Monday, February 20, 2012

Tips On Navigating The Demanding UK Immigration Rules

By Abe Hart


If you want to relocate to the United Kingdom, whether it's through business, education or due to a relationship, the procedure isn't as easy as it once used to be. The UK Immigration Service has recently heightened the requirements for someone trying to enter the country, and this new visa system is a lot more convoluted than it once was. While a lot of people try to handle it themselves, filling out the papers involved can be very time consuming, as well as being extremely tricky, so it's normally in your best interests to use a capable Immigration Lawyer. If you decide to move to the United Kingdom without official paperwork, get past Customs and Immigration, even when you are coming to the country in a legal manner. First of all, you have to find out exactly what kind of visa that is needed.

When you are coming to the United Kingdom to work or study, you are required to get a sponsor. This is normally a business or academic institution. This doesn't mean that all you need to do is get a job or a place at college, as visas will only be provided to suitable applicants. You have to either score a certain number of points contingent on your education known as a Tier 1 permit, which means that you are a highly skilled migrant, or if you are applying for a Tier 2 permit, you must have a job offer with a British company. Entrepreneurs can apply for an Entrepreneur visa, as long as they are prepared to invest capital and set up a UK business. Students can enter using a Tier 4 visa, but you will only be sponsored for the duration of the course that you are taking. If you then decide to continue with your education, you can apply for an extension to your visa while in the UK.

If you come to the country as a fiance/fiancee, and your partner already lives in the country, you should apply for a fianc/civil partner visa, but you have to prove that you won't require the support from welfare when you get there. You have to provide proof of accommodation and adequate funds to support you. For the first six months, you will be unable to work, but at some point in that time you will be expected to marry. Once you have married, you will be allowed to find a job, and stay in the United Kingdom for 2 years. 1 month before the visa expires, you can apply for permanent status. After living in the United Kingdom for three years, you will be able to apply for Naturalisation.

A person who is already married to a British citizen can apply for a spouse's visa. Just like the fianc/fiancee visa, you have to show that you have somewhere to stay, and the money to get by without having to get public funds. When your application is approved, you can live and have a job in the UK for 27 months. 1 month before your visa runs out you will be able to put in an application for a visa that allows you to stay in the UK without restriction.

While a lot of people may be under the impression that it's easy to enter the UK without having the correct paperwork, it doesn't make any sense in the long term. This also applies to individuals who outstay their visa. At some point you will have to talk to Immigration, whether you are going on holiday, or trying to renew your visa. Once you do, you will discover that you have to leave the country, and when this happens, you might not be allowed back in. It is very important to make sure that all your paperwork is in order before you enter the United Kingdom, and once you are here, don't forget to keep your visa up to date.




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