The UK is transitioning to a fully digital immigration system, with the aim of phasing out physical documents by the end of 2024. This new system, known as the eVisa, will provide online evidence of immigration status, making the process simpler, safer, and more convenient for migrants. Here’s what you need to know about the new eVisa system.

What is an eVisa?

An eVisa is a digital document that contains your biometric and biographical information, immigration status, and any conditions of your stay in the UK. Unlike the traditional Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which is a physical card, an eVisa is accessed online through the UK government’s website. This means you can view and prove your immigration status digitally from the moment your eVisa is issued, with the possibility of generating a share code to send to the employer or landlord required to check your visa status.

The UK government’s recent changes to the UK spouse visa financial requirements (effective April 11, 2024) have increased the minimum income threshold. This may now pose a significant hurdle for couples seeking to reunite in the UK by applying for a UK Spouse/Unmarried Partner Visa. However, combining income and savings might be a successful strategy for some whose income now falls short of the new minimum threshold. This article explores this option and gives you a simple free calculator from a UK immigration lawyer specialising in spouse visas. Please note that we recommend that you consult an immigration solicitor to check if you meet the requirements if you have any questions.

The UK government has embarked on a significant policy shift by increasing the Minimum Income Requirement (MIR) for spouse visas under Appendix FM. The original threshold of £18,600 has been raised to £29,000, marking a substantial change to the immigration landscape. This adjustment is part of a broader strategy unveiled by the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary on the 4^th of December 2023, aimed at reducing net migration and addressing immigration abuse.

New Transnational Marriage Abandonment law January 2024

For some people, marriage also brings a new life in a new country. But tragically, not all marriages work out as expected. Transnational marriage abandonment (TMA), when a spouse is deliberately abandoned overseas by their British or settled partner, leaves victims stranded abroad. However, there is finally good news for survivors of TMA. Since the 31^st of January 2024, victims of transnational marriage abandonment can apply for a visa to return to the UK. This follows the landmark case of R on the application of AM v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWHC 2591 (Admin).