UK Immigration Success Stories

At the starting point, we should bear in mind that naturalisation is not an entitlement. The British Nationality Act of 1981 governs the law relating to the naturalisation. If you meet the fundamental conditions, only then the Home Secretary may use their discretion to grant you naturalisation. They may also take into account how far you fail to meet some standards.

What is a Form AN in the UK?

The application for naturalisation as a British citizen is known as Form AN. In order to complete the application, you will have to provide information including your biographical details, documentation of your residency, and details about your employment. You must present proof of your current immigration status if you are a citizen of the EEA, Switzerland, or if you are a UK citizen’s child, spouse, or civil partner.

Before moving forward with your application, please be aware that some countries’ citizenship regulations do not allow them to become citizens of another nation i.e. in such case, the applicant needs to renounce his/her citizenship once the application is successful. Therefore, it is advised that before making any application for naturalisation, please seek the assistance of an immigration solicitor or advisor.

Who can apply for British Naturalisation using Form AN?

Naturalization is not a right; citizenship may only be granted if you can show that you meet specific legal conditions and the Home Secretary deems it appropriate to grant the application. Depending on whether you are applying on the basis of a marriage or civil partnership with a British citizen, there are different prerequisites for naturalisation as a British citizen.

If you are civil partner or married to a citizen of the United Kingdom

Before applying, you must comply with the following legal requirements:

• You must be 18 or older to apply.
• On the date of application, you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen.
• You are of sound mind.
• You should be capable of communicating in English to a sufficient level (either passed an approved English test or exempted based on academic qualification or country of nationality or age).
• You must intend to remain in the United Kingdom.
• You have sufficient knowledge of life in the UK (passed the Life in the UK test).
• You meet thegood character requirement.
• You meet the 3-year residence requirements prior to submitting the application.
• Your husband, wife or civil partner is in the Crown or designated service outside of the UK.

You may also be able to submit an application for British Citizenship using Form AN if you are not married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen and if you abide by the following criteria:

• You have to be at least 18 years old on the day of the application.
• You are of sound mind.
• You must intend to remain in the United Kingdom.
• You should be capable of communicating in English to a sufficient level (either passed an approved English test or exempted based on academic qualification or country of nationality or age).
• You meet the good character requirement.
• You have sufficient knowledge of life in the UK (passed the Life in the UK test)
• You meet the 5-year residence requirement prior to submitting your application

Guide for Paper Applications for British Citizenship

Depending on the type of citizenship application you are making, a different application form is required. Most applications for British citizenship can be made online. You should first determine the type of citizenship application you would be making before filling out the online form. If the type of citizenship application you would be making can be made online, you would be able to make the payment of the application fee online and then you would be directed to a new site to upload supporting documents and book a biometric appointment.

Some application forms are still accessible for paper completion and postal submission. In such cases, you will need complete a payment slip in addition to the application form to make the payment. For naturalisation, the Form AN is the appropriate forum.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the sections of the Form AN:
IdentifIcation details and personal information
This section of Form AN will require the applicant to provide personal records and identification proofs, this includes:

• Contact information
• Knowledge of the UK’s life and language
• Parents’ information
• Partner/Spouse’s information
• Information on jobs held since entering the UK

Residence requirements

Most unsuccessful applications come from those who failed to meet the residency criteria to be present in the UK for the qualifying period but submitted an application nonetheless.
This part of the Form AN will require the applicant to provide:

• Information on all abscesses from the UK during the past five years.
• Details of a permanent address (for EEA or Swiss nationals).

Prerequisite for good character

This section of the UK citizenship application form will require the applicant to provide information on criminal offences committed by them (if any), or if he/she is currently involved in any criminal proceedings or investigations.

Things that may cause immigration officials to suspect you are untrustworthy include (but are not limited to):

• A criminal record
• Deceit in interactions with immigration officials or disregard to the immigration rules
• Financial issues such as bankruptcy, debt, unauthorised use of public money, or failure to pay council tax
• Ill repute in the local or larger community

Crown service

This section is for the people who are working for the Crown or have partners who are working for the same.

