UK Visas and British Citizenship

Amazingly, it has now been 2 years of the New Normal! Here we put a summary of what changed in the Immigration rules and procedures for a UK Spouse and Partner visas. #1 Application inside the UK. It has been back to normal. You have to submit a new application (online) before your current visa expires. However, you have more 6 weeks to book an appointment for biometrics and provide your documents.  #2 Absences from the UK due to Covid travel restrictions. If you happened to stay abroad longer than intended because of Covid travel restrictions, it won’t affect your future U.K. visa applications or continuous residency, as long as it was for a reasonable time (consistent with the Governments’ policies).   #3 Changes in your income including furlough payments. The “Covid furlough” leave is considered as a normal period of your employment. If your employer paid you at least 80% of your normal salary, for that purpose of a U.K. visa it will be counted as 100%. There are other...

  As it is Valentine’s Day today, we are making a post on the Unmarried Partner visa. Love is good, who needs a marriage certificate, right? On a serious note, an Unmarried Partner visa is one of the more difficult UK visa categories ! In theory, it doesn’t sound so - you must have lived together for minimum 2 years. Many couples did , or at least perceived  their relationship in that way. So, what are the challenges when it comes to applying for a U.K. visa: 1. Most common is misinterpretation of ‘lived together’ as ‘been together’. It has to be actually living together at the same address in a relationship akin to a marriage. 2. Proving it in a specific way the U.K. Immigration Rules require. Namely , official letters, bills and similar documents, showing the same address for both partners over 2 years.  The main point is ‘official’, such as utility bills or medical letters. Items that don’t form a strong case : Amazon delivery notes, letters from parents confirming th...

  It is a common scenario in our practice: a British/foreign couple returning together to the UK (often with children) after living /working abroad. Most commonly from the USA, Australia/NZ or Asia. Although most our clients have been working there for years, they often find it challenging to find a job offer in the UK before coming back, meaning their non-British spouse/partner would find it difficult to secure a UK visa.  Here are top 5 solutions from our experience:  Option 1: Savings. This is most common. The couple needs savings of £62,500 held for 6 months. Can be in any currency or country. If your family want to help, they have to deposit money on your and/or your partner’s account. You have to wait for 6 months.  Option 2: British partner coming to the UK alone and working for 6 months.   This may not sound like a god option at first glance, being apart for 6 months, but it is a realistic option and it often ends up being the only option. 6 months ...

  We have reached 100 positive Google reviews about our Immigration Visas Services!  All 1st 4Immigration Google reviews  can be found here . Newest reviews: Michael: Used this company for the second time for a visa extension and really couldn’t be happier with the service. Responses to emails are usually very quick even if it is just to say when a full response will be sent. Will be using again in the future for sure.  Nadia: I would recommend 1st 4Immigration without hesitation to anyone. My whole family including myself got the British Citizenship through their hard work. They provided us with a clear list of what we have to do. I have friends who went on their own: the paperwork, the headache and the waste of time is just not worthy. It was so easy going with this company. Love them! Kit: They are amazing and very helpful throughout the journey of my spouse visa & visa extension and ILR applications!  Jules and Sebastian are very professional and effici...

  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 Unmarried Partner 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. Instead of being married, have to have lived together for 2   years. Have to be able to prove it with the required documents, such as bills etc. 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). Same rules as for a Sp...

  France has lifted all restrictions on travel between the UK and France, meaning you can travel to France for any reason, including a good old holiday! We need to act very fast to secure your appointment now , to apply later and to travel in the next 6 months. The visa slots (appointments) are very limited while the interest in travel is at all times’ high. Once the ‘floodgates’ are open, the slots will go fast! We can submit your application as early as 6 months before your travel date. If you are planning to travel in the next 6 months - and that covers Easter and summer 2022 - please get in touch NOW while visa appointments are getting booked fast! The following Requirements apply at the moment, which may change later, or may not: 1. You have to be fully vaccinated. 2. You will need a negative PCR test of less than 24 hours before departure.     Please contact us now: - Phone: 0871 472 1468 - Email: info@multitravelvisas.co.uk - Website Feedback: https://www.multitrav...

5-year route is a standard one.  You can qualify for permanent residency after 5 years in the UK. The 1st visa is for 30 months (2.5 years) if you apply inside the UK, such as when switching from a Student, Graduate, Youth Mobility or a work visa. Or for 33 months (2.5 years + 3 months) if you apply outside the UK. Then extension for further 2.5 years, then settlement after 5 years.  10-year route is used when you have serious, exceptional circumstances  why you cannot meet the requirements of the standard route. For example, a serious illness or similar family circumstances are preventing you or your partner from meeting the Financial Requirement £18,600. Here the 1st visa is again for 30 months (2.5 years), but you need further 3 extensions until you can settle in the UK after 10 years. There may be better solutions, however, such as switching from the 10 to 5-year route or settling after 10 years on any visas. Can you combine them when counting to settlement?  In ...