UK Visas - Visa Lawyer & Advisers in Manchester

If you wish to join your spouse/partner in the UK, you must apply specifically through either of the three following visa routes (depending on which is relevant to your circumstances):

• Spouse visa –  This is for if you are already married to a British national and wish to join them in the UK
• Unmarried Partner visa – Those in long-term relationships with a British national/settled person ought to apply for this visa
• Fiancé visa – This is for those who intend on marrying a British national prior to moving to the UK to join them

Each visa involves the applicant meeting unique criteria. However, all of these visas require that the applicant submits various forms of evidence in order to prove that their relationship with a British national is ‘genuine and subsisting’.

The Home Office requires that those applying to join a partner/spouse in the UK have provided sufficient proof of their relationship in an attempt to prevent fraudulent/false relationships solely for immigration purposes.

We can help you to gather and submit your evidence to the Home Office when applying for a Spouse Visa, Fiancé Visa or Unmarried Partner Visa.

Contact our client care team today on 0161 826 8769 to be assigned an experienced Manchester immigration adviser.

Our IAA-accredited immigration lawyers will assess your personal circumstances, tailoring all advice and guidance to your specific needs.

We can help the process to run as smoothly as possible, advising you of which route to take and determining your eligibility. We can also complete your application for you, including for a UK visa extension, and submit this to the Home Office and corresponding with them throughout.

To qualify for a Student visa, you must be an international student who wishes to study in the UK for longer than six months. You must have received an official offer to study at an approved UK academic institution (such as a university).

When assessing your application for a Student visa, the applicant must prove that:

• They are able to financially support themselves throughout their studies, in addition to paying their tuition fees in full
• They have received a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) from the registered institution
• They meet the English language requirements of their particular course

In addition to the Student visa for adults, there is a Child Study visa. This operates in a similar way, with the child being required to have a position at a British fee-paying school.

They must also similarly be provided with the required funds to support them throughout and have paid for their course in full.

For those looking to work in the UK on a temporary basis, the Temporary Worker visa is ideal.

To be eligible for a Temporary Worker visa, you must meet the requirements of one of the following routes:

• Charity Worker visa – This is suitable for temporary workers who have received a job offer to complete unpaid/voluntary work with a UK charity with a valid sponsorship licence
• Creative and Sporting visa – This is specifically for very highly skilled workers who have received a job offer as a sportsperson or creative worker. Sportspeople on who qualify for this visa must be established internationally at the highest level in their sport; their job role in the UK must contribute to the development of sport at the highest level
• Government Authorised Exchange visa – This is an approved government exchange scheme that allows workers to complete work experience, academic research, training, and to participate in an Overseas Government Language Programme
• International Agreement visa – If you have received a job offer covered by international law – including embassy and diplomatic workers – you may be eligible to temporarily work in the UK via this route. You must have received a Certificate of Sponsorship from an organisation with a valid sponsorship licence
• Religious Worker Visa – This is for those who have been offered a role preaching or working in a monastery/convent by an authorised religious order in the UK
• Youth Mobility Scheme – This is specifically for workers aged between 18-30 who wish to live and work in the UK for a period of up to two years. It only applies to those from specific countries

If you wish to visit the UK for a holiday, to receive medical treatment, to visit family, to attend business meetings or to study for a short period, you will be required to obtain a Visit visa.

This of course depends on your country of origin – if you are from an EEA (European Economic Area), it is not necessary to apply for a Visit visa. However, those from non-EEA countries must apply for a UK Visitor visa prior to travelling to the UK.

You must prove to the Home Office that you will return to your country of residence once your Visit visa expires. To do so, you must provide the relevant supporting documentation which highlights that you have a reason to return home, whether this is due to employment, family ties or another reason.

The three main types of Visit visa are:

• Standard Visitor visa – The most commonly acquired form of a visitor visa. This covers the majority of potential reasons for visiting the UK, such as visiting family, tourism, and medical visits
• Transit visa – This visa route is for visitors who are passing through the UK on their way to catch another flight
• Permitted Paid Engagement visa – This UK visa is for those who are invited to the UK on the basis that they are experts of their profession, such as academics, performers, and journalists

There are a few other, less common routes other than the standard visitor visa which are worth noting.

The requirements for those who wish to make visits for these reasons are slightly different and therefore must be considered.

