growth. While early predictions were dire, the effects have been more complex, with regional differences and mixed results. Here’s a simple breakdown of how Brexit has affected the UK economy since it left the EU. Economic Slowdown and Trade The UK’s economy has grown slower than expected post-Brexit, and by 2022, it was lagging behind other major economies. This slowdown is largely due to a drop in trade with the EU, lower foreign investment, and fewer workers from Europe coming in after free movement ended. Labour Market Changes With Brexit came an end to the free movement of workers, causing significant shifts in the UK job market. Sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and hospitality saw worker shortages, driving wages up in some areas. However, businesses are also struggling with higher recruitment costs and fewer workers overall. Regional Disparities The impact of Brexit has varied acro...

www.immigrationassist.co.za Relocating to the UK is a big step, and one of the key questions for many South Africans moving here is: should I bring my vehicle over from South Africa or buy one in the UK? Based on anecdotes from fellow South African expats, here's what you need to know about vehicles in the UK, including the pros and cons of importing versus buying locally, converting your SA licence, getting car finance, and choosing between new and second-hand vehicles. 1. Bringing Your Vehicle from South Africa Bringing your vehicle over might sound appealing if you're attached to it or think it might save you money. However, most South Africans who've made the move advise against it. One expat shared their experience trying to bring over a Harley Davidson, facing concerns about emissions regulations and potential fines. While emissions standards might not pose a huge issue outside of major cities like London (which have low emission zones ), your vehicle might ...