Visas, citizenship, asylum and appeals
Our services
Visa, settlement, citizenship, passport, asylum and appeal services: what each involves, the rules, the fees, and how we help.
I UK Visas
- Skilled Worker visa Skilled Worker visa 2026: the £41,700 salary rule, B2 English, fees from £819, sponsorship, family and settlement. Fixed-fee advice from £99.
- UK visa and immigration fees 2026 UK visa and immigration fees 2026: the Home Office fees for visas, settlement, citizenship, sponsorship, appeals and the health surcharge, in one table.
- Global Talent visa Global Talent visa 2026: who qualifies, how endorsement works, fees of £561 and £205, no job offer needed, and settlement after three or five years.
- Innovator Founder visa Innovator Founder visa 2026: the four endorsement tests, £1,000 endorsement, £1,357 visa fee, three-year visas and settlement after three years.
- Student and Graduate visas Student and Graduate visas 2026: who qualifies, the £558 and £937 fees, how long each lasts and how to switch into work.
- Visitor visas and the ETA UK Standard Visitor visa and ETA in 2026: who needs which, the £135 fee, what you can do, the evidence that wins approvals, and what to…
- Health and Care Worker visa Health and Care Worker visa 2026: who qualifies, the £25,000 salary rule, fees from £324, no health surcharge, and the closure to overseas care workers.
- High Potential Individual visa HPI visa 2026 for graduates of top global universities: the £880 fee, the five-year rule, two or three years with no sponsor, and how to switch.
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa UK Youth Mobility Scheme 2026: which countries qualify and the age limits, the £340 fee, £2,530 savings, the ballot and how long you can stay.
- UK Ancestry visa UK Ancestry visa 2026 for Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent: age, the £726 fee, the evidence chain, five years and settlement.
- Temporary Worker visas Temporary Worker visas 2026: Seasonal, Creative, Charity, Religious and Government Authorised Exchange routes, the £340 fee and how each works.
- Global Business Mobility visas Global Business Mobility visas 2026: Senior or Specialist Worker, UK Expansion, Secondment, Service Supplier and Graduate Trainee, with fees from £340.
- Representative of an Overseas Business visa Representative of an Overseas Business visa 2026: for sole representatives and overseas media staff, the £819 fee, three years and settlement.
- Domestic worker visas Overseas Domestic Worker visa 2026: who qualifies, the £726 fee, the six-month limit, what you can and cannot do, and your rights.
- British National (Overseas) visa BN(O) visa 2026 for Hong Kong: who can apply, fees of £206 for 2.5 years or £285 for 5, the health surcharge, and settlement after five…
- UK Expansion Worker visa UK Expansion Worker visa 2026: who can be sent to set up a UK branch, the £52,500 salary, 12 months overseas service, the £340 fee and…
- Immigration Health Surcharge: how much it costs and who pays Immigration health surcharge 2026: £1,035 a year or £776 for students and children, who pays, who is exempt, refunds and how to pay.
- English language requirements for UK visas and citizenship English language requirement for UK visas and citizenship in 2026: the CEFR level for each route (B2 for work visas), approved tests, exemptions and degree evidence.
- eVisas and share codes: proving your immigration status UK eVisas and share codes: how to create a UKVI account, get a share code to prove your status to employers and landlords, and fix errors…
- Scale-up visa Scale-up Worker visa 2026: the £39,100 salary rule, approved scale-up employers, the £937 fee, six-month flexibility and settlement after five years.
- Minister of Religion visa Minister of Religion visa 2026: who can apply, the sponsor and certificate needed, B2 English, the £819 fee, dependants and settlement after five years.
- Graduate visa The UK Graduate visa in 2026: who qualifies, the £937 fee, two years if you apply by 31 December 2026 and 18 months after, and how…
- Student visa UK Student visa in 2026: the CAS, the money you must show (£1,570 a month in London from 30 November), the £558 fee, work limits and…
- Marriage Visitor visa Marriage Visitor visa 2026 for a UK wedding: the £135 fee, what you can do, why you cannot switch, and how it compares with the fiancé(e)…
- Investor visa (closed to new applicants) Investor visa UK: the Tier 1 Investor route closed to new applicants in 2022, what replaced it, and what existing holders can do.
- Closed UK visa routes and what replaced them The old UK visa routes, Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 4, and the routes that replaced them, with what it means if you held one.
- Endorsing bodies for the Innovator Founder visa Innovator Founder endorsing bodies 2026: who they are, how they assess your business, the £1,000 fee and how to choose.
