Diary of an Immigration Adviser: UK Competence Test Centre for non-EU international...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: UK Competence Test Centre for non-EU international...: The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has confirmed that the School of Health at the University of Northampton began delivering the new T...

UK Competence Test Centre for non-EU international nurses and midwives opens for business

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has confirmed that the School of Health at the University of Northampton has started delivering the new Test of Competence on 17 November for international non-EU nurses who want to work in the UK.

The new competency based test replaces the cumbersome and subjective Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP) and will streamline the process for nurses and midwives who are internationally educated and wish to work in the UK and ensure that are assessed robustly and objectively.

The assessment process is formed of two parts:

1.  multiple choice computer-based test candidates take at test centres around the world fee £140
2. practical clinical examination to run at the University of Northampton.

The NMC said they “want to ensure that all people joining the Nursing and Midwifery Council's register are meeting the UK standards”.

Jackie Smith, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, said:

“Each year, hundreds of nurses and midwives who trained outside Europe apply to practise in the UK. 

"As a responsible regulator, we need to make sure that they are able to demonstrate clinical and theoretical knowledge as well as the professional values that will ensure patient-centred, compassionate care.

"This test will put candidates through scenarios that they may find in the UK’s health services."

The overseas test centres for part one of the test (computer based) are run by Pearson Vue and are available in many locations around the world, with at least one in most countries. If there is not a centre in your area, you will need to visit a test centre in another region/country or in the UK. See their website for a list of locations.

The second OSCE examination, or part two of the test, is completed within one day and can only be taken in the UK, delivered by a UK university.

Once the NMC authorised you to take the OSCE, you will need to book the date of the test directly with the university.

Following the part one test the candidate will have to travel to the UK to take part two.

The University of Northampton website states:

Part 2 is a nursing or midwifery Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) . The OSCE can only be sat after successfully passing part 1 and only the NMC can authorise a candidate to take part 2 (the OSCE) .

Once  the candidate has passed part 1 and received confirmation from the NMC to progress to part 2, candidates are required to pay for the test (link at the bottom of this page) to initiate the booking process. 

The OSCE will simulate a clinical environment and "patient" scenarios which Registered Nurses and Midwives are likely to encounter when they assess, plan, implement and evaluate care. Candidates are expected to utilise a contemporary evidence base and effectively demonstrate safe practical application of nursing and midwifery skills. The Test of Competence is blueprinted against the current UK pre-registration standards and these standards are available on the NMC's web site.

It is essential that candidates prepare for the test of competence. The test blue print on the NMC's web site offers some useful links to online resources which may be helpful.  On successful application and fee payment to The University of Northampton you will receive access to additional resources relevant to the test.

Cost

Part 2 of the test costs £992.00.  

The new testing system for international nurses should be more straightforward and much quicker than the previous ONP. It will also help NHS employers fill UK nurse job vacancies, which in many cases they are unable to fill within the UK or EU. There are around 20,000 nursing job vacancies in the UK and NHS hospitals are now offering Tier 2 working visa sponsorship - even for Tier 4 students in the UK..

Non-EU trained nurses and midwives must sit an IELTS English test and obtain an overall band score of 7.00 in order to register with the NMC. For full details on the new registration process and working in the UK for non-EU trained nurses or midwives, visit the University of Northampton's website, the NMC website or email me your CV and IELTS results.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Want To Work In The UK As A Nurse Or Carer? Join C...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Want To Work In The UK As A Nurse Or Carer? Join C...: Cynthia Barker writes...Concept Care Solutions, the London based medical recruitment specialists, will be back in Madrid this weekend - 3 - ...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Want To Work In The UK As A Nurse Or Carer? Join C...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Want To Work In The UK As A Nurse Or Carer? Join C...: Cynthia Barker writes...Concept Care Solutions, the London based medical recruitment specialists, will be back in Madrid this weekend - 3 - ...

Want To Work In The UK As A Nurse Or Carer? Join Concept Care In Madrid 3-5 July 2014

Cynthia Barker writes...Concept Care Solutions, the London based medical recruitment specialists, will be back in Madrid this weekend - 3 - 5 October 2014 - accompanied by employers interviewing Nurses and Care Workers for UK job vacancies in the NHS.

In addition to meeting many great Spanish Nurses and Doctors, we want to reach out to the Filipino community in Spain. There are around many thousands of Pinoys in Spain, but most cannot practice their true professional and are forced to take low paid jobs as domestic helpers or private carers. 

In Spain it is very difficult for Filipinos to work as a nurse or doctor, as their Philippine Degrees or professional qualifications are not accepted without extensive retraining. I have spoken to large numbers of Filipino trained nurses and PT's struggling to make ends meet - not even receiving a regular salary, despite the fact that they are Spanish passport holders (see photo below).

I advised them that if they move to London, Concept has hundreds of job vacancies for Nurses, Live-in Carers, Doctors, OT's and Radiographers. As Spanish citizens they are free to work anywhere within the EU under free movement directives.

Concept Care, who do not charge any placement fees, help candidates with accommodation, NMC registration and offer free training.

On a recent trip to Barcelona, we were delighted that Honorary Consul General Jordi Roches who took time out of his busy schedule to visit our job stand in Barcelona  - pictured below with, from left to right, Charles Kelly, Marketing and Recruitment Manager, Cynthia Barker and Edith Fongho.

Later in Madrid, I took time out to pay my respect to the Philippine Embassy and to meet the Labor Attaché, Ma. Elvira  Ador (pictured below centre with Charles Kelly and Cynthia Barker).

If you are an EU passport holder living in Spain, Portugal or within the EEA and would like to work in the UK email me with your CV.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Attention Nurses, Doctors, OT’s In Spain And Portu...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Attention Nurses, Doctors, OT’s In Spain And Portu...: Cynthia Barker writes...Concept Care Solutions, the London based medical recruitment specialists, will be in Lisbon and Porto this weekend -...

Nurses, Doctors, OT’s In Ireland, Spain And Portugal – UK Wants YOU!

Cynthia Barker writes...Concept Care Solutions, the London based medical recruitment specialists, has been to Madrid, Lisbon, Porto, Zagreb, Sofia, Dublin, Sligo, Cork and Galway in the last few months recruiting Nurses, Doctors, AHP’s and Care Workers for UK job vacancies in the NHS!

