FAQs
Some questions customers ask
Hurlingham Law is registered by the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) to provide immigration advice. Our Managing Partner at Hurlingham Law has been registered for nearly 20 years. Further to this, Hurlingham Law only specialise in Immigration Law so you can rest assured our full focus will be on your immigration matters. We have full professional indemnity insurance and membership to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Hurlingham Law uses secure case management software so your supporting documentation is safe. In most instances, the Home Office will only require scans of documents which we would keep on our systems, as per OISC requirements, for 6 years.
Case processing timelines vary hugely. In some cases, however, Hurlingham Law can use the Super-Priority Visa Service through UKVCAS (which means the case can be approved within 24 hours). Some postal applications can take up to 6 months, but your representative will advise you of timings at the time of instruction.
Hurlingham Law will give a FREE initial assessment through email – this will cover the merits of a case and the best route for you to take going forward. Hurlingham Law reserves the right to change this policy at any moment in time.
- Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) registered
- HMRC VAT registered
- Professional Indemnity insured
- Company Registered in England & Wales: 12706602
- Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Registered
The UK immigration system is a set of rules and regulations that control the entry and stay of foreign nationals in the country. The system includes various visa categories, such as work visas, student visas, family visas, and tourist visas.
You can apply for a UK visa online by filling out the application form, submitting the required documents, and paying the application fee. The application process may vary depending on the type of visa you’re applying for. Hurlingham Law has experience in all applications and scenarios and can avoid any unnecessary delays or refusals.
Yes, you can work in the UK with a valid work visa. However, you’ll need to meet certain criteria, such as having a job offer from a UK employer and meeting the relevant skill level and English language requirements to apply for a skilled worker visa. Hurlingham Law can assist from the company getting a sponsorship licence all the way through to the applicant getting their visa and subsequent settlement. There is a specific skilled worker FAQ, click here
The processing time for a UK visa application can vary depending on the type of visa and the country you’re applying from. Some visas may take a few weeks to process, while others may take several months. There are also some options to apply for priority visa applications. The UK Home Office charge extra for this.
Yes, you may be able to extend your UK visa if you meet the eligibility criteria. The requirements for visa extension may vary depending on the type of visa you hold. Note: You cannot switch from within the UK if you are on a visit visa.
The UK Immigration Health Surcharge is a fee that foreign nationals are required to pay when they apply for a visa to stay in the UK for longer than six months. The fee is used to cover the cost of healthcare services in the UK.
The UK settlement scheme is a program that allows EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens, and their family members, who were living in the UK before December 31, 2020, to apply for settled or pre-settled status, which will allow them to continue living and working in the UK.
Yes, you may be able to appeal a UK visa decision if you believe the decision was incorrect. The appeals process can vary depending on the type of visa and the reason for the refusal. It’s important to seek legal advice if you’re considering an appeal.
Can I bring my family with me to the UK on a visa? Answer: Yes, you may be able to bring your family with you to the UK on a family visa. However, you’ll need to meet the eligibility criteria, and your family members will need to apply for their own visas. Depending on the type of application, Hurlingham Law can offer an all-inclusive representation fee to include dependents at no extra cost.
The English language requirements for UK visas can vary depending on the type of visa you’re applying for. In general, you’ll need to demonstrate that you can speak and understand English to a certain level. On instruction, Hurlingham Law will confirm the best option for you.
The financial requirements for UK visas can vary depending on the type of visa you’re applying for. In general, you’ll need to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself while you’re in the UK.
The family visa is a visa that allows non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals to join their family members in the UK. Applicants must be sponsored by a family member who is a British citizen, settled person, or person with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK. There is a financial requirement that needs to be met for a spouse visa, and the amount varies according to whether dependents are also applying. There are also options to apply as a fiancé or a marriage visit visa.
The Visitor visa is a visa that allows foreign nationals to visit the UK for a short period of time for tourism, business, or other purposes. Applicants must meet certain requirements, such as having enough money to support themselves during their stay and having a valid reason for visiting the UK.
The Ancestry visa is a visa that allows Commonwealth citizens who have a grandparent who was born in the UK to live and work in the UK for up to five years. Applicants must provide evidence of their ancestry and meet other eligibility criteria.
The Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) visa is a visa that allows foreign nationals to settle in the UK permanently. Applicants must meet certain requirements, such as having lived in the UK for a certain period and meeting the relevant English language and knowledge of life in the UK requirements. Hurlingham Law assists in all ILR applications including, but not exclusively, the 3-year route (Global Talent), 5 year (spouse, skilled worker or other) and 10 years on a combination of any visa (referred to as Long Residence).
The Immigration Skills Charge is a fee that UK employers are required to pay when they hire foreign workers on Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visas, now called the skilled worker scheme.
The UK immigration rules include provisions for the refusal of visa applications on the basis of criminal convictions. The impact of a criminal record on a visa application will depend on the nature and severity of the offence, and when it was committed.
The Fast Track service is an optional service that allows applicants to have their UK visa application processed more quickly than the standard processing time. The service is available for certain types of visas and applicants must pay an additional fee.
The UK immigration system in most cases will allow you to set up a business. Check with Hurlingham Law first. Hurlingham Law also offers a service to include registering a business, virtual office, website and other ad hoc business / immigration advice.