Immigration Solicitors

What is Immigration Law?

Immigration law is a complex and vast field of the UK legal system. With so many individuals inadvertently completing forms incorrectly, misunderstanding visas and not recognising the terms of their entry, it is important that advice is sought early for anyone with concerns. Immigration law solicitors are experienced in a variety of cases relating to domestic and international affairs, making them well placed to ensure a legal and smooth transaction for foreign people who want to visit, live, work or study in the UK.

What can an immigration Law solicitor help with?

Immigration is a vast area and as such, solicitors in this field are able to assist in a wide expanse of cases. This might include deportation appeals, claiming asylum in the UK, studying here as an international student and work visa advice.

What does ‘leave to enter the UK' mean?

When a person makes a successful application for entry clearance, they are granted leave to enter the UK. Dependent upon the application and the immigration rules, the leave to enter may be for a temporary period or indefinitely. An immigration solicitor will help individuals understand the terms of their visa and can assist with any concerns they may have, such as extending a stay, changing visa type or completing the necessary forms within the required time period.

How can I become a British citizen or get a British passport?

For persons who are resident in the UK indefinitely or are an EEA National with permanent residence or right of abode, the most simple method to become a British citizen is via Naturalisation. Application for naturalisation is available once the following has been fulfilled:

• You have lived in the UK lawfully for most of the previous 5 years
• You must have been free from restrictions on the period that you are allowed to remain in the UK for a minimum of the last year.
• You must be of good character
• You must have a sound knowledge of the English language and UK life.

Alternatively, an immigration solicitor is able to assist clients in registration routes for citizenship.

How can I bring my spouse or children to the UK?

Many visas offer the ability to bring certain relatives to the UK with you, including your spouse and children under the age of 18.

The immigration rules of your visa stipulate whether you have the authorisation to bring such relatives to the UK with you. If you are not authorised, it may be necessary for your relatives to apply for their own visa to ensure legal entry to the country. A specialist immigration law solicitor will be able to review your terms and give advice on the best and quickest options for you and your family.

Can I extend my visa to stay in the UK longer?

It may be possible to extend the terms of a visa to stay in the UK for longer than originally anticipated. However, it is imperative that individuals apply for extensions as soon as possible to ensure that deadlines are not missed. An immigration law solicitor will help you to understand the terms of your original visa, your current situation and how best to extend your stay in the UK legally.

Although the solicitor will charge a fee for their advice and services, it is important to recognise that this fee is nominal in comparison to the cost of being apprehended for having outstayed the terms of your existing visa. Furthermore, those who are caught for having not abided by the original terms of their visa and having not applied for an extension are likely to find it much more difficult to obtain entry to the UK in the future.

Can I legally buy property in the UK if I am here with a temporary visa?

UK law does not prohibit non-residents from buying property and as such, anyone is able to rent or purchase a home in the UK. There are a large number of non-residents of the UK that own property here.

Do be aware that if you are looking to buy property in the UK but are not a resident, mortgage lenders are likely to review your visa fully and may be unwilling to lend money to non-residents. With that in mind, it is important to receive advice from an immigration solicitor prior to purchase to assess the legalities and best property management options for those who buy and then leave the UK.

I own a business outside of the UK and would like to open a branch there, can I transfer some employees?

The process of establishing a branch of a foreign company and transferring employees is a complex undertaking, and it will be necessary to seek legal advice from an immigration solicitor in order to establish a legal route. It is paramount to understand the commercial laws of opening a new branch as well as the employment laws that must be considered.

One of the easiest ways to establish a UK branch is to send one person to the UK as a sole representative who can then set up the branch for you. Once the branch is in force, you can then seek a licence to transfer employees from your country to the UK, and this would be requested from the UK Border Agency. The rules on transferring skilled workers to the UK are especially strict, and so it is important to obtain the advice of a legal expert in this field. Be aware that this is a time-consuming process, and so it is best to apply as early as possible.

I am a UK business owner who wants to employ a foreign person. What help can I get from a solicitor?

If an employer is found to have hired an employee who does not have the right to work in the UK, they are liable for a fine of up to £10,000. It is therefore of great importance to understand the legal implications of hiring foreign workers.

In order to legally employ a non-UK resident, employers must obtain a licence from the UK Border Agency. This can be a time-consuming undertaking, and so it is important to apply at the earliest opportunity and to seek the advice of a specialised immigration solicitor in order to complete the necessary paperwork correctly and in a timely manner.