If you are facing risks in your home country, protection is given under international and UK law. We will help you make out your claim to the UK Border Agency, and on appeal, if required. We offer legal aid services in asylum law.

We take advantage of your extensive knowledge of immigration law to determine whether your circumstances, e.g. your family and private life in the UK, justify making an application outside the Immigration Rules.

If you're in the UK based on your relationship with your partner, and you are a victim of violence, you may still be able to remain in the UK even if your relationship breaks down. Contact us to find out if we can help you.

If you plan to accompany your employer as a domestic or household worker, it is necessary to apply for a Domestic Worker visa. This visa is suitable for chauffeurs, gardeners, cooks and nannies who fulfil the requirements. You will generally be issued with a visa for six to 12 months depending on how long your employer will stay in the UK. It is also possible to extend your visa. You are allowed to change jobs provided you continue to work as a domestic worker in a private household.

The au pair visa is available to single people between the ages of 17 and 27 years who want to come to the United Kingdom to learn English and live with an English speaking family working as an au pair. Any application for an au pair visa must be made from outside the UK. Anyone from the EU is also allowed to participate in the au pair scheme.

EEA Registration Certificates and EEA Residence Cards allow European nationals and their dependants to live and work in the UK. Any citizen of a relevant EU country taking up residence in the UK in accordance with EU treaty rights is entitled to bring their family with them to the UK. You can enter the UK freely with the minimum of documentation. You are not required to apply for entry clearance. You may still be asked to show some evidence and you will need your passport or national identity card.

On arrival in the UK we would advise any European national to make an application for an EEA Registration Certificate. This certificate confirms your right of extended residence in the UK. Registration Certificates are particularly useful if you are married to a non-EEA national or have children who are not EEA nationals who may also want to come and live with you here. They are useful if you decide to stay in the UK to work or study, or if you need to access welfare benefits. Your dependants will need to each obtain an EEA Residence Card.

An application for Indefinite Leave to Remain can be made by any who has held an EEA Registration Certificate or an EEA Residence Card, after five years of residence in the UK.

We can advice on, and prepare, applications to come to the UK in any category under the Immigration Rules including family visits and leave to remain, family reunion, for work or study. There are many categories to chose from, contact us to see which is suitable for you.

The Human Rights Act 1998 gives further legal effect in the UK to the fundamental rights and freedoms contained in the European Convention on Human Rights. These rights not only impact matters of life and death, they also affect the rights you have in your everyday life: what you can say and do, your beliefs, your right to a fair trial and other similar basic entitlements.

Most rights have limits to ensure that they do not unfairly damage other people's rights. However, certain rights – such as the right not to be tortured – can never be limited by a court or anybody else.

• You have the responsibility to respect other people's rights, and they must respect yours.
• Your human rights are:
• the right to life
• freedom from torture and degrading treatment
• freedom from slavery and forced labour
• the right to liberty
• the right to a fair trial
• the right not to be punished for something that wasn't a crime when you did it
• the right to respect for private and family life
• freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and freedom to express your beliefs
• freedom of expression
• freedom of assembly and association
• the right to marry and to start a family
• the right not to be discriminated against in respect of these rights and freedoms
• the right to peaceful enjoyment of your property
• the right to an education
• the right to participate in free elections
• the right not to be subjected to the death penalty

If any of these rights and freedoms are breached, you have a right to an effective solution in law, even if the breach was by someone in authority, such as, for example, a police officer. If you are in a situation in which you believe that your human rights are being violated, it's advisable to see if the problem can be resolved without going to court by using mediation or an internal complaints body. Where you believe your rights have not been respected and you cannot resolve the problem outside court, you are entitled to bring a case before the appropriate court or tribunal in the UK. The court or tribunal will then consider your case. Before you decide to take any legal action is important that you seek legal advice from us.

This service is for people who want to check their status and prepare for the future. It is also suitable for people who are overstayers, and want to know how to resolve their status.

The Long Residency visa, which is granted only at the discretion of the Home Office, allows people who have been in UK for exceptionally long continuous periods to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, or settlement. Generally these long-term residency visas are awarded after 10 or 14 years in the country. If a person has been in the UK legally for 10 continuous years they can apply for ILR. If a person has not had legal residence for the whole period, they would only be able to apply for ILR after 14 continuous years. There are some special circumstances where people with children may apply earlier than 10 years, however, this is often only taken into account as one of many factors in the application.

