Future-Proofing Your Workforce in the UK’s Evolving Business Immigration System
The UK’s business immigration law is evolving, creating a complex landscape for employers. Here’s what you should know to stay compliant & navigate the changes.
British Citizenship – Cost, Requirements and Processing Time
Discover the cost, requirements, and processing time for British citizenship. Hire our highly experienced British citizenship solicitors for expert guidance.
Truth About UK Spouse Visa and Settling There You Never Knew
Are you on a UK spouse visa and not sure how to switch to a settlement in the UK? Discover the unknown facts behind it- the path to settling in the UK.
Biggest News on UK Spouse Visa Extension: Unfolding the Latest Changes of 2024
Are you applying for a spouse visa extension in the UK? Learn the latest changes made in the financial requirements for the extension application of 2024.
UK’s Immigration Landscape in 2023 and 2024: Reviewing the Significant Developments
Are you keen to know the changes that shaped UK immigration in 2024? This review explores the critical updates impacting students, workers, asylum seekers, and more.
2024 Update to the UK’s 7-Year Child Immigration Rule
The 7-year child immigration rule allows kids who have lived continuously in the UK for 7 years to apply for ILR. Here’s all you need to know about the 7 years route.
UK Business Immigration 2024: What to Expect and What Not
Setting up a new business in the UK or working there? Apply for a business immigration visa now. But before that, check the latest updates and upcoming changes.
UK Fiance Visa Processing 2024: A Guide Every Non-British Partner Needs
Are you a non-British recently engaged to an individual settled in Cheshire, the UK? Well, congratulations first. Now, if you wish to meet your partner, the first thing you need is a UK Fiance visa to enter this country and live with your soon-to-be spouse for the next six months, considering the term that you two are getting married within this period.
However, the process is not that simple. You need to apply for this UK Fiance visa, complying with all the rules and regulations while proving your relationship and condition of getting married. In today’s blog, we will discuss how long it takes for a Fiance visa in the UK to process, how to know if your visa application is approved, and much more.
Everything You Need to Know About a UK Fiance Visa Application
To apply for a UK Fiance visa, you need to prove that your wedding will take place within six months of arriving here, which needs documents uploaded to the online application system. Failing to prove this may cause immigration issues, where you may need to contact UK Fiance visa solicitors nearby Cheshire to represent your case to the Home Office.
And, when your Fiance visa expires, you require another immigration permit to stay in the UK. However, once you get married to your partner with UK settled status, you can switch to a UK Spouse visa for 2.5 years.
Due to such complex rules and regulations, non-British partners often come with different queries. Here are the most common ones:
Where to apply for a UK Fiance visa form
UK Fiance visa must be applied from outside the UK. As an exception, it is possible from inside the UK when you are seeking a permit to stay here for over six months if your marriage did not take place within the initial period, where you may have to show some convincing reason. However, it’s best to get in touch with a reputable UK Fiance visa solicitor in Cheshire in this case.
How long does UK Fiance visa processing take to get the decision?
The Home Office examines and verifies all the details after receiving the Fiance visa application to provide an accurate verdict. However, the processing time for this visa depends on different factors:
- Accuracy and authenticity of the supporting documents and information you have provided
- Your purpose of application
- If the Home Office fees are paid in full
- Criminal history and honesty in giving your details
On the contrary, there is no exact date for getting a response from the Home Office. It is usually within 12 weeks from the date you have applied. Anyway, if there’s any urgency, you can receive their decision within 30 days by leveraging the UK Visa Priority Service.
Is there any possibility of getting a Fiance visa rejected?
Yes, like any other immigration application. The Home Office can deny your request for? Fiance visa based on such major reasons, including:
- Inability to prove the minimum financial requirements, which is at least £18,600 annually, combining your and your partner’s income ( Please note, the financial requirement will go up to £29k from 11 April 2024)
- Not satisfied or doubtful about the relationship between you and your fiance
- Unable to marry each other or get into a civil partnership with the prospective spouse
- Identified previous criminal convictions
- Not submitting application forms correctly, etc.
How to know if a Fiance visa is approved or rejected
Usually, the applicants receive a decision letter from the Home Office containing the information about visa rejection and its reason. Or you may get an email informing you about the visa application refusal. Otherwise, you can call UKVI to learn about the outcome of your application.
