Immigration Law Solicitors

Biscoes’ immigration law solicitors are highly experienced in helping individuals with their private immigration needs. Our aim is to consistently provide our clients with an exceptional level of client care, professionalism and expertise. 

We appreciate the strain and stress that immigration matters can cause. Our team are committed to making the process simple to understand, easily accessible and free of legal jargon, so that you are in the best position to make informed decisions. Whatever your circumstances or requirements, our approach is to offer tailored services at the most cost-effective price.

Specifically, our immigration solicitors can help with:

• Asylum and humanitarian protection
• EEA applications
• Entry Clearance Visa
• Immigration appeal and admin review
• Naturalisation/British Citizenship
• Pre-Action Protocol Letters and Judicial Review
• Settlement in the UK under various routes
• Spouse Visa
• UK Fiancé Visa
• Unmarried Partner Visa
• Visa extension applications
• Graduate Visa
• Human rights and other applications

Speak to our immigration solicitors today

If you would like to contact one of our immigration solicitors in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, please call 02392 660261. Alternatively, please fill out this simple contact form, and we will respond promptly.

Why work with our immigration law solicitors?

Biscoes has an extensive and dedicated immigration law department committed to delivering exceptional results at a reasonable cost. We have many years of collective experience with navigating the UK immigration process, and will know exactly how to help you in whatever capacity you require.

Our commitment to providing outstanding client care centres around guiding our clients through the complexities of the immigration process and anticipating potential challenges far in advance. Wherever possible, we minimise delays and will always meet deadlines, never leaving you to stress over last-minute actions.

We are positioned to help both families and individuals, as well as students, job-seekers and applicants on all tiers of Visa statuses. Our reputation for excellence in providing immigration services covers both routine applications and complex, nuanced cases.

We successfully act for individuals with all sorts of immigration needs at fair, reasonable costs, and are happy to discuss pricing with you at any stage of your service.

As a firm, we proudly hold the prestigious Lexcel accreditation, a testament to our excellence in legal practice management and outstanding client care.

We also offer immigration services specifically tailored towards businesses and employers.

Our immigration law services

Asylum and humanitarian protection

Our team of immigration solicitors are highly experienced in working in the asylum area and building skills and effective tactics to help you or a loved one seek protection under the Refugee and Human Rights Convention. We proudly offer Legal Aid in this area, and can offer advice in all matters of Asylum claims.

EEA applications

We are equipped to assist with applications made to the Home Office, as well UK Visas and immigration by EEA nationals and their family members. Specifically, we can assist with Retaining right of residence as a family member of an EEA National after divorce or death, Derivative Residence Cards as a primary carer, and Settled Status/Pre-Settled Status applications. Each application is put together with commitment and care to give you the best chance at securing the conditions you need.

Entry Clearance Visa

Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) stationed at British missions oversees will check that an individual qualifies under UK rules for entry before they make the trip over. At this crucial step, our immigration solicitors provide legal advice to ensure that you have all the necessary documentation and evidence to pursue the correct Entry Clearance (UK Visa) application.

Immigration appeal and admin review

At multiple stages in the immigration application process, you may need to appeal a decision or face administrative review. Our specialist team can assist with a wide range of situations, from appeals against Home Office Refusal to help with more specific, unclear circumstances, such as the Pre Action Protocol (PAP) for Judicial Review (JR) Against the Home Office, UKIV. We will act at your discretion and ensure you fully understand what your role is and what is expected of you. 

Naturalisation/British Citizenship

Naturalisation is the process of changing your nationality. Biscoes’ immigration solicitors can help you or your family (including children) apply for British citizenship. We will ensure that your application is prospect by reviewing the eligibility criteria and residency requirements, that you are applying at the right time, and the fee has been paid in full.

Pre-Action Protocol Letters and Judicial Review

When an application for entry clearance or leave to remail has been refused for whatever reason by the Home Office, UKBA, and the concerned individual has not been granted the necessary rights to appeal this refusal within 3 months from the issue date, then there are ways to challenge the refusal through Judicial Review.

The challenge process is notoriously complicated and requires many moving parts and the meeting of several strict guidelines. Our specialist immigration law solicitors, who oversee pre-action protocol letters and judicial reviews, can guide you through the entire process and ensure that you’re supported with your best chance at securing a successful appeal.

Settlement in the UK under various routes

Biscoes’ immigration solicitors can secure settlement for partners and family members, work related settlement routes under a points based system, and settlement on the basis of long residence.

