Family Immigration

The immigration team at Irving Legal Ltd are experienced in assisting with applications for leave to remain to your private and family life in the United Kingdom.

The Home Office guidance sets out detailed specifications for the supporting documents that must be provided. Failure to adhere to these requirements is likely to lead to an application being refused. Many applicants encounter problems in providing the correct evidence. You may therefore wish to obtain legal advice in order to ensure that you comply with Home Office requirements.

If your application is successful, in most cases you will be granted visa valid for a period of 2 years and 6 months.

British citizens or people who have settled status are able to make applications for leave to enter or leave to remain for their partners to join them in the United Kingdom. Partners include spouses, civil partners, unmarried/same sex partners, fiancé(e)s and proposed partners.

Since 09 July 2012, the Immigration Rules relating to partners are now far more complex, specifically in relation to the minimum income and savings requirement and the specific evidence which must be provided.

These changes to the requirements have meant that more couples have struggled to meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules. Our highly experienced immigration specialists are able to clarify any aspect of the visa application process and advise on the required evidence to satisfy the immigration rules for a successful outcome.

For partners of EEA nationals please see section titled EU and EEA Nationals.

The eligibility for British naturalisation differs depending on the circumstances under which you apply.
If applying for British naturalisation on the basis of being in the United Kingdom for five years or more you must show that you have lived in the United Kingdom lawfully for five years. You must also show that you have not been away from the United Kingdom for more than 450 days during that time, or 90 days during the last year and that you have held Indefinite Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom for at least one year at the time you make the application.

You must also be 18 years of age or over, be of good character, be of sound mind, have sufficient knowledge of the English language, passed the Life in the UK Test and intend to have the United Kingdom as your main home.

If you are applying for British naturalisation on the basis of being the spouse of a British citizen you must have lived lawfully in the United Kingdom for three years. You must also not have been away from the United Kingdom for more than 270 days during that time or 90 days during the last year prior to submiting the application. You must also have Indefinite Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom at the time you make the application.

You must also be 18 years of age or over, be of good character, be of sound mind, have sufficient knowledge of the English language and passed the Life in the UK Test.

We at Irving Legal Ltd  have a wealth of experience dealing with naturalisation applications and can represent you no matter how complicated your query.