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| SmartMove2UK is a niche firm of immigration experts led by a specialist Solicitor, practicing exclusively in the areas of UK nationality and immigration law. |
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| With Experience of providing immigration and nationality services, we offer clients a personal and friendly comprehensive solution to their immigration and British nationality needs. |
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What is managed migration? |
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| It is the Governments approach towards the legal admission of foreign nationals (ie non EU nationals) who are subject to immigration controls. It covers all legal routes in which foreign nationals can come to the UK – i.e. work permits, working holidaymakers, low skilled employment schemes, spouses and students |
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| An extension of permission to stay granted to someone who is already in the United Kingdom. |
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What is naturalisation? |
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| Naturalisation is a way of applying for British citizenship which is open to people who have indefinite leave to remain and have lived in the United Kingdom for a minimum period. |
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What is the process for a spouse to come to the UK? |
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A husband, wife, fiance or fiancee may apply to come with or join their partner in the United Kingdom as long as the partner
- currently lives and is settled in the United Kingdom; or
- is returning to the United Kingdom with them to live here permanently and are aged 21 years or over
If an individual has more than one husband or wife, only one of them will be allowed to join their partner here as their husband or wife.
When the husband or wife arrives in the United Kingdom, they will be given permission to stay and work for 2 years. Near the end of the 2 years, if the couple are still married and plan to live together, the husband or wife may apply to remain here permanently. In some cases, the applicants may be granted settlement entry clearance. This gives the husband or wife permission to settle in the UK permanently as soon as he or she arrives. To get settlement entry clearance, the individual must
- have married four years ago
- have spent that four years living together with their spouse outside the United Kindgom; and
- now be returning to the UK to settle here together.
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What is the latest date that I can arrive in the UK with my visa? |
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| The expiry date will be shown on the visa, but remember that this is also the last day on which you are permitted to stay in the UK. |
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Can I use the visa to enter the UK more than one time? |
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| UK visas are normally valid for multiple entries to the UK, until the expiry date shown on the visa. |
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Does the visa guarantee my entry to the UK? |
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You should not experience any problems on arrival in the UK, providing that:
- you have given the entry clearance officer all information relevant to your visit to the UK
- you have not, with or without your knowledge, given false information to support your application, and
- there has been no change to your circumstances, or reasons for going to the UK, since the visa was issued
If you have given false information to support your application you will be refused entry to the UK and may be automatically refused a visa for the following ten years for using deception on an application. |
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If my travel plans are delayed, can the validity of my visa be changed? |
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| No, except where there are compelling compassionate circumstances. At the discretion of an entry clearance officer, the expiry date of a visa can be extended for up to 3 months, provided there has been no change in your circumstances. Otherwise you should apply for another visa. |
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How long does it take to get a UK visa? |
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| The UK Visa Services operate a fast and effective visa service. Interviews for non-settlement applications are processed within 15 working days. If you are applying to settle in the UK, in most cases the application is processed within 12 weeks. |
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What is 'biometric' information? |
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All UK visa applicants, save for those benefiting from a limited number of exemptions and exceptions, are required to provide biometric data (10-digit fingerscans and a digital photograph) as part of the application process.
You will have to go to your nearest visa application centre in person to provide your biometrics. In those countries where there is no visa application centre, you will need to go to the British mission.
Your visa application will not be processed until you have provided the necessary biometric information. The finger scans are electronic so staff do not need to use any ink, liquid or chemicals. You will have your digital photograph taken at the same time and the whole procedure should take no more than five minutes to complete. You should make sure that you do not have any decoration (such as henna), or any cuts or other markings on your fingertips before having your finger scans. You should also make sure that if you have any cuts and bruises on your face, they have healed or disappeared before you have your photograph taken. Digital photographs must be of your full face and you should not wear sunglasses, a hat or any other head covering (unless you wear it for cultural or religious reasons but the face must not be covered).
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What if I am refused a UK visa? |
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| If you are refused a visa to enter the UK, the entry clearance officer will give you a written notice clearly explaining the decision, which will also tell you of your rights of appeal. |
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What if I have been refused entry to another country? |
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| As above, the entry clearance officer may wish to know why you were refused entry to another country. |
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The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme - allows farmers and growers in the UK to recruit overseas workers to undertake work that is both seasonal and agricultural. The scheme helps to meet the shortfall in the supply of seasonal labour from within the UK and European Union.
The SAWS has existed for many years and as well as being an important source of seasonal labour to UK farmers and growers, many overseas workers benefit from the opportunity to earn money and experience some of the culture and sights of the UK.
The SAWS is managed by Work Permits (UK), part of the Home Office. Work Permits (UK) contracts with a number of organisations known as Operators to administer the scheme on its behalf
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What is citizenship? |
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Citizenship, can be confirmed through registration or naturalisation, means becoming a British Citizen and obtaining your own passport.
Changes will come into force from November 1st 2005 that will require new applicants to demonstrate knowledge of life in the United Kingdom as well as the existing requirement of a knowledge of English. New regulations came into force on 28 July 2004 requiring all those applying for naturalisation to demonstrate knowledge of English to the standard of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Entry 3 or recognised equivalent qualifications and applies to spouses as well as principal applicants.
Government believes strongly that the acquisition of British citizenship should be recognised and celebrated as a crucial stage in integration into British life.
We want to encourage those who are settled in the UK to play a full part in their wider community and take up British citizenship.
Under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, we expect successful applicants to attend citizenship ceremonies held in their local communities.
This new arrangement applies to all applications received on or after 1 January 2004. At the citizenship ceremony, new citizens make an oath or affirmation to Her Majesty the Queen and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom. After this the citizen receives a certificate. A website relating to Citizenship Ceremonies provides more information
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What is the Sectors Based Scheme? |
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The development of the Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) was initiated because a need for low skilled short-term casual labour. The pilot has been operating since 30 May 2003, and allows UK employers to recruit overseas nationals to fill certain, specified low-skilled posts (below NVQ level 3) within hospitality and food processing sectors. The SBS permits are issued on an annual quota basis. The quota for 2004/05 was set at 15,000, with 9,000 allocated to the hospitality sector, and 6,000 to Food Manufacturing.
A full review of SBS started in autumn 2004. Food Manufacturing quota remained the until 31 May 2006. The Hospitality quota was scrapped because of abuse of the scheme, and evidence that many employers in this sector were able to meet their labour needs from an expanded EU. The scheme came to an end on 1st July, 2005 at midnight.
The decision on the immediate future of SBS, should be viewed in the wider context of the Government's Five-Year Strategy for Asylum and Immigration, published in February 2005. This proposed that in the light of the additional labour now available from the new EU countries, the current quota based schemes, such as SBS, would be phased out over time in consultation with the industry sectors.
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| Also see details on: |
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| 1. Our Services |
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| 2. Working in UK |
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| 3. Studying in UK |
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