What a month. Sonia kicked off the podcast with a runthrough of the major policy proposals which came out in November, including the changes to refugee settlement periods and a look at the earned settlement proposals (though not in too much detail as she is doing a full webinar with Colin on the topic for Free Movement members on Wednesday 10 December at 11am). Barry had provided oral evidence to the House of Lords’ Justice and Home Affairs Committee inquiry into Settlement, Citizenship andIntegration the day before we recorded, so he gave us an update on that (as mentioned by Sonia, the call for written evidence is here and the deadline is 23 January 2026).

Sonia also ran through some of the lowlights from the latestquarterly statistics and gave updates on the latest eVisa and section 3C leave challenges. Barry looked at a useful post on what MPs are able to help with in immigration matters, and added his expert insights to posts on unmarried partner applications as well as a recent reported case on overseas adoptions. There were also several case updates and much more!

Policy (01:20)

Home Secretary opens consultation on “earned settlement”

Home Secretary announces major asylum and other changes in new policy paper: “Restoring Order and Control”

Latest statistics: gaps in Home Office’s family data give cause for concern in light of earned settlement proposals

Procedure (16:15)

What can MPs do to help their constituents in immigration and asylum cases?

Section 3C leave challenge adjourned for further consideration of impact on children

Permission granted for judicial review of the Home Office’s eVisa policy

Citizenship (18:55)

Man who used false identity to obtain British citizenship loses appeal against deprivation

Family (19:50)

Adult siblings in Gaza case unable to establish family life under article 8

Navigating the unmarried partner route under Appendix FM

When is an overseas adoption recognised for UK immigration purposes?

Deportation (30:10)

Revocation of deportation order case fails in the Court of Appeal  

Withdrawn certification decision does not reinstate leave in deportation cases  

Work routes (31:50)

Skilled worker visa correctly refused because applicant was on immigration bail

Immigration Advice Authority (32:30)

Who is exempt from Immigration Advice Authority registration and exams?

Visiting (33:30)

Do I need a visa if I’m transiting through a UK airport to another flight?

Visit visa application wrongly refused four times by Home Office

EU Settlement Scheme (40:00)

Upper Tribunal stops Home Office resiling on a concession that the EUSS derivative rights rules were met

Four in five EU Settlement Scheme administrative reviews waiting more than two years for a decision

Updated (41:40)

Suitability refusals: owing a debt to the NHS