It is a good thing immigration lawyers are there to provide guidance and legal representation to potential immigrants. Whether you’re obtaining a work permit, applying for a green card, facing deportation, or seeking asylum, it’s good to have a St. Louis immigration lawyer by your side.

Let’s break down all the reasons why an immigration lawyer is helpful to clients and applicants.

The Perks of Hiring an Immigration Lawyer

Here’s how you can benefit from getting an immigration lawyer’s legal assistance:

1. Knowledge that helps avoid expensive mistakes

Natural-born citizens and immigrants bear the burden of immigration’s extensive paperwork and complicated process. If you have no idea how any of this work goes, you’ll get lost along the way.

An immigration lawyer gives you a clear understanding of what your application entails. Whether it’s employment-based immigration, marriage licenses, a visa application, or you’re planning to become a permanent resident, these lawyers will walk you through the entire process of each application.

One small mistake in filling out information for the necessary documentation will cost you a lot. Your application may get derailed, buried with other papers, or totally forgotten. You have to pay to process a single document all over again. The knowledge of immigration lawyers prevents you from spending too much on documents alone as they can help avoid getting your application denied.

2. Extensive experience and strategies that work

Immigration lawyers have built a solid experience in handling various immigration cases. They understand the immigration law well and have likely encountered cases like yours.

An experienced immigration attorney studies your case and creates workable solutions. With one by your side, you’re confident someone can guide you through the legal process.

3. Helpful in navigating through immigration’s complexities

Your trusted immigration lawyer can help you through tons of permits necessary for obtaining work visas or applying for U.S. citizenship. They can advise you on the best course of action that you should take in a particular situation.

For example, your visa gets delayed. Your immigration lawyer can work with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to expedite your application. They can reach out to the agency and ask what’s causing the delay in your application. In any case there is an unreasonable delay in your application, they can file a writ of mandamus to force them to make a decision.

4. Present options for your case

Immigration lawyers may not be fully able to decide for you, but they can give you options on what to do with your case regardless of its kind and urgency. They can provide a list of available solutions for you to take and let you understand how it will affect your case, which in turn, allows you to decide the best thing to do.

5. Give up-to-date information

Immigration matters are already complicated, and some information that you stumble upon in Google Search can be misleading. Experienced immigration lawyers have stood the test of time and have seen changes in immigration law. They have the updated information you need. New information helps you tailor your applications to the new rules. It gives you a better chance of getting approval from immigration.

6. Guidance that fits your situation

While it’s alright to ask advice from family members and friends, you have to remember that each immigration experience is different. Immigration lawyers can shed some light on your immigration-related issue after further evaluation of your case. They get you past your specific circumstances unscathed with all their knowledge of the intricacies of your situation.

7. Beat important deadlines

Every application has its own deadline. But along with that is an intricate process of filling out information and gathering supporting documents. Immigration lawyers come into the picture by assisting you in deciding what to prioritize with your application. They can streamline the entire process and ensure you don’t miss anything or fill out wrong information.

Missing the deadline and errors in documentation are both costly. Immigration lawyers do their very best to avoid your late submissions and any documentation mistakes.

8. Benefit over cost

Hiring an immigration lawyer may entail additional costs. But the benefits of investing in their legal assistance can surely outweigh the cost. With their knowledge and experience, you will have a greater chance of immigration success.

Parting Thoughts

Hiring an immigration lawyer as you wade through your immigration journey is an unbeatable relief. They are an absolute help when it comes to submitting applications and what to do if you’re facing a heavy immigration case. The best people you can run to for anything about immigration are the people who practice it.

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There are several things a person needs to navigate when immigrating. Required documents, the process for getting your visa, the proper paperwork, getting a social security number, and more are all vital elements that require immigration lawyer help.

Wrong immigration attorneys can cost you time, money, and more so it is important to do your research and choose carefully. Read on to learn how to choose the best immigration lawyer!

Background and Experience

When choosing an immigration lawyer, it is important to select someone who has experience specifically in immigration law. They should know the ins and outs of the process and be able to answer any of your questions.

