UK Visas and British Citizenship

If you can't find any Guidance - it's because it has not been properly written .  For example, EEA4 form still says 'This info does not apply to Bulgarian/Romanian nationals' but why not? Like nationals of all other EU countries, Bulgarian and Romanian nationals can apply for Permanent Residency after 5 years of 'exercising Treaty rights' in the UK, such as after 5 years of working, studying or being self-employed. The EEA4 guidance has simply not been updated yet. This is because 2012 is the 1st year when such applications are possible, since joining the EU in 2007. Did you know there is no obligation to apply for Permanent Residency? On one hand, this status comes automatically, after exercising European Treaty rights in the UK for 5 years. There is no 'visa stamp' which comes automatically but status gets achieved without having to apply for a 'visa stamp'. On the other hand, 1 more year later it is possible to apply straight for British

We are often asked by the clients when to extend a Tier 1 General visa? When is the earliest?  Answer: You can extend your Tier 1 General visa anytime, as early as you want (but before it expires). There is no rule on extending it only within last 3 months or within 28 days on the current visa, as many people tend to think. Tier 1 General extension can be anytime, it just may be more sensible not to extend too early.  If you extend earlier than 3 months before your visa expires then your new visa will start on the day of decision, in other words, you'd lose some time on your current visa. If you are planning to apply for an ILR based on the two Tier 1 visas then you'd be short of time and would have to do another extension, which in most cases is unnecessary.  However, if you had other visas before Tier 1 which can be combined with Tier 1, such as HSMP or Work Permit or some (only some!) Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visas, then you probably won't need another extension. I

If you cannot get an appointment we can help, we have worked with the French and Portuguse Embassies in London for years! We submit applications using separate system of appointments for representatives. French visa takes 4 working days from the appointment date for most nationals (S.African, Indian, Russian, Thai, Chinese, Turkish etc), takes 2-3 weeks for some nationals. Portuguese visa takes 1 week from a Tuesday. Contact us: www.multitravelvisas.co.uk

There are plenty of Rules governing children who are born in the UK, so we'll try to keep the answer simple. A child born in the UK does NOT automatically become British (unlike in America). Instead, it depends on child's parents status. 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 an Indefinite Leave to Remain or Permanent Residency under European law, then the child will be British also (even if both parents aren't British). 3) If the child's parents are both not permanent residents and hold visas, such as Tier 1, Tier 2, Work Permit etc, then the child will NOT be British, even though he/she was born in the UK. In such cases a child can be given a dependant visa on his/her parents. This can be done as a separate application, though it's not compulsory and can be done instead at the time of parents'

It is useful if you need to travel abroad and cannot be without your passport. But the main benefit in our opinion is, although more expensive, it allows the applicant to know result right on the day, including if there are any problems, rather than waiting for 3-4 months postal service and then possibly being told there is a problem or even that application has been refused. We at 1st 4Immigration  are authorised by The UK Border Agency to submit clients' visa applications using this service in Croydon, south London. The slots (appointments) we use are separate from the ones offerred to the general public, our cases are submitted to a separate Team who deals with cases from representatives. We can submit the following visa applications every week but need to give the Home Office details of an individual client in advance. Same-day service is available for applications: - Indefinite Leave to Remain for those holding Tier 1 General, Tier 2 General, Work Permit, Spouse/P

As you probably heard from 9 July 2012 those who want to bring a spouse, fiancée or a partner to the UK need to earn at least £18,600. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as for those who are in receipt of disability-related benefits.for example, if you receive a DLA (Disability Living Allowance) or AA (Attendance Allowance) then the new rule of £18,600 in earnings does NOT apply to you. However, you still need to meet the old Maintenance requirement, which is based on your income compared to your rent/mortgage. For more information book our Advice Session now! Www.1st4immigration.com or email: info@1st4imigration.com

If you cannot get an appointment we can help, we have worked with the French and Portuguse Embassies in London for years! We submit applications using separate system of appointments for representatives. French visa takes 4 working days from the appointment date for most nationals (S.African, Indian, Russian, Thai, Chinese, Turkish etc), takes 2-3 weeks for some nationals. Portuguese visa takes 1 week from a Tuesday. Contact us: www.multitravelvisas.co.uk

"I received my passport today! EVERYTHING OK!  permanent residence, I can't believe! Thanks so much !!!!!!!!!!!!!" Cristian, national of Chile, applied to retain residency rights under European law after his marriage to an EU citizen broke down. Contact us for an immigration advice or application: www.1st4immigration.com , email: info@1st4immigration.com

1) BEFORE: Spouse/Partner visa for 2 years, then permanent residency. FROM 9 JULY 2012: Spouse/Partner visa for 2.5 years, then extension for another 2.5 years, only then permanent residency after 5 years. 2) BEFORE: Spouses/partners who have been together for 4 years outside the UK were given a Permanent Visa straight away. NOW: This was stopped, instead the same 5 years wait applies to all. 3) BEFORE: Finances (income, savings) were required to be ‘adequate’. It was assumed that income should be high enough for the couple not to be eligible for the state welfare support (benefits). NOW: Minimum income threshold of £18,600 per annum gross before tax; £22,400 for one child and an additional £2,400 for each further child being brought to the UK. It can be from work, self-employment, rental income, pension or disability-related benefits. Savings can also be counted in addition or instead of earnings but only savings over £16,000 would qualify. This income test applies

If you already have a valid UK Spouse/Partner visa then the new changes would not affect you. This relates to spouses and partners of UK citizens or of permanent residents (it does not relate to spouses/partners of Tier 1 or 2 or other visa holders). So, if you have a valid visa (Entry Clearance or Residence Permit as a Spouse/Partner) then you can still apply for Permanent Residency, called Indefinite Leave to Remain, under the same rules as before 9th July 2012. It means you can still apply for permanent residency after you have spent 2 years in the UK on a Spouse/Partner visa (not 5 years). Likewise, you'd need to meet the financial   requirements of the 'old rules' also. If you feel you need a detailed consultation we offer individual advice sessions over email or at our office at Tower Hill in Central London. We charge a £70 advice fee and would count it towards our service fee if you make a visa application through us later. Website: www.1st4immigra