UK Visas and British Citizenship

#1 Ancestral visa. You need to have a grandparent who was born in the UK. This visa is or 5 years and allows working in the UK including working for yourself. There is no minimum amount of savings or income you need to have/earn, and generally, it is a very flexible option that leads to settlement after 5 years. #2 Working holiday visa. Still often called this name, the official name is under Tier 5 of the Points-Based System. It is for young people aged 18-30 with no dependent children. The visa is for 2 years and allows working in the UK. It does allow being self-employed but only as a one-person business with no employees. It doesn’t lead to settlement but after 2 years in the UK, you may be able to remain here in another capacity, such as find sponsorship under the work visa. This option is good for unmarried young people who are in a relationship but are not considering getting married yet. After living together for 2 years on a visa like this, you could apply as an u

A child born in the UK does NOT automatically become British  (unlike America). Instead, it depends on child's parents status on the date of birth. 1) If child's parent (one or both) is British, then the child will be a British citizen too. 2) If child's parent (one or both) is not British but has permanent residency in the UK, ie holds Indefinite Leave to Remain or Permanent Residency under European law, then the child will be British also (even if both parents aren't British). In case of European citizen parents, it doesn’t need to be a formal PR document on the child’s birth date, it is sufficient to have qualified for it and apply later. 3) If the child's parents are both not permanent residents and hold visas, such as Tier 1, Tier 2 etc, then the child will NOT be British, even though it was born in the UK. In such a case a child can be given a dependent visa on his/her parents’. This can be done as a separate application, though it's not compulsory and ca

Certainly not as indefinite as most people think. This post is of vital importance to those who have secured an Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residency status) in the UK and who are thinking of relocating abroad or taking a job abroad.  You will lose your ILR if you leave the UK for more than 2 years in a row  and will have to start all over again in the future. Indefinite Leave can be lost, and many lose it, as a result of being away for more than 2 years, such as working in Australia, USA or the Middle East etc. What’s the solution? First to apply for British Citizenship, then to go. Please note we say ‘to apply’ and not ‘to get’. In other words, assuming you meet the requirements and can provide the right documents (which we can advise on), your application for Citizenship is based on the time before the date of application, not after. So, you can apply and then take a job offer abroad because your absences will be counted up to the date of application, not the date of deci

It is that time of the year when the new UK fiscal year is approaching and it is also the traditional time for the UK Visas and Immigration to change their fees. We should say “to increase” the fees, as the government fees tend to go one way – up. This article in The Express recent attracted our attention, even though it was published in November 2017 https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/915540/meghan-markle-prince-harry-news-uk-visa It covers the maters of dual nationality, one being British and the other in this case being American. The UK law on dual nationals are the same, though, whether you are American or not  - you can have dual or even multiple nationalities. The subject in this article focuses o the tax matters, which come under the different area of law, ie tax law and not immigration law. There is also the law of the other country to consider (the United States in this case), does that country allow dual nationality and if yes, what are the other rules, such

Our most popular post ever! A child born in the UK does NOT automatically become British (unlike America). Instead, it depends on child's parents status on the date of birth. 1) If child's parent (one or both) is British, then the child will be a British citizen too. 2) If child's parent (one or both) is not British but has permanent residency in the UK, ie holds Indefinite Leave to Remain or Permanent Residency under European law, then the child will be British also (even if both parents aren't British). In case of European citizen parents, it doesn’t need to be a formal PR document on the child’s birth date, it is sufficient to have qualified for it and apply later. 3) If the child's parents are both not permanent residents and hold visas, such as Tier 1, Tier 2 etc, then the child will NOT be British, even though it was born in the UK. In such a case a child can be given a dependent visa on his/her parents’. This can be done as a separate application,

"First class service!!! I'd highly recommend them for anything related to immigration matter. Highly knowledgeable and experienced professionals. Thank you, All (and especially Jules)!" Albena, Bulgarian national applied for Citizenship. More reviews can be read here: http://www.1st4immigration.com/testimonials.php For an individual advice or to make your application as successful please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit www.1st4immigration.com . If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CPD website: www.1st4immigration.com/training .

"Prompt response, professional team, excellent support. Definitely recommend!" , Marija, Serbian national applied for Citizenship for herself and her husband. More reviews can be read here: http://www.1st4immigration.com/testimonials.php For an individual advice or to make your application as successful please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit www.1st4immigration.com . If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CPD website: www.1st4immigration.com/training .

Certainly not as indefinite as most people think. This post is of vital importance to those who have secured an Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residency status) in the UK and who are thinking of relocating abroad or taking a job abroad. You will lose your ILR if you leave the UK for more than 2 years in a row and will have to start all over again in the future. Indefinite Leave can be lost, and many lose it, as a result of being away for more than 2 years, such as working in Australia, USA or the Middle East etc. What’s the solution? First to apply for British Citizenship, then to go. Please note we say ‘to apply’ and not ‘to get’. In other words, assuming you meet the requirements and can provide the right documents (which we can advise on), your application for Citizenship is based on the time before the date of application, not after. So, you can apply and then take a job offer abroad because your absences will be counted up to the date of application, not the date of dec

As Express put it here: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/786788/brexit-passport-design-uk-dark-blue-home-office-project-eu-article-50   It is a great British festive story, although the colour is the only thing that is changing. For us, the migrants, the important thing is that so far the Rules for British Citizenship remain the same and if they are set to change – we will follow and adapt. We at 1 st 4Immigration come across the old UK passports now and then, most commonly when dealing with UKM applications. That’s to register a foreign citizen as British if they were born before 1983 to a British mother. We receive those old blue passports from all over the world (to be used as a part of the application to the Home Office). Whichever colour it is, it is a Great British document to have! For individual advice or to make an application please contact us  info@1st4immigration.com or visit http://www.1st4immigration.com/index.php   We respond emails on the same wor

Our most popular post ever!  A child born in the UK does NOT automatically become British (unlike America). Instead, it depends on child's parents status on the date of birth . 1) If child's parent (one or both) is British, then the child will be a British citizen too. 2) If child's parent (one or both) is not British but has permanent residency in the UK, ie holds Indefinite Leave to Remain or Permanent Residency under European law, then the child will be British also (even if both parents aren't British). In case of European citizen parents, it doesn’t need to be a formal PR document on the child’s birth date, it is sufficient to have qualified for it and apply later.   3) If the child's parents are both not permanent residents and hold visas, such as Tier 1, Tier 2 etc, then the child will NOT be British, even though it was born in the UK. In such a case a child can be given a dependent visa on his/her parents’. This can be done as a sep

“A fantastic and professional service from 1st 4Immigration. Handled both my ILR and the citizenship applications and from the first meeting to the very end I received clear information and updates in a timely manner. I have no hesitation in recommending anyone needing help with their immigration status to take up the services of 1st 4Immigration. Finally, a special thank you to Jules Motcho not only for his professionalism but human touch to the process. (Hungarian national, lived and worked in the UK for 14 years prior to the applications).” Ildiko  For an individual advice or to make your application as successful please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit  www.1st4immigration.com . If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CPD website:  www.1st4immigration.com/training .

In this article   https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/05/leaked-document-reveals-uk-brexit-plan-to-deter-eu-immigrants   The Guardian claimed to have a (leaked) government document, proposing the end of free movement immediately after Brexit and tough new visa rules for European migrants.  The Daily Mail also run an article based on the above: : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4855264/Tough-new-immigration-rules-revealed-massive-leak.html Whether this leaked proposal was genuine or not , whether it will be adopted in this form or changed, here are some examples.  For example , European citizens wishing to bring their family members  (husbands , wives and children ) , will have to meet the same Financial Requirement (£18,600) as UK citizens currently have. This income requirement has been controversial ever since its introduction in 2012 and has been subject to a few court cases. However , at least it would make the Rules the same for all. Currently , the

“Really good customer service. Quick and informative replies to all my questions and felt very supported throughout the entire application process. Have already recommended you to friends and colleagues.” This came from Adina, a Romanian national. We dealt with both Adina’s Citizenship and permanent residence application prior to that.  For an individual advice or to make your application as successful please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit  www.1st4immigration.com If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CPD website:  www.1st4immigration.com/training

A very important update on the Immigration Rules for spouses and partners of British citizens following the MM (Lebanon) case:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc290-20-july-2017   In a nutshell, the outcome is:  if you meet the Financial Requirement - you get 5-year route.  If not, but have exceptional circumstances  (exceptional in the policymakers'  opinion), you could be given a chance provide some other convincing ways to support yourselves - and you would be put in the 10-year route. Good news for those who would have struggled before but a twice longer wait for permanent residency (meaning double fees for the UK government with double health surcharge). Still, better than nothing.  Here we have a post that explains the difference between a 5-year and 10-year routes:  http://1st4immigration-visas.blogspot.pt/2017/08/one-of-our-most-popular-posts-and-most.html   We would still advise to aim for the 5-year r