I was with Concept Care’s international team at the weekend attending the MedPharm Recruitment Job Fair for Nurses, Doctors, AHP's and Carers in Barcelona and Madrid - and the roadshow rolled on to other EU countries.

In addition to meeting many great Spanish Nurses and Doctors, we also touched base with the Filipino community in Spain. There are around 25,000 Pinoys in Barcelona alone, most of them working in low paid jobs as domestic helpers or private carers. 

Sadly, it is very difficult for Filipinos to practice their real professions, for instance in nursing or medicine, as our former colonial masters do not accept Philippine Degrees or professional qualifications at face value. I met large numbers of Filipino trained nurses and PT's struggling to make ends meet - not even receiving a regular salary, despite the fact that they are Spanish passport holders (see photo below).

I advised them that if they move to London, Concept has hundreds of job vacancies for Nurses, Live-in Carers, Doctors, OT's and Radiographers. As Spanish citizens they are free to work anywhere within the EU under free movement directives.

Concept Care, who do not charge any placement fees, help candidates with accommodation, NMC registration and offer free training.

We were delighted that Honorary Consul General Jordi Roches took time out of his busy schedule to visit our job stand in Barcelona - pictured below with, from left to right, Charles Kelly, Marketing and Recruitment Manager, Cynthia Barker and Concept’s Director Edith Fongho.

The next day Jordi had to fly to the Philippine Embassy in Madrid to meet President Aquino who was visiting Spain last weekend.

The recruitment job fair was a great success, but we discovered that due to the troubled economy, hundreds of Spanish-Filipino citizens would like to try their luck in London where there are 1000's of jobs for nurses and care workers! 

Whilst in Madrid, I took time out to pay my respect to the Philippine Embassy and to meet the Labor Attaché, Ma. Elvira  Ador (pictured below centre with Charles Kelly and Cynthia Barker).

Marketing and Recruitment Manager Charles Kelly went back to his 'roots' in Ireland last weekend taking in Sligo, Galway and Dublin looking for Irish nurses.

Concept will be talking a team from a top London hospital to interview nurses in Dublin at the Ballsbridge Hotel on 13 February 2015.

If you are an EU passport holder living in Ireland, Spain, Portugal or within the EEA and would like to work in the UK email Charles Kelly at Concept Care Solutions - ckelly@londonccs.com  - with your CV.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Concept Care Solutions Recruiting Nurses and Docto...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Concept Care Solutions Recruiting Nurses and Docto...: Cynthia Barker writes...Hola! I am in Spain today with Concept Care at the MedPharm Job Fair Barcelona and Madrid. As I have mentioned bef...

Concept Care Solutions Recruiting Nurses and Doctors For UK At MedPharm Job Fair Barcelona And Madrid

Cynthia Barker writes...Hola! I am in Spain today with Concept Care at the MedPharm Job Fair Barcelona and Madrid.

As I have mentioned before, the UK needs overseas nurses to fill 20,000 job vacancies in the NHS alone.

We will be exhibiting at the MedPharm Job Fair in Barcelona at the Novotel Diagonal today 13 September, and Madrid tomorrow on Sunday 14 September at the Hotel Convension.

Concept Care's has won a major from a London NHS Trusts desperate to recruit international nurses, Doctors and AHP's (Allied Health Professions) such as Occupational Therapists and Radiographers.

Medical recruitment agencies, such as Concept Care Solutions, and NHS Trusts are currently recruiting in the EU (Spain, Greece, Portugal, Romania and Bulgaria) to find nurses, care workers, OT's, PT's and doctors. EU workers can go anywhere within the EU to work, which means the UK faces stiff competition fro the best medical staff.

However, NHS employers will also need to employ non-EU nurses and staff from countries such as India and the Philippines in order to meet massive staff shortages.

Nurses needed include:

• Theatre
• ICU
• A&E
• Care of the Elderly

Non-EU Nurses must obtain IELTS 7.00, unlike those from European Union or EEA.

Many thousands of Post Study Work Visas (PSW) will be expiring in August and September. If you have a nursing or medical degree and need a Tier 2 working visa, contact me.

If you are a qualified nurse, doctor or OT/AHP in the UK send your CV to info@londonccs.com.

The NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) requirements for overseas nurses wishing to work in the UK are changing in October. An online written competence test and assessment held in the UK is being introduced from October 2014 replacing the outdated overseas nursing programme (ONP).

The new 'competence test' system will make it easier for employers, such as the NHS, to recruit non-EU nurses who want to work in the UK and fill the 20,000 plus UK nurse job vacancies.

Non-EU nurses will still need an English language level of IELTS 7.00. EU nurses have no English language requirement!

Visa overstayers should book a consultation with an OISC registered immigration adviser to look at their options for regularising their stay in the UK.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Nurse Jobs With Tier 2 Sponsorship London NHS Hosp...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Nurse Jobs With Tier 2 Sponsorship London NHS Hosp...: Cynthia Barker writes...Specialist nurses needed immediately for London NHS hospital job vacancies...UK, EU and non-EU nurses can apply as l...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Nurse Jobs With Tier 2 Sponsorship London NHS Hosp...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Nurse Jobs With Tier 2 Sponsorship London NHS Hosp...: Cynthia Barker writes...Specialist nurses needed immediately for London NHS hospital job vacancies...UK, EU and non-EU nurses can apply as l...

Nurse Jobs With Tier 2 Sponsorship London NHS Hospital

Cynthia Barker writes...Specialist nurses needed immediately for London NHS hospital job vacancies...UK, EU and non-EU nurses can apply as long as they have NMC registration or a decision letter in process.

Concept Care Solutions Ltd is on the NHS LPP Framework for International Recruitment. The international recruitment team are currently recruiting qualified Band 5/6 nurses for NHS Trusts in the UK. Right now they need around 50 nurses, for London Hospital nursing job vacancies, with the following experience or specialty:

• Care of Elderly - hospital ward
• Renal
• Neuro
• A&E
• HDU
• AAU

Tier 2 Sponsorship and UK visa assistance available!

Overseas nurses already in the UK, for instance on a student visa or PSW, can apply and obtain a working visa to work in the UK full time. Under current UK immigration Rules, work permit holders can sponsor dependents (medical care and schools are free) and will qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after 5 years and British Citizenship after 6 years.

Concept Care's team will be flying out to Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria and Romania next month to run special UK jobs open days for nurses, OT's, PT's, Radiographers, Sonographers, Care Workers and Doctors.

