Visas and Immigration UK
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Visas and Immigration Advice UK
The UK’s immigration system has always been notoriously complex, and has become even more difficult to negotiate in the wake of Brexit. Irrespective of the type of visa you intend to apply for, it is essential to take on the right legal support at an early stage.
At Barar & Associates, we offer a comprehensive range of legal services for new and existing visa applicants from all backgrounds. Our experience and expertise extend to all immigration issues and UK entry pathways, ensuring a smooth and simple application process with a high chance of success.
Whether planning ahead or in need of urgent support with a time-critical issue, we’re standing by to take your call. Contact a member of the team at Barar & Associates anytime to learn more.
Free Initial Support and Advice
Immigration is a uniquely dynamic and fast-moving area of law, which can make it difficult to keep up with the latest developments. At Barar & Associates, we offer complete end-to-end support with all types of personal, family, business, and asylum matters, providing our clients with the clear and objective advice they need to make important decisions.
We understand that many people considering a visa or immigration application may be unsure exactly where they stand, with regards to their eligibility and entitlements. That’s why we always provide new clients with an obligation-free introductory consultation, during which the viability and strength of the client’s case will be determined.
With no obligation to go ahead, we will help you choose the most appropriate visa pathway for your requirements.
Just a few of the services we provide as part of our broader legal support packages include the following:
- UK visa eligibility checks and application guidance
- Comprehensive support in completing and submitting paperwork
- Assistance obtaining and presenting supporting evidence
- Full representation and communication with the Home Office on your behalf
- Urgent assistance for clients facing time-critical challenges
- Help and support following denied or delayed visa applications
- Dedicated immigration advice for clients who wish to apply for British citizenship
For more information on any of the above or to discuss any aspect of your requirements in more detail, contact a member of the team at Barar & Associates anytime.
What Are the 4 Types of UK Visas?
Legal entry to the United Kingdom can be gained via dozens of different visa and immigration pathways. However, the vast majority of these pathways can be grouped into just four major types of visas – UK Work Visas, UK Study Visas, UK Visitor Visas, and UK Family Visas.
UK Work Visas
The ‘Work’ visa category applies to all individuals and businesses looking to either gain entry to the UK to work, or remain in the country long-term (or permanently) before transitioning to a different type of visa.
Just a few of the many different types of visas that fall within this classification include:
- Skilled Worker Visa
- Temporary Worker Visa
- Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
- Paid Permitted Engagement Visa
- Sportsperson Visa
- Minister of Religion Visa
- Intra-Company Transfer Visa
- High Potential Individual Visa
- Innovator Visa
- Investor Visa
- Startup Visa
- Business Visitor Visa
Each of these visa types has its own unique eligibility requirements, which must be fully understood before deciding which of the options available is right for you.
UK Study Visas
All visas issued to individuals looking to study in the UK are strictly finite in nature. The UK Study Visa enables individuals from overseas to study in the UK only for the duration of their course.
There are also Short-Term Study Visas available for those undertaking programmes of six months or less, and Child Student Visas for children aged 4 to 17 who will be studying in the UK for more than six months.
UK Visitor Visa
Anyone from outside the EEA looking to enter the UK for six months or less may choose to apply for a UK Visitor Visa. Purposes for which this visa may be issued include to access private medical treatment, to spend time in the UK as a tourist, or to visit friends and family members.
There is no allowance for a UK Visitor Visa to be extended, but residents of the United States, China, Pakistan, India, and some other non-EEA countries can apply for a long-term visit visa for UK travel.
UK Family Visa
If a member of your immediate family is a legal UK resident, you may be eligible for a special type of UK Family Visa to either visit them or reside in the UK with them. This includes spouses who are British citizens, adults with dependent children, and other close family members.
As Family Visa pathways into the UK can be particularly complex, it is essential to take on the appropriate legal support at an early stage, in order to give your application the best possible chance of a successful outcome.
Call or e-mail the team at Barar & Associates anytime for more information.
What Types of Visas Are There for the UK?
There are dozens of different types of visas and immigration pathways into the UK, spanning a broad range of requirements.
