Brexit vote – let’s not panic!

By 1st 4Immigration - #1 UK Immigration Experts -
It seems everyone is commenting on the result at the moment, that’s 52% of the UK voted to Leave the European Union. Well, everyone but the UK Visas and Immigration, the part of the Home Office that deals with, well, immigration. At the moment of writing this post on Saturday, 25th June 2016, there is no news story on their website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration . They are probably still digesting the news!

Here is our advice to the European/EEA nationals and their family members:

If you hold a valid immigration document, it is likely you won’t be affected by the Brexit vote. The immigration law tends to allow those migrants, who had entered before “the change”, to continue as before. This is known as “Transitional Arrangements” and usually work well. Particularly under the UK national law.

If you do not hold any of such document, we advise to apply for one as soon as possible. Not even to wait until October when the Prime Minister steps down and Article 50 is expected to be triggered. Depending on how long you have been living in the UK (even if you have just arrived), it can be a simple certificate to confirm your status, permanent residence, or British Citizenship followed by a British passport.

If you hold an immigration document, but may qualify for the further step, we again advise to make it as soon as possible. For example, you may be due for permanent residence, which is normally a voluntary application unless you wish to subsequently apply for a British passport.

Based on the past experience, the changes tend to affect the newcomers, not those who settled in the UK. Even then, there are currently UK national immigration laws, which can cover the EU migrants in the future, perhaps undated based on the new circumstances. But to avoid the uncertainly – apply now!

For an individual advice or to make an application please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit http://www.1st4immigration.com/eu-eea-citizens-visas.php

If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CPD website: www.1st4immigration.com/training

Popular posts from this blog

Updated May 2020: UK visa work continues - latest update

By -
UK immigration authorities continue to process visa applications, albeit not as fast as they normally would. The visa centres are beginning to gradually re-opening from 1 June 2020 in the UK and abroad. Regardless of when your particular centre re-opens, it is still possible to submit your application online. If your visa expires soon, you can apply for your next visa "on-time", i.e. before your current visa expires, by making such an application online and then waiting for the further steps. This keeps you within the Rules and does not make you an overstayer.  Even better, the actual documents (supporting evidence) can be submitted later, thus giving you even more time to prepare while remaining within the Rule on visa expiry dates. We usually have 45 days to provide the documents (ie upload them online to the Government portal) after the online "submission" mentioned above. This is extended for as long as it will take to clear up the backlog.  If you...
Read more

🇬🇧 Spouse vs Fiancée visa: pros and cons

By -
Image
    How are they different? What are advantages of each of them? Our helpful table below gives you the visa options for partners of UK citizens. Spouse visa (including civil partners) Fiancée visa Marital status Have to be married (or get married) and apply for a UK visa as a Spouse. Can come to the UK, get married within 6 months and then apply for a Spouse visa. Where to apply? Can apply outside the UK, in a country where a foreign spouse lives or works (but not visiting). Can switch inside the UK from most categories. Only outside the UK This includes a situation where the current UK visa allows switching to a Spouse visa but the couple has to take the Fiancée route (such as if they need time to meet the Financial Requirement). Duration of the visa 2.5 years, then extension for another 2.5 years, then permanent residency after 5 years. 6 months, then Spouse visa for 2.5 years, then extension for another 2.5 years, then permanent residency after 5 years on Spouse visas only ...
Read more

UK Visas and Immigration plans to go paperless in 2018. If it works, family visas – for spouses, partners, children etc – will be submitted online instead of the current paper forms and supporting documents.

By 1st 4Immigration - #1 UK Immigration Experts -
Image
How do we know? We, 1 st 4Immigration Ltd,   were chosen by the UKVI to take part in a survey to provide a feedback on the upcoming system. We are very honoured! As can be seen on the Home Office letter (pictured), we were selected as one of only approximately 50 firms in the whole country, following the request of the Home Office to the OISC. We had a visit from 2 Home Office officials in November 2017. What a great day and what a productive visit! The officials informed us they had been trying hard to promote the online application process for in-country applications, such as FLR(M) for spouses and partners of UK citizens. The online applications have existed for entry clearance (when applying outside the UK) for many years now. Yet the in-country online application process has so far been relatively unknown and unused. It can be found here: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/family-routes At the moment most FLR(M) and FLR(FP) applications ar...
Read more