- The Immigration Rules explained The UK Immigration Rules explained: how they are organised, what Appendix FM, Skilled Worker and the others cover, and how to read them.
- Tier 2 (General) visa Tier 2 (General) was replaced by the Skilled Worker visa on 1 December 2020. What it was, what it means if you held it, and how…
- Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa The Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa closed in 2019. What existing holders can still do, how settlement works, and the Innovator Founder visa that replaced it.
- Tier 1 (General) visa extension Tier 1 (General) extensions closed on 5 April 2015 and settlement on 5 April 2018. What that means if you held the visa, and the routes…
- Tier 1 (General) settlement Settlement on the Tier 1 (General) route closed on 5 April 2018. What the route required, and what can be done now if you did not…
- Investing in the UK: immigration routes for investors The UK investor visa has closed. The routes still open to investors and business people in 2026: Innovator Founder, Global Talent, Skilled Worker and others.
- UK immigration laws UK immigration law in plain English: the Acts, the Immigration Rules, Home Office guidance and human rights law, and how they fit together.
- Visas and immigration: finding the right route Which UK visa or immigration route fits what you want to do in 2026: work, study, family, visit, settle or claim protection, with fees and links…
II Family Visas & Settlement
- Spouse and partner visa Everything you need for a UK spouse visa in 2026: the £29,000 income rule, English, accommodation, evidence, the £2,064 fee and how long it takes.
- Indefinite leave to remain ILR in 2026: who qualifies and when, the 180-day absence limit, English and the Life in the UK test, the £3,226 fee, and the earned settlement…
- Long residence The 10-year long residence route to settlement in 2026: what counts as lawful residence, the absence limits, gaps, the £3,226 fee and the proposed changes.
- Fiancé(e) and proposed civil partner visa How the UK fiancé(e) visa works in 2026: the six-month limit, the £2,064 fee, the £29,000 income rule, marrying here and switching to a spouse visa.
- Adult dependent relative visa Adult dependent relative visa 2026: the strict care test, who can sponsor, the £3,635 fee, the evidence needed and why most applications fail.
- Domestic abuse and your immigration status If your partner visa relationship ended because of domestic abuse: the Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession, three months' leave, and settlement.
- Parent visa: joining your child in the UK The UK parent visa in 2026: who qualifies, the active role in your child's upbringing, fees from £2,064, 2 years 9 months at first and settlement…
- Child visa: bringing a child to join a parent in the UK The UK child visa in 2026: children born in the UK or abroad, sole responsibility, the age limits, financial evidence, fees and how long it takes.
- Unmarried partner visa How an unmarried partner can join or stay with a partner in the UK in 2026: the two-year rule, how to evidence it, the £2,064 fee…
- Spouse visa extension and settlement How to extend a UK spouse or partner visa in 2026: when to apply, the £1,407 fee, the evidence, English at A2 and applying to settle…
- Dependant visas: bringing your family on a work visa Dependant visas 2026: bringing a partner and children on a work visa, the funds you must show, work rights and children born in the UK.
- How to prove a genuine relationship for a spouse visa What the Home Office looks for to be satisfied that a spouse or partner relationship is genuine and subsisting: the evidence, the statement and the interview.
- Spouse visa documents checklist The documents a UK spouse or partner visa application needs in 2026: identity, relationship, income, accommodation, English and how to present them.
- Spouse visa financial requirement How the £29,000 spouse visa income requirement is assessed in 2026: which income counts, the evidence, using savings, the exceptions and common mistakes.
- Overstaying in the UK: consequences, re-entry bans and your options Overstaying in the UK: the consequences, re-entry bans and your options for putting your status right.
- Re-entry bans UK re-entry bans in 2026: the 12-month, 2-year, 5-year and 10-year periods, what counts as a breach, the 30-day overstay exception and when a ban does…
- Indefinite leave to remain for Skilled Workers Indefinite leave to remain for Skilled Workers in 2026: the five-year route, the salary and sponsor conditions, absences, and the proposed changes.
- Bringing an adopted child to the UK Bringing an adopted child to the UK: Hague Convention and non-Hague countries, the rules, evidence and the settlement route.
III British Citizenship & Passports
- Naturalisation as a British citizen How to become a British citizen by naturalisation in 2026: residence and absence rules, good character, English, the Life in the UK test and the £1,839…
- British passports: applying, renewing and replacing British passport 2026: first applications, renewals and replacements, fees from £102, and what to do when your nationality or evidence is in doubt.
