When Boris Johnson’s government won a clear majority in the December 2019 election, the UK’s direction regarding its place in the world was finally sealed. On 31 January 2020, Britain will leave the world’s largest trading bloc and strike out on its own.
Future generations will see Brexit in two ways; utter madness or a stroke of genius. If it is to be the latter, then the country needs to attract an influx of highly talented people….and fast.
In response to this urgent need, special advisor to the Prime Minister, Dominic Cummings wrote a blog post in the first week of January calling for new talent to apply for positions in the civil service.
“We want to hire an unusual set of people with different skills and backgrounds to work in Downing Street with the best officials, some as spads and perhaps some as officials. If you are already an official and you read this blog and think you fit one of these categories, get in touch.
The categories are roughly:
If Britain is to not only survive but thrive post-Brexit, highly-talented people will not only be required to operate the civil service, but also to start businesses which will create jobs. And, one fact we know for sure is that people from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) have the unique ability to take their knowledge and experience from their culture and use these to take advantage of fresh opportunities in the UK.
If you have an original, credible, and scalable business idea, the UK wants you.
So why are non-EU entrepreneurs finding it difficult to obtain a Startup Visa or Innovator Visa?
In 2015, the UK Migration Advisory Board (MAC) conducted a review of the now-defunct Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa. MAC criticised the Entrepreneur Visa route, stating it was being used as a low-cost alternative to the Tier 1 Investor Visa (which required investment of £2 million as opposed to £200,000). Research also showed that a proportion of successful applicants were setting up low-worth businesses or claiming to be a director of an existing company but then having nothing to do with the running of the organisation.
MAC recommended stricter standards be applied to screening entrepreneur applicants, including having them endorsed by independent third-parties “partnering with reliable organisations in order to select migrant entrepreneurs”, where “the selection of entrepreneurs should be carried out by industry experts where possible”.
From March 2019 to September 2019 there were 18 applications for the Innovator Visa. This compares to 997 applications for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa over the same period in 2018.
Why is the Innovator Visa so unappealing?
The problem is that the UK has set up the new entrepreneur scheme with the attitude of “you need to prove yourself to us” at a time when it is deliberately embarking on an uncertain future course. People who have the brains, energy, and ambition to set up a business and expand it internationally are pretty darned special. They have the luxury of picking any country in the world to expand into. Therefore, it is Britain that has to prove that it is worthy of their skills and talent, rather than the other way around.
So far, precious few of the endorsing bodies provide much information on their websites about the criteria they will use to accept and approve Innovator Visa applications. Furthermore, some admit they are ill-equipped to manage or are not accepting applications at the moment.
Furthermore, to be granted an extension, the visa applicant must provide an endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body that confirms:
This is if the business is still the same after three years — otherwise, they need to start again (by demonstrating that their business is innovative, viable, and scalable and securing endorsement).
This paragraph is not a sales pitch. It is simply stating the fact that the chances of a successful visa application are higher if you instruct an experienced immigration Solicitor to advise you. This is no different from having a qualified Accountant do your taxes or an architect to design your house. Sure, you could do your accounts yourself or buy a computer program to create your dream home. But you run a high risk of making mistakes, not to mention the time and energy you must spend learning complex skills that others have spent years acquiring.
Partnering with an immigration lawyer, from application to extension and settlement, means you will have someone guiding you throughout the entire process, ensuring every business decision you make helps achieve not only your commercial ambitions, but the ability to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain and British Citizenship.
It is true that the Start-up Visa and Innovator Visa application processes need further refinement. But given the UK is about to reshape its entire immigration system, such action could take years to happen. Rather than miss out on the opportunities the Start-up Visa and Innovator Visa can provide (such as the latter only requiring £50,000 in investment funds), be smarter than your competition and work with an immigration law expert who can make your ambitions become a reality.
Based in Birmingham and London, UK Migration Lawyers is one of Britain’s premier immigration law firms. If you want more information on the UK Innovator Visa, please phone our office on 01217777715.
