KNOWLEDGE

CENTRE

UK Government Announces Measures To Speed Up Immigration Decisions

As many UK visa applicants and those with appeals pending before the Immigration Tribunal continue to face delays in the immigration system, the UK Government has announced two measures that it hopes will speed...

Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) Guidance

In this post we look at Biometric Residence Permits or BRPs.  We look at what a Biometric Residence Permit is, who has to enrol biometric information, when a BRP is issued, travelling without a BRP and how to...

False Representations in UK Visa Applications

Making a UK visa or immigration application can be quite a lengthy, and at times stressful, endeavour, made even more so by the possibility of making mistakes. Whilst it is important to be thorough when making your...

Visit visas - avoiding refusal for not showing a ‘genuine intention to visit’

It is a requirement for leave to enter as a visitor that the applicant has a genuine intention to visit and a very common reason for refusal is that it is not accepted that an Applicant does so. The Genuine Intention...

TB Test Certificate Guide for UK Visa Applications

All applicants for long term UK visas from countries where TB is common must be screened for active TB in the lungs as part of their UK visa application.  In this guide to TB screening for the UK we answer a number...

Subject Access Requests: Requesting personal information from the Home Office

The Home Office holds information about individuals who have come to its’ attention one way or another. Such information may contain copies of documents an individual provided with an application, criminal records...

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Refund Guide

In a previous post, we looked at the process for obtaining refunds of immigration and nationality application fees. On top of the application fee, the majority of migrants to the UK are also required to pay...

Biometric Appointments: What You Need to Know

A ‘biometric’ is a measurement of a biological characteristic that is unique to every individual. Biometrics can be used to identify people, and to allow for automatic recognition when verifying your immigration...

A Guide to Using the UK Immigration ID Check App

New biometric processes have been introduced by UK Visa and Immigration (“UKVI”) for immigration applications, in alignment with the recently published biometric reuse policy (see Biometric reuse Guidance published...

A Guide to UK Visa and Citizenship Appointments

What is UKVCAS? UKVCAS stands for ‘UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services’. It is the system for processing immigration applications made from within the UK for leave to remain, including all extension...

UK Visa Requirements for Australian Citizens

Many Australian 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 Australia, you might have a British parent,...

Overseas Criminal Record Certificates for UK Visas

If you are applying for a UK visa from overseas then as part of your immigration application you may be required to provide the Home Office with an overseas criminal record certificate.  Failing to provide...