Immigration Solicitors and Specialist Immigration Advice
At Lawhive, our team of expert online immigration lawyers and solicitors can help individuals apply for the right visa application, reunite them with their families, solve common immigration problems and help businesses understand and comply with important immigration law and regulations.
UK Immigration Law impacts the lives of countless individuals seeking new opportunities, education, family reunification, or a fresh start in the United Kingdom.
Whether you're a young professional eyeing a career in the UK, a student dreaming of studying at a British university, or a family eager to reunite with loved ones we'll take you through everything you need to know about immigration law, and how you can get the right help for your situation. We'll cover:
What is immigration law?
Immigration law covers rules, regulations, and policies that govern the entry, stay, and exit of non-citizens in the United Kingdom. It's the legal framework that defines who can come to the UK, for how long, and under what conditions.
How can an immigration solicitor help you
If you need help with an immigration problem an immigration solicitor can provide advice, help you with your application, and support you in making appeals.
Specifically, a solicitor who specialises in immigration law may be able to help you with:
Applications under the Point-Based System
Entry clearance, leave to enter, leave to remain or residence permits
Applications for British citizenship based on your circumstances
Right to work, work permits, claiming benefits and using public services like the NHS
Problems with your immigration documents
Refugee and humanitarian enquiries
Appeals against a visa or immigration decision
Late applications to the EU Settlement Scheme
UK immigration law can be complex, and it can change for a number of reasons. An immigration solicitor will help you understand your rights, what you need to do to fix a problem, and how you can go about doing it.
Do I need an immigration solicitor?
You might be wondering if using an immigration solicitor is worth it.
Immigration solicitors are super knowledgeable about all the rules and laws related to immigration. They can give you the right advice for your situation, make sure all your papers are in order, and if there’s a problem with your visa application, they can help you fix it.
If you have to go to hearings or appeals an immigration solicitor will also give you legal advice and stand up for your rights.
Immigration law can be complex whether you’re an individual seeking advice on living and working in the UK, or you’re a business owner seeking help with recruiting EU nationals. The right immigration solicitor will work closely with you to understand your immigration requirements and take the next steps.
How much do UK immigration lawyers cost?
How much a UK immigration lawyer costs depends on the area you need help with such as:
Visa Sponsorship
Indefinite Leave to Remain
Skilled Worker Visa (SWV)
Family Visa
Naturalisation as a British Citizen
Visitor Visa
Student Visa
The cost may also depend on how the solicitor charges for their help (i.e. fixed fee or hourly) and how much work is involved.
At Lawhive, our immigration solicitors provide legal assistance on a fixed fee basis. So if, for example, you wanted an immigration lawyer to review your visa application, this might cost around £339 for a 30 minute consultation, review of your application and feedback on what they have discovered.
It’s important to note when budgeting for specialist immigration law help that visa applications also require a fee on top of any legal help you might need. This can range from £30 to £1,500+ depending on the application.
What's the difference between an immigration adviser and immigration solicitor?
Immigration advisers can help with filling in forms and representing you at tribunals but they do not provide immigration advice like a solicitor can, nor can they represent you in court or make legal submissions on your behalf.
Types of UK Visas
The UK offers a variety of visa types, each tailored to different purposes, from work and study to family reunification and tourism.
Main visa categories
UK Visa Category | Description |
Partner Visas | With this visa type, a spouse, civil partner, fiance, unmarried partner or same sex partner can enter or stay in the UK without time limits, providing their partner is either a British citizen, someone who’s settled in the UK, or from certain European countries with pre-settled status. |
Visitor Visas | With a Visitor visa, a person can visit the UK for tourism, business study and other permitted activities for up to 6 months. |
Family Visas | Family visas are for individuals who want to live with a family member, such as a spouse, partner, fiance, child, or parent for more than 6 months |
Student Visas | If you’re 16 or over and you want to study in the UK, you can apply for a Student visa provided you have been offered a place on a course, can support yourself financially, and meet the English Language requirements. |
Business Visas | Investors, innovators and global business mobility workers and more can come to the UK with a relevant business visa. There are many different types of business visas available with different criteria and requirements. |
Work Visas | If you want to come to the UK for work, you’ll need a work visa. There are many different types of work visas. Which one you need depends on why you are coming to the UK, your circumstances and the type of work you want to do. |
The Visa application process
Applying for a visa can seem like a daunting process. But you can generally expect to follow these key steps:
Choose the right visa type. Whether it's a work visa, a student visa, or a family visa, selecting the right category is the foundation of a successful application. Which visa type you apply for can also affect when you can apply for a visa.
Gather required documents. Each visa type comes with its own set of documentation requirements.Make sure you have all of the correct ones before you apply, as missing or incorrect documents can lead to delays or rejections.
Complete the application and pay the fee. Visa applications typically come with fees. The amount varies depending on the visa type and duration.
Prove your identity. You’ll either have to go to a visa application centre to do this, or use the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
Get a decision. You’ll get a letter or an email telling you the Home Office’s decision on your application and what you should do next.
At Lawhive, our immigration lawyers work tirelessly to help clients apply successfully for a visa. If you need help with your application, our relevant services include:
Immigration Case Assessment
If you’re thinking of applying for a UK visa, you might not know which visa is right for you, what evidence is needed, or what you have to do during the application process.
In an Immigration Case Assessment our expert solicitor’s will:
Talk you through the possible immigration routes applicable to your situation
Check if you have the right documentation and information
Tell you about the process, expected time frames, and next steps.
Following your 30 minute consultation, you can use the same lawyer to complete your application on your behalf if you wish, and they will work with you entirely online to complete the process.
Visa Application Review & Advice
If you’re applying for a UK visa, you might want to know how strong your application is and if you have all the right documents and information.
Review your visa application and documents to assess the strength of your application and identify any changes or additional information/documentation that may be needed.
Walk you through the process of applying for and getting your selected visa, including what to expect.
All of our Immigration Case Assessments happen remotely, either by phone or video call, and our immigration lawyers work completely online so there’s no need for you to travel to an office in order to get your case reviewed and receive advice from a solicitor.
To get started working with our solicitors, tell us about your case to get an instant fixed-fee quote now.
Businesses and UK Immigration Law
Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to establish a startup, a business owner aiming to expand, an investor, or an HR professional responsible for workforce planning, it’s likely you might need a helping hand with Entrepreneur Visas, Sponsorship Licences and understanding the law around hiring workers from overseas.
Our immigration solicitors can help if you’re:
Looking to start a business in the UK
Looking to invest in UK businesses
Want to work in the UK
Looking to set up a branch or subsidiary of your business in the UK
A UK business owner who employs migrant workers
Immigration Help and Support
Having the right assistance and information is essential. Below is a short list of resources you may find useful in your search for specialist immigration advice and legal help.
Government Resources
Home Office: The official website of the UK Home Office provides a wealth of information on visa categories, application procedures, and updates on immigration policies.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): This division of the Home Office handles visa applications and offers online tools for tracking your application.
Citizens Advice: Citizens Advice is a valuable resource that offers free, confidential advice on a wide range of issues, including immigration and legal matters.
Local Authorities: Your local council can provide information about local services, support, and community resources that may be relevant to your specific situation.
Legal Assistance
Immigration Solicitors: Consulting an immigration solicitor can be invaluable for complex cases, appeals, or if you're unsure about your eligibility. They can provide specialist immigration advice and representation.
Legal Aid: In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for legal aid, which provides funding for legal advice or representation. The criteria for legal aid can vary, so it's essential to check your eligibility.
Support Organisations
Migrant Help: Migrant Help offers assistance to asylum seekers, refugees, and other migrants. They provide support with accommodation, accessing services, and understanding the asylum process.
Refugee Council: The Refugee Council is an advocacy and support organisation for refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. They offer advice, assistance, and advocacy services.
Local Charities: Many local charities and community organisations provide support for immigrants, including language classes, integration programs, and social services.
Get help from expert Immigration lawyers
Our immigration solicitors and lawyers work on a fixed-fee basis to provide affordable, efficient legal help on a range of issues including:
Visa sponsor letter drafting and advice
Indefinite leave to remain applications
Skilled worker visas
Family visas
Spouse visa
Naturalisation as a British citizen
Visitor visa
Students
To get started, tell us about your case and we will be happy to help.