In early 2019, the UK government announced the end of the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa and the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa. These have been replaced by the more flexible and dynamic Innovator Visa and Start-up Visa.
The Innovator Visa is designed for experienced entrepreneurs to come to the UK to set up a new business. As the world’s fifth-largest economy, Britain provides not only access to domestic investors and customers but is ideally placed to provide access to the European Union, a market of 500 million.
At UK Migration Lawyers, our team of immigration Solicitors can provide commercially astute guidance to help you swiftly and successfully gain an Innovator Visa. Furthermore, we will work with you to ensure you are in a position to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain as soon as possible.
Before applying for an Innovator Visa, it is important to understand that eligibility is partially based on an endorsement.
Every application is measured on:
It is imperative to keep the above in mind in order to structure your application to prove you meet the merits.
To be eligible for an Innovator Visa, you need to have:
When applying for an Innovator Visa, you will need to collate a series of documents to send in with the application form. These include:
Please note the above list is not exhaustive. Our team will assist you in applying for endorsement and collating the required documents. We can also assist with putting together a persuasive business plan which shows that you can meet not only realistic sales and financial targets but ongoing immigration criteria. This latter point will be particularly important if your ultimate goal is to apply for UK settlement.
You can bring dependent family members to the UK on an Innovator Visa. Dependent family members are defined as your spouse or partner and any children under 18 years. The visa requirements state that you will need an additional £630 for each dependent in addition to the £945 in maintenance funds. Furthermore, you will need to pay the healthcare surcharge for all of you upfront, so be sure to include this in your budgeting.
Based in Birmingham and London, UK Migration Lawyers is one of Britain’s premier immigration law firms. If you want more information on the UK Innovator Visa, please phone our office on 01217777715.
In early 2019, the UK government replaced the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa and the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa with an Innovator Visa and a Startup Visa.
The Startup Visa is designed for people who want to start a business in Britain. It is a one-off, two-year visa aimed at allowing entrepreneurs to develop their business. Unlike the Innovator Visa, no investment funds are required to qualify. Home Secretary, Sajid Javid stated in a press release that the new visa category “…will help to ensure we continue to attract the best global talent and maintain the UK’s position as a world-leading destination for innovation and entrepreneurs.”
If you are currently in the UK on a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Visa, Tier 2 Visa, Tier 4 (General) Student, or Standard Visitor Visa, you may apply to switch to a Startup Visa.
Our team of highly experienced, approachable, and efficient immigration Solicitors can advise you on preparing a Startup Visa application and collating the required documentation to send to UK Visas and Immigration.
Like the Innovator Visa, the Startup Visa is based on the following three merits:
To be granted a Startup Visa, you must obtain endorsement by an approved endorsing body. They will be looking to see if your start-up has a realistic chance of success and whether you have the knowledge and experience to reach the ambitions set out in your business plan.
Aside from endorsement, you will also need to show:
You can bring dependent family members (i.e. your spouse/partner and your children if they are under 18 years). You will need to show you have an additional £630 in maintenance funds (on top of the £945) per dependent.
You cannot obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain through a Startup Visa. However, at the end of the two years, you can apply to switch to an Innovator Visa, which provides a path to Settlement. Your endorsing body will be checking every six months to see that your business is progressing. We will also continue to work with you to ensure that you are taking the right steps to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain as soon as you are eligible.
Based in Birmingham and London, UK Migration Lawyers is one of Britain’s premier immigration law firms. If you want to apply for a Startup Visa, please phone our office on 0203 733 0744.
When Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, he declared he would rather “die in a ditch” than ask the European Union to extend the 31st October deadline for Brexit. Halloween has come and gone , and Britain is:
For EU/EEA nationals, this new development does nothing but simply equals further ongoing confusion and frustration. Not only must they, along with the rest of the population, try toand keep track of almost daily changes to the political landscape, EU/EEA nationals cannot express their concern through casting a vote in the upcoming election .