This area of law can be complex, and a lawyer who is not well-versed in it may not be able to provide the best possible representation. Check this article on immigration visas to have an idea of what to discuss with your lawyer and some guidelines on filing for immigration.

Experience is not the only factor to consider, however. It is also important to choose a lawyer who you feel comfortable communicating with and who you believe will be an advocate for your case.

Service Rate Offerings

When you are looking for an immigration attorney, you should always consider the cost of service of the lawyer. You want to make sure that you are getting the best value for your money. It helps to shop around and get quotes from a few different lawyers before making your final decision.

Client Reviews

Read client reviews to get an idea of the lawyer’s success rate and level of customer satisfaction. Reading reviews can also give you insights into the lawyer’s communication style and whether they’re easy to work with.

Be sure to read both positive and negative reviews to get a well-rounded idea of the lawyer’s skills and abilities. Once you’ve read a few reviews, you should have a good sense of which immigration attorneys in your area are the best choice for your needs.

Have any of your friends or family used an immigration lawyer before? If so, ask them for their opinion. You can also check for online reviews to get an idea of what others have thought of a particular lawyer.

Face-to-Face Meeting Impression

Finally, you should schedule a consultation with a few different lawyers. At the consultation, you will be able to get a sense of the lawyer’s personality and whether or not you would be comfortable working with them. You should also ask the lawyer about their experience with cases like yours and whether they think you have a strong case.

Choosing Your Immigration Lawyer

After meeting with several different immigration lawyers, you should now have a clear idea of which one to choose. Be sure to ask questions and get a sense of how they would handle your case. Choose the immigration lawyer you feel the most comfortable with and who you think will give you the best chance of success.

If you think this article has helped you, check out our other blogs!

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In general, fees for applications made from within the UK have stayed the same from the 2018/2019 year to the 2019/2020 year. This is great news for applicants, because many visa categories already charged quite a substantial amount of money to apply. For example, it currently costs £2,389 to submit an indefinite leave to remain application.

Unfortunately, these hefty fees are unavoidable. If you don’t pay them, your application simply won’t be accepted. It’s always a good idea to get a professional solicitor to help you with your UK visa application to make sure that you are eligible to apply and that you don’t make mistakes in your application.

When you can apply for British citizenship

If you have been living in the UK for five years or more, you may be eligible to apply for British citizenship. You must have held indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for at least the past year if you are from outside the EEA. If you are from an EEA country and you have held permanent UK residence for the past year you may also be able to apply for British citizenship.

If you have British parents, are stateless or have previously renounced your British citizenship you may be able to apply. British subjects, overseas citizens, overseas territory citizens and protected persons can also apply for British citizenship.

Citizenship fees

No exception to the freeze, the 2019 British citizenship fees are also all staying the same as they were in 2018. As they currently stand, British citizenship and naturalisation fees are as follows:

• Naturalisation: £1,330
• Naturalisation as a British overseas territory citizen: £1,000
• Adult nationality registration as a British citizen: £1,206
• Child nationality registration as a British citizen: £1,012
• Adult nationality registration as a British overseas territory citizen, overseas citizen, subject or protected person: £901
• Child nationality registration as a British overseas territory citizen, overseas citizen, subject or protected person: £810

As well as the initial application fees listed above there are also additional fees related to citizenship and naturalisation applications, which are:

• Duplication of citizenship certificate: £250
• Citizenship ceremony fee: £80
• Confirmation of status as a British citizen: £250
• Reconsideration of a naturalisation or registration application: £372
• Nationality correction to certificate: £250

Applying for British citizenship can have many benefits, including the ability to obtain a British passport, vote in UK elections and unrestricted travel in and out of the UK. It is important that you know that you a) are eligible to apply and b) can afford the citizenship fees before you make an application to avoid rejection.

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There are reasons beyond your control which might have contributed towards your application being refused, however below you can find six common errors immigration solicitors come across which you can avoid when applying next time.

Applying for the wrong type of visa

The Home Office are particularly strict when it comes to even the simplest administrative errors. You could be rejected for simply applying for the wrong type of visa. This is because UK categories are set out specifically for certain types of people to gain access to the UK under rules which suit them.

