UK Immigration Solicitors
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Work With Our Leading Team of Immigration Lawyers and Solicitors in London
Osbourne Pinner is a team of leading Immigration Solicitors in London with offices in Piccadilly and Harrow. Immigration Solicitors are lawyers who specialise in immigration advice and nationality law. Their primary focus is on helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate the complex process of immigration, ensuring compliance with immigration laws and regulations.
They can help you with a variety of immigration law matters, including:
Applying for a visa
Appealing a visa decision
Dealing with immigration detention
Representing you in immigration court
General advice on immigration law
For a free confidential discussion covering immigration mattes and advice, call 0203 983 5080 or complete this form.
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We do not offer Legal Aid.
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Global Talent Visa – What You Need to Know
The Global Talent visa in the UK is designed for highly skilled individuals in various fields, including sciences, humanities, engineering, arts, and technology, who want to work in the country. Global Talent Visa replaced the Tier 1 visa category in February 2020. With the Global Talent visa, individuals can qualify for settlement after 3 years if they are recognised as Talented candidates or after 5 years if they are considered Promise candidates. Once they complete the settlement application and fulfill the required residency period in the UK, they may have the opportunity to apply for British Citizenship.
Who is eligible for a Global Talent visa?
Individuals must get endorsement from one of six designated endorsing groups to be eligible for a Global Talent visa. The endorsing bodies use two sets of criteria when assessing applicants:
- Exceptional Talent criteria: For those who have already made significant achievements as leaders in their profession.
- Exceptional Promise criteria: For those who, while still in their early careers, have demonstrated the potential to make major contributions as future leaders in their profession.
To apply for a Global Talent visa, individuals can submit their application from within the UK or from outside the country.
Applications within the UK
If you are applying from within the UK, such as moving from another visa type to a Global Talent visa, you can do so online.
Individuals who are already in the UK on one of the following visas may apply for a Global Talent visa: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 5, Tier 4 (save for the Short Term Student Visa), Start-Up or Innovator.
Standard Visitor Visa UK
The Standard Visit visa has replaced several previous visa categories, including the Business Visitor Visa, Family Visitor Visa, Child Visitor visa, Student Visitor Visa (up to 6 months), Sports Visitor visa, Entertainer Visitor visa, Prospective Entrepreneur visa, and Private Medical Treatment Visitor visa.
To obtain a UK Standard Visitor visa, you must satisfy the following requirements:
Demonstrate your purpose for visiting the UK, whether it is for business, Family Members to the UK, or leisure.
Provide evidence that you have planned to leave the UK within the permitted timeframe, which is six months.
Show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents without relying on public funds in the UK.
Demonstrate your ability to cover the costs of your return or onward journey.
If visiting for business reasons, ensure that you will only engage in permitted business activities.
Give assurance that you will not reside in the UK for extended periods through repeated visits or make the UK your main home.
For long-term Standard Visitor visas, provide reasons for the frequent visits to the UK for permitted business purposes.
EEA Family Permit • Fiancé Visa Requirements
Student Visas - The Student Route
The Student Route is a visa category in the UK that allows international students to study at recognised educational institutions. It replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa in October 2020.
To obtain a student visa, applicants must have an offer from a licensed sponsor, sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses, and meet English language requirements.
The visa duration depends on the length of the course, and students may have the opportunity to work part-time during their studies.
Skilled Worker Visa
In late 2020, the Home Office introduced changes to the points-based immigration system in the UK.
To be eligible for the Skilled Worker route, applicants must accumulate a total of 70 points based on a points-based assessment. These points are divided into mandatory and “tradeable” points:
Mandatory 20 points: Sponsorship Licence
Mandatory 20 points: Skill level for sponsorship.
Mandatory 10 points: English language proficiency at B1 level (CEFR).
Tier 2 Intercompany Transfer Visa (ICT)
The Tier 2 ICT visa enables multinational corporations to relocate personnel from their abroad offices to the United Kingdom. This visa is available to skilled workers who have a job offer from a company’s UK branch and have worked for the company for at least 12 months.
Tier 2 Minister of Religion:
The Tier 2 Minister of Religion visa is designed for religious workers offered a job within a faith community or religious organisation in the UK. To qualify, applicants must be able to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in their religious role and provide evidence of sponsorship from a recognised religious institution. This visa allows religious workers to live and work in the UK temporarily.
Tier 2 Sportspersons:
The Tier 2 Sportsperson visa category is for elite athletes and coaches who have been endorsed by a recognised sporting body in the UK. It allows them to come to the UK and engage in their specific sport at a professional level. Applicants must provide evidence of their exceptional talent or contribution to their sport and have sponsorship from a recognised sports organisation or club.