Then, of course, there are the ongoing issues with the EU Settlement Scheme, which that may very well turn into another ‘Windrush scandal’ if certain matters are not addressed. More on this later. First, let’s set out the current state of the Brexit saga.
In mid-October 2019, Britain and the EU agreed a Brexit deal in principle, known as the Withdrawal Agreement. Note – this is not a trade deal. It is simply a document which sets out how the UK will leave the EU. It deals with certain key issues, namely:
Although the EU and the British government agreed on a deal, British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson had to get it approved by Parliament. And this is where things got rather messy.
Parliament granted preliminary approval to the Withdrawal Agreement. However, a mere 15 minutes later, MPs voted down legislation which would have paved the way for the Prime Minister to ensure Britain left the EU by 31 October 2019.
Following this defeat, rather than try and push through the agreement, the Prime Minister successfully fought for a pre-Christmas election. The EU had granted an extension to 31 January 2020. If the Conservative Party win a majority at the polls, Mr Johnson can push his deal through Parliament and the UK will leave the bloc in the New Year.
The EU Settlement Scheme opened fully on 30 March 2019 and will remain live until 30 June 2021. EU/EEA nationals who have lived in the UK for five or more years can apply for Settled Status, which will confirm their right to live and work in the UK without visa restrictions. EU/EEA nationals who have been in the country for less than five years may apply for Pre-Settled Status.
Applications for Settled Status and Pre-Settled Status can be made online. However, newspapers have reported many instances of Settled Status being mistakenly denied. For example, prominent chef and cooking school owner, Richard Bertinet, was granted only Pre-Settled Status , despite having lived in Britain for over three decades. This also happened to the Polish celebrity chef Damian Wawrzyniak , who has prepared banquets for the royal family and was a senior chef at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Mr Bertinet has since been granted Settled Status. In another case, a South Oxfordshire district councillor from Bulgaria was denied Settled Status for not sending in the correct documentation, despite living in the country for almost 20 years.
There are grave concerns that vulnerable EU/EEA citizens, such as those who do not have payslips, are elderly, or have learning disabilities will not apply or be denied Settled Status. And disturbingly, Home Office minister, Brandon Lewis told a German newspaper in October that EU/EEA nationals who did not apply for Settled Status before the deadline would be deported. The Liberal Democrat’s Home Affairs spokeswoman Christine Jardine said she was “absolutely appalled” by Brandon Lewis’s deportation threat and she predicted “thousands” of people would be left undocumented by the “arbitrary” deadline.
So, here we are. For the second time in less than four years, Britain will go to the polls. For EU/EEA nationals, it is imperative to secure residency status as quickly as possible. If you are having problems with your Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status application, or your application has been rejected, seek advice from an experienced immigration lawyer.
Based in Birmingham and London, UK Migration Lawyers is one of Britain’s premier immigration law firms. If you have any concerns or questions regarding Brexit or the EU Settlement Scheme, please phone our Birmingham Office on 0121 777 7715.
This morning we woke up to another political earthquake, a Trumpquake as one paper called it.
Like Brexit, the polls did not predict the outcome that has occurred but at the end of the day it seems Donald Trump’s foes took him literally but not seriously, his supporters took him seriously, not literally.
He is now the 45th President of the United States and the only one who has never held public office or serviced in the US military.
Tremors ahead?
Like Brexit, one of the major deciding policies of this bitter election campaign was immigration. And Donald Trump never once held back on his determination to reform immigration during his speeches, which offended most and terrified many.
His proposed policies on controlling immigration include:
How likely is it that Mr Trump will be able to enact these policies? He will enjoy a Republican majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Early this morning, shortly after Clinton conceded to Trump, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement, “We are eager to work hand-in-hand with the new administration to advance an agenda to improve the lives of the American people.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, also a Republican, said in a guarded and similarly timed statement, “The American people have chosen a new direction for our nation.”
