A Y & J Solicitors (LexBlog United Kingdom)

You may have heard about the UK Golden visa and how this provides a direct route to permanent settlement through investment. The Golden visa (properly referred to as the Tier 1 (Investor) visa) is, unfortunately, now closed to new applications as of 17th February 2022. While the Golden visa route is closed to new applicants,...

One of the key criteria that must be met by overseas nationals applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa is the English Language requirement. If you are planning to apply for a Skilled Worker visa in the coming weeks or months, it is important to understand the details of the English language requirement and how...

UK Citizenship by Investment In 2024, the UK remains an ever-popular destination for overseas investors who wish to invest and grow their capital. In large part, this is due to the enormous opportunities of establishing a new and innovative business to tap into the UK and European markets. Understandably, many overseas investors dream of gaining...

Under the current immigration rules, Skilled Worker visa applicants must meet the minimum salary requirement for sponsorship. **Important: the minimum salary for the UK Skilled Worker visa is due to rise significantly on 4th April 2024 (see below for more details); hence, it is important for prospective applicants who are due to apply to check...

If you are a non-UK resident willing to start your business in the UK, you must apply for a UK business visa. The eligibility and application procedure will depend on multiple factors, such as the type of business activities you wish to carry out, the kind of business you want to establish in the UK,...

Skilled worker visa holders have conditions imposed on their visa. Whilst Skilled Workers are free to travel in and out of the UK, there are restrictions imposed on their employment.  It is important to understand the rules on work conditions as a breach of the conditions could lead to curtailment of the visa, meaning your...

The UK visitor visa allows foreign nationals to visit the UK for a period of up to 6 months at a time for tourism, visiting friends and family, business, study, medical treatment, permitted paid engagements, as well as other purposes. There are several types of visitor visa and it is important to know which activities...

The benefits of British citizenship are well-documented. As a British citizen, you’ll have access to the world, with 152 countries welcoming you without a visa. You’ll also have access to the National Health Service (NHS) , one of the most advanced social healthcare systems in the world. There’s no denying that British citizenship is valuable,...

The UK is a popular destination for tourists from around the world. In fact, over 31 million people travelled to the UK in 2022 alone. While residents of some countries can visit the UK visa-free, many will have to secure a UK visit visa before they arrive. This includes countries like India, Pakistan, Turkey and...

Self-sponsorship is one way international business owners can relocate to the UK. To take advantage of this route, you will need to register a business in the UK. This can be a complex process, from choosing the correct legal structure to ensuring you are compliant with your tax obligations, there is so much to think...

Overview of Immigrants in the UK The number of immigrants in the UK is often a hot topic in the UK news. If the number gets too high, there is the fear that UK resources could be stretched, with not enough housing, schools, doctors or dentists to go around. This is a flawed argument, as...

There are two ways to obtain British citizenship. Individuals are either British citizens by descent or they are British citizens otherwise than by descent. Otherwise than by descent simply means those who are British from birth, by registration, by naturalisation or through adoption. Those who have British citizenship otherwise than by descent will be able...

It seems that UK visa prices are always changing. With this in mind, we’ve pulled together the most recent UK visa prices across all categories. These rates are accurate as of November 2023. We will continually update this article as prices change so that you always have a reliable source of information. In this guide,...

Your parents cared for you in your youth, so it’s only natural to want to return the favour when they reach old age. If you are currently living in the UK and want to know about the process of bringing your parents to the UK as your dependents, this article is for you. According to...

If a friend or loved one would like to come to the UK on a Standard Visitor Visa, including a letter of invitation with their application can greatly increase the likelihood that it will be accepted.  The UK is an expensive place to visit, so the UK Border Agency will want to confirm that visitors...

Introduction On 4th December, the new UK Home Secretary, James Cleverly, announced measures to bring down the overall level of net migration.  Most of these are due to come into force in April 2024 and came in the wake of the publishing of the UK’s migration statistics for the year ending 2023, which showed the...

The United Kingdom is one of the top destinations in the world for US citizens. They are choosing to move from the US to UK for various reasons, such as work, study, business, or just to meet their family and friends. The UK attracts Americans for tremendous work opportunities, eye-catching infrastructure, a top-notch education system,...

If you have an ancestral link to the UK, you may be eligible for a UK Ancestry visa. The UK Ancestry visa is extremely flexible, allowing holders to work and study for up to 5 years at a time. In this article, we will explain all you need to know about the UK’s Ancestry visa,...

On 4th December 2023, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, James Cleverly, made a statement to the House of Commons setting out the government’s new five-point plan for immigration. The package of measures which the government aims to implement in Spring 2024 is ultimately designed to cut net migration to the UK. But...

Shakespeare wrote the classic line: “The course of true love never did run smooth.” And if you are planning to bring a spouse or partner to join you in the UK using the spouse/partner visa route, that quote will particularly resonate. In December last year the Home Secretary, James Cleverly, announced a raft of changes...

Introduction 2024 is set to be a turbulent year for UK immigration, coming off the back of a record high for net migration numbers and with a General Election and the rollout of eVisas in store. Making predictions in such a climate can be tricky, but there are several announcements that the UK Government and...

November 2023 saw the appointment of former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly as Home Secretary following the tumultuous tenure and departure of Suella Braverman. Ms Braverman was removed from her position following a series of incendiary comments regarding asylum seekers, immigrants and homeless people. Her removal also came just days before the highly anticipated decision by...

Introduction UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) are turning the UK’s immigration system digital through the introduction of eVisas. eVisas will replace physical UK visa documents such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs), passport endorsements and vignette stickers in passports. The process started in 2018 with the EU Settlement Scheme and UKVI states...

If you dream of relocating to the UK to take up a job offer, the Skilled Worker visa is likely to be the best route available to you. This is a sponsored work visa that will allow you to stay in the UK for up to 5 years at a time. After 5 continuous years...

Introduced by the UK Government on 13 April 2023, the Innovator Founder route replaces both the Innovator and Start Up visas and is a primary visa category for foreign entrepreneurs who are planning to set up a business in the UK. This article will provide a detailed overview of the UK Innovator Founder Visa. Eligibility...

It is a general requirement for UK visas that applicants must genuinely intend to come to the UK for the purpose stated on their application. In this article, we will explain what is meant by the genuineness requirement for UK visa applications and the recent changes to the genuineness requirements for Skilled Worker visas. Skilled...

An Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) enables nationals of a small number of countries to come to the UK for up to 6 months without the need to apply for a UK Visitor visa. If you have never heard of Electronic Visa Waivers, don’t worry. In this article, we will explain all you need to know...

If you are an expert in your field and you have been invited to come to the UK by a business or client in the UK, the Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor visa may be ideal for you. The Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor visa is often used by artists, musicians, lecturers and other professional who wish...

As one of the world’s major transport hubs, many international travellers transit through the UK, typically through one of the major London airports. If you are planning to take an international flight in the near future that involves a transfer through a UK airport, it is important to check whether you need a UK Transit...

The UK Marriage Visitor visa is for overseas nationals who wish to get married or enter into a civil partnership in the UK. The Marriage Visitor visa is different from the fiancé/fiancée visa under the family visa category that is for overseas nationals who wish to get married to a person who is settled in...