Premier Visas

Premier Visas Premier Visas is a leading immigration and visa consultancy based in Kensington, London.

Premier Visas is a leading immigration and visa consultancy based in the City of London.

08/07/2026

📢 UK Immigration Update: Home Office Introduces Priority Service for British Citizenship Applications -

The UK Home Office has officially introduced an expedited processing option for British citizenship (naturalisation) applications, offering a significantly faster route to citizenship.

Key details of the newly implemented Nationality Priority Service include:

Accelerated Timeline: Eligible applications can now be processed within 30 working days (approximately six weeks), a substantial reduction from the standard six-month service standard.

Fee Structure: The service requires an additional fee of £500, payable on top of the standard naturalisation costs.

Critical Constraint: The priority option must be selected at the time of the initial online submission. Applications that are already pending with the Home Office cannot be retrospectively upgraded.

Processing Conditions: The 30-working-day timeline commences only after the applicant attends their biometric appointment. It is important to note that highly complex cases or those requiring enhanced background checks may still exceed this timeframe.

This update represents a major procedural shift, providing a valuable mechanism for applicants who require rapid resolution for professional, travel, or personal reasons.

12/06/2026

Understanding the UK BRP 24-Month Rule:

All physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) have officially expired as the UK completes its transition to a fully digital immigration system, known as the eVisa.

For individuals who have not yet transitioned their status online, a crucial transitional policy protects their ability to do so: the 24-month rule.

The 24-Month Deadline

Under current guidelines, individuals may utilize the details from an expired BRP for up to 24 months following the expiry date printed on the card, or until 31 December 2026—whichever occurs first.

Because the vast majority of physical cards expired on 31 December 2024, the final cut-off to use these card details for essential administrative tasks is 31 December 2026.

Permitted Uses for Expired Cards

During this grace period, an expired BRP is strictly limited to backend transition tasks. It can only be used to:

Create an official online digital account.

Sign in to view an eVisa and generate a digital share code.

Apply to extend permission to stay in the UK.

Prohibited Uses

An expired physical card is no longer accepted for everyday verification.

It cannot be used to travel internationally, nor can it be presented to prove the right to work or rent.

For these checks, a digital share code must be generated through the online portal.

Steps to Transition to an eVisa
Transitioning to the digital system involves three steps:

Register: Access the official online eVisa registration portal and create an account using the expired BRP number.

Verify Identity: Use the official immigration identity smartphone application to scan your face and the expired physical card.

Link Travel Documents: Ensure your current, valid passport is linked to the online account.

This enables border officers to verify immigration status automatically via passport scan during travel.

Premier Visas, 2 Allen Street, London, W8 6BH
04/06/2026

Premier Visas, 2 Allen Street, London, W8 6BH

15/05/2026

🎒 Flying with kids this summer? Huge news from the UK Home Office! ✈️

The UK government has just announced they are expanding eGate access yet again, aiming to drastically cut down airport queue times for families returning from their summer holidays.

⏱️ What’s New?
Currently, passengers under 10 years old are not allowed to use the automated border gates. However, under the newly announced plans, children aged 8 and 9 will officially become eligible to use UK eGates starting from Wednesday 8 July 2026! The Home Office estimates that an additional 1.5 million children will benefit from this over the next year, making the journey home much smoother.

📋 The Rules & Requirements:
To use the eGates, children aged 8 and 9 must meet the following strict criteria:

Height Check: They must be at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall so the biometric facial recognition scanners can properly line up with their faces.

Accompanied: They must be traveling with an eligible adult.

Eligible Passports: The rule applies to citizens of the UK, EU, EEA countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the USA holding biometric passports.

🌍 Where Does This Apply?
The rollout covers more than 290 eGates across 13 major UK airports (including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester), as well as the juxtaposed border ports at the Eurostar terminals in Paris and Brussels.

💡 Quick Tips for a Smooth Crossing:
Ditch the covers: Take passports out of protective cases before you step up to the gate.

Clear the face: Ensure kids remove hats, caps, and sunglasses so the technology can scan them instantly.

Be prepared: Remember that international visitors from eligible non-visa countries (like the US or Australia) still need to ensure they have their valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) sorted before traveling.

👉 Head over to GOV.UK to read the full official press release.

05/03/2026

Other Key Reforms
• Skilled Worker sponsors must pay full required salary every pay period (with flexibilities) to enable faster detection of underpayments.
• Global Talent visa gains a new design pathway and simplified academic/research rules.
• Ukraine Permission Extension scheme widened: apply up to 90 days before expiry (previously 28 days) for a further 24 months.
• English language requirement for settlement rises to B2 (from B1) from 26 March 2027.
• Mandatory refusal/cancellation for UK suspended sentences of 12+ months, aligning with public protection priorities.
These steps reflect the Government’s focus on restoring control, reducing preventable asylum pressure, and building public confidence in a secure, modern system.
For full details:
• Statement of Changes to Immigration Rules (HC 1695, 5 March 2026) → GOV.UK
• Written Ministerial Statement on ETA enforcement → UK Parliament
• Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s IPPR speech on reforms → GOV.UK
• Visa brake guidance → GOV.UK

