Family & Partner Visas

This type of visas applies to Spouse, Civil partner Unmarried Partner, Fiance, Proposed Civil Partner, Child, Adult Dependent Relative, Family Member of PB Migrant. SPOUSE VISA The UK Spouse visa category is for partners of British citizens, persons with indefinite leave to remain in the UK or limited leave to remain who wish to join, or stay with, their husband or wife in the UK. You can also apply for a UK Spouse visa if your Spouse is outside the UK, but intending to return to the UK with you.

EEA Visas

Under European Community Law, the right of residence gives EEA nationals the right to legally work and live in the UK. At Solomon Shepherd Solicitors we recognize that every case has its own merits and an Immigration Expert will assess all of the relevant information surrounding your EEA Residence Permit. It is very important that an expert covers every detail of your case because only then can they fully inform you of the best way to process your application. Our Solicitors will ensure that your paperwork is accurate and in order, as this will provide a solid backbone to your case. A well-presented set of documents will strengthen and validate your EEA Residence Permit application even further. The EEA family permit is suitable for a non-EEA national who falls within one of these descriptions. The spouse or civil partner of an EEA or Swiss national A descendant (child or grandchild) of the EEA national or their spouse/civil partner under 21 years of age; A dependent descendant (child or grandchild) of the EEA national or their spouse/civil partner aged 21 and over A dependant relative in the ascending line (i.e. parents or grandparents) of an EEA or Swiss national or his/her spouse or civil partner. How to Apply Please contact us we will help you with this process. Family Members Unmarried Partners Permanent Residence

TALENT VISA

UK GLOBAL TALENT VISA The UK Global Talent visa is open to talented and promising applicants within the fields of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology and arts and culture (including film and television, fashion design and architecture) who wish to work in the UK. ‘Talent’ applicants will already be leaders in their respective field, while ‘promise’ applicants will be able to show the potential to become leaders in their field. The UK Global Talent category is not subject to a cap on the number of applicants, does not require a job offer and can lead to settlement in the UK. A dependent partner and dependent children under 18 can apply under this route.

British Citizenship by Naturalisation

UK Citizenship gives applicants who successfully obtain Citizenship status the same privileges as those born in Britain. You will: Hold British status Be granted a British Passport Be free to work in the UK without restrictions Be required to attend a Citizenship ceremony. Depending on your current citizenship or nationality, you may be able to apply in several ways: Naturalisation Registration Children Stateless people In order to be naturalised as a British citizen, you will need to meet certain statutory criteria with regard to your immigration status, length of residence in the UK, future intentions, knowledge of the English language and life in the UK, and good character. The requirements for British Citizenship by Naturalisation vary slightly depending on whether you are married to a British citizen or not. Apply for UK Citizenship: Not married to a British citizen If you are not married to a British citizen (or do not wish to rely on your marriage to a British citizen) the Home Office must be satisfied that: You were in the UK on the day five years before the date of your application; You have not been absent from the UK for more than 450 days during the intervening five year period; You have not been in the UK in breach of the immigration laws at any time during that five year period; You have not been absent from the UK for more than 90 days during the 12 month period immediately preceding the date of your application; You are not subject to any limit on the period for which you may remain in the UK and have not been subject to any such time limit at any time during the 12 month period immediately preceding the date of your application; You are of good character; You have sufficient knowledge of the English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic language; Your intentions are that if your application is successful your home (or principal home) will be in the UK. Apply for UK Citizenship: Married to a British citizen If you are married to a British citizen, the Home Office must be satisfied that: You were in the UK on the day three years before the date of your application; You have not been absent from the UK for more than 270 days during the intervening three year period; You have not been in the UK in breach of the immigration laws at any time during that three year period; You have not been absent from the UK for more than 90 days during the 12 month period immediately preceding the date of your application; You are not subject to any time limit on the period for which you may remain in the UK at the date of your application; You are of good character; You have sufficient knowledge of the English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic language.

Indefinite Leave to Remain and leave to Remain

Indefinite leave to remain, also referred to as settlement, is a status that a foreign citizen can apply for if they are already living in the UK. This status means that a migrant in the UK is permitted to live and work in the UK without restrictions. Permission to enter and stay in the UK (‘Leave’) can be granted to a person for a specified period of time, known as Limited Leave, or can be granted for an indefinite time, known as Indefinite Leave. The granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (“ILR”) is often also referred to as “Settlement”, as this is essentially what the permission amounts to. A migrant who is granted ILR is permitted to live and work in the UK without restrictions. Most migrants will need to have been granted one or more periods of limited leave before being able to apply for Settlement/ ILR. The length of time that they will complete in the UK before they can apply for ILR is referred to as the “qualifying period”. The qualifying period will depend on the category and the circumstances of their leave in the UK. Qualification for ILR status will depend on the category and circumstances of the individual but it will be based on the length of time spent in the UK. There are both financial factors and length of stay that need to be taken into account. For more information visit our indefinite leave to remain page. ILR is a status non-EU citizens and their family members must be granted before applying for British citizenship. For example: A migrant spouse of a settled person who meets the financial requirements will be required to complete 60 months in the UK before they can apply for ILR; a migrant spouse of a settled person who does NOT meet the financial requirements, is required to complete a period of 10 years in the UK before they can apply for ILR. What are the Eligibility requirements for ILR application: You must meet the requirements set out in the Immigration Rules which are relevant to the visa category which you are apply from. All applicants aged 18-64 must meet the two parts of the Knowledge of Language and Life (“KOLL”) requirement by : Passing the Life in the UK test, and Meeting one of the following language qualifications: having a speaking and listening qualification in English at B1 level or above of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR),or having a degree that was taught or researched in English, or being a national of an English-speaking country.

Student Visas

This section will explain the various routes available as a student and made simple by the point based system. Please contact us and we can help you on making an application to enter the united Kingdom under the following student categories Short Term Study Visa Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa Tier 4 (General) Student Visa Requirements for a UK Student Visa In order to qualify for a UK Student Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that: You are aged 16 or over; You have been offered an unconditional place on an approved course with a licensed student sponsor; You can read, write, speak and understand English to at least CEFR Level B2 (if studying at degree level or above) or CEFR Level B1 (if studying at below degree level); You have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course without relying on public funds; You have the consent of your parent(s) or legal guardian if you are 16 or 17 years old; Course Requirements for a UK Student Visa Student Visa applicants can apply for a visa to study the following courses: A full-time course that leads to a qualification below degree level (RQF level 3, 4 or 5) with at least 15 hours per week of organised daytime study; A full-time course that leads to a qualification that is at degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8); A full-time course that is at degree level or above (RQF level 6,7 or 8), that is equivalent to a UK higher education course and is being delivered as part of a longer course overseas; A part-time course leading to a qualification that is above degree level (RQF level 7 or above); A recognised foundation programme for postgraduate doctors or dentists (if you have finished a recognised UK degree in medicine or dentistry, received that degree from a registered student sponsor and spent your final year and at least one other year of studies leading to that degree in the UK); An English language course at level B2 or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.