EXPERT UK IMMIGRATION ADVICE

The UK Skilled Worker Visa allows eligible foreign workers to come to the UK to fill specific job roles. Recent changes have made the requirements more stringent.

Key Requirements:

• Salary Requirements:
  • General Route: Minimum £38,700 per year.
  • Health & Care Sector: Minimum £29,000 per year.
  • Salary must meet the higher of the general threshold or the 'going rate' for the specific occupation code.
• Job Offer & Sponsorship:
  • Must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer holding a valid Sponsor Licence.
  • The employer must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
• English Language: Must prove English language proficiency to a certain level (B1 CEFR).
• Maintenance Funds: Must have sufficient funds to support yourself (or your sponsor must certify maintenance).
• Dependents:
  • Standard Skilled Workers: Can bring eligible family members (spouse/partner, dependent children).
  • Care Workers: CANNOT bring dependents.

How We Can Help:

Our experts provide end-to-end guidance for Skilled Worker Visa applications. We can:

• Assess your eligibility against the latest Home Office rules.
• Assist with securing a Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Guide you through document preparation and submission.
• Provide advice on English language requirements and maintenance funds.

The UK offers world-class education, and the Student Visa route allows international students to study at accredited institutions. Upon graduation, many are eligible for the Graduate Route, providing a pathway to work in the UK.

Student Visa Requirements:

• CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies): An unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor.
• Financial Proof: Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover course fees and living costs.
• English Language: Meet the English language proficiency requirements (usually B2 CEFR for degree level).
• Intention to Study: Genuine intention to study in the UK.

The Graduate Route:

This route allows eligible international students to stay in the UK for at least two years after successfully completing a course at undergraduate level or above. This provides an excellent opportunity to gain work experience.

• Eligibility: Successfully completed a degree-level course in the UK as a Student or Tier 4 migrant.
• Duration: 2 years for most graduates, 3 years for PhD students.
• Work Rights: Allows graduates to work in any job or be self-employed.

How We Can Help:

We guide students through every step of their journey to study and work in the UK:

• University and course selection advice.
• Student Visa application assistance, including CAS guidance.
• Preparation for visa interviews and financial documentation.
• Support for Graduate Route applications post-study.
• General advice on post-study pathways.

The UK immigration system allows British citizens, those settled in the UK (with ILR), or those with certain visas to bring their partners and dependent children to join them in the UK. This route is designed to promote family unity while ensuring that families can be financially supported without recourse to public funds.

Types of Family Visas:

• Spouse/Partner Visa: For husbands, wives, civil partners, or unmarried partners who have lived together for at least two years.
• Child Dependent Visa: For children under 18 or older dependent children.
• Adult Dependent Relative Visa: For parents or other relatives who require care from a UK-based family member due to age, illness, or disability. This route is highly restrictive.

Key Requirements for Spouse/Partner Visas:

• Relationship Requirement: Must be in a genuine and subsisting relationship.
• Financial Requirement: The UK sponsor must meet a minimum income threshold (currently £29,000 for Spring 2024, subject to further increases). This can be met through salary, self-employment, savings, or certain benefits.
• Accommodation Requirement: Adequate housing without reliance on public funds.
• English Language: The applicant must pass an approved English language test (usually A1 CEFR for initial application).

How We Can Help Your Family:

Navigating family visa applications can be emotionally and legally complex. Our team provides compassionate and expert guidance:

• Thorough assessment of relationship and financial requirements.
• Assistance with compiling robust evidence for genuine relationship.
• Guidance on meeting the updated income threshold and required documentation.
• Support for English language tests and accommodation proofs.
• Handling renewals, extensions, and ultimately, Indefinite Leave to Remain.

For UK businesses looking to thrive in a global market, attracting the best international talent is crucial. A Sponsor Licence is a permission granted by the Home Office that allows you to sponsor overseas workers for Skilled Worker visas (formerly Tier 2), ensuring you have access to a wider pool of talent.

Why Your Business Needs a Sponsor Licence:

• Access Global Talent: Fill skill gaps in your workforce with qualified international professionals.
• Competitive Edge: Remain competitive by securing the best individuals for critical roles.
• Compliance & Growth: Operate lawfully within UK immigration rules, supporting your business's expansion.

