Andrew Stegmann
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Valid UK Visa in an Expired Passport

The issue of a valid UK visa in an expired passport has caused problems for numerous individuals over the past year. Although a person can still use a valid visa in an expired passport, the situation is not ideal.

Expired Passport – Home Office Guidance

The official guideline from the Home Office regarding the matter states that a person can still use the valid visa in the expired passport. They will, however, have to show the expired passport together with the new passport when travelling.

UK employers can also check a person’s right to work with the UK Employer Checking Service.

Solution for the Expired Passport, Valid Visa Situation

Probably the safest solution is to replace your visa with a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). This transfer can be done if you are in the UK.

If you are outside the UK and have an expired passport with a valid visa, it is possible to apply to transfer the UK visa to your new passport.

It is not mandatory for a person to apply for a Biometric Residence Permit where the passport has expired. There are however some benefits of doing so that are listed by the Home Office;

  • Enhanced security features of the BRP.
  • It proves that a person has the right to work and access certain benefits.
  • It will facilitate travel to and from the UK.

Biometric Residence Permits

Fortunately, for newer UK Visa applicants the Biometric Residence Permit is now issued to all applicants.

All successful UK visa applicants, excluding those who apply for visitor visas and EEA Family permits, receive a 30-day vignette in their passports.

The applicant then has 30 days to leave their home country. Once in the UK, they are required to collect the Biometric Residence card or BRP. This card will then, in essence, be the UK visa, settlement, Ancestry, Tier 2 work permit, etc. Once a person applies for Indefinite Leave to Remain, a new Biometric Residence Permit is issued, stating this new status.

In the light of the doubts about the situation that sometimes arise at airports, and with UK employers, it is highly recommended that persons with expired passports rather apply for a Biometric Residence Permit. This should remove all doubts and ensure peace of mind for the visa holder.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Source: The South African [1]. Image source: [1].

Andrew Stegmann

South African Cabinet Reshuffle Announced

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his cabinet reshuffle during an address at the Union Buildings last night.

10 Ministers have been fired from the cabinet, others have been moved to new positions, and former Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza has been appointed as Deputy President.

Nhlanhla Nene has been appointed as the new Minister of Finance, having served in the role during 2014 and 2015. Another former Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, has taken the role of Minister of Public Enterprises.

Some Jacob Zuma loyalists, including Bathabile Dlamini, Nomvula Mokonyane, and Malusi Gigaba, and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Ramaphosa said during his speech last night, “I’ve decided to make certain changes to the composition of the executive of our country. These changes are intended to ensure that national government is better equipped to continue implementing the mandate of this administration and specifically the tasks identified in the State of the National Address. In making these changes, I’ve been very conscious of the need to balance continuity and stability for the need for renewal, economic recovery and accelerated growth in our country”.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2], [3]. Image source: [1].

Andrew Stegmann

President Ramaphosa Withdraws NPA Appeal

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has withdrawn an appeal against a judgment of the North Gauteng High Court that NPA boss Shaun Abrahams should vacate his position. This may be an indication that the President intends to replace Abrahams, and bring in a new NPA head.

Former President Jacob Zuma previously appealed the ruling by a full Bench of judges of the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, that found he was conflicted to appoint the National Director of Public Prosecutions. The case is scheduled to be heard in the Constitutional Court on Wednesday. Abrahams is still appealing the matter.

In a letter delivered to the registrar of the Constitutional Court on Friday afternoon, the state attorney informed the court of Ramaphosa’s decision to withdraw the appeal. On the same day, it emerged in court papers that the NPA was arguing that Abrahams was validly appointed.

Meanwhile, South Africans are eagerly awaiting President Ramaphosa’s announcement relating to a cabinet reshuffle, as well as to whom he will be appointing as Deputy President. The ANC’s top six are meeting today.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image source: [1].

Andrew Stegmann

Cameroon’s Main Opposition Leader Won’t Run for President

Cameroon’s main opposition leader, head of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), John Fru Ndi, has said that he will not challenge the long-ruling President Paul Biya in this year’s elections. Ndi has run as a candidate in the 1992, 2004, and 2011 elections, and boycotted the vote in 1997.

Biya stated during the 2011 elections that they would be the last he contested, and has said he wishes to pass the torch to the individual his party most prefers. The party is set to nominate a replacement candidate either today or tomorrow. The SDF draws much of its backing from two enclaves in the west of Cameroon.

Biya has been President of Cameroon since 1982. The office of President has a 7 year term, but no term limits. His party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) currently has 148 seats out of 180 in the country’s National Assembly. Meanwhile, the SDF has 18. Biya has not yet said whether or not he will run in this year’s general election.

Biya’s presidency has been criticized to a large degree, characterized by exploitation, corruption and repression, with his firmly rejecting any change to the status quo, and imposed night-time curfews, restrictions on movement, raids, and body searches in the country’s anglophone regions. Anglophone demonstrators have demanded a federal state, while some secessionists have even called for an independent state they have dubbed “Ambazonia”, due to what they say is discrimination by the French-speaking majority.

Cameroon uses a first-past-the-post voting system, and its general election will take place in October 2018. The exact date is yet to be set.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]. Image source: [1].