Fortunately, the Founding Fathers foresaw the possibility of a less than level-headed person gaining entry into the White House one day; therefore, they created a robust Constitution that will provide plenty of checks and balances on the so-called, “leader of the free world”. However, as the Chicago Tribune pessimistically put it, “our Republic has never been tested as it will be when Donald Trump is sworn into office. He lacks not only ability and virtue, but he also lacks a fundamental respect for the Constitution (aside from the Second Amendment), he lacks an understanding of the fine points of domestic and foreign policy and he lacks the cool temperament necessary to guide the most important nation on Earth through perilous times”.
Many Americans are concerned about the future of their country, to the point that leaving the US is seen by many as a viable option.
As soon as the election result was announced, immigration firms across the UK were being contacted by American citizens wanting information regarding moving to the UK.
The UK operates a points-based immigration system.
Points are awarded for the following:
There are a number of visa options American citizens can explore which will allow them entry into the UK. They include:
If you are in a relationship or married to a person who has permanent leave to remain in the UK, you can also apply for immigration under one of the family visas.
The election result has shocked many of us this morning. As we digest the news and contemplate what it means for America and the rest of the world, it is understandable that many families will be considering whether the US is the best place for them now and in the near future.
With offices in Birmingham and London, UK Migration Lawyers is one of Britain’s premier immigration law firms. If you require any advice on immigration law matters, please phone our office on 0121 777 7715 to make an appointment with one of our immigration lawyers.
Last week, Michael Gove and Boris Johnson gave the first clear picture of the Leave campaigns strategy on immigration following a Brexit.
If Britain leaves the European Union then, “the automatic right of all EU citizens to come and live and work in the UK will end”.
They followed on by adding that in the event of a Brexit, they would introduce a, “genuine Australian-style points-based immigration system” before the next general election.
Naturally, this has workers and employers worried. Although, it must be pointed out, if Gove and Johnson think they can end the free movement of EU citizens in Britain on 24th June 2016, if the Leave camp wins, then they are off in cloud cuckoo land.
Negotiations are likely to take months, if not years. Free movement is a cornerstone EU principle, and one that both France and Germany, Europe’s powerhouses, view as non-negotiable. Swiss citizens voted in a 2014 referendum to have the right to limit EU migration into the country – and two years later, negotiations are in deadlock, with Brussels unable to see how limiting free movement can be done without breaching the bi-lateral agreements Switzerland has with the EU.
We must also remember that any changes to the rights of EU citizens entering the UK made by the British Government are likely to be met in equal measure by other European States, something that makes the 1.2 million British Citizens who reside in them very nervous.
Currently, British employers can freely recruit workers from any of the 28 EU countries. EU nationals do not require visas and can stay in the country as long as they are exercising their Treaty rights, i.e. they are in employment.
To hire an employee from outside the EU, an employer must have a sponsorship licence before they can recruit an applicant on a Tier 2 (General) Visa. The employer will be responsible for maintaining compliance with the responsibilities of the sponsorship licence. Responsibilities include:
Even if you obtain a sponsorship licence, you can only employ non-EU citizens for certain positions. If the job you have available is on the Shortage Occupation List, then you can automatically recruit a non-EU national to fill it.
If the position you wish to fill is not on the Shortage Occupation List, then you must perform a, ‘Resident Labour Market Test’ and advertise the position. You must provide evidence that you were unable to find a suitable person in the UK before you apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship.
In addition, a non-EU employee who wishes to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after his or her Tier 2 Visa expires will have to earn a minimum of £35,000 per annum. Employers need to take this into account when strategising for their workforce needs and pay scales. If time and money are going to be invested into training a non-EU employee, it would not make sense to lose them after five years, simply because they are not being paid enough.
An Australian style points-based system could make it difficult for employers to recruit the staff they need, especially those who require low-skilled workers in sectors such as manufacturing, hospitality, construction and seasonal agriculture. Not only would the employer have to qualify for a sponsorship licence, but if a good knowledge of English and certain academic qualifications are demanded under a new system, many potential EU applicants will fail to accrue enough points to gain entry into the country.