The company is also planning a recruitment drive in The Philippines and India as more NHS UK job orders are confirmed. The NMC registration process for non-EU educated nurses is changing in October, which will be good news for overseas nurses and UK employers.

If you would like an exciting new career working in the UK at a leading government NHS hospital, send your CV to: ckelly@londonccs.com

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: NMC Change Non-EU Nurse Registration Process For W...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: NMC Change Non-EU Nurse Registration Process For W...: Cynthia Barker writes...Good news for overseas nurses who trained outside the EU or EEA. The NMC ( Nursing and Midwifery Council ) requireme...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: NMC Change Non-EU Nurse Registration Process For W...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: NMC Change Non-EU Nurse Registration Process For W...: Cynthia Barker writes...Good news for overseas nurses who trained outside the EU or EEA. The NMC ( Nursing and Midwifery Council ) requireme...

NMC Change Non-EU Nurse Registration Process For Working In The UK

Cynthia Barker writes...Good news for overseas nurses who trained outside the EU or EEA. The NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) requirements for overseas nurses wishing to work in the UK are changing this October 2014. The overseas nursing programme (ONP) will be replaced by a new online written 'competence test' and assessment held in the UK.

The new 'competence test' system will make it easier for employers, such as the NHS, to recruit non-EU nurses who want to work in the UK.

Overseas nurses are desperately needed to fill the 20,000 plus UK nurse job vacancies in the NHS alone.

Non-EU nurses will still need an English language level of IELTS 7.00, unlike EU nurses who do not have to prove their English language competence.

The new NMC process should make it easier for non-EU nurses to work in the UK and for more attractive for employers to recruit them.

Medical recruitment agencies, such as Concept Care Solutions, and NHS Trusts have already gone out to the EU (Spain, Greece, Portugal, Romania and Bulgaria) to find nurses, care workers, OT's, PT's and doctors. EU workers can go anywhere within the EU to work, which means the UK faces stiff competition fro the best medical staff.

NHS employers will have to start employing non-EU nurses and staff from countries such as India and the Philippines in order to meet massive shortages.

Many hospitals have flown all over Europe but failed to recruit the required number of staff, as well as discovering that the level of English language ability left a lot to be desired. There is no requirement for IELTS 7.00 for nurses from the European Union despite the fact that the average European nurse probably speaks a lower level of English than a Filipino, African or Indian nurse, let alone and Australian nurse!

Concept Care Solutions is now planning recruitment drives in the Philippines and India once again to recruit thousands of nurses and AHP's.

Are you one of the large numbers of qualified nurses currently in the UK, for instance on a student or PSW visa? You may also be a qualified nurse working as a carer who would like to get back into nursing.

If you are an overseas nurse, AHP or Doctor in the UK or overseas, send your CV to info@londonccs.com.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Nurses, Doctors, OT's, Radiographers Urgently Requ...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Nurses, Doctors, OT's, Radiographers Urgently Requ...: Cynthia Barker writes...My immigration department has been swamped with visa appeals and requests for Tier 2 working visas for medical and n...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Nurses, Doctors, OT's, Radiographers Urgently Requ...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Nurses, Doctors, OT's, Radiographers Urgently Requ...: Cynthia Barker writes...My immigration department has been swamped with visa appeals and requests for Tier 2 working visas for medical and n...

Nurses, Doctors, OT's, Radiographers Urgently Required For UK NHS Hospitals

Cynthia Barker writes...UK needs more overseas nurses!...My immigration department has been swamped with visa appeals and requests for Tier 2 working visas for medical and nursing jobs in the UK.

We will be exhibiting at the MedPharm Job Fair in Barcelona and Madrid 13/14 September.

Concept Care's has had requests from a number of UK NHS Trusts desperate to recruit international nurses, Doctors and AHP's (Allied Health Professions) such as Occupational Therapists and Radiographers.

Medical recruitment agencies, such as Concept Care Solutions, and NHS Trusts have already gone out to the EU (Spain, Greece, Portugal, Romania and Bulgaria) to find nurses, care workers, OT's, PT's and doctors. EU workers can go anywhere within the EU to work, which means the UK faces stiff competition fro the best medical staff.

My view is that NHS employers will have to start employing non-EU nurses and staff from countries such as India and the Philippines in order to meet massive staff shortages.

Nurses needed include:

• Theatre
• ICU
• A&E
• Care of the Elderly

Teams of hospital staff have flown all over Europe but failed to recruit the required number of staff, as well as discovering that the level of English language ability was not as good as expected. There is no requirement for IELTS 7.00 for nurses from the European Union despite the fact that the average European nurse probably speaks a lower level of English than a Filipino, African or Indian nurse, let alone and Australian nurse!

Hey, thousands of Post Study Work Visas (PSW) will be expiring in August and September. If you have a nursing or medical degree and need a Tier 2 working visa, contact me.

If you are a qualified nurse, doctor or OT/AHP in the UK send your CV to info@londonccs.com.

The NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) requirements for overseas nurses wishing to work in the UK are changing in October. An online written competence test and assessment held in the UK is being introduced from October 2014 replacing the outdated overseas nursing programme (ONP).

The new 'competence test' system will make it easier for employers, such as the NHS, to recruit non-EU nurses who want to work in the UK and fill the 20,000 plus UK nurse job vacancies.

Non-EU nurses will still need an English language level of IELTS 7.00. EU nurses have no English language requirement!

Visa overstayers should book a consultation with an OISC registered immigration adviser to look at their options for regularising their stay in the UK.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Immigration Matters: Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Don't Give Up and...

Immigration Matters: Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Don't Give Up and...: Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Don't Give Up and Leave The UK, Appeal For Your Hu... : Cynthia Barker writes...another mad day, cases ...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Home Office Looking For 175,000 UK Visa Overstayer...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Home Office Looking For 175,000 UK Visa Overstayer...: Cynthia Barker writes...The Home Office is still searching for more than 175,000 people who have overstayed visas and have no right to rema...

Home Office Looking For 175,000 UK Visa Overstayers Refused Leave To Remain

Cynthia Barker writes...The Home Office is still searching for more than 175,000 people who have overstayed visas and have no right to remain in the UK, and they have no idea whether or no they have left, according to a report by the National Audit Office.

The visa overstayers have been refused temporary or permanent leave to remain, however,  the Home Office does not know where they are as there is no in-out counting system in place at UK borders..

