Posts

BREXIT, Election and what to do in these uncertain times?

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

Talking about being British – beware of changes in the law for dual nationals when renewing your UK passport!

As someone who worked in the UK immigration law for more than 10 years, I was very confident when it came to renewing my UK passport last week at the Passport Office in Victoria in London ( https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently/book-appointment-pay ). It was hard work to qualify for British Citizenship at first place, yes, but renewing after 10 years? The actual passport application (as opposed to Naturalisation application or indeed permanent residence one) has always been a “formality”. It felt like a walk in the park. A walk of shame it was – all the way home without a new passport!    As I have dual nationality, British and Russian, I have had my UK passport since 2007, so it was now time to renew it. When I applied for it in 2007, I asked for my UK passport to be issued in my married surname, even though my Russian passport and my whole immigration case (Fiancée visa – Spouse visa – ILR – Naturalisation) were in my maiden name. I didn’t change my Russian passport to m

Interesting article on the rights of dual UK/European nationals and their family members: you gain more rights by becoming British. Or do you?

The Daily Mail usually presents its stories in a certain way for dramatic effect, but this article touches a very interesting subject in the immigration law – dual UK/EEA nationality and what rights the Europeans gain (or lose) by becoming British citizens? In this article (link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4555554/Blow-Theresa-s-immigration-clampdown-EU-court.html ), a Spanish citizen became British in 2009 and then married a Tunisian (i.e. non-European) citizen in 2014. The rights of the Spanish/British wife were not affected but she could not so far secure a residence document for her husband under the European law (using her Spanish nationality) and was forced to go down the UK law route (using her UK nationality). The law (“The Regulations”) was changed in 2012, stopping dual UK/EEA citizens from “choosing” whether to use EU or UK law when applying for residence of their family members, such as for a non-European spouse. Before that this Spanish/Tunisian co

Fast Schengen visa for summer travels - often without biometrics

Now is the time to think about your summer holiday plans and for many it means applying for a visa. Multi Travel Visas can assist you with Schengen visas to Europe through France, Portugal or Germany that allow travel to all of the Schengen area. French visas take only 4 working days for most nationals and as an accredited agency, Multi Travel Visas can provide appointments much earlier than public appointments. You can apply as early as 3 months before date of travel. If your Schengen visa stamp shows "VIS", it means that biometric data has already been collected. In such case, within a 5 year period, we can simply apply on your behalf without you having to go in person to a visa centre or a consulate. We can submit French Business visa applications any day without appointments. Contact us now: email info@multitravelvisas.co.uk , we reply on the same day! Web-site: www.multitravelvisas.co.uk with the visa requirements and clients' feedbacks. Phone 0871 472

Another fantastic 5 star Google review about our French Schengen visa services

“I can highly recommend this service and will continue to use it myself. The team was incredibly professional, thorough and efficient. It is absolutely worth every penny for peace of mind, speed and certainty.” Shenaaz, Zambian national It is possible to obtain a French Schengen visa within 3-4 working days from the date of appointment for most nationals, such as South African, Thai, Filipino, Russian, Indian, Chinese and most others. We can also assist with the German and Portuguese Schengen visas. The good thing about applying through French Embassy is that they tend to issuer longer, multiple-entry, visas. Although you have to go through a very stringent process of application, you may have a visa lasting for several years.  Contact us at Multi Travel Visas: French Schengen visa:  http://www.multitravelvisas.co.uk/schengen-visa-france.php German Schengen visa:  http://www.multitravelvisas.co.uk/schengen-visa-germany.php Portuguese Schengen visa:  http://www.m

Another lovely 5 star Google review about our French Schengen visa services

“I would absolutely recommend Multi Travel Visas! Responses were quick and information was readily available. Everyone I was in contact with was incredibly helpful and kind, and very efficient. I was able to submit the paperwork for my visa ahead of the next available Embassy date, and as I already had my biometrics taken for a previous visa, I didn't even have to step foot in the Embassy! Even with two French public holidays and a weekend included, I received my visa within less than a week. With the polite staff, quick turnaround time and great service, Multi Travel Visas is worth every penny!” Melissa, South African national It is possible to obtain a French Schengen visa within 3-4 working days from the date of appointment for most nationals, such as South African, Thai, Filipino, Russian, Indian, Chinese and most others. We can also assist with the German and Portuguese Schengen visas. The good thing about applying through French Embassy is that they tend to issuer l

New 5 star Google review about our UK visa services - Spouse visa extension of a Indian wife of a British citizen

“This is the second time we have consulted 1st 4Immigration and it was a success. Excellent and professional service by 1st 4Immigration. Visa successful (spouse visa extension) thorough checking process, Jules was particularly helpful and very efficient. We would highly recommend 1st 4Immigration.” Matt, British national In this case we were submitting a Spouse visa extension application, i.e. the 2nd visa after the first 2.5 years in this category. We used same-day service and it all went well on the day! For an individual advice or to make your application as successful please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit  http://www.1st4immigration.com. If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CPD website:  www.1st4immigration.com/training . We have a weekend OISC Level 1 course as well as a Points-Based System course and we also have online training courses, including Online OISC Level 1 course and courses focusing on

Child born in the UK. Does he/she need a visa? Does he/she become a British Citizen?

Our most popular post ever! 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.   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). This rule also applies if one parent is a European EU/EEA citizen and had acquired a PR status automatically before the child was born but (the parent) applied for a formal PR document 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 Briti

A new 5 star Google review about our French Schengen visa services

“I couldn't find anything to book with the French Visa Center before the date I wanted to travel. I found Multi Travel Visas on Google and got my visa within 5 working days, definitely worth recommending.” Ming, Chinese national It is possible to obtain a French Schengen visa within 3-4 working days from the date of appointment for most nationals, such as South African, Thai, Filipino, Russian, Indian, Chinese and most others. We can also assist with the German and Portuguese Schengen visas. The good thing about applying through French Embassy is that they tend to issuer longer, multiple-entry, visas. Although you have to go through a very stringent process of application, you may have a visa lasting for several years.  Contact us at Multi Travel Visas: French Schengen visa:  http://www.multitravelvisas.co.uk/schengen-visa-france.php German Schengen visa:  http://www.multitravelvisas.co.uk/schengen-visa-germany.php Portuguese Schengen visa:  http://www.multi

Points-Based System training course Saturday 10 June: Tiers, Points, Dependants, qualifying for ILR. CPD 7 hours. City of London, from a practicing OISC-accredited immigration company.

We are offering an intensive Saturday course at our office in the City of London on 10 th June 2017. 1st 4Immigration Ltd is a practicing OISC-accredited immigration company, OISC, ref F200800152. We are also a recognised CPD provider and can be found on the OISC list of the training providers. This course has a particular emphasis on Tier 2 General and Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa categories, applying for a Sponsor Licence and using Tier 2 Code of Practice as well as qualifying for an Indefinite Leave in these routes. It also covers (often forgotten in training) rules for family members of PBS migrants. You can earn 7 core CPD hours credit, subject to the successful completion of the test after the course.  As a practising company, we are offering to share our experience to help you deal with the applications of Points-Based System migrants, their family members and ILR applications based on PBS categories. You can read  Testimonials on our immigration cases here.  Our tutors are o