Spouse Visa

Individuals who are settled in the UK, married partners of British or Irish citizens, persons with pre-settled or settled statements, individuals with refugee status or humanitarian protection who wish to stay or join with their UK based partner, or people with a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish worker visa can all qualify for a Spousal Visa. You may also apply if your partner is currently outside of the UK but intends to return to the UK with you.

There are, however, extensive financial and accommodation requirements and other tests you must meet to satisfy the Home Office, such as the English Language requirement and TB test. We can help make sure you meet every requirement and that your application stands the best chance of success.

UK Fiancé Visa

The UK Fiancé Visa is valid for a period of 6 months, within which you will need to get married. Securing the visa is only achievable if you can satisfy the Home Office that you intend to get married, can meet the financial requirements without resources to public funds, and meet various requirements relating to you and your spouse both as individuals and the durability of your relationship.

We can help you and your spouse to meet these strict requirements and process your application in time for your future plans.  

Unmarried Partner Visa

Long-term partners of British or Irish citizens, persons with pre-settled status, persons with refugee status or humanitarian protection who wish to join or stay with their unmarried partner in the UK, persons who are settled in the UK, and persons with a Turkish Businessperson or Turkish Worker visa may all apply for an Unmarried Partner Visa.

You can also apply for a UK Unmarried Partner Visa if your partner is outside of the UK at the moment but intends to return to the UK with you as your unmarried partner. There are strict requirements, deadlines, and fees that must go alongside your application, which our solicitors can help you with.

Visa Extension Applications

If you are already in the UK, you can apply for an extension or renewal of stay to make your Visa last longer. There are 20 different applications that you could consider submitting in order to do so, and you are strongly advised to contact an experienced immigration solicitor to ensure that you pursue the matter in the correct manner.

Graduate Visa

The Graduate Visa allows you to undertake a role in the UK at any skill level without having to satisfy any salary requirement and leaving you able to switch jobs. Many people have a lot of questions about the Graduate Visa since it is relatively new. If you would like to find out if you are eligible or receive guidance in making your application, our immigration solicitors can provide the support and guidance you require.

Human rights and other applications

Additional visa-related applications our team cover includes discretionary leave, subject access request, returning residence visa UK, Transfer of Conditions application (TOC), immigration bail application, and No-Time-Limit application (NTL).

Frequently asked questions about our immigration law services

Can you apply for immigration without legal assistance?

It is not mandatory to use legal assistance for your immigration application, but the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) system is complex, and a simple mistake can set you back months and cost you in application fees.

A solicitor specialising in immigration law will understand exactly what eligibility requirements you must meet, how to complete the application form with all supporting documents, and will ensure that you meet the deadline to avoid penalties or rejections.

If your case has further complexities relating to your status as asylum claims, applications under discretionary routes, or appeals, then you will find our solicitors to be sensitive and effective, working hard to help you find your feet.

What are the different tiers of UK visas?

In the UK there are five different tiers of visa, which are:

• Tier 1: High-value migrants who are categorised as ‘investors’ or ‘entrepreneurs’
• Tier 2: Skilled workers who are categorised as ‘sportspeople’, ‘general’, ‘intra-company transfers’ and ‘ministers of religion’
• Tier 3: Now defunct, this tier was for low-skilled temporary labour
• Tier 4: Students above 16 years of age who intend to study in the UK
• Tier 5: A broader tier that includes temporary workers generally aimed at young people who typically receive reciprocal arrangements for people in the UK. This tier is for those in categories for creative, charity, youth mobility schemes, sporting, religious workers, and government-authorised exchange.

How do I change my immigration status?

Some tiers allow you to switch your status, but not all. Essentially, your current visa must still be valid, you must be in the UK and still hold your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and you must accurately report the changes in your circumstances. The process for applying to a new tier that better reflects your circumstances is tricky and the majority of individuals will look for assistance with this matter.

Furthermore, you must be aware that if your BRP has changed, then you need to apply for a new one within three months of said change. Otherwise, you face paying up to a £1000 fee. The changes you need to report are:

• Name changes
• Changes to your marital status
• Change of nationality
• Change of gender
• Substantial change to facial appearance

Act swiftly to avoid paying fees or compromising your immigration status.

Speak to our immigration solicitors today

If you would like to contact one of our immigration solicitors in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, please call 02392 660261. Alternatively, please fill out this simple contact form, and we will respond promptly.