As this unprecedented year is coming to a close, we at Cross Border Legal Solicitors want to reach out and send our best wishes to you and your family. We hope that 2021 holds success and good fortune in all endeavours that you pursue. Despite the difficult circumstances this year, it continues to be a pleasure getting to know you and your families.
Matters Immigration…
2020 has been a year of much uncertainty; lockdowns, flight cancellations, visa centre closures and some people stranded far from home or their families.
To deal with all of these changes the Home Office was forced to adapt a number of their processes. They changed the way in which they dealt with in-country visa applications, including the reuse of biometric data and the introduction of an IDV App, which was welcome.
Unfortunately, this forward-thinking embrace of technology was a short-lived move as they have now reverted to face-to-face visa appointments for most applications, which has meant that applicants in the UK have to pay an extra £60-£200 to provide the same information that the Home Office often already hold.
It was also positive to see the Home Office publishing a concession on the income threshold for settlement visas, allowing caseworkers to consider PreCovid Income – this has now been extended up to March 2021 (see our article). Meanwhile, as COVID19 continues to wreak havoc, the Home Office continues to make changes to the published guidance, which we endeavour to highlight via our social media page
Brexit…
Oooh…yes! We are talking BREXIT! With the “final” deadline only a few days away, there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the nature of the relationship between the UK and the EU following the end of the transition stage. The Government have recently published the guidance to the new Points-Based Immigration System that will apply from the 1st of January (please see our article here). This new system will apply to all immigrants, including EU and non-EU citizens. The EU settlement scheme is well underway, with millions of EU nationals and their families already having applied. The deadline for EU nationals to switch their status is June 2021.
The firm…
Cross Border Legal Solicitors has had another blessed year; like all other companies across the globe, we have had to adapt to the new normal by embracing technology to provide the best legal assistance to our clients despite Social Distancing measures. However, we have been very fortunate to have many supportive clients, who have seen us through these tough periods.
We have successfully assisted numerous clients to obtain their visas in especially complex circumstances, including some stranded thanks to the flight closures during COVID Lockdowns earlier this year. We continue to feel honoured to assist in reuniting families and helping others to come out of the shadows by regularising their stay in the UK.
A big thanks to all…
Thank you for being a customer and/or supporter of our law firm Cross Border Legal Solicitors; we have been truly humbled by the positivity on social media, numerous feedback testimonials, and the trust bestowed upon us to deal with very personal matters, by people who we may have never met in person. We are delighted to have you as customers, supporters, followers and friends. We look forward to serving you in the New Year.
We know that this has been a difficult year for many and we would like to share our condolences with those who have lost loved ones or been adversely affected by the pandemic. We hope that 2021 will bring better fortune and wish you all good health.
Closing to recharge…
The office will be closed for the holidays: Please note that we will be out of the office from noon on the 23rd of December 2020 until the 4th of January 2021, without access to email or phone for general enquiries, requests for Santa, etc! (If you are a current client with an immigration emergency then you know how to contact me directly.)