Visas

Marriage, Fiancé/s and Other Relationships

This category allows the spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, same-sex partners, fiancées/fiancés or proposed civil partners of British nationals or people who are settled in the UK to join them if they meet the requirements specified by the UK Border Agency. The requirements are, for those making their first application after July 2012, contained in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. The requirements in relation to who can and cannot qualify and also which documents have to be submitted are very specific. Many applications get refused because people are confused about whether they are making the correct application, have the right form, paid the right fee, or submitted the required documents. We can help you through this process, from simply discussing before you start which application is best for you and how to troubleshoot any problems, to help with preparing the forms and documents.

How Can We Help?

We can assist you by checking that you meet the requirements for this category, completing the application form, and advising you regarding the relevant documentation to submit with your application. We can also advise you throughout the appeal process if the application has been refused. Please note appeals can take many months to be processed, we can also help you with trying to persuade the Home Office or Embassy to reverse the decision and review the case without it having to go to a hearing at court.

We can assist you by checking that you meet the requirements for this category, completing the application form, and advising you regarding the relevant documentation to submit with your application.

We can also advise you throughout the challenging any refusals under these categories if applicable.

For further information and advice please contact our Immigration Team on call 01206 835270 or email [email protected] / [email protected].

Individuals who are Commonwealth Citizens and who have British born grandparents may qualify for an Ancestral Visa if they can satisfy certain criteria, including showing an intention to work or seek employment. The application is made on an application form and the person will have to prove their UK ancestry usually by producing birth certificates and marriage certificates establishing the relationship between the applicant and his or her ancestor. Normally you would be granted permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for a period of 5 years. The rules surrounding a persons entitlement to this visa are complicated and it is advisable to seek legal advice before doing this application. There is a fee for the application.

How Can We Help?

We can advise you on whether you are likely to qualify for this type of visa and assist you in the preparation of your application and guide your throughout the process.

If you your application has unsuccessful we may be able to advise you on your possible next steps.

For further information and advice please contact our Immigration Team on call 01206 835270 or email [email protected] / [email protected].

Most students over the age of 16 from abroad who wish to come to the UK to study with a sponsor or who are in the UK already will need a visa showing they have enough points to meet the Immigration Rules. The applicant will need to show they have received a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CoS), Course Requirement, Approved Qualification, Level and Place of Study. In addition, there is a financial and language requirement that must be met.

We routinely assist students with initial applications for leave to enter or remain.  The requirements and documents for these type of applications are very specific, those who fail to put in the correct documentation can be refused without being given the opportunity to send in their documents later on.

Whilst studying in the UK, this category does not lead to settlement, those who have been living in the UK lawfully for ten years might still be able to qualify for settlement. This is something we can advise on. Students are lawfully able to switch into another category under the Immigration Rules such as working for a sponsor or a spouse visa and we can advise on this.

There is also provision under the Immigration Rules for Child Student between ages 4 and 17 to apply to study at an independent school in the UK and for their parents to apply to be in the UK and care for them whilst they are in education.

How Can We Help?

We can advise you on whether you are likely to qualify for this type of visa and assist you in the preparation of your application and guide your throughout the process.

If you your application has unsuccessful we may be able to advise you on your possible next steps.

For further information and advice please contact our Immigration Team on call 01206 835270 or email [email protected] / [email protected].

For those not intending to visit the UK for business reasons, but only coming for tourism or to visit family, it is possible to qualify for a visa for a visit for up to six months.

These applications are often refused because the Embassy does not accept that enough evidence has been provided to demonstrate the person intends to return home at the end of their visit. Once an application has been refused there is a lengthy appeal process and only refusals of certain types of visit visa application can be appealed anyway, as only applications by close family members carry an appeal right. We can help you prepare the initial application and give you advice about the kind of documents you need to include to give the application the best chance of success.

This route is for a person who wants to visit the UK for a temporary period, (usually for up to 6 months), for purposes such as tourism, visiting friends or family, carrying out a selected business activity, or undertaking a short course of study. Each Visitor must meet the requirements of the Visitor route, even if they are travelling as, for example, a family group or a tour group. Some countries are visa national countries and require a person to apply for the appropriate visa prior to travelling in the UK whilst other countries who are considered to be non visa nationals apply for entry on arrival to the UK or obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Those people who are visa nationals are often refused a visa by the Embassy, when they apply, because they have not submitted enough evidence to demonstrate that they meet the particular type of visitor visa they are applying for and intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit. We can help preparing the initial application and give advice about the kind of documents that need to be included in the application to give the best chance of success.