As Home Office staff struggle to clear thousands of outstanding cases every week, new overstayer files fill up their in-trays at the same rate.

The new figures are published n a National Audit Office report, which highlights £350m of taxpayers money blown away on a failed IT scheme.

‘Refusal pool’ still growing at 3354 per week

The so-called "migration refusal pool", or migrants and students whose temporary or permanent leave to remain application has been refused by the Home Office but current whereabouts  unknown, forms a large proportion of the 301,000 immigration case backlog.

The refusal pool was created in 2008 and was only revealed publicly 2012 when it was discovered by the chief inspector of immigration, John Vine. In 2012 the refusal pool stood at 174,000 cases, which means it has almost doubled in 2 years.

A private contractor, Capita, was hired carry out an audit of 150,000 cases to identify any errors in the records, check if people had left the country and try to contact them if they had not. 

Despite thousands of Home Office staff being made redundant, Capita was kept on following its initial audit and by the end of 2013 had worked its way through 248,000 migration refusal pool cases.

Capita claim that 47,300 refused migrants had left the UK voluntarily, but 50,000 could not be contacted because their details were missing or had not been entered into the system correctly!

Shockingly, 121,000 overstayers could not be contacted because their addresses turned out to be false or out of date, said the report. The Home Office said this group also includes duplicated records and people discovered to have been granted leave to remain via a different route or who are involved in a judicial review or visa appeal.

A migrant would hardly give a false address when applying (along with all their documents and passports) for a visa extension or further leave to remain!

Cases have been sent to the ‘Immigration Enforcement Directorate’ – yet another new government agency set up last year when the Border Agency was split in two - for investigation.

Old refusal pool cases fell by 80,000 in 2013-14, but these were offset by new visa refusal cases. There are currently 3,354 cases flooding into the system every week and 3,673 flowing out.

National Audit Office said investigators' efforts had been hampered by the quality of the data available to them on the department's out-of-date casework database and paper-based records.

"Poor controls in the Casework Information Database increases the risk that staff fail to input the minimum standard information required," said the report.

"Transferring data manually - from paper to IT systems - increases the risk of errors and there is no single source of reliable information."

In 2010 the Home Office commissioned a new, £350m immigration casework system but it failed to work properly and was shut down last August.

That’s a lot of computers and software down the drain? If I lost £350 million pounds I think I would be fired and if I was a bank like the trader Nick Leeson, I’d be jailed!

Here we go again, as another new IT system has been commissioned, this time at an expected cost £209m, the NAO report says.

Who are these companies making hundreds of millions (or billions in the case of HMRC) on useless IT systems?

The taxpayer will also pay to keep the old system, which regularly "freezes" and is incapable of linking with other government systems, running until the new one comes on stream in 2016/17.

Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, said: "The Home Office has started making significant changes since the agency was broken up and has made progress in some areas.

"We would have expected greater progress by now though in tackling the problems we identified in 2012 in areas such as specific backlogs and IT.

"Among our recommendations is that the department prioritise outstanding backlogs and act to prevent the cases that it classifies as unworkable building up into backlogs."

No s**t Sherlock: “prioritise outstanding backlogs and act to prevent the cases that it classifies as unworkable building up into backlogs." They must be really intelligent!

Immigration and Security Minister James Brokenshire said the NAO report showed the government's decision to split the border agency into two directorates and bring it back under direct Home Office control was "the right one".

"I'm pleased the NAO has found that our changes are already delivering improvements, including cutting immigration application times by 25% and embedding a culture that is more focused on improving performance in the future.

"As we said when we took the decision to split up UKBA, transforming our broken immigration system will take time, but our changes are building a system that is fair to British citizens and legitimate migrants and tough on those who abuse the system and flout the law."

The UK Border Agency was formed after Home Office was broken up by the then Labour Home Secretary John Reid, who said it was “not fit for purpose”.

Human Rights article 8 claims and appeals

The truth is that no agency can cope with the number of illegal immigrants and visa overstayers, which could amount to over 1 million people.

It costs around £10,000 to arrest, detain and deport an illegal overstayer. If they lodge an appeal, the costs could escalate to hundreds of thousands of pounds, if not millions as in the case of terror suspect Abu Qatada – who entered the UK illegally and stayed for over 10 years at the taxpayer expense.

Removing or deporting 1 million overstayers will cost at least 10 billion and take years, by which time many will have a right to stay in the UK – because they have been here for so long, have a human rights ‘article 8’ family life claim.

Many will have married, have a partner or children who could be British citizens by the time border officers knock at their door or raid the local Chinese takeaway.

As an immigration adviser in a level 3 firm, we deal with many such appeals and human rights cases every day, as more and more migrants come forward for immigration advice. In fact my phone has not stopped ringing with overstayers requesting a consultation with our appeal specialists!

Many have a legitimate right to remain in the UK, but are still refused leave to remain by the Home Office leaving them no options but to lodge an appeal at the First Tier Tribunal.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: To Secure Your Future in The UK Only Use A Qualifi...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: To Secure Your Future in The UK Only Use A Qualifi...: Cynthia Barker writes…Make sure you use a legal, OISC registered qualified immigration adviser for immigration advice to secure your future...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: How To Spot A Fake Immigration Adviser

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: How To Spot A Fake Immigration Adviser: Cynthia Barker writes...Here are my 3 tips on How to spot a fake immigration adviser and how to find a legally registered qualified firm. ...

To Secure Your Future in The UK Only Use A Qualified OISC Immigration Adviser

Cynthia Barker writes…Make sure you use a legal, OISC registered qualified immigration adviser for immigration advice to secure your future in the UK. I've been warning migrants to stay away from illegal, fake immigration advisers for years, yet I still hear stories of migrants being ripped off by crooks.

The OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) regulates immigration advisers in the UK. Advisers have to train, pass exams and carry out CPD to keep up with changes in the Immigration Rules. 

You can check the OISC adviser finder to make sure your adviser is registered and qualified at the correct level - for instance, only level 3 firms can handle appeals, bail hearings or detention cases.

It is illegal to give immigration advice in the UK unless you are qualified and registered with one of the regulatory bodies, such as the OISC or Bar Council.

Lawyers can give advice, but often lack the specialist knowledge of the UK Immigration Rules and guidance, which the Home Office change every five minutes!

