Batley Law has a team of immigration lawyers with experience working on cases in the Wakefield area. We’re specialists in our field and can provide legal advice and support on immigration, asylum and nationality law for clients in Wakefield, as well as support appeals. We always strive to give our clients the best legal support.
What is Immigration Law?
UK immigration law covers all legal matters relating to immigration and nationality. When immigrating into the UK, it is the responsibility of the Home Office to make a decision on a legal case both domestic and overseas, via the division of UK Visas and Immigration.
Depending on your nationality and the reason for your visit, you may be required to obtain a visa or entry certificates from UK consulates abroad before entering the UK. Examples include visitor visas, employment visas and student visas, where approval must be gained before travel. Other forms of procedures, such as extensions, leave to remain applications or appeals can be done in-country.
An application to come to (or remain in) the UK requires different evidence and documentation depending on the circumstances and therefore the type of visa. For example, if you’re planning to get married in Wakefield, the requirements would be very different compared to an existing visa extension.
Since Brexit, UK immigration law has changed and continues to do so, making it hard for individuals to keep up. This has left many people feeling confused about their plans to move or stay in the UK. Perhaps one of the most recognisable changes after Brexit is the points-based system that the Home Office has adopted for evaluating candidate applications. This makes it easier for the government to recruit only the top candidates but can make it more difficult for an individual. In this new system, a candidate requires a job offer at an appropriate skill level from an approved sponsor. In addition, the candidate must have sufficient qualifications, salary and knowledge of the English language.
This is, of course, just one example of how things are changing. Immigration law covers a wide range of different circumstances. If you’re a foreign national living in Wakefield, or you’re planning to move to the area, it can seem quite a daunting task to sort your visa or fulfil any other immgration requirements. At Batley Law, we understand how this may feel and that’s why we’re here to help you.
Asylum Applications
Refugees or asylum seekers are people that flee their home country for fear of persecution. UK law allows people to seek asylum here but it must be a well-founded claim. This means the application must be supported by documents and you must undergo an interview. Asylum law can be complicated and deadlines for providing evidence for a claim can be very short.
As immigration lawyers in Wakefield, we’re passionate about helping people escape persecution and live a happier life. Our team have years of experience making representations to the Home Office in asylum cases.
If you have little or no money, you may be entitled to receive Legal Aid, which provides funding for eligible applicants. Please contact us to find out whether or not you qualify.
Business Visas – Tier 1 and Tier 2
Wakefield is a growing city surrounded by opportunity. With the cities of Leeds and Bradford close by too, you may decide to start a UK business or find employment here. If you do so, you’ll need to apply for one of these visas. There are 2 different tiers for a business visa.
The Tier 1 Visa is aimed at “high-value migrants” such as investors or entrepreneurs who have the funds available to set up or invest in a UK business. Within Tier 1, there are two categories: the Start-Up visas and the Innovator Visa. If you’re planning to start a business for the first time in Wakefield, you’ll need a Start-Up Visa. This will be a slightly different route than if you were a more experienced ‘innovator’ with at least £50,000 in funds to invest in a business. In both cases, you will need to evidence through a business plan and supporting documents that your business idea is viable, innovative and scalable.
A Tier 2 Visa provides a route for UK based companies and employers to employ foreign workers for a skilled role in the UK (if that role cannot be filled by the labour market). There are a number of rules and requirements that must be met depending on the subcategory of the Tier 2 visa. Batley Law can advise you on all of the requirements that apply to your case and give you the best possible chance of success.
If you are a UK employer that wishes to employ a foreign worker, you must also hold a Sponsorship License.
We have extensive experience in assisting companies and employees alike in Wakefield and the surrounding area and can ensure that you avoid mistakes or potential refusal in your application.
UK Visitor Visas
If you are entering the UK for a short stay, you may require a UK Visitor visa. Rules are different depending on your nationality, so it’s important to check. UK Visitor visas are normally used for tourists or people who intend on visiting friends and family. You can also use a UK Visitor visa to receive private medical treatment or engage in limited business activity. You will normally be granted the right to enter and remain in the UK for up to 6 months.
As expert immigration lawyers in Wakefield, we are able to advise you on any and all aspects relating to your visitor visa. We can help complete online applications, arrange the visa appointment, draft a detailed letter of representation and more. That way, you can relax and enjoy your trip to the UK.
Leave to Remain
If you’ve been living for a number of years now in Leeds, it might be time for you to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Depending on the type of visa you currently hold for your residency in the UK, you may be granted ILR after 2, 5 or 10 years (also known as Long Residence ILR). Along with the English tests found in other residency visa applications, there’s also a requirement to prove your knowledge of life in the UK via a test. You may also be required to meet certain rules such as ensuring that you’ve had continuous residence in the UK.
The requirements may differ depending on your personal circumstances and it can become a daunting and stressful task without proper legal support.
If you’re successfully granted indefinite leave to remain (also known as settlement or being settled) you’ll no longer have to make repeated applications for extensions or further leave to remain. You will also be able to claim public funds (such as universal credit, tax credits etc.) if you are eligible and no longer be required to pay the immigration health surcharge to access healthcare in the UK.
Fiancé/Spouse Visas
A Fiancé Visa allows a person to come to the UK so that they can marry or enter into a civil partnership with their British partner. A UK Spouse Visa is a route for those that are already married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen and wish to settle in the UK. You can also switch from a Fiancé Visa to a Spouse Visa if you marry your partner within six months of entry.
We understand that relationships and family are an important part of life, which is why we are passionate about helping to bring people together. However, rules are always changing and we want to be there to help you navigate the legal aspects of your move to the UK. We have extensive experience in both Fiancé Visas and Spouse Visa, with a 98% success rate in the latter.
Student Visas
Wakefield has plenty of colleges and universities in the nearby area. If you’re dreaming of coming to the UK to study, you will need to apply for a student visa first. At Batley Law, we can help you achieve that dream.
In order to qualify for a student visa, you must be over the age of 16 years and have been offered an unconditional place at an educational institution with a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence. You’ll also need an acceptable proficiency in English and enough money to maintain yourself and pay for your course.
For courses below degree level, you will generally be granted 2 years or less, whereas for a degree-level course you’ll be permitted up to 5 years.
Appeals & Judicial Review
Visas and applications such as those mentioned above can sometimes be rejected by the Home Office. When this happens, it can be quite distressing. You’ll likely want to challenge this decision but you may be confused about what to do next. Without legal support, it can be difficult to challenge the Home Office but with the help of local lawyers, you can increase your chances of success. If possible, the first step would be to start the Administrative Review Process.
Sometimes, there is not a right of appeal. If this is the case, you won’t be able to use the Administrative Review process but you may want to proceed with legal support for a Judicial Review.
At Batley Law, we have extensive experience of successfully challenging the Home Office via both Administrative Review and Judicial Review. We’ve worked with rejected visa applications & asylum claims; failure to grant Indefinite Leave to Remain; a negative conclusive grounds decision in a trafficking case; and more.
It is a complicated process and can seem daunting to try and challenge the Home Office. Our lawyers in Wakefield have the experience and expertise to guide you through the process with the best chances of success.
Why would you need an Immigration Lawyer in Wakefield?
Anyone can submit immigration visa applications without legal representation. However, the process is very difficult to navigate and is forever changing. It can take just one mistake to invalidate an application and some visas can be very expensive. There may also be certain legal rights you can leverage that you’re not aware of. As lawyers, our job is to know the UK legal system inside out, so your chances of getting the outcome you want are much higher.
Complex Rules
Law is a complicated subject and immigration law is no exception. There are many requirements for immigration matters and it’s not always easy to tell if you meet them.
Immigration lawyers are specially trained to work within this field and will have an up to date knowledge of the current system. Working with Batley Law will allow you to progress through your application with confidence and peace of mind.
English is your Second Language
Immigration law can be difficult to understand anyway but when English is not your first language, this can make things even harder. There’s a lot of documentation and jargon to read and understand but with legal representation, you won’t feel as overwhelmed by everything. We can also arrange an interpreter to work with you on the case.
Struggle with Technology
Whether English is your first language or not, there’s another language we have to understand these days to get things done – technology. Some people are great with technology, but for some people, it doesn’t come naturally. Immigration law in the UK is going digital and is now reliant on having access to technology and an internet connection. This can make you feel like you’re at a disadvantage if you’re not 100% confident with technology. You may want to get the help of an immigration lawyer to handle the application process for you.