And let us not forget, the higher skills equal higher wages – great for employees, but what about SMEs already struggling with staffing costs?
The impact of a possible Brexit on the UK labour market could be severe. However, the Government would be required to jump through some enormous diplomatic hoops to convince Brussels that free trade without free movement is possible within the EU without compromising everything the institution stands for.
Based in Birmingham and London, UK Migration Lawyers is one of Britain’s premiere immigration law firms. If you have any concerns or questions about how the EU Referendum could affect your ability to recruit foreign-born workers, please phone our office on 0121 777 7715.
Last week two events dominated the EU In/Out Campaign. One involved Emily Wood, a music producer from Poole, who furiously revealed her mother had been shunted down the housing list by officials who prioritise immigrants, demanding: “Where are we going to put them all?”
The second development which was hijacked by Leave campaigners was the release of figures from the Office of National Statistics which showed net migration to the UK rose to 333,000 in 2015, the second highest figure on record.
Immigration has been the most hotly debated topic surrounding the EU Referendum, which is to be held in less than a month.
In a passionate response to Miss Wood, Alex Salmond, former leader of the Scottish National Party, stated, “If we have a housing shortage we should build more houses, not kick people out of the country”.
Responding to the news that net migration has increased, Leave supporter and London Mayor, Boris Johnson, stepped up his bitter war of words with Prime Minister David Cameron, stating that the Government was cynical to claim it could control immigration while inside the EU and the new figures exposed the “scandal” of Cameron’s broken election pledge to slash numbers.
With the pressure mounting, it can be hard to see the wood from the trees when it comes to viewing both sides of the In/Out Referendum arguments. Here is our best shot at laying down each sides’ claims in an objective manner, so you can make up your own mind on how to use your vote on 23rd June 2016.
How will the vote go? Polls show support for remaining in the EU is ahead….but only just.
We will keep you posted.
Based in Birmingham and London, UK Migration Lawyers is one of Britain’s premiere immigration law firms. If you have any concerns or questions about how the EU Referendum could affect your immigration status, please phone our office on 0121 777 7715.
In December 2017, the Tier 1 Investor Visa will be withdrawn as a means to enter and reside in the UK. This will be a blow, not only to foreign investors who want to extend their portfolio to the UK market, but for UK businesses who rely on foreign capital to grow.
The Investor Visa, as it is now, provides a wealth of advantages to applicants who have £2 million to invest in Britain’s stable and robust markets. Unique benefits include:
For high-net-worth individuals, the Tier 1 Investor Visa is the most flexible, expedient way to conduct business in the UK.
Fear of allowing in those whose wealth was obtained by dubious means seems to be the driving factor for ending the Investor route, along with the visa developing a reputation as being a way for the super-rich to ‘buy a European passport’.
In 2014, the Investor Visa was subjected to significant reform; the most important being the requirement of £1 million in investment funds being raised to £2 million.
Other changes included:
These reforms saw a substantial drop in the number of high-net-worth individuals applying for an Investor Visa, and we believe that there are enough safeguards in place to prevent ‘dirty money’ coming into the UK via the Investor route.
A vast majority of enquiries we receive regarding the Investor Visa are from people who see opportunities, not just to expand their investment portfolio, but to take advantage of the first-class education, cultural opportunities and stable political and economic environment that the UK is renowned for.
Wealth managers, advisors and other high-net-worth intermediaries need to act now and advise their clients on the withdrawal of the Investor Visa in a mere 19 months’ time.
The required £2 million may take some time to accrue as all funds must be owned and not borrowed. Clients also need to be advised that at the time of application these funds must have been in the applicant’s account for 90 days which brings the deadline much closer. Any investigations by the UK Border Agency may also prolong the process.