Each visa has eligibility requirements for applicants to meet, so if you apply for the wrong visa category and don’t meet even one requirement, this will lead to the Home Office refusing you entry clearance.

A lot of people think that they can apply for a visit visa and then switch to a more permanent visa category once they are in the UK, but this is not the case. Specialists do not recommend taking this approach, because if the Home Office suspect that this is your plan, they will refuse your visit visa altogether.

Failing your English language test

For most UK visas, especially long-term ones, you will need to take a certified English language test. You must achieve a minimum score of B1, but in some cases the Home Office might require a higher score of B2.

Level B1 is the third level of English in the Common European Framework of Reference and means that you have to be able to speak English at an ‘intermediate’ level. This means you have to know the basics, but don’t have to be able to work or study in English.

Organising your documents incorrectly

In every visa application, the Home Office will pay attention to the smallest details. As well as having to submit all the correct documentation, it also has to be submitted in the correct order. They should be submitted chronologically, with important information shown clearly.

Enlisting an immigration lawyer to help you put your application together properly is your best bet. They will be able to make sure you have everything you need and that it is put together in the correct way.

Failing to disclose your convictions

Although you may not want to, you must include details of any past convictions in your application. If you don’t, the Home Office will think you are trying to hide them and will automatically refuse your visa and will likely not give you the chance to appeal. You might even get a re-entry ban which will prevent you from coming to the UK for at least a year.

If you have served a sentence for four or more years in prison, no matter where it is, you will never be granted entry into the UK. If you have completed one to four years in prison, you can apply fifteen years after your sentence has finished. And if you have completed under a year, you’ll be able to apply after seven years have passed since your sentence ended.

If you have been given a non-custodial sentence, you may be able to apply for a visa three years after the end of your sentence.

Insufficient evidence of your relationship

When you apply for a spouse visa, whether you are married or not, you have to submit evidence of your relationship to the Home Office alongside your application. If you don’t, they will suspect that your relationship isn’t genuine so won’t grant you entry into the UK.

The types of evidence you can use are:

• Joint tenancy agreements
• Joint bank account statements
• A marriage certificate

Try to remember that Home Office employees do not know you and your partner personally, so you need to give them as much evidence of your relationship as possible. Immigration specialists will be able to help you establish what you should submit and what isn’t relevant.

Receiving incorrect advice

Relying on casual advice from family or friends may seem more tempting than hiring a trained immigration advisor, but it can end up with you receiving a refusal on your visa application.

Specialist immigration solicitors know the UK visa system inside out and will usually prove to be invaluable. They will be able to tailor their advice specifically to your situation, so you have the best chance at success.

Appealing a visa refusal

If you have had your visa application refused, you might be eligible to appeal the decision. If this is the case, it will say so on your refusal letter. Whether you can appeal or not will depend on the type of visa you applied for in the first place. Generally, though, the below categories carry the right to appeal:

• Settlement visas
• Family visas
• Human rights, refugee protection or asylum applications

If you are eligible to appeal, you must do so within 28 days of the date on your refusal letter. You should seek the help of an immigration solicitor to help you submit your appeal.

All other visa types do not have automatic appeal rights. However, you can apply for an administrative review of your refused application if your refusal letter says you can do so. Administrative reviews are carried out by an entry clearance officer instead of the appeals tribunal.

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It is essentially the final stepping stone before you can apply for British citizenship.

You have to apply through an application to the Home Office in order to be granted indefinite leave to remain. It’s best to seek legal advice as early on as possible – one simple mistake in your application could set you back months.

Time Restrictions

You may be eligible to apply for permanent residence after living in the UK for five years on one visa. If you’ve been in the UK on different, valid visas for a period of ten years or more, you will also be eligible to apply.

In order for you to be granted indefinite leave to remain you can’t have spent more that 900 days outside of the UK in the past five years. In the past 12 months you also cannot have spent more than 180 days outside of the UK.

