Immigration Law and How Solicitors Can Help
Immigration rules go through many changes and amendments and it is worth keeping track of what might affect you if you aren’t a British citizen. Advice from an immigration solicitor can help to demystify changes.
One of the main reasons people engage immigration solicitors is because of their expert knowledge in what is not only a complex field, but also because the immigration rules change frequently. There is a long list of different applications to remain in the UK alone. It may seem daunting trying to ascertain exactly which route applies to you or to a member of your family.
It is very important that non-British passport holders are aware of the current immigration rules no matter what their status in the UK. Many people apply for their partners and other members of their family to be able to stay in the UK and this is another area where it is crucial to understand the rules so you have the best chance of staying together as a family.
A number of changes took effect this year in April. While a brief summary of some of the main changes is below many people would do well to consult a firm of immigration solicitors to understand how they may impact on their own case:
- Applicants for Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) are not now required to pay the entire fee at the start of the application and their passport will not be held for the whole application time.
- Applications for Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) have now been expanded to include exceptional graduates with an MBA from UK institutions.
- Changes to Tier 2 include more flexible intra-company transfers and resident labour market tests.
- PhD students who are under the Tier 4 route will now be allowed to remain in the UK for a year after they complete their course so they can try and find skilled work or an entrepreneurship.
The UK Border Agency has a full and comprehensive list of additional changes and more details on the changes above. Talking to immigration solicitors is definitely a good idea if your case is complex or if you want to ensure a smoother application and have support and guidance.
Getting the best guidance
If you are applying to remain in the UK you may feel that you are up against a very confusing and time consuming process with a maze of rules. However immigration solicitors can help you navigate through the whole thing. From filling in forms correctly and gathering all the necessary documents to arranging any interviews or language tests you may need to go through they can assist with all of this to ensure a smoother application process. Professional and expert help can ease the burden of what can be a very stressful and sometimes emotional time. Making sure you get your application right the first time is very important.
AUTHOR BIO: Diyana Lobo writes is an experienced writer who contributes regularly to many websites and blogs. One of her particular areas of interest is the law and how it changes with the times. When writing about immigration law for instance she has recently been talking to a range of immigration solicitors to gain a better understanding of how the system works.
Category: Law
