Visas and Immigration

We can assist with different types of UK visas available to foreign nationals. We provide up-to-date information about changes in immigration rules and opportunities available to immigrate to the UK.

Law Firm Limited immigration advisors can assist in all areas of immigration matters in the UK.  

Law Firm Limited immigration advisors are registered with the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) and are authorized to provide assistance with variety of applications under the Points Based System, European Law,  Family based applications and Nationality and Citizenship under the UK law. Our advisors are authorized to provide advice regarding more complex applications within the Immigration Rules, as well as applications outside the Rules and applications under UKVI's concessionary or discretionary policies. Our advisors are also authorized to provide you with further guidance in case your application was refused.

Please note that SOME FIRMS OR INDIVIDUALS PURPORT TO OFFER IMMIGRATION ADVICE AND SERVICES WITHOUT BEING APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED.  Any firm or individual whom you decide to instruct for your immigration matter must be a qualified solicitor, regulated by Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA), barrister, regulated by Bar Council or are registered as Immigration Advisors with OISC or Law Society. IF THEY ARE NOT PROPERLY QUALIFIED TO GIVE IMMIGRATION ADVICE DO NOT USE THEM.

We have a team of registered Immigration Advisors working for our clients, providing immigration advice and services within their respective levels of registration with the OISC.

 

 

Immigration categories

Programmes for citizens of Ukraine

All visa programs provide for the issuance of a residence permit

TIER 1 (Investor) only extension applications from 17 February 2022

TIER 1 (Investor) closed to new applicants.

START-UP Visa

This visa is intended for those who are starting a new business in the UK for the first time. Please note that from 13 April 2023, this visa route shall be replaced with the new visa category called Innovator Founder.

INNOVATOR FOUNDER Visa

This visa category is for a person seeking to establish a business in the UK based on an innovative, viable and scalable business idea they have generated, or to which they have significantly contributed.

TIER 1 (Entrepreneur) - only ILR applications from 29 March 2019

TIER 1 (Entrepreneur) replaced the Business persons category and is for those applicants who would like to set up or buy an existing business in the UK.

GLOBAL BUSINESS MOBILITY

 For overseas businesses seeking to establish a presence in, or transfer staff to, the UK for specific business purposes.

• Senior or Specialist Worker
• Graduate Trainee
• UK Expansion Worker
• Service Supplier
• Secondment Worker

SOLE REPRESENTATION - representing an overseas company in the UK

The Sole Representative immigration category allows an individual to come to the UK to set up a UK branch or subsidiary on behalf of an overseas company, where the overseas company does not already have a representative in the UK and will continue to have its principle place of business outside the UK. Open only to the media; and for extensions and applications for permanent residency from 11 April 2022 for those already on the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business.

GLOBAL TALENT Visa

Global Talent visa if you work in a qualifying field and have been endorsed:

• as a recognized leader (exceptional talent)
• as an emerging leader (exceptional promise)
• under the UK Research and Innovation endorsed funder option

HIGH POTENTIAL Visa

This route is for recent graduates of top global universities, who want to work, or look for work in the UK, following the successful completion of an eligible course of study equivalent to UK bachelor’s degree level or above.

SCALE - UP visa

The Scale-up route is for talented individuals recruited by a UK Scale-up Sponsor, who have the skills needed to enable the Scale-up business to continue growing.

LICENCE Under Skilled Worker Visa, Student Visa & Temporary Worker Visa - Sponsorship Certificate

Any employer who wishes to employ an overseas national is required to ‘sponsor’ them under Skilled Worker Visa and Temporary workers of the Points Based System and must therefore obtain a sponsor licence from the Home Office.

Any education provider that wishes to enrol an overseas student is required to ‘sponsor’ them under the Student Visa Category and must also obtain a sponsor licence from the Home Office.