One of the benefits of holding indefinite leave to remain is that you can leave and re-enter the UK multiple times. Saying that, it is good to bear in mind that your indefinite leave to remain can be taken away from you. This will only happen if you stay away from the UK for two years or longer whilst you hold permanent residency.

So – you can leave the UK for holidays or to visit family abroad, but you can’t permanently leave for years at a time and still expect to keep hold of your permanent residence status.

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain as a Spouse Visa UK Holder

You may be able to get Indefinite Leave to Remain as a spouse visa holder. You can apply for permanent residency on the basis of your own immigration status – i.e. if you have lived in the UK on a different visa for five or ten years yourself. However, it’s also possible to apply for indefinite leave to remain if you’re a spouse, partner or family member of certain UK residents.

If your partner is a British citizen, an EEA or Swiss national, or holds their own indefinite leave to remain, you may be able to apply for yourself on indefinite leave to remain using this as the grounds for your application.

In order for you to be able to do so, you have to have been living in the UK for five years under a partner of a settled person visa. This has increased to ten years if you made your settled person visa application on or after 9th July 2012.

You’ll have to be able to prove that your relationship is genuine, but you don’t have to be married. You could be in a civil partnership or been together for longer than two years. As long as you have ample proof, the Home Office will be satisfied that your relationship is real.

If you are between 18 and 64 years old, you’ll also have to take an English language test and the Life in the UK test in order to be granted indefinite leave to remain.

Applying on Behalf of your Children

If you have children, you will likely want them to be granted indefinite leave to remain at the same time as you, if possible.

If your child is 18 or under, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain on their behalf so long as your partner is their other parent. If they aren’t, you can apply on their behalf if one of the following is true:

• You are the only surviving parent
• You have sole responsibility of them
• There are other, compelling reasons why they should be granted ILR

Also, your child must have or have had a valid UK visa, and be living with you and your partner. You will have to prove that you can support and accommodate them without needing to access public funds. Your child must also not be married, in a civil partnership or living an independent life away from you.

UK Visa Application Process

The UK visa application process is complex. You should never attempt to put together and submit your indefinite leave to remain application yourself.

If you make a simple mistake and your application gets rejected, you could have to wait months to appeal the Home Office’s decision. So, it’s always best to seek advice and help from immigration solicitors when it comes to UK visa applications.

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What is a UK Spouse Visa?

A UK Spouse Visa is a visa that will allow you to join your partner in the UK if they are a British citizen or if they are already settled on the UK. If you are from a country outside of the European Economic Area and you are in a genuine relationship or civil partnership, then you may be able to take advantage of this visa.

Applying for a Spouse Visa

Immigration solicitors will be best suited to help you organise all of your documents to begin applying for a Spouse Visa, but you must be able to fulfil all of the requirements that have been laid out by the Home Office. These requirements are:

• Being able to pass a test that will confirm the genuine nature of the relationship between your partner and you.
• Being able to provide evidence that you will be living together in acceptable accommodation.
• Reaching the minimum income requirement.
• Being able to prove that you can speak, read and write am acceptable level of English

The extremely high levels of applications that the Home Office receives for this kind of UK settlement visa means that they are very strict on the individuals that they accept for Spouse Visas, and they will scrutinise your application very carefully to make sure that you are in a genuine relationship. A high number of these applications are refused and then many couples have to go to appeal in order to be able to stay together.

Minimum Income Requirement

The main issue for many couples who are wishing to stay in the UK under a Spouse Visa is the minimum income requirement. Since 2012, around 25% of applicants have been refused visas due to them failing to meet the criteria that demands that the spouse who the visa applicant is reliant upon must earn a minimum of £18,600 per annum. They are allowed to meet this threshold through either salaried employment, self-employment or savings.

What are the documents that you will need to provide?

To get permission to stay in the UK on a UK spouse visa, you must provide documents to prove that you can meet the financial requirements. These can include:

• Income evidence from employment or self-employment, such as payslips or tax returns
• Non-employment income, such as from property rentals, investments, and stocks or shares
• Proof of a pension that you or your partner receives. This can be either a state pension – UK or foreign – or a private pension.
• Any maternity allowance or bereavement benefits that you or your partner receive in the UK.