My Solicitor can tell me everything I need to know about buying a house or making a Will, but would know nothing about lodging a visa appeal against a visa an immigration refusal or how to help an overstayer who has been detained by the Home Office and is about to be deported form the UK.

He would not even attempt to draft an application for indefinite leave to remain, UK citizenship or a spouse visa for an EEA national’s non-EU partner.

By the same token, when I see a client who also needs specialist advice on an employment matter or divorce, I refer them to the right lawyer.

In one case an abused domestic worker for a Middle Eastern family won an out of court settlement of £140,000! He came to me for immigration advice, but we identified further issues with the terms of his employment.

Finally, remember that the fake immigration adviser, or someone pretending to be a lawyer or barrister, will only tell you what you want to hear – they feed on the fact that many of you will believe anything because you want to remain in the UK. Migrants, especially those who have overstayed their visa, are vulnerable and desperate and easy prey for the criminals who steal their money and often never even submit an application to the Home Office.

If you have been affected by Home Office changes or need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

See also: How to spot a fake immigration adviser

How To Spot A Fake Immigration Adviser

Cynthia Barker writes...Here are my 3 tips on How to spot a fake immigration adviser and how to find a legally registered qualified firm.

Despite my warnings, migrants are still being ripped off by unregulated, illegal 'immigration advisers', sometimes to the tune of thousands of pounds for doing absolutely nothing. 

If you get scammed by a fake adviser, the police won't help you get your money back. They will refer you to the overworked regulator to investigate and prosecute the crime.

Firstly, check the OISC website to see if the adviser and firm is registered to legally offer immigration advice in the UK. It is illegal to give immigration advice in the UK unless you are regulated. Also make sure they are registered at the appropriate level to handle your case - for instance, level 1 firms are not allowed to give immigration advice deal with visa overstayers or illegal immigrants and only level 3 firms can lodge a visa appeal against a refusal.

Secondly, look for obvious signs of credibility, which could also apply to any type of adviser, such as an accountant. lawyer or financial adviser. Does the adviser have an office, landline telephone and website? Do they have proper email address linked to their domain or are they using a Hotmail account? Working from a 'home office' is fine, but they should have an organised office setup. 

Lastly, have they given you a business card, proper written terms and conditions and fee scale outlining their advice and charges (same applies to other professionals)? Will they place your money into a client account until the work has been completed? If you are asked for cash only, run out the door and keep running!

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Use your common sense. Is the person making wild promises which sound too good to be true? Remember the old saying: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!". If you are in any doubt, get a second opinion before you hand over your hard earned money.

OISC registered advisers are trained, qualified and regulated by a government controlled body. If you use an OISC qualified immigration adviser, you have the back up of a regulator if for any reason you are not happy with the advice.

If you have been affected by Home Office changes or need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Free Apprenticeship Courses To Fill UK Job Vacanci...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Free Apprenticeship Courses To Fill UK Job Vacanci...: Cynthia Barker writes...Non-stop with immigration work here at Concept Care! Last week was our busiest week ever for visa appeal cases as th...

Free Apprenticeship Courses To Fill UK Job Vacancies While Migrant Workers Refused Leave To Remain

Cynthia Barker writes...Non-stop with immigration work here at Concept Care! Last week was our busiest week ever for visa appeal cases as the Home Office ramps up leave to remain refusals for migrant workers who just want to work in the UK.

I am amazed watching shows like 'Benefits Street', a Channel 4 documentary which follows unemployed (some virtually unemployable) British families living on state benefits who say they have "no opportunities" to find a job in the UK, because Britain is literally a land of opportunity! 

Why do you think so many Filipinos, Indians, Chinese, Bulgarians, Poles, Italians, Spanish, Romanians and Croatians are coming to the UK every day to find work and start a new life?

Not only are there hundreds of thousands of UK job vacancies, the British Government and EU even fund free apprenticeship courses - with paid work placements - so you can upgrade your skills and 'earn while you learn'!

Colleges, such as London Cactus College are offering free apprenticeships with paid jobs in Health and Social Care, Business Admin and ITC. The college find work placements for their students to run alongside the funded vocational courses. 

Migrant workers find it hard to believe that young people here are not grabbing these jobs with both hands. If this scheme existed in my native Philippines job applicants would be queuing around the block!

EU/UK residents interested in any of the above training and UK job opportunities email should email a CV to ckelly@londonccs.com. 

If you have been affected by changes or need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Immigration to get Benefits Street treatment | News | Broadcast

Immigration to get Benefits Street treatment | News | Broadcast

Dave Allen on the Vagaries of the English Language

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Home Office Wins Appeal On Spouse Visa Minimum Inc...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Home Office Wins Appeal On Spouse Visa Minimum Inc...: Cynthia Barker writes...Good morning from a hot and humid London. Bad news for British residents wishing to sponsor a non-EU partner or spo...

Home Office Wins Appeal On Spouse Visa Minimum Income Threshold

Cynthia Barker writes...Good morning from a hot and humid London. Bad news for British residents wishing to sponsor a non-EU partner or spouse for a UK visa, but earning less than £18,600 per year. As 4000 pending family visa applications can now expect a refusal decision, the Home Office has welcomed a Court of Appeal judgment, “upholding the lawfulness of the income threshold under the new family migration rules”.

The Home Office introduced the minimum income threshold for British citizens to sponsor a non-EEA spouse or partner or child to come and live in the UK in July 2012.

Home Office, London

The tough new immigration rules – widely criticized for tearing families apart - were subject to a successful legal challenge, which the Home Office appealed leaving thousands of spouse visa cases on hold while awaiting a judgment.

The UK government brought in the minimum income threshold to ensure that family migrants do not become reliant on the taxpayer for benefits and can integrate into British society.

Presumably the Home Office feels that migrants who have a partner earning more than £18,600 are more likely to integrate?

The controversial minimum income rule was set by the Home Office, based on advice from the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), at £18,600 for sponsoring a non-EU spouse or partner, rising to £22,400 for also sponsoring a child and an additional £2,400 for each further child.

Family life in the UK, but not at taxpayer’s expense, says Home Office Minister.

Immigration and Security Minister James Brokenshire said:

“I am delighted that the Court of Appeal has comprehensively upheld the lawfulness of this important policy.

“We welcome those who wish to make a life in the UK with their family, work hard and make a contribution, but family life must not be established in the UK at the taxpayer’s expense and family migrants must be able to integrate.

