• Appeal rights for family visitor visas restricted
• UKBA makes announcement about public enquiry office delays
• Human rights abusers to be refused entry to the UK
• A new citizenship test for 2012?
• Hot English magazine goes on sale
• Cap on skilled workers kept at 20,700
• Tier 1 (Post-study work) route closes on 6 April
• New permanent scheme for victims of domestic violence
• New application forms in use from Easter
• Visa application fees change on 6 April
• Report shows 50,000 abuse student visa system
• Leaked letter reveals salary threshold for partner visas
• Forthcoming changes to the Immigration Rules summarised
• New Brits - the new online community launches today
• New Border Force will check every non-EEA passenger
• Immigration Advisory Service - Deadline approaching to claim your files
• Skilled migrants earning under £35,000 to be deprived settlement
• Migration Observatory publish briefing on Settlement
• Form FLR(BID) withdrawn from 29 February 2012
• UKBA to be split in two
• Biometric residence permits to be made compulsory for all stays over 6 months
• Online applications for Tier 2 and Tier 5 visas launched
• Changes to Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) extensions for Business Persons and Innovators
• Revised student visa rules to come into effect on 5 April 2012
• Immigration fee increases proposed, changes due in April 2012
• ‘Apply online’ service will be unavailable from 10-12 February
• What does being British mean to you?
• Damian Green introduces idea of ‘contribution-based’ immigration system
• Phone lines now closed for biometric enrolment
• English language test requirements increased for Tier 1 and 2
• List of approved English language tests updated for Tiers 1, 2 and 4
• Biometric appointment booking service to be online only from February
• Online Tier 2 and 5 applications from February 2012
• Is immigration affecting unemployment?
• New application form for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
• Immigration expected to fall because of economy, not policy
• New procedure for Exception Talent visas with Arts Council endorsement
• Fees for appeals apply from December 2011
• Appeal against English language requirements for spouses and partners fails
• Biometric residence permits to be issued with ILR
• Apply Online and Sponsor management services unavailable on 3-4 December
• UK Net migration hits record levels
• Working rights restrictions to continue for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
• Skilled workers may have to meet minimum salary requirement for ILR
• Salary thresholds for sponsoring dependents proposed
• New Shortage Occupation List comes into effect
• Border control lapses put Home Secretary under pressure to resign
• New policy guidance on marriage visas for under-21s
• Over 500 colleges lose the right to sponsor students
• Unqualified financial institutions for Tier 4
• Settlement requirements amended for Tier 2 visas and work permits
• Shortage Occupation List reduced for skilled migrants
• Ban on marriage visas for under-21s thrown out by Supreme Court
• New style passports all now printed in the UK
• Further crackdown on immigration outlined by Prime Minister
• ‘We’re going to change the British citizenship test,’ says Prime Minister
• Changes to the Immigration Rules announced affecting Tier 2 visas
• New rules block stays in the UK for NHS debtors
• Fake university website closed down
• The Guardian asks, Do You Feel British?
• Apply Online service unavailable on Thursday 6 October
• Changes made to list of approved English language tests
• Online services unavailable on 30 September 2011
• UKBA announces changes for carers of British citizens
• 2012 editions are nearly here!
• Family migration consultation ‘to promote better integration’
• MAC advises shortage occupation list be restricted to limit migration
• UKBA request feedback on biometric residence permits
• Settlement consultation closes on 9 September
• UK Border Agency launches new website
• Student visas and International Baccalaureate qualifications
• Latest statistics show net migration up 21%
• The Migrant Journey - Second Report
• Marriage-related migration to the UK
• Biometric visa ‘clinic’ to open in Amsterdam
• Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) route opens
• UKBA launch improved online booking system
• Online services unavailable from 4-7 August
• Details of the Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) route confirmed
• New Tier 1 (Post-study work) forms and policy guidance published
• Payment methods for premium appointments in Glasgow and Cardiff
• Test booking process changes
• New chief executive of the UKBA announced
• Consultation announced on family migration
• Immigration Advisory Service enters into administration
• New approved English language tests and providers
• Changes to student visa rules implemented
• Further clarification on Tier 4 student visas
• UKBA strike action planned on 30 June
• Free extension of stay announced for skilled workers in closed work routes
• New forms published: EEA and BR1
• New scrutiny on private colleges
• More changes to student visas announced
• Breaking the link between temporary and permanent migration
• Q&A document on English language requirements for students
• Home Affairs committee finds UKBA failing to control immigration
• UKBA ‘reviewing’ impact of ECJ cases
• New immigration removal centre opened in Lincolnshire
• Test fee increased for Life in the UK test
• Net migration leaps by nearly 100,000

Biometric appointment booking service to be online only from February

The new online service for biometric appointment booking replaces the phone line provided for postal applicants in the UK. From 1 February 2012 all postal applicants must book their appointments to enrol biometric information online.

In order to apply online you will need to create an account with the UKBA Apply online service which means that you will need a valid email address. Your account details will be sent to that email address after which you will be able to access your account and book an appointment.

You can detailed advice on how to book biometric enrolment appointments on the Booking and appointment to enrol your biometric information page of the UKBA website.

The biometric residence permit phone lines will be closed down on the first of February as well, so the phone numbers 0300 123 2412 and 0300 123 4699 will not work from that date. After 1 February you should instead email:

• .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if there is an issue with the delivery of your biometric residence permit
• .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if there is an error on your biometric residence permit
• .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to report the loss or theft of a biometric residence permit; and
• .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you are an employer or sponsor and you want to confirm that a biometric residence permit is valid.

From 1 February the only alternative will be to send in enquiries to the UKBA by Freepost, which will mean that you will have to wait for a written response. Postal enquiries can be sent to this address:

Freepost RRYX-GLYU-GXHZ

Returns Unit

PO Box 163

Bristol

BS20 1AB