Because discretion is required, these applications require a lot of preparation in order to give it the best chance of success, this is where we can help. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to take advantage of the help we can provide.

We can assist those that are here illegally or have overstayed to regularise their stay in the UK.

If you are coming to the UK for a limited period, generally not exceeding 6 months, you can apply for a short term visit visa. You must prove that you can cover the cost of your journey, and accommodate yourself, without any expense to the UK government. There are many specialised visit categories including children, entertainers, visitors in transit, persons requiring private medical treatment, entry for marriage, and study. Visas can be granted for a single or multiple visit.

This category of application should be straight-forward, however, it is often the category which attracts the highest refusal rate. If it is refused, there is limited scope for appeal, so often you will be required to make a completely new application. It is important that the application is prepared well, and evidence is provided to confirm your intention to return home. This is where we can help, call us now for further information.

A UK Fiancé/fiancée visa allows a person to bring their fiancé/fiancée to eventually live with them in the UK. All fiancés/fiancées obtain entry clearance before they travel to the UK. In order to qualify, the person already in the UK will need to have settled status in the UK. Entry clearance enables the applicant to come to the UK for an initial period of 6 months. Fiancés/fiancées will be given entry clearance which is only for the purpose of travelling to the UK to get married.

Within this 6-month period they are not allowed to be employed and are prohibited from having access to public funds. It is expected that fiancés/fiancées will marry within the initial 6-month period of their leave. If it is not possible for the couple to marry within this period, we can make an application on your behalf to the Home Office to extend your visa. We will need to demonstrate good cause as to why the marriage has not taken place and be able to show when the marriage will take place.

Once the couple are married, the applicant is eligible to apply for a variation of their leave, to stay in the UK as a spouse. The applicant will then be entitled to a 2-year probationary period of leave. Once the fiancé/fiancée visa has successfully been switched to a Marriage visa, the applicant will be able to start working in the UK.

The process of obtaining a fiancé/fiancée can sometimes be overwhelming, and a lot of work must be done in a short period of time. Avoid complications, and contact us now.

These categories allow foreign nationals that are already married to a British citizen, or person who has settlement status in the UK, to enter or remain in the UK. If you are not already married, but you wish to travel to the UK for the purpose of marriage, then you will need a fiancé(e) visa instead.

If the applicant is outside the UK then they must apply for Entry Clearance in order to be allowed to travel to the UK as a spouse. Anyone who arrives in the UK for the purpose of settling with their spouse without a Spouse visa will be refused entry. If the applicant is in the UK, then an application for Further Leave to Remain as a spouse will need to be made.

Once the Spouse visa has been issued, the holder is entitled to work without restriction. In addition, they are also permitted to leave and re-enter the UK as they wish for a two-year period. The 2-year period is a probationary period and at the end of this period, the UK Border Agency will need to see proof that the couple have been living together throughout this time, before they grant ILR, or settlement. If you have been together for 4 years or more outside the UK before you apply, then you will be entitled to ILR straight away, without the 2-year probationary period.

The UK Border Agency will always expect a substantial amount of documentary evidence, or explanation, before the application is successful. We have prepared countless successful applications, for various types of relationships, in this category. If you require our assistance, contact us no.

If you are a parents, grandparent, child, sibling, aunt or uncle, and you are living alone in exceptional circumstances, you may also qualify for a dependancy visa if you are already financially dependant on your relative in the UK.

Parents or grandparents who wish to come to the UK together, where one is at least 65 years of age may apply. A widowed parent or grandparent who is at least 65 years of age may also apply. If you are already financially dependant on a family member in the UK, then the rules are not as strict. Parents and grandparents under 65 years of age, must be living in the most exceptional compassionate circumstances alone.

Before an application for a UK dependant visa can be approved, you will need to show that the person you wish to become dependant on in the UK has the means and is willing to support you. They must also be willing and able to support any of your dependants who will travel with you. There is generally no time limit on UK dependency, as you will be granted Indefinite Leave to Remain if you meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules.

However, it is difficult to meet the rules in this category, so we would recommend advice before making this application. Please contact us if you require assistance.

Under the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa category, applicants can migrate to the UK on the basis of their plans to invest in a UK business. Applicants can either start up a new business, or take control of an established business. You will not have permission to take employment in the UK.The essential requirements for an applicant under this category are substantial funds devoted for investment in the UK, and evidence that the applicant will be assuming control of a UK business.