The Application Process:

Applying for a Sponsor Licence involves several key steps and requires meticulous attention to detail:

• Eligibility Check: Ensure your business meets the Home Office's criteria for sponsorship.
• Key Personnel Identification: Appoint individuals within your organisation to manage the sponsorship process (Authorising Officer, Key Contact, Level 1 User).
• Document Submission: Provide comprehensive documentation proving your business's legitimacy and compliance.
• Compliance & Duties: Understand and commit to your ongoing sponsor duties, including record-keeping and reporting.

How We Assist UK Employers:

Our immigration legal experts specialise in guiding businesses through the complexities of obtaining and maintaining a Sponsor Licence:

• Initial Assessment: Evaluate your business's eligibility and readiness.
• Application Preparation: Prepare and submit a robust licence application on your behalf.
• Compliance Guidance: Advise on your sponsor duties and help establish compliant HR systems.
• Audits & Renewals: Support with Home Office compliance visits and licence renewals.
• Ongoing Support: Provide continuous advice on issuing Certificates of Sponsorship and managing sponsored employees.

Sometimes, immigration journeys become complicated. Whether it's a visa refusal, a challenge to your status, or unique circumstances that don't fit standard routes, our team is equipped to handle the most complex immigration matters. We understand the high stakes involved and provide dedicated, strategic legal advice.

What Constitutes a Complex Case?

• Visa Refusals & Appeals: Challenging unjust or erroneous Home Office decisions through administrative review or tribunal appeals.
• Overstaying & Regularisation: Assisting individuals who have overstayed their visa to regularise their immigration status in the UK.
• Human Rights Applications: Applications based on Article 8 (right to private and family life) or Article 3 (prohibition of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment) of the ECHR.
• Deportation & Removal: Providing legal representation and strategic advice for individuals facing removal or deportation from the UK.
• Challenging Detention: Assisting in cases of unlawful immigration detention.
• Victims of Domestic Violence: Support for those seeking to settle in the UK after suffering domestic violence from a UK partner.

Our Approach to Complex Cases:

Our team prides itself on its robust legal analysis, strategic planning, and tenacious advocacy for clients in difficult situations.

• Detailed Case Analysis: Thorough review of all circumstances, evidence, and Home Office decisions.
• Strategic Advice: Developing a clear, actionable legal strategy tailored to your specific situation.
• Strong Representation: Preparing compelling arguments and representing you in appeals, administrative reviews, or before the Home Office.
• Compassionate Support: Understanding the emotional toll of complex cases and providing supportive guidance throughout.
• Judicial Review: Challenging the lawfulness of decisions made by public bodies.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), often referred to as 'settlement', grants you permanent residency in the UK, removing all immigration restrictions on your stay. After a period of ILR, many individuals become eligible to apply for British Citizenship, solidifying their commitment to the UK.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR):

ILR is typically granted after a qualifying period of continuous residence in the UK under various visa routes, such as Skilled Worker, Spouse Visa, or Long Residence. The general qualifying period is 5 years, though some routes differ.

Key ILR Requirements:

• Continuous Residence: Meeting the specific residency requirements of your visa route, including limits on absences from the UK.
• English Language: Demonstrating English language proficiency (usually B1 CEFR or higher, unless exempt).
• Life in the UK Test: Passing the 'Life in the UK' knowledge test.
• Good Character: Meeting the Home Office's good character requirements.
• Financial Stability: For some routes (e.g., Spouse ILR), meeting a financial threshold.

British Citizenship:

Becoming a British Citizen involves several steps and is the final stage for many immigrants. It grants you full rights and responsibilities, including a British passport and the right to vote.

Key Citizenship Requirements:

• ILR Status: Generally, you must have held ILR for at least 12 months (or less if married to a British citizen).
• Residency: Meeting specific residency criteria regarding your time in the UK.
• English Language & Life in the UK Test: Same requirements as for ILR, unless already met or exempt.
• Good Character: Strict character requirements.
• Intention to Reside: Intention to continue living in the UK.

Our Expert Support:

Our specialists provide comprehensive assistance for both ILR and British Citizenship applications:

• Eligibility Assessment: Confirming your eligibility and the correct application route.
• Document Preparation: Meticulous preparation and review of all required documentation.
• Absence Calculations: Precise calculation of continuous residence and allowable absences.
• Test Preparation Guidance: Advice on the Life in the UK test and English language requirements.
• Application Submission: Handling the entire application process, ensuring compliance with Home Office guidelines.