Q: How can Descartes Solicitors help me?
A: Our firm is happy to help with your immigration matters. You can speak to our team on the phone at 0208 995 3556 to see if we can give you general advice. However, it’s best to get advice that is personalised to your unique needs. Therefore, we highly recommend booking a consultation with one of our immigration advisors. The consultation lasts for 1 hour and during this time, you can get expert answers to your questions.
If you come to the consultation and later decide that you would like to become a client of Descartes Solicitors, we will assist you with preparing the entire application. This includes preparing the application form, checking and uploading the documents, and writing a cover letter that uniquely describes your story and why the Home Office should grant you a visa. We will also communicate with the Home Office and chase up your application status on your behalf. More importantly, we will be by your side every step of the way, and be there to advise you if any questions come up.
Q: I’m in the UK, but I’m going on holiday soon. Do I need a visa?
A: Our firm deals with immigration to the UK (assisting people who want to come to the UK or stay here). If you are travelling to a different country, please check the foreign travel advice on the UK Government website. If you still have questions, it’s best to contact that country’s embassy or search for an immigration adviser whose office is located in your holiday destination country.
Q: I have a student visa. Can I travel outside the UK for holidays or short trips?
A: Yes. However, you will comply with the conditions of your student visa, which include attending your classes. You will also need to return to the UK before the expiry of your visa.
Q: I would like to come to the UK and study at a university. How do I do that?
A: First, you will need to find a university course that interests you. Second, you need to apply to that course. You can apply to more than one. After you have accepted an offer to study, you can start the student visa process (gathering the documents needed and applying online).
Q: What’s the difference between settlement, indefinite leave to remain, and leave to remain?
A: Settlement and Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) are two terms that mean the same thing. If you have settlement/ILR, it means that you can stay in the UK and live, work, or study here for as long as you like. Be careful when traveling outside the UK, though – you may lose your ILR status if you’ve been outside the UK for 2 or more continuous years.
Leave to remain, on the other hand, means that there is a limit on the amount of time that you can stay in the UK. After that time, you must leave the UK (unless if you apply for extend your current visa or switch into a different visa category). You can usually stay while your application is pending, and of course you can stay if your application is granted.
You can find out what type of leave you have by checking your BRP card and/or the letter from the Home Office when they granted your application.
Q: Can I apply for a British passport?
A: This is a complex question and it is best to read the UK Government website and then decide if you want advice from an immigration adviser. Generally, if you have ILR, you will need to first become a British citizen by naturalising and then apply for a British passport.
By: Tiffany Carpenter