An overview of some of the main types of UK visas along with their intended purposes is as follows:
| Visa type | Purpose |
| Skilled Worker Visa | Skilled Workers with a job offer in the UK |
| Temporary Worker Visa | Temporary work, work experience and research in the UK for less than 12 months |
| Youth Mobility Visa | 2 year work permit for young people aged 18-20 from participating territories |
| Paid Permitted Engagement visa | Short-term entry clearance for individuals invited to the UK as experts in their field |
| Sportsperson Visa | Work permit for elite sports persons or qualified coaches |
| Minister of Religion Visa | Work permit for religious workers |
| Intra-Company Transfer Visa | Employees from multinational companies transferring to work in a UK branch |
| Business Visitor Visa | Travel to the UK for up to 6 months for business activities |
| Student Visitor Visa | Studying in the UK on a temporary basis |
| Tourist Visa | Travel to the UK for up to 6 months for leisure or other purposes |
| Adult Student Visa | Studying in the UK |
| Two year post-study work visa | Work permit for international students who have studied a bachelor’s or master’s course in the UK |
| Child Student Visa | Children aged 4-17 to study in the UK |
| Spouse Visa | Spouses of British Citizens/settled persons |
| Fiancé Visa | Fiancés of British Citizens/settled Persons |
| Unmarried Partner Visa | Long-term partner of British Citizens/settled persons |
| Adult Dependent Visa | Foreign nationals requiring care from a UK relative |
| Child Dependent Visa | Child of a British citizen/settled person not living an independent life |
| Ancestry Visa | Citizens of commonwealth countries with a British grandparent |
| Innovator Visa | International entrepreneurs with £50,000 to invest in a business in the UK |
| Investor Visa | International investors with at least £2 million to invest in UK businesses |
| Startup Visa | Applicants with approved sponsors to start their first business in the UK |
| Schengen Visa | Travel throughout the Schengen area |
Knowing which type of visa to apply for is essential, in order to afford yourself the best possible chance of a successful outcome. The UK Home Office does not provide any refunds for unsuccessful applications, and each refused application could harm your chances of being accepted the next time around.
At Barar & Associates, we can provide you with the impartial expert advice you need to decide which immigration pathway is right for you, while supporting your application every step of the way.
For more information on any of the above visa types or to discuss your requirements in more detail, contact a member of the team at Barar & Associates today.
What Are the 5 Tiers of UK Immigration?
UK visa and immigration rules use a points-based system to determine who can and cannot gain successful entry to the country. There are five broad tiers of UK immigration, within which there are several sub-categories with their own unique qualification requirements.
A brief overview of these five tiers and the sub-categories within each is as follows:
The UK Tier Visa system is a points-based visa category system. Applicants must score a minimum number of points on an assessment test to be eligible for a visa. The test takes into consideration such factors as age, fluency in the English language, and other factors dependent on the specific Tier under which you apply. Travelling to live in the UK under a Tier category often makes you eligible for UK settlement or even UK citizenship.
Select the appropriate category below to learn more about each Tier.
Tier 1: High-Value Migrants
- Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent)
- Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
- Tier 1 (Investor)
- Tier 1 (General)
- Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
Tier 2: Skilled Workers
- Tier 2 (General)
- Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)
- Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
- Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer)
Tier 3: Unskilled Workers
The Unskilled Workers visa pathway is currently suspended, having previously been used to address labour shortages in the UK by bringing in unskilled workers from overseas.
Tier 4: Adult Students
This category provides qualifying students from overseas with the opportunity to study in the United Kingdom for the duration of the course they take. There is, however, no option to extend a Student Visa beyond its initial term, but it may be possible to transition to a different type of visa (such as Skilled Worker) to continue residing in the UK indefinitely.
Tier 5: Temporary Workers
- Tier 5 (Creative and Sporting)
- Tier 5 (Charity Workers)
- Tier 5 (Religious Workers)
- Tier 5 (Government Authorised Exchange)
- Tier 5 (International Agreement)
- Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)
Call Barar & Associates
Before submitting a visa application, it is important to carefully assess your eligibility and suitability for your chosen immigration pathway. At Barar & Associates, we can provide you with the expert legal support and representation you need for a smooth and simple application process, along with the best possible chance of a successful outcome.
For more information on any of the above or to discuss your requirements in more detail, contact a member of our team for a chat.
How Do I Contact UK Visas and Immigration?
If you need to contact someone for help and support with your visa and immigration issues, it is advisable to do so via your legal representative. Much of the information provided on a national level by the Home Office is rudimentary at best, and is certainly not case specific.
However, the UK government does welcome questions and queries from those looking to gain entry to the UK, or extend their stay if already residing in the country:
The official contact information published by GOV.uk is as follows:
· Main Telephone: 0300 790 6268 – UK Visas and Immigration contact centre
· Other Telephone: 0808 801 0503 – Asylum Help UK
· Website: gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration
· Other Website: gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/asylum
Such help and advisory services may provide you with some of the information you need to determine which visa pathway is right for you, and whether or not you are eligible to apply for temporary permanent entry to the UK.