“The minimum income threshold to sponsor family migrants is delivering these objectives and this judgment recognises the important public interest it serves.”

The Appeal Court judgment overturns an earlier High Court judgment from July 2013, which was supportive of the approach but found that the impact of the minimum income threshold on family life could be disproportionate.

Visa applications on hold will now receive a decision

The Home Office added that from the 28 July, the 4,000 individuals whose visa applications are currently on hold, pending this judgment, will now receive a decision:

“These are cases which met all the requirements apart from the minimum income threshold and now stand to be refused.”

The news will be devastating for those families who were hoping that the courts would overturn the minimum income rules, which are keeping them apart, but will now receive a visa refusal.

EEA family permit applications unaffected

Many British expats have also been hit by the rules when returning from a job overseas, obviously without a UK job, but unable to take their non-EU spouse or partner to join them in Britain.

The unfair thing about these rules, for British citizens living in the UK, is that European EEA nationals can ignore these 'minimum income' rules and walk through the UK border with their entire extended non-EU family under EU/EEA regulations. Many UK citizens are now taking up EU residence in order to beat the Home Office family visa restrictions. Want to know more - email me!

If you have been affected by changes or need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Home Office Restricts Non-EU Students Switching To...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Home Office Restricts Non-EU Students Switching To...: Cynthia Barker writes...Just back from a short break, so catching up today! Hold on to your passports, the UK Home Office has announced new...

Home Office Restricts Non-EU Students Switching To Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visas

Cynthia Barker writes...Just back from a short break, so catching up today! Hold on to your passports, the UK Home Office has announced new measures to clamp down on Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visas, after checks revealed they were being used by Tier 4 students to switch visas under questionable motives. 

The Telegraph reports that the Home Office said the number of foreigners applying for the right to stay in this country under the entrepreneur scheme rose from 118 in 2009 to just under 10,000 last year, with two thirds of the applicants – more than 3,000 people – being granted a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa. 

According to the report, organised crime gangs may have been involved in the visa scam. Immigration fraudsters charge applicants to temporarily lend the £50,000 required to demonstrate they had the capital to invest in business schemes.

A statement from the Home Office said that evidence from tax records showed that people on expiring Tier 4 student visas were transferring to entrepreneur status on the basis of setting up a business, when in reality they are working in low skilled jobs.

With the new clampdown, students will only be able to switch using funds from a government-approved source, and post-study workers will need additional evidence of their business activities.

In addition, those who have not yet started businesses and who do not have evidence of a genuine business will not be able to switch from the old post-study route onto an entrepreneur visa.

Immigration Adviser Cynthia Barker of Concept Care Solutions said the scheme has proved popular with students who often have no option but to start a business in order to remain in the UK.

“Over the last couple of years I have been approached by a number of students or post study work visa holders looking to start a business and switch to a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa.

“The visa process was not as easy as the newspapers make out, as the Home Office asked a lot of questions about the business plan and we had to appeal for one applicant, despite being a genuinely good case.

“The government launched the scheme to attract people to start businesses and invest in the UK, which is what the scheme has achieved. Just because a student is currently in a low skilled job, it doesn't mean they cannot start a business – Richard Branson was a student when he started out in business!”

Recent Home Office statistics show that 24,641 non-EEA partner visas were issued to in 2013. This as a decrease of 6,847 (22%) from the 31,508 partner visas issued in 2012.

Home Office statistics show that, in the period from 1 November 2012 to 30 September 2013, 34 settlement visas were issued to an adult dependent relative under Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules.

The APPG on Migration published the final report in June of an inquiry into the impacts of the family migration rules, chaired by Baroness Hamwee. The inquiry received evidence from over 280 sources, which collectively suggested that a broad range of British citizens and permanent residents had been affected by the rules.

Source: Migrants Rights network and an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Migration, which met this month.

If you have been affected by changes or need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Concept Care Recruiting Nurses At Barrio Fiesta La...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Concept Care Recruiting Nurses At Barrio Fiesta La...: Cynthia Barker writes...Sorry, I've been offline for a few days whilst preparing for the Barrio Fiesta being held in Lampton Park, Houns...

Concept Care Recruiting Nurses At Barrio Fiesta Lampton Park

Cynthia Barker writes...Sorry, I've been offline for a few days whilst preparing for the Barrio Fiesta being held in Lampton Park, Hounslow. Concept Care Solutions has a stand at the Filipino event, so come along and visit our stand!

Concept Care has nursing and care jobs, free care courses, free apprenticeships and of course my own immigration advice. They are also recruiting international nurses for UK NHS jobs.

Today was a bit rainy but Sunday should be sunny and warm - perfect day for a picnic in Lampton Park with your friends and great entertainment.

I've met some interesting people today with various cases including: refusals, visas, spouse visas and European EEA partner - Filipina living in Cyprus who has a UK resident partner who just happens to have kept his Cyprus/EU passport!

It should be a great day, with food stalls, music and dance and fun for all the family.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.
Concept Care Solutions will be at the Filipino Barrio Fiesta Hounslow 5 and 6 July 2014

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Home Office Says LSBF Tier 4 Student Visa Suspensi...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Home Office Says LSBF Tier 4 Student Visa Suspensi...: Cynthia Barker writes...Following my blog last week (Home Office Declares War On Private Colleges), the Home Office has dismissed accusatio...

Home Office Says LSBF Tier 4 Student Visa Suspension Justified

Cynthia Barker writes...Following my blog last week (Home Office Declares War On Private Colleges), the Home Office has dismissed accusations that it unfairly suspended the Tier 4 student visa sponsors licence of London School of Business & Finance, Education Investor reports.

LSBF, a large private college based in central London, was among of 57 private colleges stripped of their right to recruit new overseas students last week, following the latest Home Office crackdown colleges and some universities.

The management of LSBF says it was unfairly penalised for failing to prevent students working during their courses - a breach of immigration rules for most Tier 4 students studying at private colleges. It has begun an internal investigation and plans to hire PwC to fight their case.

The Home Office rejected the claims and a spokesperson said: "We have found extensive evidence of widespread cheating on English language tests by those studying at the London School of Business & Finance.

"We have suspended their licence because of numerous, broader failings in respect of their sponsorship duties," they said.

However, there is no suggestion that LSBF encouraged or turned a blind eye to falsified English language test results.