There are different types of Visitor:

• Standard Visitor: for those seeking to undertake the activities set out in Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities, for example tourism and visiting family, usually for up to 6 months.
• Marriage/Civil Partnership Visitor: for those seeking to come to the UK to marry or form a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership. Please note this is NOT a spouse visa.
• Transit Visitor: for those who want to transit the UK on route to another country outside the Common Travel Area and who will enter the UK for up to 48 hours by crossing the UK border unless Appendix Visitor: Transit Without Visa Scheme applies.
• Business Visitors

How Can We Help?

We can advise you on whether you are likely to qualify for this type of visa and assist you in the preparation of your application and guide your throughout the process.

If you your application has unsuccessful we may be able to advise you on your possible next steps.

For further information and advice please contact our Immigration Team on call 01206 835270 or email [email protected] / [email protected].

If you have a parent, grandparent, or other dependent relative, such as a brother or sister over the age of 18, living abroad who is wholly or mainly dependant on you, your relative may be able to apply to come to the United Kingdom on the basis of this dependant relationship.

In certain circumstances, this application can be made whilst your relative is in the UK however it is important to get legal advice on this before an application is made to the UKVI when your relative is still in the UK.

The threshold for an application of the kind to be successful is high, in that you must demonstrate that as a result of age, illness, or disability, your relative requires long term care to enable them to perform everyday tasks. You must also show it is not possible for that care to be provided in the country where they are living.

A high proportion of these kinds of applications are refused, often because people do not fully appreciate the correct test for the application to be successful, or the need to provide documents, assessments, and reports that prove the person’s meets the requirements. In many ways, the evidential requirements are particularly onerous, and it is important to put in the correct paperwork from the beginning, where possible.

How Can We Help?

We can help you with the application by considering the specific circumstances of your relative’s case and advise you on whether your relative meets the requirements of the immigration rules.

We will represent you in the preparation and submission of the application to the UK Embassy or UKVI . If your relative has already made the application and it has been refused, we will advise on the chances of success in appealing the refusal and, if your relative wishes to pursue the appeal, represent you and your relative throughout the appeal process.

We can advise you on whether you are likely to qualify for this type of visa and assist you in the preparation of your application and guide your throughout the process.

If you your application has unsuccessful we may be able to advise you on your possible next steps.

For further information and advice please contact our Immigration Team on call 01206 835270 or email [email protected] / [email protected].

We can assist with applications under Appendix Adoption for children (under the age of 18) to come to the UK to be adopted or following an overseas adoption. There are four adoption routes: Hague Convention, Recognised Overseas Adoption, De Facto Adoption or coming to the UK for adoption. We are able to advise on which route you need to apply under, the requirements (including assessing the financial requirement is met) of that route and assist with making that application. We work closely with our family department on these applications.

How Can We Help?

We can advise you on whether you are likely to qualify for this type of visa and assist you in the preparation of your application and guide your throughout the process.

If you your application has unsuccessful we may be able to advise you on your possible next steps.

For further information and advice please contact our Immigration Team on call 01206 835270 or email [email protected] / [email protected].

People who have lawfully been resident in the UK for a period of time under different Immigration categories, may qualify for settlement or indefinite leave to remain in the UK. In order to apply an applicant will need to meet the relevant rules for settlement under the category of leave they hold. These will include but not be limited to residence requirements ( completing a qualifying period) , meeting the eligibility requirements for that application as well as meeting the suitability requirements ( which include not having any criminal offences which may affect the application).

It is important to get advice before making this application to assess your eligibility, and our experienced team can advise you on your eligibility and the process for applying as well as ensuring the correct documents are submitted with the application to evidence that you meet the Immigration Rules.

How Can We Help?

We can advise you on whether you are likely to qualify for this type of visa and assist you in the preparation of your application and guide your throughout the process.

If you your application has unsuccessful we may be able to advise you on your possible next steps.

For further information and advice please contact our Immigration Team on call 01206 835270 or email [email protected] / [email protected].

We can assist EU nationals to apply for settled status or a EU family permit. We can also assist EU nationals, other EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members to apply for indefinite leave to enter or remain or limited leave to enter or remain in the UK.

How Can We Help?

We can advise you on whether you are likely to qualify for this type of visa and assist you in the preparation of your application and guide your throughout the process.

If you your application has unsuccessful we may be able to advise you on your possible next steps.

For further information and advice please contact our Immigration Team on call 01206 835270 or email [email protected] / [email protected].