Immigration and Visas

Navigating the complexities of UK immigration law requires expertise, precision, and a thorough understanding of ever-changing regulations.

We have guided a great number of individuals, families, and businesses setted in the UK. Whether you are seeking a visa, settlement or citizenship, we are here to help you achieve your immigration goals.

With years of experience practising the UK immigration law, we stay abreast of the latest regulatory updates and policy shifts to ensure our clients benefit from comprehensive, up-to-date guidance. We handle a wide spectrum of immigration matters including work visas, family visas, student visas, business visas, sponsor’s license, administrative review and appeal.

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Business Visas

Global Business Mobility

The Global Business Mobility visa is a combined category of five sponsored work routes for workers from overseas companies to work in the UK temporarily.

Senior or Specialist Worker – for employees with specialist knowledge transferring to a UK branch.

Graduate Trainee – For graduates on specialised training programmes in a UK branch.

UK Expansion Worker – ​​For employees setting up a new UK presence for an overseas company.

Service Supplier – For individuals delivering specific services to a UK client under a contract.

Secondment Worker – For employees temporarily assigned to work in a UK branch.

Innovator Founder Visa

  • Length: Up to 3 years
  • How: Endorsement from an approved body required, click here for eligibility
  • What For: Starting a new, innovative business in the UK


Sponsor License

After establishing a business in the UK, individuals are, under certain conditions, able to sponsor themselves:

  • Establish a UK business
  • Obtain sponsorship license
  • Once licensed, your company can assign Certificates of Sponsorship for Skilled Worker Visas.


You register a company, apply for a sponsor license (allowing your company to sponsor employees), and then apply for your Skilled Worker visa        

  • Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa
  • Tier 1 Investor Visa
  • Representative of Oversea Business Visa

Skilled Worker visa – A Skilled Worker Visa allows you to work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office and have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer. A Skilled Worker Visa allows you to stay in the UK and it allows you to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years.

Minister of Religion visa (T2) – you’ve been offered a job within a faith community (for example as a minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order) in the UK. Seeeligibility requirements.

High Potential Individual (HPI) visa – HPI visa allows you to stay in the UK for 2 years. You must have been awarded a qualification by an eligible university in the past 5 years.  An HPI visa lasts for 2 years, however if you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, you can have an HPI visa for 3 years. You can switch an HPI visa to other category which allows you to stay in the UK towards permanent residency (i.e. Indefinite Leave to Remain).

Graduate Visa – A Graduate visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing a course in the UK. You must be in the UK when you apply.

Youth Mobility Scheme visa – Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows you to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years if you are aged between 18 to 30 or 18 to 35 depending on where you are from. You need to have £2530 in savings when you apply. For a list of countries check the link eligibility requirements

Global Talent Visa – A Global Talent Visa is for a leader or potential leader in one of the following fields:

  • academia or research
  • arts and culture
  • digital technology

If you are a winner of an eligible prestigious prize you can apply for the Global Talent visa without an endorsement.
You can find the eligible prizes by click the link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/global-talent-eligible-prize-list

If you have not won a prize which is named on the above list, you’ll need to apply for an endorsement instead. You can apply for an endorsement if you work in one of the following fields:


You can apply for indefinite leave to remain after 3 or 5 years, depending on which field you work in and how you apply.

Frontier Worker Permit

  • For EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein individuals
  • Work in Uk but live in above countries
  • Usually have worked in the UK at least once every 12 months since 31 December 2020


International Sportsperson Visa

  • Endorsement from sport’s governing body confirming status as elite sportsperson or coach, internationally established, click for eligibility requirements

UK overseas domestic worker visa

  • Length: Up to 6 months
  • How: Must be employed by overseas employer and travelling to UK
  • What For: Accompanying employer as a domestic worker


Creative Worker Visa – A creative worker is someone who works in the creative industries, for example an actor, dancer, musician or film crew member, click for eligibility requirements.

International Agreement Visa (Temporary Work) – for an overseas government or ‘recognized international organisation’, as a private servant in a diplomatic household

Government Authorised Exchange Visa (Temporary Work – want to come to the UK for a short time for work experience or to do training, an Overseas Government Language Programme, research or a fellowship through an approved government authorised exchange scheme

UK seasonal worker Visa

  • Length: Up to 6 months
  • How: Sponsored by UK employer in agriculture
  • What For: Temporary seasonal agricultural work

Personal Visas

Family Visa

The Family Visa is designed for individuals who wish to join or stay with their family members in the UK. This visa enables family unity by allowing spouses, partners, parents, and children of British citizens or settled individuals to live together in the UK.

To apply as a partner, both you and your partner must be at least 18 years old.

