Immigration LAW GUIDES

Claiming Asylum in the UK

For decades, the UK has acted as a safe destination for asylum seekers to find refuge away from dangers overseas. The UK Border Agency maintain strict rules about who is allowed to enter the country in order to protect the economy, security and wellbeing...

UK Family Visas

People who live outside of the UK may be eligible to apply to come to the country as a dependent child or adult relative of someone who is a British citizen or who has settled status, which means that they have been granted permission to permanently...

Marrying a UK Resident

The law allows UK residents who are at least 18 years old and who are settled permanently in the United Kingdom or who return to the country to live, to be married and accompanied by their spouse or civil partner. The law extends this authority to only...

What Happens at an Immigration Hearing?

Immigration hearings can seem daunting, and many people worry about the significant impact that the result of their hearing can have on their life. The immigration hearing is attended by at least one judge, sometimes more, and can be carried out at a...

British Citizenship Explained

British citizens have the right to permanently reside and work in the UK free from any immigration restrictions. This is otherwise referred to as a right of abode. Individuals are entitled to apply for British citizenship when they meet specific criteria....

Life in the UK Test

The life in the UK test is designed to ensure that foreign people who want to live in the UK on a permanent basis have a certain level of knowledge about UK customs and cultures. For those who want Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK or who are...

Refusal to Grant a Student Visa

Student visa applicants are presented with different rules and requirements dependent upon the length of time that their visa needs to run, the type of visa that they apply for and the course that they are studying. Visa applications can be complex,...

Tier 2 Visas for Skilled Workers

Foreign nationals can work in the UK, subject to immigration control measures, as long as they obtain the relevant visa. Through the use of a points based system, the UK Border Agency works alongside other organisations to set the requirements for international...

Tier 5 Temporary Worker Visas

Foreign workers outside of the European Union who want to come to the UK for employment are required to apply to the UK Border Agency for a workers visa. If this is going to be for a short period of time, the person will need to apply for a Tier 5 temporary...

Deportation from the UK

Deportation refers to an enforced departure of a person from the UK following the signing of an order by the Home Secretary. The order also restricts the person's ability to return to the UK and sets out the ways in which the individual should be deported....

Dual Nationality - Benefits and Disadvantages

What is Dual Nationality? Dual nationality, which is often also referred to as dual citizenship, is the term given when a person has at least two nationalities. An individual who has dual nationality automatically has citizenship in one country, and...

How to Stay in the UK on a Visa After Divorce

If you are living in the UK as a dependent or spouse on the visa of your partner, a divorce will mean that you lose your visa status. When this happens, you may not be entitled to stay in the UK, and so you must check your eligibility to remain in the...

Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK

Individuals who are already in the UK have a number of application options that might allow them to apply for leave to remain, either temporarily or on a permanent basis. Indefinite Leave to Remain is also referred to as ‘settlement', and this...