UK Visas and British Citizenship

   We are often asked about visas to come and work in the UK, so we made an alphabetical list. Ancestral: For Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK. Visa is for 5 years and allows to work without sponsorship. Settlement after 5 years. Global Mobility: Several temporary work visas, which don’t lead to settlement. Such as a Secondment Worker and similar categories that replaced Intra-Company Transfers. Sponsorship is required. Global Talent: For everybody, doesn’t require sponsorship but requires endorsement from an approved body, such as Arts Council or Tech Nation. These organisations assess ’talent’, then immigration authorities issue visas. Visa is for up to 5 years, allows to work without sponsorship but only in endorsed field of your ‘talent'. Settlement after 3 to 5 years. Graduate: For graduates from UK universities, who are completing a degree while on a Student visa (or old Tier 4 visa). Visa is for 2 years and allows to work without sponsorship. Doesn'

  If you have a UK visa and it’s about to expire, you would, normally, submit a new application. Of the same type (extension) or a different type (switching), or for settlement. You can do it up to the last day of visa current visa and it will be 100% legal. So, you applied and waiting for a decision, what is your status? What if your old visa expired during that time? Especially if you indeed apply on the last day. Would you become an overstayer? Do you have to time your application to give the Government enough time to make a decision before your old visa expires? Should you use the more expensive Priority services? The answer is: if you applied while your old visa was still valid (even on the last day), your immigration status automatically extends by law and remains the same for as long as the Government takes to consider your new application . Doesn’t matter whether it would take a day, a few months or a year. Most visa types take 8 weeks while Settlement takes up to 6 months. In

  We are often asked: after I submit my visa application, can I travel while waiting for the decision?  Applying inside the UK:  The current process allows you to keep your passport but you cannot travel abroad. If you do, the law says your application will be cancelled.  The actual rule is you cannot travel outside the Common Travel Area, which is the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. If you travel to any other country, your case will be cancelled (withdrawn).  The only exception is application for British Citizenship - you can travel.  Applying outside the UK:  You can usually purchase a Keep My Passport service and keep your passport while waiting for the decision. You can travel but not to the UK.  Full GOV.UK guidance can be found here . To discuss your options, please book an online or in-person consultation with a lawyer here . We offer advice over WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype, phone or email. 1st 4Immigration  is one of the most experienced UK immigration law c

   Many of you have already noticed that Biometric Residence Permits expire on 31st December 2024. Your BRP may be saying Indefinite Leave, or the approval letter confirming your visa is beyond 2024. Yet the actual visa card always ends on 31.12.2024.  No need to worry!  From 2025 you will not need a BRP - you will be able to prove your immigration status online.   You can already do so and prove the ‘real' expiry date, such as to your employer or landlord:  https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work   European citizens with a settled or pre-settled status can use this link:  https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status   1st 4Immigration  is one of the most experienced UK immigration law companies, OISC - accredited at the highest Level 3. We have been in business for over 12 years, our OISC reference is 200800152, in which 2008 stands for the year accreditation. Office: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HN.  Website:  www.1st4immigration.com   

  Many of you have already noticed that Biometric Residence Permits expire on 31st December 2024. Your BRP may be saying Indefinite Leave, or the approval letter confirming your visa is beyond 2024. Yet the actual visa card always ends on 31.12.2024.  No need to worry! From 2025 you will not need a BRP - you will be able to prove your immigration status online.   You can already do so and prove the ‘real' expiry date, such as to your employer or landlord: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work   European citizens with a settled or pre-settled status can use this link: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status   1st 4Immigration  is one of the most experienced UK immigration law companies, OISC - accredited at the highest Level 3. We have been in business for over 12 years, our OISC reference is 200800152, in which 2008 stands for the year accreditation. Office: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HN.  Website:  www.1st4immigration.com   

It’s the ultimate goal – the British passport! The journey takes time and money but isn’t worth it!  You may be just at the beginning of your ‘journey’ or you may be already on your way to Indefinite Leave.  It is never too early to find out your rights and make a plan.  Our short 5-point summary to get you started. #1 Spouses of British citizens. The process includes initial Spouse visa (30 or 33 months), then extension for further 30 months, then permanent residency after 5 years. You can apply for British Citizenship straight after that. Most common mistake: applying after 3 years of residency in the UK. #2 European citizens and family members. Firstly, you need to acquire a settled status - after 5 years in the UK. In most cases, you can apply for Citizenship 1 year after you have qualified for the settled status. Even if your settlement document was issued later, you can still apply for Citizenship 1 year after you ‘qualified’ for it. Most common mistake: not realising that settle

  Nuttayanee : If you are looking for a professional, experienced and reliable company to help you for applying UK visa or British Citizenship, 1 st 4Immigration is the right answer. A whole team is very excellent, knowledgeable and responsive as they advertise. I am one of anxious person but once using their service, all my concern is gone. Everything become easier and result is always successful.  I am so grateful for their great advice and service. Richard and Novi : OUTSTANDING SERVICE! Outstanding Service!  Sebastian, Jules and teams are professional, helpful and quick responses throughout the whole process of my Spouse Visa and ILR. We have to to highlight the lenghts 1st 4Immigration will go to in order to help with the process.  Whenever we felt we had a problem they were on hand by whatever means to explain it to me and even take action all the way from the start to the finish of the process. We cannot speak highly enough and would recommend 1st4Immigration to anyone. Raymond: