Choosing a UK Immigration Solicitor
Choosing a UK Immigration Solicitor should be easy but with a UK immigration system that is hard to navigate it’s vital you carefully select your Immigration Lawyer.
In this blog, our London Immigration Solicitors explain some of the things you need to consider when deciding on your choice of Immigration Lawyer.
UK Online and London-Based Immigration Solicitors
For immigration law advice call London-based OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or contact us online.
Our lawyers speak Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, French/Mauritian Creole, Spanish, Tamil Tagalog/Ilonggo, Urdu/Punjabi
Do you need an Immigration Solicitor?
The first question some visa applicants ask is whether they need an Immigration Lawyer or if they can deal with their visa application and the Home Office directly. There is no requirement to appoint an Immigration Solicitor but doing so can help ensure that you are applying for the visa that gives you the best chance of securing a visa and meets your long-term goals. For example, not all visas lead to settlement in the UK and some Work Visas don’t have a minimum salary threshold or a sponsorship requirement.
If you decide that you don’t need an Immigration Solicitor and your visa application is refused then it is harder to get your visa on appeal. That’s because you cannot use the fact that you didn’t use an Immigration Solicitor to apply for your visa as a ground for appeal against the refusal.
If you know that your application is not straightforward, or if getting your visa quickly is a big priority, our Immigration Solicitors say it can be cheaper to appoint an Immigration Lawyer to make your visa application rather than risk a refusal and then appoint a solicitor to deal with what could either be a complicated visa appeal or to make a fresh application for you.
If you are unsure if you need an Immigration Solicitor our experts are always happy to talk to you to find out what sort of visa you intend to apply for or to discuss a planned Indefinite Leave to Remain or British citizenship application. We can give you information and a no-obligation quote on the legal fees and timescales so you can decide whether you want to use a lawyer.
Do you need an Immigration Solicitor in the UK?
You may think it is easier to use an Immigration Attorney in your home country when you are applying for a Work Visa, Family Visa or Business Visa from outside the UK. You may assume that time differences, language issues or making an appointment to see a solicitor make choosing a solicitor in your home country the best option.
You don’t have to use a UK Immigration Solicitor to apply for your visa but there are advantages of using a lawyer who specialises in UK immigration law, has substantial experience in dealing with the Home Office and understands how to get visa applications approved.
At OTS Solicitors our Immigration Lawyers represent people across the globe with appointments made online so you get to see your representative but also have the advantage of dealing with an award winning firm experienced in navigating the complexities of the UK immigration system.
Choosing an Immigration Solicitor in London or where you live in the UK
If you are based in the UK, you may need an Immigration Solicitor to help with a visa extension application, applying for a Dependant Visa to bring a family member to the UK, applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain or British citizenship. You may think your easiest option is to see a solicitor near your home or place of work. However, it can be equally convenient to have an online consultation with Immigration Solicitors who specialise in securing the type of visa you need and who have a great success record.
Immigration policies, rules and Home Office guidance are complex and constantly changing so our view is that your lawyer’s location is not the key criterion when it comes to your choice of lawyer. Whether you are sitting in your lawyer’s office or having an online consultation makes little difference to you. However, having a lawyer who deals with complicated immigration applications all the time compared to one who does a bit of immigration work in between providing family, property and other legal advice could make the difference between visa success or failure.
You can use an Immigration Solicitor for your visa appeal
We always welcome inquiries from visa applicants who have dealt with their own visa application or those who have used a lawyer in their home country or the town where they are based in the UK. However, if you have had an application rejected or refused it goes on your immigration record. That increases the risk of another refusal or your being unsuccessful in an appeal.
When you appeal against a visa refusal there are procedures to follow. You must prove that the Home Office either got the law wrong or misunderstood and misapplied the facts. That’s harder than submitting a visa application that addresses all the eligibility criteria and provides the correct supporting documents.
At OTS Solicitors we are great believers in getting things right. That’s perhaps why we have become the ’go to’ Immigration Solicitors for appeals and complicated applications where there has been a history of visa refusals or changes in solicitor. We are always happy to chat with clients to see if we can make a difference and give you an honest opinion and advice on your most cost-effective visa option.
Why your choice of Immigration Solicitor matters
If you choose your Immigration Solicitor with care you stand a better chance of applying for the right visa for your circumstances, getting your visa on the first application or in securing Indefinite Leave to Remain.
The choice of Immigration Solicitor can seem overwhelming especially as many of them have excellent Google reviews and are accredited to provide immigration legal advice.
That’s why at OTS Solicitors we recommend that you look for an Immigration Lawyer who:
- Does not guarantee success. No honest lawyer can give you a 100% promise you will get your visa as the Home Office decides the outcome of your application. A lawyer can explain if they think you will get your visa without difficulty but it is a red flag to be told that a lawyer guarantees visa success or has a 100% track record in all their visa applications
- Gives you a quote and timescale. Some Immigration Solicitors can give you a fixed quote for some types of immigration applications. In other situations, you may get a quote at the outset of your instructions as there may be too many variables to offer a fixed fee. As a minimum, you need a clear idea of likely costs and timescale and how and why they may change
- You can work with. You don’t need to be friends with your Immigration Solicitor but you need to feel comfortable speaking to them about your personal and financial circumstances and confident that they are listening to what you want and will do their best for you. Sometimes you may not gel with a person or may feel that you want to work with one Immigration Solicitor rather than be passed around a large team of lawyers, never knowing who will answer your calls or give you advice. That’s why an initial no-obligation chat is so important to you as an immigration client and to your Immigration Solicitor. It helps you get a feel for your lawyer and the firm and helps your lawyer understand whether they can meet your expectations and deliver the immigration advice you are looking for
At OTS Solicitors we welcome calls to see how we can help and to match your visa and immigration law needs to one of our friendly Immigration Solicitors. We all provide excellent legal advice but we think there is more to being an Immigration Lawyer than getting the law right. Our clients agree. Here is what one client said in a 2024 review:
‘’I want to express my gratitude for the exceptional support provided by Sanae Sahebjalal, in my family extension visa application. Sanae demonstrated an impressive level of professionalism, making the intricate process seamless and stress-free. Her clear communication, attention to detail, and proactive approach ensured I was well-informed at every step. What truly sets Sanae apart is her genuine empathy and dedication. She not only understands the legal aspects but also cares deeply about the well-being of her clients and their families. A heartfelt thank you, Sanae, for your unwavering dedication and support’’.
UK Online and London-Based Immigration Solicitors
For immigration law advice call London-based OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or contact us online.
Our lawyers speak Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, French/Mauritian Creole, Spanish, Tamil Tagalog/Ilonggo, Urdu/Punjabi
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