- Registering a child as a British citizen Register a child as a British citizen in 2026: the routes, who can apply, the £1,000 fee, fee waivers and the evidence you need.
- British citizenship by descent British citizenship by descent: when a child born abroad is British, when registration is needed, and how to prove it.
- Citizenship through marriage to a British citizen How the spouse of a British citizen applies for naturalisation in 2026: three years' residence, no 12-month wait, the absence limits and the £1,839 cost.
- Good character and British citizenship Good character and British citizenship: how convictions, immigration breaches and honesty are assessed, and what to do before you apply.
- Born in the UK: are you a British citizen? Born in the UK: are you British? The 1 January 1983 rule, your parents' status at your birth, and how to register if you are not.
- Right of abode and certificate of entitlement Right of abode and the certificate of entitlement: who has it, how to prove it, the £589 fee and how it differs from British citizenship.
- Irish citizens and British citizenship Irish citizens can register as British after five years in the UK for £723, with no English or Life in the UK test. Requirements, absences and…
- Resuming or renouncing British citizenship Resuming or renouncing British citizenship: who can do it, the process, the documents needed and the effect on your nationality.
- Naturalisation referees: who can act for British citizenship Who can be a referee for British citizenship by naturalisation: two referees, three years' acquaintance, one professional person, who cannot act, and the rules for overseas…
- The Life in the UK test The Life in the UK test in 2026: £50, 24 questions in 45 minutes, a 75 per cent pass mark, how to book, who is exempt…
IV Asylum & Human Rights
- Claiming asylum How to claim asylum in the UK in 2026: screening, the interview, support while you wait, the new 30-month protection, and what to do if you…
- Human rights and private life applications Staying in the UK on the basis of private or family life in 2026: the 20-year, 7-year and half-your-life rules, the evidence, 30-month grants and appeals.
- Human trafficking and modern slavery: the National Referral Mechanism How victims of trafficking and modern slavery are identified, the reasonable and conclusive grounds decisions, and what protection can follow.
- Immigration detention and bail Why people are detained, the limits on detention, how to apply for immigration bail, and what to do if you are at risk.
- Asylum screening and the asylum interview Asylum screening and the asylum interview in 2026: how to book, what happens at each stage, the evidence to send, and what happens if you miss…
- Asylum appeals How to appeal a refused asylum or humanitarian protection claim in 2026: the 14 and 28 day deadlines, grounds, £82 and £144 fees, and the hearing.
- Further submissions and fresh asylum claims Further submissions and fresh asylum claims: when to make them, the fresh claim test, what evidence is needed and the risks.
- The Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights The Human Rights Act 1998 and the ECHR in immigration cases: Articles 3 and 8, how they are used, and how to bring a claim.
V Appeals & Reviews
- Visa refused: appeal, administrative review or reapply UK visa refused? Whether you can appeal, ask for administrative review or reapply, the deadlines and what to do in the first days.
- Immigration appeals to the First-tier Tribunal How to appeal a Home Office decision to the First-tier Tribunal: who can appeal, the 14 and 28 day deadlines, the £82 and £144 fees, grounds…
- Administrative review of a Home Office decision Administrative review in 2026: when it is available, the 14 and 28 day deadlines, the £80 fee, what counts as an error, and when to reapply…
- Reconsideration requests: when British citizenship is refused If British citizenship is refused there is no appeal, but you can ask the Home Office to reconsider on Form NR for £513, or reapply: when…
- What to expect at your immigration appeal hearing What to expect at your immigration appeal hearing: before, during and after, giving evidence, witnesses and the judge's decision.
- Deportation and removal: your rights and appeals Deportation and removal: your rights, the appeals that can be brought, what can stop removal, and what to do when a notice arrives.
- Partner or family visa refused from abroad: how to appeal A refused UK spouse or partner visa usually carries a right of appeal: the 28 and 14 day deadlines, the £82 and £144 fees, and whether…
- Deprivation of British citizenship Deprivation of British citizenship: when the Home Office can remove it, the notice, your right of appeal and how to respond.
VI Sponsor Licences & Employers
- Sponsor licence for UK employers Sponsor licence UK 2026: who needs one, the £611 or £1,682 fee, what the Home Office requires, the authorising officer and how to avoid refusal.
