New Changes Proposed To The Fees For Visas

Every year there are many proposed changes to the Immigration rules that come into effect on the 6th of April. But this year for the first time the Home Office has increased the fees for various visa categories and at the same time these new fees have come into effect on the 18th of March.

The fees for many visa categories have been increased by approximately 2% for visit, study and work visas - the fees for further leave to remain applications have gone up to £811 from £649, but the good news is that the fees for spouse visa applications made in country remains the same at £649.

In the case of Tier 2 applications the good news is that the fees for the Tier 2 General shortage occupation have remained unchanged but the fees for the Tier 2 General Intra Company Transfer have been increased for both the short term and the long term categories.

The visit visa fees have gone up from £85 to £87 whereas the fees for settlement, residence and nationality have been increased by 25% fees for the settlement visa in the last year 2015 was £1500 and this year on the 18th of March 2016 the fees for all settlement applications have been increased to £1875 which is a very steep increase.

The fees for naturalisation applications has also gone up by £231 and is now £1236.

Targeted increases have also been applied to premium services, such as the priority visa service or the fast track postal service.

A new legislation will set maximum levels on the amounts for broad categories of fees that can be charged by the Home Office over the next 4 years. Although there are no current plans to raise fees to the maximum levels this increase will be introduced in the next few years.

According to the Home Office these increases will allow them to reduce taxpayer contributions towards the border, immigration and citizenship system and ensure that by 2019–2020 the system is self funded by those who use it.

If you need a U.K immigration lawyer and need assistance with any aspect of UK immigration law whether from inside the U.K or from overseas, contact Shalini V Bhargava of Aschfords Law in Harrow, London. We also provide legal advise and assistance in respect of Family Law, Wills & Probate, Litigation, Landlord & Tenant. Please contact us today on +44 (0) 7582932830 or visit our website on www.aschfordslaw.com

New Immigration Rules For People Residing In UK

Every year on the 5th of April the changes to the Immigration Rule usually come into effect. Keeping a track of all these changes can be a tough task for many. One of the major changes to the Immigration rules this year is probably in the route to settlement. From 6 April 2016, those applying for settlement as being under the Tier 2 category under the point based system and who entered Tier 2 under the rules in force from 6 April 2011 must be earning at least £35,000 per annum.  The changes will be introduced for indefinite leave to remain applications under the Tier 2 (General) visa category, and the Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) and Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa categories.

These new rules on Tier 2 settlement will apply to anyone who entered or switched into Tier 2 category  of the Points-Based System under the rules in force from 6 April 2011 and those who do not apply for or obtain settlement will have to leave the UK on expiry of their leave and wait 12 months before they can make a new application to return under the Tier 2 category under the U.K immigration law. This £35,000 threshold will be held at that level until April 2018. But for those who will be eligible to apply for settlement from April 2018 should be aware that the threshold will be reviewed to take account of wage inflation.

Tier 2 General migrants who are working in shortage occupations and also those Tier 2 General migrants in designated ‘PhD level’ occupations will be exempt from the settlement pay threshold.  There was initially a lot of talk about the nurses being adversely affected by this change in the rules, however, as the occupation of nurses have been reinstated  on the shortage occupation list they do not have anything to worry about.

Overall, after the completion of 5 years in the country if the applicants under the Tier 2 category who are not on the shortage of occupation list and are unable to show this high income threshold then they will have no option but to return to their home country.

If you need a U.K immigration lawyer and need assistance with any aspect of UK immigration law whether from inside the U.K or from overseas, contact Shalini V Bhargava of Aschfords Law in Harrow, London. Please contact us today on +44 (0) 7582932830 or visit our website on www.aschfordslaw.com.

Aschfords Law can also advise and assist with Family, Divorce and Children’s law, Wills & Probate, Landlord & Tenant, Residential and Commercial Conveyancing.