Under Tier 1, applicants applying under the 'Investors' visa category must evidence their intent to contribute a significant investment in the UK. While this is also a prerequisite for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa category, the investment amount required for applicants under the Tier 1 Investor category is significantly greater and there are no requirements applied to starting up or assuming control of a business.

Your initial Tier 1 visa will be approved for three years. Near the end of the initial three year period, you will be able to apply for a two year extension, bringing your total time in the UK on a Tier 1 visa to five years. At the end of five years in total, you will be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, which will allow you to remain in the UK without any time limits or restrictions.

These categories are often under review, and the route to settlement may be shorted. If your require up to date advice, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Tier 1 (General) category of the Points Based System (PBS) allows highly skilled people to look for work or self-employment opportunities in the UK. Unlike sponsored skilled workers (who are covered by Tier 2 of the points-based system), you do not need a job offer if you are applying as a highly skilled worker.

When you apply, you are awarded points based on your qualifications, previous earnings, UK experience, age, English language skills and funds. If successful, you have the same access to the UK jobs market as a UK national. You do not need to obtain sponsorship from an employer. You may also set up in business. You may bring your spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner, and your children with you. You must demonstrate you are able to support and maintain them. Dependants will be allowed to work in the UK.

After 5 years residence in the UK you can apply for ILR, or settlement. We are highly skilled in the PBS, and happy to help you through the process.

You are able to enter the UK to take part in an organised sporting event, if you have a letter of invitation. You can enter the UK for up to six months as a sportsperson, without a work permit, and there are visa restrictions on the type of sporting activities that you can participate in, for example, as a business visitor, you can negotiate sponsorship deals and contracts, participate in unpaid trials, and participate in promotional work that involve personal appearances. A professional sportsperson or an amateur sportsperson can take part at paid competitive sporting events, unpaid charity sporting events, unpaid benefits, unpaid testimonials and exhibition matches. And a personal coach can accompany a sportsperson. A work permit will be required if you want to join or represent a sports team in the UK in a paid capacity, coach sportspeople in the UK, or stay in the UK as a sportsperson for more than six months. This work permit category applies to sportspeople who have reached the highest levels in their sport.

If you are an entertainer who has performed at the highest level and have an established reputation, and you have an invitation to perform at a specific event as an amateur or professional entertainer, you may qualify for a UK Entertainer visa. Single and multiple entry visas, as well as individual and group visas, are available in this category.

Tier 2 Work Permits allow skilled candidates with a job offer to immigrate to the UK. Highly Skilled Migrants without a job offer may qualify for a Tier 1 Visa instead. Employers must first obtain a Sponsorship Licence to enable them to issue Certificates of Sponsorship, and once they have, the employer can issue the candidate a Certificate of Sponsorship. But before doing so, the employer must complete a resident labour market test, as well as many other requirements, demonstrating they could not fill the job with an applicant from the European Economic Area (EEA). Employers will not need to complete a resident labour market test for shortage occupations. An occupation on the Shortage List is accepted to difficult to fill with a resident worker.

Tier 2 immigration offers the possibility of permanent residence in the UK. Candidates living and working in the UK for five years may qualify for Indefinite Leave to remain (ILR). After a further year, a candidate may qualify for British Naturalisation as a UK citizen.

Mulberry Finch have the expertise to assist you with Tier 2 immigration. If you would like to know more about coming to the UK on a tier 2 work permit, or you need to apply for a sponsorship licence call us now.

This category is for employees of multinational companies who are being transferred by their overseas employer to a UK branch of the organisation, either on a long-term basis or for frequent short visits. There are 4 sub-categories (i) long-term (ii) short-term (iii) graduate trainee, and (iv) skills transfer. As this is a Tier 2 category you must have a sponsor and a valid certificate of sponsorship before you apply. Points are then awarded based on your salary, sponsorship, English language (if applicable) skills and maintenance. You will be given a period of leave in line with the category applied for, the longer the category of placement, the longer the leave you will be granted.

If you applied under the Tier 2 (Intra company transfer) category before 6 April 2010, or if you switch into that category from being an intra-company transferee work permit holder, you can apply for settlement when you have been here for 5 years.