In addition, your partner must meet one of the following conditions:

  • Be a British or Irish citizen
  • Have settled status in the UK, such as indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or permanent residence
  • Be from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status, and have started living in the UK before 1 January 2021
  • Hold a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa
  • Have protection status in the UK (such as refugee status, humanitarian protection, or permission to stay as a refugee)


You and your partner must also plan to live together permanently in the UK after submitting your application.

Child Visa – For children joining parents who are settled or have limited leave in the UK.

Parent Visa – For a parent of a child who is a British citizen or has settled status in the UK

Spouse Visa – For married partners of British citizens or settled persons.

Civil Partner Visa – For civil partners (same-sex or opposite-sex) of British citizens or settled individuals.

UK Fiancé Visa – For those intending to marry a British citizen or settled person within 6 months. 6 months visa before switching to spouse visa

UK Proposed Civil Partner Visa – For those intending to enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months.

Unmarried/ Same-sex Partner Visa – For long-term partners who have lived together for at least 2 years.

UK Adult Dependent Visa – For adult relatives who need long-term care from a UK-based family member

UK Ancestry Visa – For Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent.

These visas are for people who have family members working and residing in the United Kingdom as holders of Point Based System Visa holders and want to join them as their dependents for more than six months.

A ‘dependant’ is any of the following:

  • your husband, wife or partner
  • your child under 18
  • your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as a dependent.
 
PBS Dependant Visa Requirements
 
  • Unmarried partners must demonstrate that they have lived together in a relationship similar to marriage for at least two years.
  • The relationship must still be ongoing, and both partners must intend to live together in the UK.
  • Maintenance requirements often apply, meaning you must prove you have enough funds to support yourself. For Tier 2 (General) visa holders, this can be met if the employer certifies the maintenance. This requirement does not apply when extending a PBS Dependant visa.
  • Children must be under 18 at the time of application, unless they are already on a PBS Dependant visa and are applying for an extension. They must not be living independently.
  • For child applicants, both parents must either already be in the UK or be applying to come to the UK at the same time.
  • Applicants from certain countries may also need to take and pass a Tuberculosis (TB) test.

Child student Visa – Long-term school students (independent schools only)

Parent of a Child Student Visa – Accompanying parent of a young child student

Short-term Student Visa – English-only learners on short courses

Student Visa – University or college students in the UK

The UK Visitor Visa allows you to enter the UK for a short stay—usually up to 6 months—for purposes like tourism, visiting family, business activities, or certain short-term studies. In some cases, such as receiving medical treatment, you may be eligible for a longer stay.

Who Needs a Visa

Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Some travellers can visit visa-free or under an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). However, everyone must meet the Standard Visitor requirements, and border officers may question your plans. If you’ve previously been refused entry or have a criminal record, it’s best to apply for a visa even if not strictly required.

Steps to Take

  1. Check if your planned activities are allowed under the Visitor rules.
  2. Confirm that you meet all the eligibility criteria.
  3. See whether you need to apply for a visa based on your nationality.
  4. If required, apply online before your trip.

What You Can Do as a Visitor

  • Tourism: Holidays or leisure trips.
  • Visiting Family/Friends
  • Volunteering: Up to 30 days with a registered charity.
  • Business: Attending meetings, interviews, or certain professional events.
  • Permitted Paid Engagements: Giving lectures, performing, or other approved short-term paid work.
  • Study: Short recreational courses (up to 30 days) or academic exams.
  • Academics/Doctors/Dentists: Visiting in a professional capacity.
  • Medical Treatment: Accessing healthcare during your stay.
  • Transit: Passing through the UK on the way to another destination.

What You Cannot Do

  •  Work for a UK company or be self-employed (unless it’s a permitted paid engagement).
  • Access public funds or benefits.
  • Stay long-term through repeat visits.
  • Marry or register a civil partnership (unless on a Marriage Visitor visa).

Key Eligibility Criteria

You must:

  • Have a valid passport or travel document.
  • Show you plan to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
  • Be able to support yourself during your stay (or have someone else doing so).
  • Have funds for your return or onward journey.
  • Not intending to live in the UK through frequent visits.

Visitor Visa – General visa for short stays in the UK (up to 6 months) for tourism, business, or family visits

Chinese Tour Groups – You can come to the UK for up to 30 days as part of a tour group through the approved destination status agreement (ADS) if you’re a Chinese citizen.

To qualify you must enter the country as part of your tour group (minimum 5 people) and stay with the group for the whole of your visit.

Your tour must be organised by an ADS licensed Chinese tour operator.

UK Marriage Visitor Visa – For people coming to the UK to get married or enter into a civil partnership, without intending to settle.

