G'bye 2016

Ho ho ho!

It's been an intense 4.5 years since the now unforgettable 9th July 2012.  Families unfortunately have proven to be an easy target.  We are not big companies whose voice the government hears when tightening of immigration for skilled migrants proves bad for business.  We are not universities with the power to lobby the government when the very significant threat to UK's economy from the treatment of international students comes to the fore.  We also do not have limitless funds to fight the Home Office for our rights; ever increasing application fees are met with poorer caseworking; for those able to appeal, so often a win at First Tier Tribunal sees the Home Office appealing further, seemingly just to buy time and hope the family gives up.

However, whilst companies refused a visa for an employee may find a replacement, families are not so easily substituted.   So we battle on - together, better and stronger.

Several cases of interest:

#MMcase for partners - decision pending from Supreme Court. (There is alas no news on when the judgment will be handed down.  If you're on twitter, do search for the hashtag.  For those who want to understand better the workings of the Supreme Court - what the judges do, perhaps giving an insight into why it's taking so long - watch this on BBC iplayer - The Highest Court in the Land: Justice Makers.)

ADR is to be heard at the Court of Appeal in May 2017.

And recent changes to Surinder Singh are terrible - unlawful in my view, and showing the lengths our own government will go to, to keep Brits out of the UK.

More on all three issues next year.

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With this, we say adieu to the year and hope you have a very merry Christmas with your family for those united....and that it's the last one spent apart from your family, if you are divided.

Season's Greetings

from Sonel, Steve and Stuart (BritCits trustees).