Major changes to the visa system for overseas applicants are expected to be phased in from this month, pursuant to The Immigration (Biometric Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2015.
Third country nationals whose applications to enter the UK for more than six months have been successful will be granted a 30 day short term travel visa, valid from the date they have provided as their intended date of travel to the UK, instead of having their passports endorsed with leave to enter. The individual must travel to the UK within that 30 day period.
Within 10 days of arriving in the UK, the applicant will need to attend a designated post office with their passport and approval letter in order to collect their Biometric Residence Permit (‘BRP’). A process is likely to be put in place to enable family members or authorised third parties to collect BRPs.
Migrants who are required to register with the police will still have to follow a separate procedure although there is mounting pressure to try and persuade the Government to change this requirement in light of these new measures.
The Home Office and Post Office Ltd (‘POL’) are currently negotiating “third party collections” which may see an authorised official of a university, for example, collect BRPs for a number of students.
We will provide updates as further information is released by the Home Office.