• Marriage visitor visa – With this route, the applicant must be able to prove that they will get married during their visit to the UK and that they will return soon after. This is unique from the Fiancé visa and Spouse visa as it is only for the purpose of marriage in the UK
• Business visitor visa – If you simply need to attend meetings and conduct specific business enquiries/tasks in the UK, this visa allows you to do so for a short time but it does not permit working in the UK. To undertake work, you must apply for a Work visa
• Short-term study visa – This is for students who hold a temporary place at a registered UK institution. It typically includes those who are studying abroad for a single term

No matter what your reason is for deciding to visit the UK for a short period, our Manchester immigration advisers can assist. We can advise on the most appropriate UK visa route for you and subsequently offer practical assistance with every aspect of your visa application, or visa extension, submitting this on your behalf.

The Refugee Visa is a crucial lifeline for individuals facing life-threatening situations in their home countries, allowing them to seek safety at the UK border. Notably, this visa application is processed from within the UK and remains valid until the applicant’s safety is assured, enabling their return home without danger.

In contrast, the Visa for Stateless Persons serves as a vital support system for foreign residents in the UK who lack nationality in any other country globally. This visa provides an initial 2 to 6 year stay with the option to extend, offering stability and protection to those facing unique challenges due to their statelessness or refugee status.

If you wish to apply for a UKvisa extension, you must first ensure your visa allows you to do so. Not all visas allow for an extension so it is important to check this before proceeding with any UK visa extension application.

• Family visas:

UK visas under the family visas category can be extended and may lead to settled status in the UK. Family visas are typically granted for an initial period of two and a half years. However, when you are approaching the end of this period, you can extend this visa for a further two and a half years. Crucially, this time can be considered as a qualifying period if you would subsequently like to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

• Points-based visas:

Not all tier-based visas can be extended or progressed into settled status. Only Tier 1 visas and Tier 2 visas can be extended once expired and may also be used as qualifying time for an Indefinite Leave to Remain application. However, Tier 4 and Tier 5 visas cannot be extended but you may be able to switch from these visas to another visa category if you meet the necessary criteria.

• Visitor visas:

Visitor visas cannot be extended unless you are in the UK for a period of under six months and wish to extend your time while there. You can only extend the visa for up to six months in total. A visitor visa cannot be used as qualifying time for a settlement application and you are not permitted to switch to another visa category from this visa.

Many visa holders in the UK choose to switch to Indefinite Leave to Remain when they have acquired the necessary qualifying time/meet the relevant ILR requirements. Indefinite Leave to Remain grants the individual settled status in the UK, offering a range of benefits and further security. It is often considered the final step prior to acquiring British citizenship.

To be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain you must meet the criteria. This includes:

• You must have lived in the UK for a ‘continuous period’ of at least 5 years
• Any absences from the UK cannot exceed 180 days per 12 months of residency
• You must prove that you meet the English language requirements
• You must pass the Life in the UK test

Holding Indefinite Leave to Remain means that you are no longer restricted by immigration controls; it allows you to work, study and live in the UK without having to apply for or extend a visa.

After having held Indefinite Leave to Remain for one year, you may apply for British naturalisation. This allows you to become a British citizen where you will be granted full legal rights.

The requirements for naturalising as a British citizen are as follows:

• You must have held Indefinite Leave to Remain status for at least 12 months; or
• You must have held EU Settled Status for the same period; or
• You must have held EEA Permanent Residence for the same period

You must also have passed a Life in the UK Test and have met the Naturalisation English language requirements in order to qualify. However, if you already passed the Life in the UK test when acquiring Indefinite Leave to Remain, you do not need to re-sit this test.

UK visas – advice

Our Manchester visa advisers offer unique, comprehensive packages aimed at helping you with any UK visa, a UK visa extension and broader or more complex immigration enquiries.

We have extensive experience in completing and submitting UK visa applications and extensions, from Spouse visas to Tier 2 Work visas, as well as British citizenship and Indefinite Leave to Remain applications and asylum claims.

Our IAA-accredited team of visa advisers are based in Manchester and across the UK, with offices throughout the country, so we can speak with you in-person, as well over the phone or online video (such as Skype).

We are able to provide expert legal advice no matter your location, or how complex your immigration enquiry is. Get in touch to book your advice session.

Your caseworker will be assigned to your case and will be dedicated to achieving the desired results – whether this is a first-time application or appealing a Home Office decision.

We can advise you on which UK visa route you ought to take and can ensure your visa application is of the highest standard, submitting this to the Home Office on your behalf, complete with a Letter of Representation to strengthen your case.

How Manchester Visa Advisers Can Help with UK Visas