The firm points out that a majority of LSBF students identified as working during their studies were “directly sponsored by UK universities but studying with LSBF under franchise or similar arrangements”.

The college claims that the remainder had either been enrolled prior to the introduction of restrictions on foreign student work rights aimed only at private colleges, or had simply not worked while at the college.

If you have been affected or need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Home Office Declares War On Colleges And Universit...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Home Office Declares War On Colleges And Universit...: Cynthia Barker writes...It's war on private colleges again, as the Home Office discovers thousands of fraudulent English certificates as...

Home Office War On Tier 4 Sponsor Colleges And Universities

Cynthia Barker writes...It's war on private colleges again, as the Home Office discovers thousands of fraudulent English certificates as students apparently working in the UK illegally under Tier 4 student visas.

Okay, the Home Office hasn't actually declared war on education providers, but with the government struggling to meet net migration targets by 2015, students and colleges are the next target.

Earlier this week, Immigration Minister James Brokenshire stood up in Parliament and announced an inquiry into abuse of the student visa system after finding evidence of criminal activity, and added that several colleges and universities had been suspended from sponsoring non-EU students.

The minister revealed that out of 48,000 English certificates used to extend leave in the UK, 29,000 were invalid and 19,000 were "questionable".

Mr Brokenshire is pointing the finger, not at the Home Office caseworker who accepted the fake certificates when issuing UK leave to remain, but at the universities and colleges who also took them at face value.

UK Border officers found evidence of "serious concern" at some university campuses, and the Home Office has downgraded Glyndwr University in north-east Wales from a "highly-trusted sponsor" of Tier 4 student visas.

The Home Office has suspended Tier 4 Sponsors licences of 57 private further education colleges, and two universities - the University of Bedfordshire and University of West London - are suspended from sponsoring new students pending further investigations.

The certificates were issued by rogue colleges who gave the answers to students sitting English tests. How would a college or university admissions officer know that the tests were fake?

He added that LSBF, a large private college in London, had hundreds of students who were working, even though their visas should not allow work. However, if the CAS was issued by a university using LSBF as a London campus, then work would be allowed.

LSBF has issued a strongly worded statement of protest to the Home Office, but will probably face a large legal bill as the lawyers rub their hands with glee!

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: 48,000 Bogus English Language Certificates Leaves ...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: 48,000 Bogus English Language Certificates Leaves ...: Cynthia Barker writes...Wow, as many as 48,000 immigrants have allegedly obtained bogus English language certificates even though they coul...

48,000 Bogus English Language Certificates Leaves Home Office In Crisis And Signals Another Crackdown On Student Visas

Cynthia Barker writes...Wow, as many as 48,000 immigrants have allegedly obtained bogus English language certificates even though they could not speak English, the Home Office said.

Home Office Immigration Minister James Brokenshire told Parliament that an inquiry into abuse of the student visa system had found evidence of criminal activity, which would now be investigated fully.

Incredibly, out of 48,000 certificates, 29,000 were invalid and 19,000 were "questionable", the minister said.

Mr Brokenshire continued: "It is likely that the true totals will be higher."

"The government is not prepared to tolerate this abuse," he said.

"Since the start of February immigration enforcement officers, with the support of the National Crime Agency, together with officials from UK Visas and Immigration, have been conducting a detailed and wide-ranging investigation into actions by organised criminals to falsify English language tests for student visa applicants.

"They've also investigated a number of colleges and universities for their failure to ensure that their students meet the criteria set out in immigration rules."

The Home Office investigation was prompted by a BBC Panorama investigation earlier this year, which shows secretly filmed evidence of bogus colleges issuing fraudulent English certificates used to falsely obtain further leave to remain in the UK.

UK Border officers have also uncovered evidence of "serious concern" at some university campuses, and the Home Office has downgraded Glyndwr University in north-east Wales from its status as a "highly-trusted sponsor" of Tier 4 student visas.

The Home Office has also suspended Tier 4 Sponsors licences of 57 private further education colleges, Mr Brokenshire said.

In a rare move, two universities - the University of Bedfordshire and University of West London - are no longer allowed to sponsor new students pending further investigations.

The suspensions of student visa licences for state owned universities will be highly embarrassing for the UK government.

Immigration border enforcement officers had started work to identify migrants who were in the country illegally as a result of the falsified language tests so they could be removed or deported from the UK, the minister promised.

"The steps I have outlined today shows we will not hesitate to take firm action against those - students, colleges and universities - who do not abide by their legal responsibilities and resolutely pursue organised criminality to bring those responsible to justice," the minister concluded. Source: BBC.

The news of a few crooked colleges trying to buck the system will almost certainly result in yet another crackdown on foreign students and private colleges - worth billions to the UK economy. Let's hope that the Home Office will not allow a few rotten eggs to cause the government to throw the baby out with the bath water.

In a separate story, illegal immigrants recently had over £2000 confiscated by Home Office border officers during an immigration raid in Leicester. 

The overstaying Indian nationals were deported, but their money - deemed to have been earned through illegal working – was kept by the government under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Interestingly, the courts upheld the decision. With the new Immigration Act making it harder, if not impossible, for a visa overstaying illegal immigrant to open a bank account, there could be a lot more cash seized by the Home Office during deportation raids.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Appeal Cases Keeping Me Busy As Home Office Refuse...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Appeal Cases Keeping Me Busy As Home Office Refuse...: Cynthia Barker writes...Another manic day, saw three sets of clients and 10 people today! Home Office appeal cases are keeping us soooo busy...

Appeal Cases Keeping Me Busy As Home Office Refuse Leave To Remain

Cynthia Barker writes...Another manic day, saw three sets of clients and 10 people today! Home Office appeal cases are keeping us soooo busy, but I wish clients would come to me with their visa refusals a little earlier than 24 hours before the deadline to lodge an appeal!

Some of the refusals by Home Office case workers for further leave to remain or partner visas are just plain daft!

In one case, a client was refused due to "inconsistencies in answers" during a Home Office interview for an EEA residence card for the non-EU wife of a Romanian national.

In the appeal evidence our appeal specialist actually refers to an old TV show called 'Mr and Mrs' in which married couples are secretly questioned about their partners habits and tastes.

The show was very popular and ran for decades because even couples who had been married for 50 years would give the wrong answers!

Back to our client's appeal. During the Home Office interview the wife was asked if her husband smoked. She said he had "given up".