The withdrawal of the Tier 1 Investor Visa has raised a sense of urgency among investors. The downturn in emerging markets has forced high-net-worth individuals to return to the more stable UK and US markets. Britain is predicted to become the world’s fourth largest economy over the next two decades, and the European Union generates a GDP of around €14.3 trillion (2014). This figures, taken together with the advantages a Tier 1 Investor Visa has to offer applicants, means advisors should be informing their clients of the changes as soon as possible. This will allow time for successful applications to be made.
The amount of capital involved and the complexities of the UK immigration system make it imperative that experienced legal advice is sought before applying for an Investor Visa. At UK Migration Lawyers, we have years of experience guiding high-net-worth individuals through the application process. We also work with wealth managers, real-estate advisors and other professionals who can assist with school placements and finding domestic help, both in and outside London.
To make an appointment or enquire further phone our office on 0121 777 7715.
As mentioned in my previous article, the UK (Investor) Visa is going the way of the Dodo – due to become extinct in December 2017. For people who have money to invest and a viable business plan, the Tier One (Entrepreneur) Visa provides an alternative way to successfully enter the UK market.
Migrant entrepreneurs make an overwhelming contribution to the UK economy. As of March 2014 there were nearly 3.2 million companies active in Britain, with migrants as founders or co-founders of 464,527, equivalent to 14.5 percent of the total. Furthermore, migrant entrepreneurs are responsible for creating over 1.1 million jobs in Britain.
The UK has one of the strongest economies in the world. This, along with a thriving tech sector attracts hundreds of dynamic entrepreneurs to the country every year.
However, statistics show that the refusal rate for the entrepreneur route is high. This can be partly explained by the toughening up on requirements and the introduction of the “genuine entrepreneur test”, which is the UK Government’s response to counter abuse under this immigration category.
Unlike the UK Investor Visa, where the only substantial requirements are;
a) have a lot of money (£2 million or more); and
b) make sure the money is clean
the entrepreneur route is more taxing in its requirements.
To qualify an applicant must show:
To apply, the £50,000 must come from one of the following sources:
Having £200,000 provides more flexibility as to the source of the funds. To apply the money must be either:
Applicants must also provide evidence of a clear, comprehensive business plan.
Dependent family members (a spouse and children under 18 years) are entitled to accompany an entrepreneur but they must acquire their own visa if they are from outside the EEA.
Introduced in January 2013, the ‘genuine entrepreneur’ test is both subjective and strict, making it a challenge to pass. Applicants must prove they can start a sustainable business in the UK by providing a detailed business plan and attending interviews with Home Office staff.
Whilst not quite on par with facing Lord Sugar on The Apprentice, applicants face a challenge in that the interviewing panel are unlikely to know anything about the applicant’s business. Therefore, candidates applying for an Entrepreneur Visa need to:
a) provide clear evidence that they have the knowledge and experience required to run a business in their chosen industry;
b) have a comprehensive business plan, showing that the necessary market research has been done and financial numbers crunched, proving it is a viable venture;
c) explain clearly via the business plan or at an interview that they understand the business, their place within it, the market and how to manage finances;
if you desire any chance of succeeding with your application.
And the application procedure is set to become even tougher. In March 2015, the Government commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (the MAC) to review the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa category. The MAC made a number of recommendations aimed at making the process for gaining the visa even more stringent.
The recommendations include:
The Government is currently reviewing these recommendations.
People with the tenacity and drive to launch a new venture in a foreign country do not want their plans delayed by Government red tape. Those applying for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa should seek expert legal advice on the process. Obtaining legal guidance on how to assemble a business plan that will satisfy Home Office staff and getting advice on preparing for interviews help applicants achieve thier commercial goals swiftly.
At UK Migration Lawyers, we have years of experience guiding high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs in successfully applying for a UK Entrepreneur Visa.
To make an appointment or enquire further phone our office on 0121 777 7715.
UK Migration Lawyers are one of the UK’s leading Immigration Solicitors. If you are looking for a short-term visitor visa our team has put together a post that explains what you need to know. When you are ready to arrange your short-term visitor visa get in touch on 0121 777 7715.
