KNOWLEDGE

CENTRE

Registration of a child born in the UK as a British Citizen

Children born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983, whose parents have only limited leave (for example, visitors, students, Point Based System migrant, refugees granted status after 30 August 2005 and who are granted...

UK Visa Requirements for South African Citizens

Many South African citizens have some connection to the UK which may give rise to a basis on which they can apply for a visa to move to the UK.  For example, as a citizen of South Africa, you might have a British...

Visit Visas and 10 Years Long Residence ILR

The 10 years long residence route to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) provides a route to settlement based on continuous lawful residence in the UK for a period of 10 years. This post provides an update in the case...

Overstaying and 10 Years Long Residence ILR

In order to qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK on the ground of long residence, applicants need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that they have spent a period of at least 10 years residing...

British Citizenship Application Refused - What Now?

The requirements to become a British citizen are set out in British Nationality Law; the relevant law is mainly in the British Nationality Act 1981. Some children and adult applicants may be entitled to register...

Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Visa Application: FAQs

The Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa route was launched in January 2021. Eligible applicants are able to apply for a Hong Kong BN(O) Visa visa from within the UK or from outside the UK. In this...

UK Returning Resident Visa - A Practical Guide (2)

This is the second part of our practical guide to applying for a Returning Resident Visa in which we address a number of frequently asked questions regarding returning residence visa applications.  In our previous...

UK Returning Resident Visa - A Practical Guide (1)

There are many benefits to holding Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), as we examined in this earlier post.  In this post we examine the position for those  who wish to enter...

British Citizenship & Naturalisation - How To Apply

If you are at least 18 years old and have been granted indefinite leave to remain, EU settled status, or have acquired a right of permanent residence in the UK under the EEA Regulations, you may be eligible to...

Updated Guidance on Registration of Children as British Citizens by Discretion

Section 3(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981 (‘the Act’) states that:  ‘If while a person is a minor an application is made for his registration as a British citizen, the Secretary of State may, if...

New Guidance on Varying a Settlement ILR Application and Granting Permission to Stay

The Home Office has published new guidance on when a decision maker should vary an application for settlement/indefinite leave to remain and grant permission to stay instead. Settlement: guidance on when to vary...

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain: Special Considerations for Closed Categories

In the last three years, the Entrepreneur, Investor and Sole Representative of an Overseas Business category have all closed to new entrants. Those who already have a grant of leave in the category or have applied...