But when the husband was questioned in another room he admitted to the Home Office officers (but not his wife!) that he still smoked.

Based on these minor inconsistencies, the wife was refused an EEA residence permit, and we are appealing the Home Office refusal decision.

The appeal tribunal will involve highly paid immigration judges, clerks, administrators, lawyers and a home Office representative to fight their case (assuming they turn up), all of which will cost the British taxpayer a lot of money. They should have been granted the EEA residence card in the first place, without the need for an interview.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

See also: Home-office-wins-appeal-on-spouse-visa

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Wimbledon Starts

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: Wimbledon Starts: Cynthia Barker writes...Today is the start of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, one of the great British summer traditions, and the sun is sh...

Wimbledon Starts Today With The Help Of Migrant Workers

Cynthia Barker writes...Today is the start of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, one of the great British summer traditions, and the sun is shining! Let's hope it's a good omen for Andy Murray who is defending his Grand Slam title - tennis fans have been queuing for Centre Court tickets since Saturday!

Crowds of up to 40,000 a day will pack the All England Club during the Wimbledon fortnight and many will no doubt want to sample the delights of strawberries and cream washed down with a glass of champagne.

But who will be serving the food, pouring the wine and clearing up the tons of rubbish every day? You can bet there will be a high proportion of migrant workers, especially from Eastern European countries such as Poland, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria.

Non-EU migrants have not been able to obtain work permits or UK visas for low skilled jobs for some time and students at private colleges are barred from working to support their studies.

Wimbledon is a prime example of a great world class British institution which would not function without willing migrant workers. Another is the NHS, which is now recruiting overseas to fill nurse job vacancies in UK hospitals.

Hey, Andy Murray has just won his first match in straight sets! Come on Andy!

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: How 2 Come to the UK Video

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: How 2 Come to the UK Video: This video was shot in the Philippines during the launch of my book (co-written with Charles Kelly): How 2 Come to the UK to Live, Work, ...

How 2 Come to the UK Video

This video was shot in the Philippines during the launch of my book (co-written with Charles Kelly): How 2 Come to the UK to Live, Work, Study or Visit.

The book went on to help thousands of people learn how apply to live in the UK, study in the UK or find a job in the UK.

Since the book was published there have been many changes to the UK Home Office immigration Rules, which is why we are working on a revised and fully updated version of the book!

Nurses (RGN/RMN) are once again in short supply in the UK. Right now, there are 20,000 nurse job vacancies in the UK NHS! Nurses and doctors are in short supply in UK hospitals and care homes, which is why LPP Framework agencies like Concept Care are recruiting nurses from overseas for the NHS this year in a number of countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, India, China, Finland, Latvia, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and the Philippines.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: NHS Free Healthcare A Great British Invention But ...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: NHS Free Healthcare A Great British Invention But ...: Cynthia Barker writes...Disappointing England performance who lost 2-1 to Uruguay in the World Cup! I feel for the country, which is a big f...

NHS Free Healthcare A Great British Invention But Nurses Are Needed Now

Cynthia Barker writes...Disappointing England performance who lost 2-1 to Uruguay in the World Cup! I feel for the country, which is a big footballing nation - after all, they invented the game along with Cricket and Rugby!

The British are an ingenious and inventive race. Just take a look at the long list of British Inventions on Wikipedia. In fact you wouldn't even be reading this if Londoner Tim Berners-Lee had not invented the World Wide Web, that's right, www!

Another British innovation was the National Health Service or NHS as it's known. Unless you have lived in a country with no free national health service, like my native Philippines for instance, you cannot appreciate just how precious the NHS is!

Even in wealthy countries like America, families can go broke if they suffer a long term illness or they simply die because they have no insurance.

In the UK, if you get sick you visit your GP which is free. If you go into hospital, that's free too. The system is not perfect, so many people moan about waiting times, but in general the NHS works and saves thousands of lives every day.

In fact, an international panel of experts recently declared the NHS as the "best health service in the world"!

The NHS is the UK's largest employer and always needs staff, especially nurses and doctors. Right now, there are 20,000 nurse job vacancies in the NHS!

Qualified nurses and doctors are in short supply in UK hospitals and care homes, which is why

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: London Tourists Bring In £19 Billion But More Skil...

Diary of an Immigration Adviser: London Tourists Bring In £19 Billion But More Skil...: Cynthia Barker writes...In an interview with Jeremy Paxman (on his last BBC Newsnight show) today, Mayor Boris Johnson said that tourists vi...

London Tourists Bring In £19 Billion But More Skilled Immigration Needed To Boost Economy

Cynthia Barker writes...Hey, in an interview with Jeremy Paxman (on his last BBC Newsnight show) today, Mayor Boris Johnson said that tourists visiting London brings in £19 billion!

There's no doubt that the great city of London attracts UK tourists in their millions and is a major contributor to the British economy.

This week, the Home Office extended a scheme to make it easier to obtain a UK tourist visa for the highest spending visitors: the Chinese!

But the boss of Harrods wants the Home Office to go further and make it easier and quicker for all Chinese visitors to obtain UK tourist visas.

Other leaders including New York's Mayor Bloomberg and our own London Mayor believe that the UK needs more than just short term tourists to boost it growth and economy.

Boris has called for an amnesty for UK visa overstayers in the capital, a move which he claims will add billions to the economy in tax revenue, as well as legalising millions of illegal immigrants living on the fringe of British society.

Businesses wants more skilled and highly skilled immigration to fill UK job vacancies and give the country the people and brains it needs to fuel growth and create jobs. But the government has imposed a cap on non-EU immigration and wants employers to recruit from within the EU or EEA - not as easy as it sounds when other countries, such as Germany and Norway, are also competing for skilled labour including nurses and doctors.

Skilled nurses and doctors are desperately needed to keep our hospitals and care homes staffed and safe for patient care, which is why companies like Concept Care are recruiting nurses from overseas for the NHS this year in countries like: Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, India, China, Finland, Latvia, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and the Philippines.

If you need advice on any immigration matter, including overstaying your visa, EU or UK immigration law, or want to appeal against a refusal, call Cynthia Barker on 07850 307687 or 0208 731 5972 or email her your details to immigration@londonccs.com. Cynthia Barker is a qualified OISC Registered Immigration Adviser, with 15 years experience in immigration matters, with a team of Level 3 Immigration Law Practitioners, Concept Care Solutions, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7UU.