Looking for a short-term visitor visa for a UK visit? In the past, there were several separate short-term visit visas that applied to different groups of visitors with differing rules and eligibility criteria. These included:
Needless to say, all of these opportunities created much confusion. To make the rules clearer and to simplify the visa application process, the government has now replaced all of the six above-mentioned short-term stay visas with the single Standard Visitor visa. Here’s everything that you need to know about these changes and how they will affect you.
You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you plan to visit the UK for leisure (ie. tourism and sightseeing, visiting a friend), for business or for another private reason (such as to receive medical treatment).
There are certain categories of visitor who may be exempt from having to apply for a standard visitor visa at all and our expert immigration legal team can advise you if you fall into this category. The specific eligibility requirements for those who do require a Standard Visitor visa, however, differ depending on your circumstances and our expert team can provide comprehensive advice specific to your situation.
In essence, the Standard Visitor visa has replaced all of the six short-term visas mentioned above, as well as a couple of other visas previously available like:
A general rule of thumb is that if you’re planning to visit the UK for less than six months and you normally reside in a country outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you will likely need a Standard Visitor visa. Rules do vary depending on the country in which you are normally resident and, once again, our expert team can advise you.
As part of your application, you’ll be required to visit a Visa Application Centre in your country where your photograph, fingerprints and signature will be taken digitally. This biometric process only takes 5 minutes and there is no ink or mess involved.
Our team can help you find the closest Visa Application Centre to you, making it easier for you to plan this hassle free process. People who are already in the UK on a Standard Visitor visa may be eligible to apply for an extension without leaving the country in exceptional circumstances.
Bear in mind that there’s a standard processing fee of £85 (correct at the time of writing) and a further fee if you wish to extend your visa. A decision about your Standard Visitor visa status will usually be made within three weeks of your visit to the Visa Application Centre and the submission of the necessary documents.
In order for your application for a Standard Visitor visa to have the greatest chance of success, it is important that you provide ample supporting documentation with your application that provides comprehensive evidence that you meet the eligibility requirements for this visa. Our expert legal team can guide you through the complex array of documentation that must accompany your application, taking into account your full travel and immigration history.
All of the original documents you provide will be sent back to you after your visa application has been examined. During your visit to the Visa Application Centre, you may also be asked to provide some additional information that isn’t backed up by documents. Some of the additional information could include dates of previous UK entry and departure, where you’ll be staying during this visit, your current address and your current income level.
A Standard Visitor visa allows you to stay in the UK for a period of up to six months. There are options available, however, if you need to visit the UK more frequently and regularly over a longer period without having to apply for a new Standard Visitor visa for each trip. Long-term multiple entry visit visas allow you to make multiple visits to the UK of up to 6 months at a time over a time period of 1, 2, 5 or 10 years.
Successfully applying for a long-term multiple entry Standard Visit visa is complex and our expert legal team will ensure that your application and supporting documentation demonstrate that you have a credible ongoing reason to visit, that your personal and economic situation is unlikely to change and that your travel and immigration history shows previous compliance with immigration rules.
While in the UK on a Standard Visitor visa, you’re not allowed to work or earn an income. You are also ineligible to receive public funds, to marry a partner in the country or or to live in the UK for extended periods of time by acquiring multiple Standard Visitor visas.
If you need to stay in the UK for a longer period of time, you should either apply for a long-term visa or provide information that a medical treatment or another reason why you’re visiting the country will necessitate a state that will exceed six months.
For the best chance of success in your application for a Standard Visitor visa, or even if you just want to know that this is the right visa for you, call our expert immigration legal team today.
With a wealth of knowledge and experience, our expert immigration legal team will simplify every part of the application process and guide you away from the hidden dangers and pitfalls that litter this seemingly simple application. Our success rate is market leading and is why, time after time, our clients come back to us for their immigration needs.
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