Tier 5 Student Mobility:
The Tier 5 Student Mobility visa is part of the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme and is available to students from certain countries who wish to study in the UK for a limited period. It allows students to undertake work placements or internships related to their course of study. The visa is open to individuals aged 18-30 and provides an opportunity to experience academic and professional development in the UK.
Adult Dependent Relative Visa:
The Adult Dependent Relative visa is for individuals who are dependent on a relatively settled in the UK and require long-term care and support due to illness, disability, or age. Applicants must demonstrate their dependency and prove that adequate care is not available in their home country.
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Spouse Visa/Partner Visa in the UK
The Spouse Visa/Partner Visa in the UK allows non-British partners to live and work in the country.
This family visa can be applied for by individuals who are married, in a Civil Partner Visa – The 5 Year Route, unmarried partners living together for at least 2 years, fiancé(e)s, or proposed civil partners intending to marry or enter into a civil partnership within 6 months of arrival.
Osbourne Pinner specialises in providing legal advice and representation for those applying for a UK family visa as an Unmarried Partner Visa UK (5-Year Route) or spouse, with a proven track record of successful applications.
Eligibility for a UK Spouse Visa or Partner Visa
To be eligible for a family visa as a partner or spouse, you must meet the following criteria:
Both you and your partner must be 18 years old or above.
Your spouse must fall into one of the categories listed below:
Be a British citizen.
Have settled status in the UK (e.g., indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or proof of permanent residence).
Be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status and started living in the UK before January 1, 2021.
Turkish Worker visa.
Refugee status or humanitarian protection.
You must be in a recognised civil partnership or marriage, or have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years at the time of application.
The relationship between you and your sponsor (partner) must be genuine and ongoing.
You must have the intention to live permanently with your sponsor in the UK and have suitable accommodation without relying on public funds.
Your sponsor must meet the financial requirement, typically having an income of at least £18,600 per year (with higher thresholds for those with children) and/or sufficient savings.
You need to meet the English language requirement.
Eligibility for a UK Spouse Visa or Partner Visa
This allows children who have lived in the UK continuously for 7 years to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) & Permanent Residence. To be eligible for ILR under the 7 Years Child Residency Rule, children must meet the following requirements:
Must be a resident in the UK continuously for 7 years.
They must be under the age of 18.
They must be in the UK on a valid visa.
Expecting them to leave the UK must be unreasonable.
Adopted Children of British Citizens or Settled Persons
Adopted children of British citizens or settled persons can apply for various visas to live in the UK. Adopted children who are under the age of 18 and who are adopted by British citizens or settled persons in the UK can also apply for British citizenship.
Naturalisation As British Citizens
Naturalization as a British citizen is the process by which foreign nationals can acquire British citizenship. It requires meeting specific eligibility criteria, including residence requirements, good character, and language proficiency. Successful naturalisation grants individuals full rights and privileges of a British citizen, including the ability to live, work, and travel freely in the UK.
Indefinite Leave to Remain UK Guidance
For many migrants arriving to the UK, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Settlement is the ultimate objective, providing prospects for a profession, culture, and family life. Obtaining ILR has become increasingly challenging due to strict requirements imposed by the British government.
Further Leave to Remain Immigration based on historical tax mistakes to the demand for written confirmation from employers about long-term employment for Skilled Worker visa holders, achieving settlement in the UK has become more difficult.
Who is eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
Eligibility for ILR depends on the specific category or route under which the individual is applying. For example, one may qualify for ILR based on 10 years of lawful residence in the UK, while others may be eligible based on employment or family ties. Most routes require a minimum residency period, such as five years for spousal visa holders, in addition to meeting other requirements.
What are the benefits of an Indefinite Leave to Remain visa?
Discretionary leave to remain in the UK grants you and your family to advance your status in the UK, allowing you to live and work without visa restrictions. However, it’s important to note that if you stay outside the UK for a continuous period of 2 years or more after obtaining ILR, you may lose your ILR status.
Who can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
The following individuals may be eligible to apply for Parent of a British Child or Child with ILR:
Holders of a working visa under the previous PBS scheme
Those who now possess a work visa under the new PBS scheme
Current holders of a Dependent Visa or family visas
Long-term residents of the UK who have been in the country for ten years
Requirements for obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain
To apply for ILR, here are the following criteria:
Hold your visa continuously for five years (or have lawfully resided in the UK for continuous ten years)
Demonstrate English language proficiency through nationality from an English-speaking country, an accepted English language degree, or passing an accredited English language test
Pass the ‘Life in the UK’ test
Meet the requirements for continuous residency
Fulfill any minimum income requirements (if applicable)
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) fees
The fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain is £2404. Additional fees of £800 apply for super-priority processing (24 hours) and £500 for priority processing (5-day processing), where eligible.
