Most Common Immigration Frequently Asked Questions

Not everyone is required to obtain a visa prior to visiting the UK.  If you do require a visa, you must apply for this from the country that you reside prior to travelling to the UK.   You can see the list of visa national countries on the UK Government website:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor-rules

The sub-category of visit visa that you need is dependant upon what you plan to do in the UK.  Please see a full list of visas on our visit visas page

As a visitor in the UK, you cannot extend your stay or apply for a different category of visa.  You must leave the UK and return to your home country in order to apply for any other visa. In most cases you may stay in the UK as a visitor for up to 6 months.

The documents that you need to submit will be dependant upon your personal circumstances and the reason for your trip.  Please contact IQA Immigration if you would like to set up a consultation to discuss the documentary requirements.

In most cases you will require a job offer from a ‘Tier 2 sponsor’ in the UK.  In order to be eligible for sponsorship, the role must meet the salary, skill level and labour market test requirements

Yes, as a skilled worker, you must provide evidence that you have either passed an approved English Test at level B1 of the CEFR in reading, writing, speaking and listening.  Alternatively, you can prove your knowledge of English if you have an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree level or above.

Yes, you can apply for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa if you wish to set up or take over an existing business in the UK.  See more information on our work visas page.

Yes, you can apply for a Representative of an Overseas Business Visa if you hold a senior position within the company and plan to set up the company’s first commercial presence in the UK.  See more information on our work visas page.

You will first need to obtain an unconditional offer a place on a course with a licensed Tier 4 sponsor.  Your sponsor will issue you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).  Once you have been provided with your CAS reference, you will need to obtain a Tier 4 visa.

If you are studying a course that is below degree level at a higher education institution, you may work in the UK for a maximum of 10 hours per week.  If you are studying on a course that is degree level or above, you may work in the UK for a maximum of 20 hours per week.  Your visa will be endorsed with details of your work restrictions and you must ensure to adhere to these conditions.

When you can apply for ILR will depend upon the type of visa that you hold and the date that you first entered the UK.  

The requirements are dependant upon the category of visa that you hold.  However, in most cases, you will be required to pass a ‘Life in the UK Test’ and meet the English language requirement.  For details of requirements for your particular circumstances contact IQA Immigration to set up a consultation.

In most cases, you can apply to naturalise as a British Citizen once you have help ILR or Permanent Residence for at least 12 months.  If you are the spouse of a British Citizen, you may be able to apply for Naturalisation as soon as you have obtained ILR or Permanent Residence.

The countries that are in the EU are

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK

The EEA includes all of the above countries that are in the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

All countries in the EEA plus Switzerland have Free Movement Rights in the UK.  This means that nationals of those countries do not require a visa in order to live and work in the UK.   Non-EEA family members of EEA Nationals should obtain an EEA Family Permit prior to travelling to the UK.

As an EEA national, in order to stay in the UK, you must exercise a Treaty right within 3 months of entering.  Treaty rights include

• Employment (including job seeking)
• Self-employment,
• Self-sufficiency*
• Studying*

*Those who are students or self-sufficient in the UK are required to obtain Comprehensive Sickness Insurance

If you are an EEA national, you may apply for a document certifying permanent residence after you have spent 5 continuous years exercising an EU Treaty right in the UK.  As the family member of an EEA national, you may apply for permanent residence after you have been living in the UK for 5 continuous years as the family member of a qualified EEA national.

Yes.  The law changed in November 2015 and you are now required to obtain a document certifying permanent residence prior to applying for naturalisation.