Immigration roundup: July 2025

July was actually a fairly busy month! Join Sonia and Barry as they run you through what happened, including the changes to the skilled worker route, everything that happened on Afghan resettlement, recent changes to the EU Settlement Scheme and the latest instalment in a far too long running Palestinian case. An article from BID flagging up a really important change being proposed to cautions got a huge number of views and has hopefully helped to raise awareness.

Other cases included one involving a questionable practice by the Home Office relating to people in prison, a successful challenge to a sponsor licence revocation. Barry and Sonia also discussed the wisdom of civil penalty appeals, the latest on climate change litigation and an important update for anyone filing judicial reviews in the Administrative Court. That's not even all of it!The 43 minute long podcast follows the running order below:

Statement of changes (00:50)

Afghan scheme closed immediately and major changes to skilled worker route – statement of changes: HC 997

Asylum (02:10)

Secret Afghan resettlement scheme set up after government data breach

Successful challenge to transparency of Triples review of Afghan resettlement rejections

What does the ICJ’s advisory opinion on climate change mean for displaced people?

The Climate Mobility Case Database: a new movement to advance the rights of climate-displaced communities

Palestinian family succeed in their latest battle to reach the UK

Deportation (12:30)

Concern over new police powers to ensure more foreign nationals are removed from the country

Home Office failed to consider human rights claim before making deportation decision

Detention (18:40)

Student held to be unlawfully detained after Home Office wrongly cancels leave

Work routes (19:50)

Extending a skilled worker visa without a certificate of sponsorship

Care provider successfully challenges revocation following Home Office salary miscalculations

Failed challenge shows that civil penalty appeals can be unappealing

EUSS (28:50)

Changes to the absence rules for EU Settlement Scheme

How does absence from the UK work under the EU settlement scheme?

Procedure (34:00)

Which settlement category (and form) to use when completing ten years of lawful residence

Upper Tribunal decision on evidential flexibility and accepting new evidence in administrative reviews

Administrative Court gives guidance on handling e-filing issues

Updated (41:00)

There is no 180 day a year rule for visitors to the UK

Naturalising as a British citizen: the intention to settle requirement

What is the immigration skills charge?

Briefing: what is the English language requirement?