Guide on Applying for British Citizenship
Eligibility Requirements for British Citizenship
To qualify for British citizenship, you must meet the following criteria:
Residency:
You must have legally resided in the UK for a minimum of five years.
You should have held Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for at least 12 months.
You must fulfill the residency requirements.
Language Proficiency:
You need to provide evidence of language proficiency, which can be demonstrated by nationality from an English-speaking country, an accepted English language degree, or passing an accredited English language test.
‘Life in the UK’ Test:
You must pass the ‘Life in the UK’ test, which assesses your knowledge of British customs, history, and society.
Good Character:
It is essential to have a good character, as assessed by the Home Office.
Intention to Live Permanently:
You must have the intention to live permanently in the UK.
What is a UK Immigration Appeal?
The British government has significantly limited Visa Refused for migrants applying for entry clearance or leave to remain, particularly those applying under the points-based immigration system.
Section 84 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 sets out valid grounds for appeal to the Immigration and Asylum Chamber, which include:
The judgement violates immigration regulations.
The decision is unlawful under the Race and Religion Act section 19B.
The decision is unlawful under the Human Rights Act, meaning it is incompatible with the appellant’s rights under the Convention.
Because the appellant or a family member is an EEA national, their rights under the Community Treaties would be violated.
Other than immigration rules, the decision is not in conformity with the law.
Discretion should have been exercised differently from how it was legally exercised by the initial decision-maker.
Appeals & Judicial Review rights under the Refugee Convention and the Human Rights Act would be breached if the UK authorities proceed with removal.
Appealing from outside the UK
If you have been refused entry clearance, you must file your appeal within 28 calendar days from the date you received the notice of decision. For Appeals & Judicial Review Bringing if you have to leave the country before being allowed to appeal, you have 28 days to appeal once you have departed.
Claim Your 30-Minutes Free Initial Consultation With Our Immigration Specialists
Osbourne Pinner Solicitors offer a 30 minutes free of charge initial consultation which can take place in our offices or through a video conference. If you would like us to book you for this free consultation with immigration lawyers in London, then give us a call on 0203 983 5080 or fill the online enquiry form. Contact Osbourne Pinner for tailored immigration advice today.
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We do not offer Legal Aid
FAQs for UK Immigration Solicitors
From legal advice on immigration issues, to helping to gather supporting documents – Osbourne Pinner can offer you comprehensive support on a range of issues surrounding immigration. With our UK immigration law experts based in London, we will be able to help you with the specifics of your situation. This can include getting a UK visa or help with a visa application, business immigration services and everything else to do with the immigration process.
Although immigration can lead to complex situations, those experienced in immigration law can help you. Osbourne Pinner have London immigration lawyers with a long history of experience in dealing with similar cases to yours. With clients ranging from corporate clients to asylum seekers, we help people solve their immigration issues.
Absolutely, Osbourne Pinner Solicitors provides an initial 30-minute consultation at no cost. This can be conducted in-person at our offices or via video call. To schedule your free consultation with our London-based immigration attorneys, please ring 0203 983 5080 or complete our online inquiry form.
For the best chance of a successful immigration appeal, following these steps:
- Compile a comprehensive appellant’s bundle.
- Present documents showing you’ve met essential immigration criteria or that your situation is notably compelling to justify a visa.
- Engage a seasoned legal expert.
- Having skilled legal counsel is vital. A successful appeal entails thorough documentation, a deep grasp of immigration rules and a persuasive legal stance. The right solicitor can guide you through the process.
- Stay compliant.
- Many appeals falter due to non-adherence to the Tribunal’s specified directions and deadlines. Ensure you follow all stipulated guidelines.
If you believe there’s been a legal oversight in the tribunal’s ruling, you have the option to request an appeal with the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). Grounds for this might include believing the tribunal misinterpreted the law, overlooked essential procedures that impacted the outcome or made a decision without sufficient evidence.
The duration of an immigration appeal in the UK can vary based on the intricacy of your situation, the nature of the visa refusal appeal and the solidity of your application. Generally, it ranges between 6 and 12 months. When your appeal is presented before a Tribunal, it’s rare to get a verdict on the hearing day. The decision usually comes around a month afterward. If you win the appeal, the Home Office might either challenge the verdict or reconsider and grant your visa.