A Y & J Solicitors (LexBlog United Kingdom)

Introduction The recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between UK and India, has been declared a landmark in the economic and diplomatic relations of two global powers. It aims at increasing bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually and boosting the UK GDP by £4.8 billion in the coming future. However, aside from the economic developments,...

When visa applications go smoothly, you’d be mistaken for thinking that the visa application process is easy and simple. This is rarely the case. There is a lot going on behind the scenes of your visa application to ensure that only authentic applications are successful. Every year, thousands of applications are refused, and this is...

Understanding Payroll Requirements in the UK The term ‘payroll’ refers to the process of paying your employees according to the tax rules in the UK. The tax rules are set by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the government agency that collects taxes from taxpayers. Employers must register for the Pay As You Earn (PAYE)...

What is a Skilled Worker Visa? The Skilled Worker visa is the main long-term work visa for the UK. It enables overseas workers with an offer of a job to come here for up to 5 years (depending on the length of the work contract). After 5 continuous years living in the UK on a...

What Makes a Business Profitable in the UK? Various factors determine what makes a business profitable in the UK, including location, initial set-up costs, market sector, demand, operation efficiency, staffing costs, and overheads (e.g. materials, business rent and energy costs). There are many ways to lower costs and maximise profits, including outsourcing business services (e.g....

Why Invest in the UK? When it comes to UK investment opportunities, we have the sixth largest economy in the world, offering enormous prospects for business people and entrepreneurs from around the world. With a stable political system and pro-business policies, the UK is extremely welcoming to investment and start-ups. So why start a business...

Can Foreigners Rent or Buy Property in the UK? Yes, foreigners can rent and buy in the UK. The rules for foreigners buying property in the UK are much more relaxed than those for renting. Foreigners can rent in the UK if their immigration status gives them the right to rent; however, there are no...

Holding a Sponsor Licence is a significant responsibility and a strategic advantage for UK organisations, as it enables them to recruit skilled foreign nationals for essential roles that cannot be filled by the resident labour market or individuals with settled status. It enables organisations to access global talent. However, UK organisations must have a deep...

The number of enterprises obtaining Sponsor Licences to hire overseas talent went up by 44% in August 2024, according to Jobbatical. This increase highlights the fact that Sponsor Licence compliance is becoming more and more important for UK businesses, particularly those wishing to employ international staff. This guide is essentially a one-stop check for on...

Hiring skilled workers from overseas is an important way for many UK businesses to fill skills shortages and get the best international talent to join their teams. However, to employ foreign workers legally, any UK company must apply for a sponsor licence from the Home Office. A sponsor licence is a legal permit granted by...

One of the most essential aspects of the UK Spouse visa process is convincing the Home Office that your relationship with your spouse is genuine and subsisting. The Entry Clearance Officers will want to see evidence of a real relationship when they assess your Spouse visa application. This is to prove that your relationship is...

Introduction: Why Do Russian Citizens Need a UK Business Visa? Russian citizens who want to do business in the UK must get a UK visa for Russian citizens. In fact, without it, they cannot attend meetings, start companies, or explore business opportunities. The United Kingdom is an attractive destination for business because of its strong...

England: Under the spell of the British Isles – who needs a reason? In 2025 you will accede and explore history, culture, and landscape. Whether you are getting prepped for your first-ever trip or are on the return circuit that will take you to visit some even more famous cities or countries. Wherever it would...

People generally hesitate to contact an immigration solicitor. Most of the time, they have very little knowledge of what questions to ask an immigration lawyer and how a consultation call goes. However, UK immigration is complex, and anything can go wrong with your application. So hiring an immigration solicitor is more than necessary when you...

When you are making a switch from a Partner visa to a Skilled Worker visa in the UK, the most important thing you need is a valid job offer from a UK employer. This employer must have a valid sponsor licence and should be willing to sponsor your Skilled Worker visa. Only then can you...

If you are already a Graduate visa holder, you would be able to switch from a Graduate visa to a Skilled Worker visa in the UK by obtaining a job offer from a UK employer with an active sponsor licence, as long as you satisfy the visa requirements. However, before you can switch to the...

Can Foreigners Get a Business Loan in the UK? Yes, business loans may be available to foreigners in the UK, but there are normally strict criteria that must be met (see below for more details). There is no blanket rule that states that a foreign national cannot secure a business loan in the UK. Whether...

As a foreign entrepreneur starting a business in the UK, there are a number of common mistakes that should be avoided in order to boost your chances of achieving commercial success here. By taking the time to do your homework before starting your venture, you can significantly stack the odds in your favour. In this...

Understanding Freelancing & Business Ownership in the UK Freelancer vs. business owner UK, which is best? ‘Freelancers’ in the UK are typically individuals who provide services to several clients on a one-off or recurring monthly basis. They set their own fees and working hours and may work from home, in a shared working environment, or...

Why Location Matters for Business Success in the UK The business opportunities in UK cities are vast, but as the old adage goes, ‘location location location’ is key. Location truly matters when it comes to determining the success of a business in the UK. Choose the wrong location for your type of business, and you...

Why Choosing the Right Business Bank is Crucial UK business banking for foreigners can be complicated. Banks in the UK offer different services, fees, and products, making some more suitable for entrepreneurs in the UK than others. Some of the factors to consider when choosing a business bank as an international entrepreneur in the UK...

Why Start a Business in the UK as a foreigner? Starting a business in the UK offers enormous benefits and opportunities to entrepreneurs from around the world. The UK is the sixth-largest economy in the world, behind the United States, China, Japan, Germany, and India. And within Europe, the UK has the second largest economy....

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK does not expire, but it may be lost if you leave the UK for more than 2 years. As the wording suggests, Indefinite Leave to Remain gives a person the right to stay in the UK indefinitely, but this right can be lost following a prolonged absence...

Employers in the United Kingdom are legally required to give their employees rest breaks if they are working shifts of more than six hours, in accordance with the Working Time Regulations 1998. The aim of this law is to ensure the safety and well-being of staff in the workplace. It is essential that all businesses...

If you are coming up to the time when you can finally apply to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years of continuous residence on your visa in the UK, congratulations! Indefinite Leave to Remain will give you the security and certainty of knowing that you have settled in the United Kingdom, and you are...

The Student visa does not directly count towards permanent residency (i.e. settlement) in the UK, unlike other visa routes. This means that the time you spend as an international student at a school or university in the UK cannot be used to get Indefinite Leave to Remain. Other visas, such as work, business and family...

The process for obtaining UK citizenship is a significant milestone for many immigrants, especially for those who have spent numerous years on British soil representing a culmination of years of efforts, commitment, and integration into British society. Currently, an applicant to become a British citizen needs to find two referees who will vouch for their...

The UK Government has set a Minimum Income Requirement for those who wish to come to the UK on the basis of their relationship with: A British/Irish Citizen; A person with settled status in the UK (e.g. Indefinite Leave to Remain, EU Settled Status or proof of permanent residence); A person with pre-settled status; A...

Running a business in the UK comes with a wide range of legal obligations, including health and safety and employment law. Depending on the scale of your business, the job of ensuring legal compliance with UK employment law may fall to you as the business owner, or you may delegate this to a human resources...

The UK Spouse Visa enables overseas nationals who are married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen or a person who is settled here to live in the UK. After 5 years in the UK, Spouse visa holders can apply for indefinite leave to remain, the equivalent of a US Marriage Green Card,...