SKILLED WORKER Visa (formerly known as TIER 2)

There are five categories of Skilled Worker applicants who will require a sponsorship certificate from their sponsors in order to make visa applications in line with the certificate:

• Skilled Worker Visa (formerly known as TIER 2 (General))
• Minister of Religion Visa (formerly known as TIER 2 (Minister of Religion))
• International Sportsperson Visa (formerly known as TIER 2 (Sportsperson))
• Global Business Mobility from 11 April 2022 (formerly Intra-Company Visa)
• Health and Care Worker Visa (formerly known as TIER 2 (Health and Care Visa))

New: Social care workers can get Skilled Worker visas from 15 February 2022

STUDENT Visa (formerly known as TIER 4)

Student visa includes two sub-categories:

• Student Visa – for those who are coming to the United Kingdom for the post-16 education;
• Child Student Visa – for children between 4 and 17 years old coming to the UK for their education to study at independent schools.

Educational provider means any educational establishment in the UK that is approved by the Home Office and has been given a licence to bring overseas students to the United Kingdom under the Student Visa category.

GRADUATE Visa

Graduate Visa route is open for applications from 01 July 2021. 

The Graduate Route available to international students who have successfully completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance.

TEMPORARY WORKER Visa (formerly known as TIER 5)

Temporary Workers of the points-based system enables young overseas nationals to experience life and culture in the UK and also permits workers to undertake short term or temporary employment in the UK and consists of two main categories: the Youth Mobility Scheme and the Temporary Worker which consists of six sub-categories, set out below:

• Youth Mobility
• Temporary Workers
  • Temporary worker - creative worker (formerly known as creative and sporting)
  • Temporary worker - seasonal worker
  • Temporary worker - charity worker
  • Temporary worker - religious worker
  • Temporary worker - government authorized exchange
  • Temporary worker - international agreement

OVERSEAS DOMESTIC Worker visa

This is the immigration route for those domestic workers in private households overseas who need to come to the UK to work for their employer.

PERMITTED PAID Engagement visa

The Permitted Paid Engagement visa is for those who wish to come to the UK for a short period, maximum for up to one month, to do specific paid work without having to be sponsored under standard work visas.

VISITOR Visa

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities.

You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.

You might need a visa to pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country).

FIANCÉ/SPOUSE/CIVIL PARTNER Visa

Fiancé Visa is intended for persons planning to marry a British citizen, but at the same time living in another country. 

Spouse/Civil Partner. If you are the husband, wife or civil partner of an individual who has settled status in the UK, you can apply to join them in the UK under this visa category.

UK immigration rules recognize the importance of the relationship of partners in a civil marriage on a par with the relationship between legal spouses.

Marriage in the UK for persons with a Limited Leave to Remain. This category includes, for example, persons who are in the UK on one of the limited visa categories, be it short-term or long-term category.

ENTRY CLEARANCE applications for Children

Applicants who wish to migrate to the UK often have to arrange for applications for their dependants to accompany or join them

DEPENDENT RELATIVES - Adult Dependent Relative Visa

If you are settled in the UK and have dependent parents, grandparents siblings or children over the age of 18 they may be able to apply to join you in the UK.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - The Immigration Aspect

Spouses, civil partners, unmarried and same-sex partners of a person settled in the UK or of an EEA national with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, whose basis of stay is dependent on their partners, may apply for a right to stay in the UK in the event the relationship breaks down as the result of domestic violence.

ARTICLE 8 OF ECHR: Right of Private & Family life

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) has defined, and deals with, a number of basic rights that are guaranteed to every individual - irrespective of their race, religion, nationality or membership of a particular social group - who resides within the countries belonging to the Council of Europe.

EEA Nationals

EU citizens and members of their families (including un-married partners), who were permanently settled in the UK for five years by the 31st of December 2020, are eligible for ‘settled status’ (indefinite leave to remain in the UK). Those who lived in the UK for less than 5 years by the 31st of December 2020, are able to obtain a ‘pre-settled status’ (five years’ limited leave to remain in the UK).

THE HONG KONG BRITISH NATIONAL (Overseas) Visa