UK Visas and British Citizenship

Our OISC Level 1 training is a bestseller! With the online version, you can download it on your computer and study in your own time. The course is great for you if: - you are preparing to take a Level 1 OISC exam and become an immigration adviser. - you are a practicing adviser or solicitor and wish to broaden your knowledge about other visa categories, such as to learn in detail about the Points-Based System. You will earn 16 CPD hours! - you work in HR; you are a business owner or a landlord and need to learn about how your employees or tenants can stay legally in the UK so that you don't face penalties. With over 10 years of experience, we designed this course to be of practical help! It's full of useful advice, explanation of how to understand Immigration Rules, where to find the information during a case and many case studies. Unlike most training other there, this is not boring coverage of the Immigration Rules, we tried to keep it as entertaining as possible! Read detail...

    These are real reviews from our clients over the last month! L Horn: Thank you Jules and the team for all of your help with our spousal visa extension! Always really responsive with all of our email queries and guided us throughout what would have been incredibly stressful process without them. Thank you! Review link:  https://goo.gl/maps/qWZwzL9tgybZMpXj6 Ben Walsh: We asked for their services during a difficult year (2020) and am happy to report that our visa application went off without a hitch. The team were very responsive and forthcoming with answers to our fairly ignorant questions. Will be working with them again on future stages of the settlement process. Review link: https://goo.gl/maps/CnveQdNJZdhoFWDR9   Kseniia Kalenik: Very good service, definitely recommend! I was applying for working visa extension and received the guidance all the way. Review link: https://goo.gl/maps/WMsXhar4af38EXEV7 Best Music and Rabab: my be made my future ... Review link: h...

The Hong Kong BNO visa is now up and running, and we have been submitting the applications. Here are some interesting rules about this visa category that make it different from the others. We remind that it is only for those who hold a British National (Overseas) status. This was inspired by the recently published UK Government rules https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-hong-kong-british-national-overseas but also by some articles in the Press.  #1 Hong Kong BNO visa allows to work, study and live in the UK, and then qualify for settlement. It is a very generous provision that isn't  tied to a Sponsor, be it an employer, a family member or an academic establishment.  #2 BN(O) status doesn't need to be proven by the valid BN(O) passport, it can be an expired document.  #3 Only those who are ordinarily residents in Hong Kong or the UK can qualify. Well, if you are a resident in, say, Australia (as we are often asked), you could c...

Despite everything going on with the lockdowns, Brexit and the ’new normal’, UK visa and Citizenship applications are being processed, visa centres remain open and generally, immigration work continues. In fact, we have had unexpectedly fast approvals lately. Even most Priority services are back!    It was common to delay an application during 2020, especially for a relocation to the UK. Now it is becoming more obvious that there is no fast solution, that restrictions may continue for a good part of 2021. There is, however, no need to write 2021 off (like many of us did with 2020). Whether your current UK visa expires soon or in a year’s time, it is never too early to plan your next one!   Often (but not always) you may have to wait for the last month of your current visa to submit a new application to the UK authorities but the key is in preparation and therefore, we can start working on your case in advance. This ensures you are ready as soon as it’s the time to apply a...

  We now offer OISC Level 1 course livestream on Zoom and Skype 13 - 14 February 2021.   It is a 2-day course, 10.00 - 16.00 with breaks. CPD 10 hours. Price £250+VAT. It is live training (livestream), where you can interact with the tutor and ask your questions. You can check the date and book heresy: https://www.1st4immigration.com/training    Extracts from Description:   THE BASICS – CRUCIAL TO YOUR WORK! Covid-19 concessionary policies and links 2 systems of immigration law: UK law, European law and Brexit Types of visas: Entry Clearance, Visitor visa, Leave to Remain, Leave to Enter, Residence Permit, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Indefinite Leave is not  indefinite’ ‘Settlement’ and 2 confusing meanings of this term Common question: Passport has expired, do I have to transfer my visa to a new passport? The answer is both Yes and No What is Switching? Common examples when switching is not allowed What is the Date of Application and why it is so imp...

  We are pleased to confirm that Priority services are back for many visa categories, so you can get a decision faster. This applies to application inside the UK, such as switching to a different category, extension or settlement (Indefinite Leave).    Examples of eligible categories inside the UK: Skilled Worker visa (which replaced Tier 2 General); Health and Care Worker visa, Student visa (which replaced Tier 4), Tier 1 Investor and dependants of these. Plus, Tier 1 Entrepreneur Indefinite Leave (but not extension). Priority services cost more in Government fees: 5-working-day option costs extra £500 per person; 24-hour option costs extra £800 per person.    Priority services for visas for spouses and families of UK citizens have not resumed (yet).    Applications outside the UK: depends on your location, Priority services resumed in many countries for all visa categories including for spouses and families of UK citizens.    For more inf...

  #1 What’s going on in the lockdown? #2 My visa expires soon but I need to do an English or Life in the UK test, is anything open?  #3 My visa expires soon but I haven’t met the income requirement or was on furlough.  #4 I had to stay abroad longer than planned, will this affect my next application or settlement? What if my visa expired while abroad? #5 Is the new ‘Brexit’ Points Based System operating?  The answers:  #1 What’s going on in the lockdown? The immigration work continues, the UK authorities consider applications and issue visas. This work is done remotely, without facing a Government official, although this has been the case for over 2 years now. What did change due to Covid were the processing times: many applications take longer (but not all, we had some cases approved within days), plus there is no Priority services. Visa application centres in the UK are classed as essential services and remain open in the lockdown. Visa centres outside the UK ...