Lasting Power Of Attorney And Planning Ahead For The Unpredictable

A lasting power of attorney is a legal tool which allows you to appoint an individual that you trust by giving them authority to make certain decisions on your behalf should you lose mental capacity. By creating a lasting power of attorney, you will be eliminating the anxiety of your loved ones of managing your finances should you lose mental capacity.

The appointed individual will be given the legal authority to manage your finances and also the authority to deal with matters concerning your health and welfare if you get to a stage where you are unable to do so.

By not creating a lasting power of attorney and should there come a time in the future that you lose mental capacity, the Court of Protection may become involved in appointing someone else to make decisions on your behalf. In the event of this happening, your loved ones may have to go through both lengthy and distressing delays in addition to the expense of applying to the court to seek authority on your behalf, which they may not even be given. You must be aware that an application could also be made by a person you do not trust or do not wish to give authority to!

Creating a lasting power of attorney does not mean that you have lost control. You are in fact more in control as you have had the chance to appoint someone who trust. You are also able to choose whether it can be used either before or put into action only after you lose mental capacity.

The requirements for being able to create a lasting power of attorney are simple.

1. You must be over 18 years of age
2. You must have mental capacity with the ability to make your own decisions at the time the lasting power of attorney is created

Both adults and young adults can lose mental capacity at any stage in life through for example, illness and accidents. It is therefore recommended that a lasting power of attorney is created as soon as one is able to.

If someone is already diagnosed with a condition likely to cause loss of mental capacity, they are strongly advised to consider creating a lasting power of attorney.

It is important to create lasting power of attorney whilst you are still mentally capable to do so and before it is required to ensure that your finances are protected and being managed by an individual appointed and trusted by you.

Aschfords Law are highly experienced in advising and creating lasting power of attorneys for a range of clients. Our Private Client team provide all clients with discrete and personal advice which is tailored to their own individual circumstances and requirements.

So if you are considering creating a lasting power of attorney or simply want to know more, do not delay and contact Aschfords Law on 020 3586 4050 to speak with our expert lawyers. You can also email to info@aschfordslaw.com

Aschfords Law provides a legal service that is honest and transparent. We endeavour to save cost and fee for the client wherever possible.

Aschfords Law also provides legal advice and assistance in respect of matters concerning UK Investment visa lawyer, UK Immigration Law, Family, Wills & Probate, Litigation, Conveyancing and Landlord & Tenant matters.

Error On Divorce Form ‘could Have Led To Unfair Settlements’

On the 18th December 2015, a perturbing headline reported on the BBC News website, which may cause concern to parties who have agreed on their divorce settlements since April 2014.

When parties are going through their financial divorce process, they are required to complete Form E, a lengthy 20 page form giving full details of their assets and liabilities including property, pension and policies. There appears to be a critical fault found in the software for the usage of Form E on the Ministry of Justice website. There is an investigation being conducted and BBC have reported that Officials of HMCTS have stated that all affected parties will be contacted as soon as possible.

This demonstrates the difficulties that is faced by parties in trying to resolve their matrimonial issues without specialist legal advice.

For further assistance regarding the BBC report or advice on matrimonial issues and any aspect of family law London, please contact our office on 07582932830 or 020 83586 4050 or email info@aschfordslaw.com for a brief informal chat.

Aschfords Law believes in providing a legal service that is honest and transparent.

UK Immigration - The New Points Based System

Tier 1

This route is accessible for business persons.

Exceptional Talent

If you are a universally perceived and incredibly skilled individual in the field of sciences, humanities, building, expressions and initiative this route is accessible to you.

Graduate Entrepreneur

If you graduated from a University in the UK, you can apply to stay here if you have created solid business thoughts and wish to build up a business in the UK.

Entrepreneur

We can help you with a entrepreneur visa if you are a person who wishes to build up, join, or assume control over a business in the United Kingdom.

Investor

If you want to invest in the United Kingdom, then UK investment visa lawyer will advise you to show that you have the cash to do as such. The investor category is intended to permit high total assets people to make a considerable financial interest in the United Kingdom.