Like all other Points Based Categories, the applications are complicated and rely on a large amount of evidence, based on a particular format, and date of issue. Please contact us so that we can give your application the best chance of success.

Tier 4 of the Points Based System (PBS) was introduced to simplify student visas. However, it has since become a very complex area of immigration law, it is difficult to follow the overly strict and detailed requirements contained in the ever changing Tier 4 Guidance and the UK courts continue to make decisions which change the way the UK Border Agency consider your applications. Add to that complexity, the current government's policy on immigration which is intended to drive down numbers of students coming to, and staying in, the UK. Seraphus has a wealth of experience in preparing successful Tier 4 applications and challenging those wrongly refused either on review by an Entry Clearance Manager, or on Appeal inside the UK. We also help with switching from Tier 4 into other tiers in the PBS. The rules on variation of leave are very complex, so it is advisable you speak to us before you make your decision to switch.

In order to sponsor an employee or student under the Points Based System (PBS), businesses and education establishments in the UK will need to be approved in advance by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). The PBS will see licensed sponsors issuing potential employees and students with a certificate of sponsorship. The certificate of sponsorship does not in any way guarantee or secure the visa if the supporting documentation for an application cannot be verified independently.

Applications to the UKBA are made online, with supporting documentation to be forwarded afterwards. Applicants will need to stipulate on the application form which tiers of sponsorship they require. The UKBA will assess the applications and investigate sponsor, and check their immigration history, to ensure that only licenses are issued to bona fide organisations. Even after a successful application, the UKBA will continue to monitor licensees to ensure they are fulfilling the requirements of the PBS. This will involve UKBA staff making visits to sponsors (pre-arranged or not) to ensure adequate systems continue. Reviews will be conducted and checks made to ensure that the requirements of the system are not being abused. Large penalties will be issued in instances where noncompliance issues are identified.

An initial registration fee will be payable and will be renewable every four years. On top of this, a set fee will need to be paid when a sponsor issues a certificate of sponsorship. We can assist at every stage, either with one-off applications, or remain on call, subject to an annual fee, as and when help is required.

ILR, otherwise know as Settlement or Permanent Residence, will allow you to live in the UK indefinitely. It will allow you to leave and return to the UK as you wish, and engage in any type of employment or business. You will no longer have any immigration restrictions. There is no time restriction on your stay in the UK once ILR is approved. Eventually you may then apply for British Nationality.

ILR can be granted once you have been living in the UK for a required amount of time, the length of that time is dependent on the type of leave you currently hold. You will need to show that you will continue to meet the requirements of your current visa to be eligible for ILR. You need to have stayed in the UK for most of the time that you have held your visa. You are allowed to have travelled abroad during your this period, as long as this was not for extended periods. If you have spent large periods of time outside of the UK, it may be difficult to obtain ILR approval. You must also plan to remain present and settled in the UK.

Applications for ILR must be well prepared, the UK Border Agency fee for this application is very high, and an application that needs to be resubmitted a second time will need to be accompanied with a second payment of the government charge, and if returned after your leave expired may mean you are considered an overstayer. We can assist you in ensuring this does not happen to you.

Once you have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain you can apply for British Nationality, or Naturalisation, but it is not mandatory to do so. However, there are benefits for doing so. Naturalisation will affirm your life in the UK, ensure you are completely free from British immigration control forever, allow you to obtain a British passport, and the benefit of the protection of the UK government overseas. You might also qualify for British Nationality through Registration or through the Right of Abode in the UK. Of all the immigration laws, citizenship can be the most complicated. If you would like further information and personal advice on naturalisation in the UK, please contact us.

Because we are solicitors, and not just immigration advisors, not only can we assist and represent you in relation to any application, we can also represent you at appeals, UK Border Agency and overseas Entry Clearance reviews, Judicial Reviews in the High Court and appeals to the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Communities.

If your application has been refused, we do not refer you somewhere else. We will continue to look after your case and, as long as you have a chance of succeeding, we can continue to help you. Because we are specialised presenting appeals at the Immigration and Asylum Chamber, it helps in keeping the overall cost of legal advice down as this will be included in the overall fee.

We also give you an honest opinion as to the success of initial applications to the UK Border Agency and Entry Clearance Office, so our success rate at this stage is very high. This means that investing some time, effort and money at this point, often avoids further time and cost at appeals.

in appeals is very high. We have also had a great deal of success in getting Visa refusals reviewed and overturned.