Criminal Record
The UK doesn’t want to attract dangerous criminals to the country. All convictions, no matter how small, need to be declared and the decision by the Home Office often rests upon the prison sentence you served and how recent the sentence was.
If you’ve made a mistake in the past that you’re trying to put behind you, working with Batley Law could increase your chances of success.
Poor Immigration History
It can be more difficult to enter or stay in the UK if you’ve got a track record of being declined for visas and immigration-related procedures. A team of immigration lawyers on your side can make all the difference when it comes to visas and immigration-related procedures, with a higher chance of success.
Complicated Cases
At Batley Law, we believe that every case is unique and sometimes the case might be too complicated to handle on your own. There may be multiple parties involved in the case making things more complex or you may have to deal with additional problems such as alleged marriage fraud. You may have been declined by the Home Office too, which complicates things further, leaving you clueless about the next steps.
We can handle the complex nature of immigration cases and break things down for you so you still know exactly what is going on, allowing you to make the right decisions.
Appeals in Court or Tribunal
If you’re already partway through the process and you’re facing court or tribunal, it can leave you feeling worried or nervous, especially if there is a risk of deportation. At this point, it’s important to seek legal help to give you the best chance of remaining within the UK. If things don’t go the way you hoped, it could sadly result in the family being kept apart, losing a job that you have in the UK, being unable to study in the UK and more.
Having a local immigration lawyer will not only help you to succeed with your case but also give you confidence as you go through the appeals process. Batley Law will be honest with you about your chances of success and help you appeal decisions made by the Home Office.
Reviews of our Immigration Services:
“I just wanted to thank Mr Shahriar Bahrami for helping me with my Asylum claim. We won the case and I was granted asylum. Thanks to Batley Law.” – R. Mahamad
“Professional and all the time they are ready to hear your questions, and through them, the decision was granted by the immigration office and I was granted residence. In particular, I want to thank Fiazaan Naseer, who stood by me and help me all this time. He really a professional man.” – M. Osman
Why choose Batley Law as your Immigration Lawyers?
Highly Recommended
99% of our clients have said that they would recommend our legal services to others.
We’re Local
It’s always good to have local help. We are based in West Yorkshire, just a short journey away from Wakefield, so you won’t have far to go if we need to meet with you.
Complete Service
We’ve taken cases from their very beginning all the way to an appeal of judicial review and beyond. We’ve also taken appeals to the Court of Appeal. We’ve worked at every stage possible in a range of immigration cases, so you can rest assured that Batley Law will support you from start to finish.
Fully Accredited
All of our local, expert lawyers (from our Solicitors through to our paralegals and trainees) are all accredited by the Law Society Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme.
Clear Pricing
Know the fees before you proceed. We work on a fixed fee basis for our services, meaning you’ll know the full cost of our services before we begin. This ensures that you won’t incur any hidden or unexpected costs.
Specialist Quality Mark
We are proud to hold a Legal Aid Specialist Quality Mark, following a rigorous and thorough audit in November 2018. This demonstrates that we have efficient and professional office practices and procedures.
Passionate About our Work
Perhaps one of the most important reasons to choose Batley Law. We are passionate about the work that we do; about helping you to succeed with your case. We care about your needs and objectives and as such we don’t offer a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. We will take the time to fully understand your case and provide specific advice tailored to your circumstances.
The Process – Getting Started with Batley Law
When working with us to support your case, you can expect the following step by step process.
Step 1 – Get In Touch
You can reach out to us via email, phone or through our online contact form. At Batley Law we also have a 4hr callback promise.
Step 2 – Case Review
We’ll have a chat with you to understand your situation and check your eligibility. We’ll review your case with you and make sure you have all the required information and documentation to proceed.
Step 3 – Getting to Work
Now we fully understand the work required, we’ll make a start and keep you fully informed of any developments. We’ll keep everything simple and easy to understand.
Step 4 – Further Information
We may require further information or details from you, this may include arranging to provide biometric information for the Home Office.
Step 5 – Submit Application
Once we’re both happy with the application, we’ll submit it.
Step 6 – Wait for a decision
Depending on the type of application you’re making, the Home Office decision could take anything from a week to a number of months. You may be able to pay extra for an express service from the Home Office.
Final Step – The Decision
You receive notice back from the Home Office regarding their decision. If you need to appeal further we can work with you on this.
Get in touch today to find out how we can help you.