Best UK Fiance Visa Lawyers to Get in Touch With
If this Fiance visa application process is entirely new to you, you may find it complicated to complete and even make errors, which can cause visa refusal. Instead, it’s best to work with a reliable UK immigration law firm, like Intime Immigration Limited (Intime Solicitors), to ensure a successful application and speed up the process. We have the most experienced team of Fiance visa solicitors to assist applicants.
Sole Representative Visa to ILR: Unlock the Gateway to Permanent Residency in the UK
Sole Representative visa holders in the UK are eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years. The five-year qualifying period typically comprises three years on the initial Sole Representative visa and a two-year extension on the same. ILR serves as the gateway to permanent residency in the UK, granting its recipient the legal permit to live, work, and study there.
ILR holders can even apply for British citizenship after an additional twelve months of residence. Furthermore, it also unlocks free access to the National Health Service(NHS), ensuring comprehensive healthcare for recipients during their UK stay.
Stay with us if you want to settle permanently in the UK through the route provided by indefinite leave to remain. Let’s discuss the Sole Representative visa to the ILR path.
Requirements for Sole Representative Visa to ILR
To be eligible for ILR as a sole representative of a foreign company, you must fulfil specific requirements set by the Home Office. The list includes:
- Holding a current Sole Representative visa
- Living and working in the UK for at least five years
- Representing an overseas firm or being a representative of an overseas news agency, newspaper, or broadcasting business
- Your foreign employer still requires your contribution
- A sole representative of a business must either establish a UK-registered office or a subsidiary of the overseas employer, both of which should be actively trading
- You must meet the continuous residence requirement for which you can’t spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months
- People aged between 18 to 64 years must pass the official ‘Life in the UK’ test
- People aged between 18 to 64 years must meet the English language requirements
Requirements of Continuous Residence and English Language
Qualifying for residency duration of 5 continuous years can be made up of time on any of the following visas:
- Representative of an Overseas Business visa
- Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa
- Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation visa
Under the continuous residence rules, ILR applicants should have worked full-time for their foreign employer or in the UK office they have established. Sole Representative ILR applicants, on the other hand, should not have engaged in other business or worked for other companies during their stay in the UK.
Let’s talk about the English language requirement. Applicants must have an English language qualification at B1, B2, C1 or C2 levels. People holding a degree taught or researched in English also meet the English language requirement.
Applying for ILR
You (as a Sole Representative visa holder) and your dependent can both apply for ILR following a few steps. Kindly note that your dependents will only be eligible to apply for ILR if they also have been continuously living in the UK for at least five years. Your spouse or children can be included in your ILR application if they meet some eligibility criteria. However, in this post, we will not discuss those requirements. You can consult with indefinite leave to remain solicitors to know about them.
Let’s suppose your dependents are also eligible for indefinite leave to remain in the application at the same time as yours. In that case, you, along with your dependants can apply for ILR by following the below steps:
- Submit the application form1 for ILR as a Sole Representative visa holder. The form submission can be done online.
- Each applicant must pay the application fee of £2,885.
- Register and attend an appointment at a UKVAS office to provide your biometric data, which includes digital photos and fingerprints. Kindly note that completing the biometric enrolment is essential for each applicant.
- UKVI may also ask you to provide some documents. You can submit it online or during the appointment at the UKVAS office.
We hope these steps will help you apply for ILR as a Sole Representative visa holder. Once submitted, expect to receive a decision within six months. Kindly note that your lawful stay in the UK will be maintained even if your visa expires before a decision is reached on your application. Meanwhile, it is also essential to understand that evolving immigration rules and the complexity of requirements make the ILR journey challenging. Thankfully, indefinite leave to remain solicitors can make the ILR process easier and improve the chances of approval by reviewing your application, organizing the required documents and evidence, identifying any potential weaknesses, and fixing them.
You can hire one of the best indefinite leave to remain lawyers from Intime Immigration Limited, also known as Intime Solicitors. The expertise of our solicitors will not only streamline your journey but also significantly increase your chances of success. Partner with one of our indefinite leave to remain solicitors to avail of invaluable guidance and handholding support throughout the ILR process.
New Year, New Rules: UK Immigration Law Updates for 2024
Planning to move to the UK in 2024? Then, you must be aware of the latest updates in UK immigration law. Here’s your complete guide!