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While you’re not required to hire an immigration lawyer for these issues, making any mistake on your application can result in deportation, a denied application, or unnecessary delays. It’s necessary to consult an immigration lawyer to ensure you’re getting the proper help and guidance to move your case forward. Let’s talk about precisely what immigration lawyers do during an immigration case.

1. Assess Your Current Situation

Before even starting the process, you’ll set up a consultation with your immigration lawyer. During your time together, you’ll discuss details of your case and specific situation. Once the immigration lawyer understands what your problem is, they’ll be able to advise you of what route to take and what the requirements will be. They’ll find solutions to issues that may be holding you back from applying for a visa or citizenship.

2. Fill Out Paperwork

Whether you’re applying for a visa or citizenship, you can be sure that you’ll need to fill out multiple forms and gather information to prove that you’re eligible for the status you’re seeking. Each application is very long and requires very specific instructions to complete it correctly. If you make a mistake or forget something on your paperwork, you could be denied or face significant delays.

Immigration Lawyers deal with this paperwork regularly. They have streamlined processes and the proper knowledge to make sure your application is prepared correctly. Immigration lawyers will ensure that your application is filled out completely and accurately, so you know your case is being pushed in the right direction.

3. Find Solutions to Your Unique Situation

Besides consulting, strategizing, and filling out paperwork, Immigration Lawyers spend most of their time ensuring that the law is being used in your favor while finding solutions to complicated problems. Some situations that immigration lawyers will work through include:

• Medical conditions of the applicant
• Previous deportation of the application
• Speeding up long waits during the application process
• Deportation or removal proceedings
• Marriage visas
• Divorced marriage visas
• Work visas
• Children immigration visas

These are just a few examples of the types of cases an immigration lawyer may face. Immigration lawyers will work through your specific issue to find a roadmap or solution to your problems. Immigration lawyers are dedicated to your case and ensuring it is taken seriously so you’ll receive the results you need.

Choosing an immigration lawyer for your immigration case is a no-brainer because of how much they contribute to the success of your case. It will save you so much trouble, time, and money by investing your resources in someone who has dealt with a case like yours before.

FOR YOUR FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH THE IMMIGRATION GUY, CALL (760) 260-8158.

Rick Sterger is a licensed attorney practicing immigration law throughout the United States. His practice, located in San Diego, California represents client before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Executive Office of Immigration Review (Immigration Court), Board of Immigration Appeals, and Circuit Courts of Appeals. Rick proudly maintains the practice of providing his initial client consultation for FREE. To schedule a consultation, call (760) 260-8158 today.

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US Immigration Visa

When you get a green card, you can apply for all the federal government jobs available and you even get some additional educational and health benefits as well. Another form of immigration visa is fiancee/fiancée visa or family visa for those who are already married and are expecting to marry. This type of visa is usually available for those who are already married or plan to marry. They should have children who have a relationship with a US citizen and they must have lived with the US citizen for at least six months before applying for this kind of visa.

• Once you get an immigrant visa, you may not have to leave the country until you are going to apply for a Green Card. It is therefore important that you plan well for your future as an immigrant. If you want to live in the US legally and you want to stay here, it will be necessary for you to pay off any debts you may have had in order to come to the US and get your green card. The longer you wait before applying for a green card, the harder it will become for you to obtain this visa in the future.
• Before you apply for an immigration visa, it is advisable that you find out about the requirements from the US Department of State. They have a website that lists the necessary documents and requirements for each type of visa. It is essential that you fill out an application form that will help them process your application. These forms will then be reviewed and you will get an answer back if you meet the eligibility requirement.
• Another thing that is very important when you are applying for an immigration visa is that you make sure that your information is correct. Even though the paperwork you are filling out is for a green card, it is important that you fill out the papers accurately so that your application is considered.

There are many other types of immigration visa such as LPR, FPR, DS, PR, B-2, TN, O-1, P-1, LPR and many more. You need to find out which is best suited for you and apply for them based on your circumstances.

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