Tier 2

This classification is for talented laborers. If your imminent business in the UK is willing to support you, you can apply to come or stay here to do a skilled job. This class replaces the past classification of U.K work grants.

Intra-Company Transfer

If you are a multinational organization hoping to exchange your representatives from abroad (non EEA nationals) to one of your United Kingdom branches then this the route is for you.

General Migrant, Minister of Religion and Sportsperson

We are able to advise if you are a U.K business that selects non EEA nationals to fill specific opening that can't be filled by British or EEA laborers.

If you are a national of a nation outside the EEA or Switzerland, you should apply under the points-based system. You should:

Have a job offer from an authorized sponsor and a substantial declaration of sponsorship; and Pass the points-based assessment.

For more information, visit: http://www.aschfordslaw.com/points-system-in-uk.html

Law Advice On Sponsoring A Relative By Shalini V Bhargava

Aschfords Law Managing Partner and Immigration Solicitor Shalini V Bhargava talks about the U.K Immigration Law on Zee TV on the 3rd Nov, 2015 on sky direct 788 show in U.K and Europe.

It's one more week, and another legitimate show on immigration and today I had a significant number of messages from different viewers who needed assistance and counsel from our old companion Shalini Bhargava, who has many years of lawful experience behind her.

Shalini is always a delight to have on the show and I asked her a various questions.

One of our viewers messaged in and needed to know the procedure of "supporting" a relative from India to go to her child's wedding. Shalini said that sponsorship letters could be given out. However, it was crucial for the relatives in India/Pakistan to make the application in home town. She also highlight the requirement for them to take medicinal services insurance, in case anything was to happen amid their stay in the UK as without it the supporter may be sent a hefty bill for any treatment given to them.

Shalini additionally talked about the significance of managing a rejected application by UK Immigration Uxbridge, A lot of individuals apply for different visas they get rejected and afterward make another application and the past rejected application can affect the present application. Although each new application ought to be considered on its benefits. In this way, the first application ought to well arranged to stay away from any pitfalls in the first occurrence. The probability that the second will get declined becomes high, particularly since the Home Office has split down intensely on migration ever since the General Elections this year.

Shalini stated that in order for an application to be valid, it must:

be made on the correct form with every obligatory sections completed
include the correct fee
include photos in the right configuration
include a passport or travel document
include a BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) where one has been issued (cards are only currently issued when the visa application is made in the UK)
involve a biometrics appointment being booked and attended by the applicant (in the UK and other countries where biometrics are captured)

I was interested to know whether each application made requires a lawful delegate (specialist) to help with the form filling procedure and when Shalini said the Home Office charge for British citizenship was £1005, I almost fainted.

For more information, visit: http://www.aschfordslaw.com/uk-visa.html

How Visa and Immigration Lawyers Can Be Resourceful For You?

An immigration lawyer is an independent professional who helps clients deal with various issues related to visas, U.K. citizenship, and other migration advantages. U.K. immigration law is federal, which implies that you can get assistance from a lawyer in any part of U.K. even if you are currently residing in another country.

Let's take an elementary view of the services offered by the expert:

Delay in visa process- There are times when delays might occur in your Visa process. There can be numerous reasons to it. Sometimes these delays are due to legitimate reasons and sometimes as the result of bureaucracy. In either condition, you have to confront the issues. A professional immigration lawyer in London will look into the status of your Visa application and ensure that application is processed quickly.

Guidance on asylum visa - Asylum is a legitimate status that the U.K. government can grant to individuals who are at danger of harm in their home countries because of who they are—because of political opinion, their religion, or ethnicity, i.e, the governments in their home countries will not protect them.

The procedure for seeking asylum in the U.K. is complicated and an asylum-seeker is more likely to be granted this form of security if he or she is represented by a professional lawyer who understands the situation.

So, go ahead and get started NOW on solving your immigration law issues.