- Certificate of sponsorship: costs and rules Certificate of sponsorship 2026: what it is, the £525 and £55 fees, how an employer assigns one, the Immigration Skills Charge and common errors.
- Sponsor duties and compliance Sponsor licence duties: the record-keeping, reporting and right to work obligations that keep a UK sponsor licence safe, and what a breach costs.
- Sponsor licence suspension, downgrade and revocation Sponsor licence suspended, downgraded or revoked: what the Home Office can do, what to do in the first days, and how to respond and challenge.
- Right to work checks for employers Right to work checks 2026: how employers check share codes and documents, keep records, and the civil penalty of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.
- How much does it cost to sponsor a worker? What it costs to sponsor a worker in 2026: the £611 or £1,682 licence fee, £525 certificate of sponsorship, the Immigration Skills Charge and worker costs.
- Student sponsor licence Student sponsor licence UK 2026: who can apply, the tightened Basic Compliance Assessment (5%, 95%, 85%), the duties for education providers and avoiding revocation.
- Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List The Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List in 2026: which jobs are on them, the lower salary and fee, who can use them and how…
VII EU Citizens & the EEA
- EU Settlement Scheme EU Settlement Scheme in 2026: settled and pre-settled status, automatic conversion from April 2026, late and family applications, and what happens if you leave.
- EU Settlement Scheme family permit and the Surinder Singh route The EUSS family permit and the Surinder Singh route explained: who can use them, how to apply and the deadlines.
- Frontier worker permit Frontier Worker permit UK: who qualifies, the 180-day residence test, retained status for gaps in work, the evidence needed and how long it lasts. No fee.
- Old EEA documents: registration certificates, residence cards and permanent residence Old EEA documents: registration certificates, residence cards and permanent residence, and what to do now they no longer prove your status.
- European migrants in the UK What EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can do in the UK in 2026: the EU Settlement Scheme, late applications, the Frontier Worker permit and visas after…
- The Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 The Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 in plain English: what each of the seven Parts covered, when they were replaced and why they still matter.
- EEA Regulations 2006, Part 1: Interpretation Part 1 of the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 in plain English: who counted as a qualified person, a family member or an extended family member, and…
- EEA Regulations 2006, Part 2: EEA rights Part 2 of the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 in plain English: the rights of admission and of initial, extended, permanent and derivative residence.
- EEA Regulations 2006, Part 3: Residence documentation Part 3 of the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 in plain English: registration certificates, residence cards and permanent residence documents, and what they prove today.
- EEA Regulations 2006, Part 4: Refusal of admission and removal Part 4 of the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 in plain English: exclusion and removal, revocation of documents, the public policy test and abuse of rights.
- EEA Regulations 2006, Part 5: Procedure in relation to EEA decisions Part 5 of the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 in plain English: claiming admission, refusal, removal, human rights claims and revoking exclusion orders.
- EEA Regulations 2006, Part 6: Appeals Part 6 of the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 in plain English: rights of appeal against EEA decisions, out-of-country appeals and national security cases.
- EEA Regulations 2006, Part 7: General Part 7 of the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006 in plain English: when alternative evidence of identity and nationality could be accepted.
How we handle it
From first consultation to final decision.
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Book an initial consultation
Initial consultation
A lawyer maps your best route with you: your options, the risks in each and what each will cost, before you commit to anything.
Fixed fee from £99 -
Document preparation
We tell you exactly what is needed, check every document against the rules and chase what is missing, so that nothing is left to chance.
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Application filing and tracking
We prepare and file your application with full legal representation: detailed legal arguments, set out on our official letterhead, in support of you. Then we track it to a decision.
Fee agreed first -
Decision and what follows
We stay with you after the decision: your next steps and, if it is wrong, your options on review or appeal.
Ongoing
Reviews
What our clients say
5.0 out of 5
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“I found Mr Fraz Wahlah and 1st Citizen Lawyers to be knowledgeable, professional , and most of all compassionate. Qualities you do not find easily nowadays. They represented my family and I through a 3 year immigration battle with the…”
Doris ★★★★★ Original review on Google -
“1st citizen lawyers treated my case professionally and with dedication. they helped me navigate the complex landscape to get my ILR. Their service is invaluable. I can't recommend them highly enough!”
Eduardo ★★★★★ Original review on Google -
“Mr Fraz Wahlah handled my immigration case in a superb manner.He worked diligently on my case and responded adequately to all my questions throughout the process. The paper work was organised carefully and when I presented it to the Home…”
Bijan ★★★★★ Original review on Google
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