But as the specifics of all the immigration cases are unique, we strongly advise consulting with an experienced legal representative at the earliest possible stage. The UK’s immigration system is notoriously complex, and made even more difficult by continuously shifting policy.
At Barar & Associates, we provide all new clients with an obligation-free initial consultation to discuss the specifics of their cases. During which, you will have the opportunity to discuss your questions and concerns with an experienced professional, and to determine your most appropriate visa pathway.
With no obligation to go ahead, we will provide you with an overview of the options available to you, and a transparent disclosure of our pricing structure. You will be able to decide on our exact level of involvement in your case – anything from simply checking your paperwork to full legal support and representation.
However complex or urgent your requirements, the team at Barar & Associates is standing by to take your call. Get in touch anytime by phone, or email us with details of your requirements and we will get back to you as promptly as possible.
What Does UK Visas and Immigration Do?
UK Visas and Immigration is the part of the Home Office that is responsible for making important decisions on millions of visa and immigration cases each year. Effectively, it is the job of UK Visas and Immigration to decide who can and cannot enter the country, and the terms and conditions that must be abided by where entry is granted.
Specifically, the responsibilities of UK Visas and Immigration (as outlined on GOV.uk) are as follows:
- to run the UK’s visa service, managing around 3 million applications a year from overseas nationals who wish to come to the UK to visit, study or work
- to consider applications for British citizenship from overseas nationals who wish to settle here permanently
- to run the UK’s asylum service offering protection to those eligible under the 1951 Geneva Convention
- to decide applications from employers and educational establishments who want to join the register of sponsors
- to manage appeals from unsuccessful applicants
Post-Brexit, one of the main responsibilities of UK Visas and Immigration is to perform the calculations necessary to see whether a prospective migrant meets all the necessary requirements of the points-based system. All pathways to UK entry and residency have their own unique criteria that must be fulfilled, and all cases are fundamentally different.
Unfortunately, the UK’s immigration system is notorious for its complexity, and is subject to constantly shifting policy. In addition, no refunds (in full or in part) are issued by UK Visas and Immigration in the case of rejected applications, and in some instances declined applicants are subject to a ‘cooling off’ period before being able to apply once again.
This is why it is of the utmost importance to give your application the best possible chance of being accepted the first time. At Barar & Associates, we can provide you with the expert legal support and representation you need for a smooth and simple application process, along with the best possible chance of a successful outcome.
Our experience and expertise extend to all types of complex and routine immigration issues for individuals, families, businesses, and students. Whether planning ahead or in need of urgent support with a time-critical visa issue, we would be delighted to provide you with an obligation-free consultation at your convenience.
Contact a member of the team at Barar & Associates today to learn more, or e-mail us and we will get back to you as promptly as possible.
What Are the Requirements to Immigrate to the UK?
Requirements to migrate permanently to the UK vary significantly from one case to the next. The criteria you will need to meet to qualify for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) will be determined by your chosen immigration pathway. For example, if you have direct family members living in the UK and wish to join them, you will need to fulfil very different requirements to an entrepreneur looking to set up a business in the UK.
The Home Office uses a points-based system to determine who can and cannot enter and reside in the country legally long-term. Depending on the type of visa pathway you choose, you may need to demonstrate English language skills at a certain level, take the official Life in the UK test, show that you have sufficient funds and/or income to support yourself and any dependants you have, and so on.
This is why it is important to ensure you fully understand all terms and conditions that apply to your chosen visa, before applying. Unless you choose the most appropriate immigration pathway to suit your requirements and your case, you risk being rejected, and forfeiting the application cost.
At Barar & Associates, we can provide you with the expert advice and representation you need to choose the right visa pathway to suit your requirements. For more information and with no obligation to go ahead, contact Barar & Associates anytime for a chat.
Finding Your Perfect Visa Pathway
The UK Home Office issues dozens of different types of visas across several primary tiers. Each of these visas comes with its own unique eligibility requirements, which must be fulfilled for your application to be considered.
Irrespective of the type of application you submit, it is important to ensure it is accompanied by strong supporting evidence. During the application process, you may also be contacted by the Home Office at any time with additional questions and information requests.
Whether applying for the first time or dealing with a rejected application, Barar & Associates can help you find your perfect visa pathway, and support you throughout the application process. We can also liaise with the Home Office on your behalf as your official legal representative, helping simplify the complexities involved in gaining legal entry to the UK.
If you would like to learn more about the services we provide or have any questions regarding the specifics of your case, contact a member of our team anytime for a chat.
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