I have used 1st 4Immigration services twice! The first time to get my UK Residency and the second time for my UK Citizenship. Both times the service provided was professional and impeccable! 1st 4Immigration made this journey very smooth and easy for me with their great communication and organisation. I have already recommended them to a lot of friends and I'll keep on doing it. Special thank you to Jules who was always very patient and very attentive. Thank you for making a big dream come true! Highly recommend!! This came from Camila, a Polish national. We dealt with both Camila’s Citizenship and permanent residence application prior to that.  For an individual advice or to make your application as successful please contact us:  info@1st4immigration.com  or visit   www.1st4immigration.com If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CPD website:   www.1st4immigration.com/training

“I am so pleased to have chosen 1st 4Immigration for my PR card and citizenship, my adviser Daniel was excellent, will definitely recommend this company for Immigration issues, and will continue using them too.” This came from Helen, a French national. We dealt with both Helen’s Citizenship and permanent residence application prior to that.  For an individual advice or to make your application as successful please contact us:  info@1st4immigration.com  or visit   www.1st4immigration.com If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CPD website:   www.1st4immigration.com/training

On June the 26th, 2017, the Government posted   an updated statement on the status of the EU citizens in the UK on   https://www.gov.uk/guidance/status-of-eu-nationals-in-the-uk-what-you-need-to-know Ms May’s statement confirms her “offer” to let the EU citizens, who are already living/working in the UK, to continue benefiting from the European treaty rights, i.e. to continue as before. Those EU citizens who have been exercising Treaty rights (such as working) in the UK for 5 years can apply for permanent residence status. The application is not compulsory – at the moment – but it makes a good sense to make it as soon as possible. It would make their lives a lot easier after Brexit, such as when using the NHS or applying for a job (employers and NHS staff are not immigration officers, so would need a formal document). This would be that "ID-style paper" , which you are likely to need to sooner or later.  At the moment we call such a paper a Permanent Residence document,

On June the 26th, 2017, the Government posted   an updated statement on the status of the EU citizens in the UK on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/status-of-eu-nationals-in-the-uk-what-you-need-to-know Ms May’s statement confirms her “offer” to let the EU citizens, who are already living/working in the UK, to continue benefiting from the European treaty rights, i.e. to continue as before. Those EU citizens who have been exercising Treaty rights (such as working) in the UK for 5 years can apply for permanent residence status. The application is not compulsory – at the moment – but it makes a good sense to make it as soon as possible. It would make their lives a lot easier after Brexit, such as when using the NHS or applying for a job (employers and NHS staff are not immigration officers, so would need a formal document). This would be that "ID-style paper" , which you are likely to need to sooner or later.  At the moment we call such a paper a Permanent Residence document,

This article was from The Daily Mail: May unveils her 'fair' offer to let three million EU citizens stay after Brexit and bring family members - but they could need ID card-style papers , link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4639058/Three-million-EU-citizens-stay-Brexit-says-May.html     Ms May’s statement confirms her “offer” to let the EU citizens, who are already living/working in the UK, to continue benefiting from the European treaty rights, i.e. to continue as before. Those EU citizens who have been exercising Treaty rights (such as working) in the UK for 5 years can apply for permanent residence status. The application is not compulsory – at the moment – but it makes a good sense to make it as soon as possible. It would make their lives a lot easier after Brexit, such as when using the NHS or applying for a job (employers and NHS staff are not immigration officers, so would need a formal document). This would be that "ID-style paper" , which yo

The timeline of Brexit events so far has been both interesting and concerning for Europeans living in the UK as well as for Britons living in Europe. Firstly, we had a vote in June 2016, voting to leave the EU. The UK Government then took almost a month to publish a  statement on the immediate effects on status of EEA citizens, which can be found here  (updated now since its first publication in July 2016). At the time it was, and still is, simply saying not to worry and everything remained as before for the time being - quite rightly and legally accurate. Yet it is not the past or present that is on the people’s mind – it is the future!   The Government triggered Article 50 (of the Lisbon Treaty) on 29 th  March 2017 and again published the reassuring statement just over a week later, again telling the EU/EEA citizens not to worry for the time being while the UK remained a full member during the upcoming 2 years. That statement can be found here:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/s