LGBTQ+ Immigration Support: Moving Between the UK and US
Our US Immigration Solicitors have noted a surge in inquiries about UK visa options to move from the US to the UK, particularly from members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Our Immigration Lawyers at OTS Solicitors London support LGBTQ+ individuals and their families navigating immigration between the US and the UK and can answer your questions following the recent political changes.
UK Online and London-Based LGBTQ+ Immigration Solicitors
For immigration law advice call 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.
Adapting to US Policy Shifts Under the Trump Administration
From the internet and phone inquiries, our Immigration Lawyers in London have received recently, it’s clear that many LGBTQ+ individuals and families are exploring the option of moving from the US to the UK. Those thinking of relocating to the US or who have pending US applications are questioning if a move to the US is still in their best interests.
Whilst some may want to change their immigration and settlement plans or leave the US our Immigration Solicitors are urging time for reflection and time to adapt to any US policy shifts under the Trump administration.
Many realise that what is said during political campaigns doesn’t always materialise into policy. Alternatively, you may have time to weigh up your options to work out whether staying in the US is acceptable. As specialist Immigration Solicitors we always counsel against knee-jerk reactions to immigration policy changes. Potential policy shifts under the Trump administration are no different and therefore you should take expert legal advice so you can make a measured decision on your future.
Immigration Pathways to the UK for LGBTQ+ Individuals
If you decide it’s time to leave the US there are several immigration pathways to the UK for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
The first point our Immigration Attorneys always emphasise is that under UK immigration rules your gender and sexuality are irrelevant unless you are making an asylum claim and fleeing persecution because you are LGBTQ+. Your LGBTQ+ status may then be relevant if it is the reason for persecution.
Accordingly, the UK immigration pathways are open to all, whether you are straight or LGBTQ+. The routes to the UK include:
- Visitor Visas if you are coming to the UK as a tourist or to check out the UK as a place to move to
- Student Visas if you want to become an international student in the UK
- Work Visas such as the Skilled Worker Visa, Health and Care Worker Visa or Graduate Visa
- Business Visas such as the Innovator Founder Visa, UK Expansion Worker Visa or Self Sponsorship Visa
- Family Visas such as the Dependant Visa, Spouse Visa or Unmarried Partner Visa
Some, but not all these visas, allow you to bring family members on Dependant Visas.
Some, but not all these visas, allow you to settle in the UK and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain and then British citizenship. Some visa routes, such as the Global Business Mobility Visa even allow you to apply for quick or accelerated Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Whether you or a member of your family is LGBTQ+ it's important to work out your immigration goals before you make a UK visa application. Our UK Immigration Solicitors are always happy to discuss your short-term needs, priorities and long-term goals.
The LGBTQ+ family for UK visa applications
In many US states you can't get legal recognition of your relationship and you aren’t treated as an official family. That isn’t the case in the UK where LGBTQ+ couples have the choice of getting married or entering a civil partnership so their relationship has legal validity. LGBTQ+ couples can also adopt, foster or use surrogacy as an option to grow their family.
If you are part of an LGBTQ+ couple who can't get married in your US state and are worried that your partner won't qualify for a Dependant Visa if you apply to come to the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa or another type of visa then speak to our Immigration Solicitors for advice. The answer is that there is a solution as unmarried partners in same-sex relationships may qualify for a Dependant Visa. That’s because the UK immigration rules define a ‘dependant’ as being a husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner or your child if your child is aged under 18 at the date of the visa application.
US Immigration Options for UK and EU LGBTQ+ Citizens
If you are looking at moving to the US from the UK or EU and you are LGBTQ+ then you have pathways to do so. Our Immigration Attorneys can advise on your options once we understand a bit about your circumstances and find out if you have a partner or family that plans to move with you.
OTS Solicitors: Specialist Support for LGBTQ+ Immigration Needs
The differences between Immigration Solicitors can be extensive or subtle; you just know when your solicitor isn’t listening to you or that you are just being tolerated.
At OTS Solicitors we hope that our immigration legal expertise is self-evident. We are also a friendly bunch of lawyers who like to think we are some of the best UK Visa Solicitors providing excellent client care and LGBTQ+ support to help you work out the best UK visa for your family, work or business circumstances.
Bespoke UK and US Immigration Guidance with OTS Solicitors
Immigration advice needs to be bespoke to you and your family circumstances. If it isn’t bespoke to you then it's likely to be worthless. You may be told by Google that you qualify for a US visa or that you are not eligible for a UK visa. However, unless you have fully consulted with Immigration Lawyers and talked to them about your situation and the type of work or activities you want to do in the US or UK the likelihood is that you can't rely on the generic information.
For example, while Graduate Visas are a type of UK Work Visa, they are unsuitable for you if you are a US graduate or if you want to bring family members with you on Dependant Visas or if your main priority is to settle in the UK ASAP.
At OTS Solicitors London we are proud that we have some of the best UK Visa Solicitors and best US Visa Lawyers to provide you with the bespoke LGBTQ+ immigration legal advice you need and to provide the LGBTQ+ support that can make a complex visa or settlement application process that bit easier to deal with.
UK Online and London-Based LGBTQ+ Immigration Solicitors
For immigration law advice call 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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