05/03/2026

Stronger Border Controls & System Integrity:
From 25 February 2026, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is fully enforced. Non-visa nationals (including visitors from the US, Canada, EU countries and many others) must hold a valid ETA (£16, valid for 2 years or until passport expiry) before boarding — carriers check this automatically, or risk penalties. British and Irish citizens (including dual nationals) are exempt but must travel with a valid British/Irish passport or Certificate of Entitlement (CoE) — now available digitally from 26 February 2026.
Most visitor visa nationals now receive an eVisa only (no physical vignette sticker), streamlining applications: one VAC visit for identity check and passport return. Existing vignette holders can still use them, but update UKVI accounts with new passport details to avoid issues.
Visa Brake to Prevent Abuse
A first-of-its-kind Visa Brake takes effect from 26 March 2026
• Student visa entry clearance refused for main applicants from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, Sudan.
• Skilled Worker visa entry clearance refused for Afghan nationals.
This targets sharp rises in visa-linked asylum claims (e.g., over 470% increase for these student nationalities 2021–2025), even with valid CoS/CAS. The brake is temporary, regularly reviewed, and does not affect existing valid visas, in-country applications, or other routes/nationalities.

New visit visa requirements now apply to nationals of Nicaragua and St Lucia (no longer ETA-eligible), following asylum misuse trends. Earlier similar measures for Jordan, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Botswana are estimated to have prevented 4,541–6,174 asylum claims (July 2024–Dec 2025), saving £278–377 million in asylum hotel costs.

20/02/2026

Urgent UK Travel Warning: eVisa Changes Hit in 5 Days – Update Your UKVI Account TODAY! ✈️🇬🇧
From 25 February 2026, the UK is going fully digital for immigration:
• New visitor visas (and some other types) will be issued as eVisas only — no physical visa sticker (vignette) in your passport.
• Airlines and carriers will check your immigration status electronically before boarding. If your passport doesn’t match the details in your UKVI account (e.g., new passport not updated), you could face delays, extra checks, or being denied boarding.
• This aligns with full ETA enforcement for visa-free visitors — everyone needs valid digital permission to travel to the UK.
Don’t risk your trip — act now!
It takes just minutes to set up or update your UKVI account and view your eVisa.
Quick Action Steps:
1. Create/sign in to your UKVI account here: https://www.gov.uk/get-access-evisa or https://www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details
2. Verify & update:
• Passport number, expiry date, and nationality
• Add any new or additional travel documents
• Ensure everything matches the passport you’ll use to travel
3. View your eVisa in the account to confirm your status is linked and active.
4. If travelling soon or applying for settled status/visa extensions — double-check before proceeding.
Extra Tips:
• Renewed your passport?
Update it in your UKVI account immediately.
• Dual British citizens:
Carry a valid UK passport or Certificate of Entitlement to avoid extra checks.
• Existing visa holders: Transition to digital — physical BRPs/vignettes are phasing out.
Official Links for Help:
• Set up/access eVisa: https://www.gov.uk/evisa
• Update details: https://www.gov.uk/update-uk-visas-immigration-account-details
• Full guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/updates-on-the-move-to-evisas
• Support webchat: https://ukimmigration-support-webchat.homeoffice.gov.uk/evisa

29/01/2026

The UK is transitioning to a fully digital immigration system starting late February 2026.
These changes aim to boost security, minimize physical documents, and enable automated checks by airlines and carriers for smoother travel.
Key Update: Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Enforcement
From 25 February 2026, visitors from eligible nationalities (such as the US, Canada, Australia, EU countries, and others who don’t need a visa) must hold a valid ETA to board transport to the UK. Carriers will deny boarding to those without one (or an existing visa/eVisa). The ETA costs £16, is quick to apply for online, and allows stays up to 6 months for tourism, family visits, or similar purposes. British and Irish citizens are exempt.
British dual nationals must present a valid British passport or a passport with a Certificate of Entitlement (CoE) to prove right of abode—failure to do so risks boarding denial or delays.
eVisas for Visit Visa Holders
For visit visa applications paid on or after 25 February 2026, successful applicants receive an eVisa (digital record) only—no physical vignette sticker in the passport.
All eVisa holders (including children) should create a free UKVI account beforehand to link passport details, view status, and generate share codes if needed (e.g., for jobs or rentals).

16/01/2026

UK Visa English Language Changes
(Effective 8 January 2026)
The UK has raised the minimum English requirement from B1 (intermediate/GCSE level) to B2 (upper-intermediate/A-level equivalent) on the CEFR scale for speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
This applies to new applicants in these routes:
• Skilled Worker visa
• Scale-up visa
• High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄Our office will be closed from 25/12/2025 - 2/1/2026
14/12/2025

Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄
Our office will be closed from 25/12/2025 - 2/1/2026

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2 Allen Street, Kensington
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W86BH

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