THREAD. The Home Office has just introduced a bunch of new *validity* requirements in the new Appendix categories. This is significant because an invalid application doesn’t trigger section 3C leave so an invalid application doesn’t extend your leave while it’s considered. (1) So if you dutifully apply to extend your leave just before it expires, and it later transpires that the application was invalid because you didn’t meet a validity requirement, it’s like you never made an application. You’re now an overstayer.

You know when you insert a bunch of new requirements into the Immigration Rules before the technology to support them in entry clearance apps has been put in place so you just add a note to some obscure guidance to say that they don’t actually apply until then? Basically the only silver lining in all the new validity requirements is that for most people who make an invalid application out of country, rejection is actually better than refusal because it means a refund of fees without (usually) affecting anyone’s immigration status.

SHORT THREAD about Boris’s infographics. Disclaimer: the extent of my expertise in this field is two statistics modules I took as part of my MSc so there will be people more qualified than me to discuss this. Then again, the whole point of this is to be accessible to the public. (1) Let’s start here. This is arguably the worst way they could’ve chosen to communicate this message. This is “The Room” level terrible. I hate everything about it. Here’s why:

THREAD. I finally managed to get through to the coronavirus team and to say that it did not go well would be a gross understatement. (1) ME: my client is an 80 year old Ukrainian national whose leave is due to expire tomorrow but who cannot return home because Ukraine has shut all air traffic in and out of the country.

HO: have you checked out our website?

ME: yes, nothing about Ukraine.

HO: expect updates!