Home Office Change Rules on Work Permit Reprints
by Charles Kelly
9th February 2007
Following Immigration Matters articles and representations to the Home Office Policy Team, revised rules have been introduced covering requests for reprinted Work Permits.
In the Immigration Matters article, Embassies Ignore Judge’s rulings, Immigration Adviser and writer Charles Kelly reported that working migrants who had won entry clearance appeals were still not been granted visas.
One of the main reason was that Entry Clearance Officers (ECO’s) were refusing to issue visas unless the applicant obtained a new or reprinted Work Permit.
Applicants then faced further problems in obtaining new permits when the Home Office changed the rules in October 2006. The October rule change gave applicants just 28 days from the appeal decision to apply for a reprint or face the turmoil of applying for a new Work Permit. Hundreds of people ‘missed the cut’ or were caught between rule changes.
Fortunately, common sense has prevailed and the Home Office have updated the rules on 8th February 2007. The more flexible rules now take into account the delays in obtaining written notice of decisions. Applicants now have six months in which to request a reprinted Work Permit.
The change will be welcomed by applicants and representatives and the Home Office should be congratulated on responding to their customers needs.
If you should have any questions or views or need help please email Charles Kelly info@immigrationmatters.co.uk.
Need a Speaker?
I will be speaking at the ‘Showcase for Social Care and Social Work’, organized by Surrey Care Association and Skills for Care, on: “Employing Overseas Staff?” – 14th March 2007 at the Copthorne Hotel, Effingham Park.
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