Permitted Paid Engagement – You can visit the UK for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) if you:

  • have a written invitation from a UK-based organisation or client for a pre-arranged event or other permitted engagement
  • can show you’re an expert in your profession

UK Academic Visitor Visa – The Academic Visitor Visa is designed for academics and researchers visiting the UK for specific short-term academic activities. It allows eligible individuals to stay for up to 12 months in the UK under certain conditions.

UK Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain – ILR) Overview

Settlement, or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), lets you live, work, and study in the UK without time limits and is a key step toward British citizenship.

Main Routes to Settlement

1. Work-Based
– Skilled Worker Visa (after 5 years)
– Global Talent, Innovator (after 3 years)

2. Family-Based
– Spouse or partner visa holders (after 5 years)
– Dependent children or parents (after 5 years, but depending on the main Visa holder)

3. Long Residence
– 10 years of continuous lawful residence in the UK

Eligibility Criteria

  • Continuous Residence: No absences over 180 days in any 12-month period (after April 11, 2024)
  • For UK settlement applications based on long residence (10-year route), absences from the UK exceeding 548 days in total during the 10-year qualifying period, or any single absence lasting longer than 184 days, will break continuous residence if they occurred before April 11, 2024.
  • For absences occurring after April 11, 2024, the rule is a maximum of 180 days in any 12-month period.
  • Good Character: Clean criminal record and compliance with immigration laws.
  • English Language: B1 level English (with some exemptions).
  • Life in the UK Test: Covers UK history, culture, and laws.
  • Financial Requirements: Proof you can support yourself and dependents (if relevant).

Other UK Settlement

British National (Overseas)

– If you’re the child of a British national (overseas) aged 18 or older and born on or after 1 July 1997 and live in Hong Kong, you can apply separately from your parents. Your family members can also apply with you. You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years.

You can work or study under a BNO visa, but you can not access public funds

Private Life Visa- 20 Years Long Residence

You must be able to prove that you:

  • are under 18 and you’ve lived in the UK continuously for at least 7 years, and it would be unreasonable to expect you to leave the UK
  • are between 18 and 24 and you’ve lived continuously in the UK for more than half your life
  • are 18 or over, have spent less than 20 years in the UK and would have very significant problems living in the country you’d have to go to
  • have been in the UK continuously for 20 years
  • were born in the UK to a person who has permission to stay in the UK on the basis of their private life, or is applying for it

EU Settlement Scheme

EEA Retained Right of Residence
EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit
Pre-settled Status
Settled Status 

Converting pre-settled status to settled status

Naturalisation is the most common route for adults who want to become British citizens. It allows individuals who have lived in the UK for a qualifying period to apply for citizenship, subject to meeting certain legal and residence criteria.

General Requirements for Naturalisation

Whether you apply as a spouse of a British citizen or under other routes, you must usually meet the following core criteria:

1. Residency Requirements

  • Lived in the UK for at least 5 years (or 3 years if applying as the spouse of a British citizen).
  • Not spent more than:
    • 450 days outside the UK in the last 5 years (or 270 days in the last 3 years for spouses).
    • 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months before applying.
  • Lawful residence during the qualifying period (holding valid visas or immigration status).
  • Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Settled Status required:
    • Must have held ILR or settled status for at least 12 months before applying (unless applying as a spouse of a British citizen—then you can apply immediately after obtaining ILR/settled status). 
 
Knowledge of English
 
  • Pass an approved English language test at B1 level or higher, or
  • Be a national of a majority English-speaking country, or
  • Hold a UK degree or equivalent taught in English.

3. Life in the UK Test

  • Must pass the Life in the UK Test, which assesses knowledge of British history, culture, and laws.

4. Good Character

  • Clean criminal record (including immigration offences, fraud, and unpaid taxes).
  • No recent or serious criminal convictions or civil penalties (such as overstaying visas).

5. Intention to Reside

  • You must plan to continue living in the UK or working abroad for a UK organisation (like the government or military).

Different Pathways to British Citizenship by Naturalisation

1. General Route (5-Year Residency + ILR)

  • For individuals who have lived in the UK for 5 years and held ILR or settled status for at least 12 months.

2. Spouse or Civil Partner of a British Citizen

  • Must have lived in the UK for 3 years.
  • Must have ILR or settled status before applying (no 12-month waiting period).
  • Must meet English, Life in the UK, and character requirements.

3. EU/EEA Nationals – EU Settlement Scheme Route

  • Can apply with settled status after holding it for 12 months (unless married to a British citizen).
  • If only pre-settled status is held, you must first obtain settled status.

4. 10-Year Long Residence Route

  • Applicants who’ve lawfully lived in the UK for 10 continuous years may be eligible for ILR, followed by naturalisation 12 months later.

5. Refugees/Humanitarian Protection

  • Eligible for ILR after 5 years, then can apply for naturalisation after holding ILR for 12 months.

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