Identities of the referees

This space is for any additional information that includes the referees. A professional of any nationality, such as a doctor or a minister of religion, must be one of the referees. Although a lawyer may act as a referee, they cannot act as a referee if he or she is representing the applicant in respect of his or her application. The second referee must be a British national, as well as older than 25. The referees must not be related to the applicant or to the other referee and must not have any imprisonable criminal conviction in the last 10 years.

Biometric identification and data

The applicant will have to enrol his/her biometric details.

Declaration

There will be a declaration section at the end of the form.

What documents you’ll need to submit along with your Form AN?

Here are the following documents that you may be required to upload in support of your application:

• A valid identity card and your passport or other travel documents (if applicable)
• Proof of your Indefinite Leave to Remain/Settlement
• Proof of your English language ability
• Proof of passing the Your Life in the UK test
• Your marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
• Payslips
• Self-employed candidates must submit self-assessment documents for each of the last six or five years

What is the Self-Sponsorship route?

With the Self-Sponsorship route, candidates can apply to work in the United Kingdom for their own company without the need for a UK Sponsor. Moreover, for people planning to settle down in the UK, this could lead to permanent residency and British citizenship for the applicants and their dependents.

Who is this targeted to?

The Self-Sponsorship route is suited for businesses that are looking to expand their business in the United Kingdom and have the capital for it. If you are a successful businessperson who has identified a business opportunity in the United Kingdom, or if you have a brilliant business concept and want to explore it in the United Kingdom, you should definitely take up this path.

The key advantages of Self-sponsorship include:

• You can run, operate, and maintain your company in the United Kingdom.
• You will be able to reside in the UK without fear of losing your visa (i.e. sense of freedom)

South Africans have been increasingly looking to move their businesses to new places, and the UK sees this as an opportunity to grow. Along with the need to set up their business, the UK is a great place to study as they have some of the best colleges known to man.

This guide will provide answers to all your questions about UK visa applications for South Africans planning to move to the UK.

If you’re from South Africa, this guide can be your new best friend. From selecting your desires to getting all your documents to knowing waiting periods and visa fees, learn all the UK visa application requirements.

This guide will help you choose the correct UK visa for your circumstances and highlights the following steps to start your application.

1) Visas that allow you visit the UK

• Standard Visitor visa
• General Visitor visa
• Transit visa
• Marriage Visitor visa
• Parent of Tier 4 child visa

2) Visas that let you work in the UK

• Tier 5 visas – Temporary worker
• Charity Worker visa
• Religious Worker visa
• Creative and Sporting visa
• Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
• Government Authorised Exchange visa
• International Agreement visa

3) Long-term work Visa

• Skilled Worker Visa
• Intra-company transfer visa
• Minister of Religion visa (T2)
• Sportsperson visa

4) Tier 1 visas – innovators, start-ups and investors

• Innovator visa
• Start-up visa
• Investor visa

5) Tier 4 visas

• Child student visa
• General student visa

Businesses based overseas can benefit from the Sole Representative Visa to establish a presence in Britain and test the market, without the overheads associated with setting up a branch office and hiring local staff.

As the fifth-largest economy in the world, the UK offers vast opportunities for innovative organisations ready to expand. For example, the British High Commissioner to India recently stated the UK and India tech industries were a “marriage made in heaven ”. One way to take advantage of the prospects available in Britain is to send a sole representative to ‘dip their toe in the water’, before making a full commitment.

The brochure covers the following details:

1. Who is a sole representative?
2. What is a Sole Representative visa?
3. Eligibility requirements for the sole representative visa
4. Documents required for the sole representative visa.
5. Advantages of sole representative visa
6. Cost of sole representative visa
7. About A Y & J Solicitors

The Home office will grant a sponsorship licence to UK employers who wish to employ non-UK workers through the new points-based system, under routes such as the Skilled Worker visa.

If your organisation does not hold a valid sponsorship licence, you cannot hire overseas talent coming to the UK after 1 January 2021 or extend visas for current sponsored staff.

You need to be fully aware of your immigration duties & have standard processes and systems in place to maintain records as evidence of your compliance.

Apply for your first licence for access to a bigger talent pool, make an error-free application today that shows your competency to meet immigration duties from day 1.

Failing to submit all the necessary evidence for your application can raise concerns with the Home office on your ability to comply with their rules, resulting in refusal of your application. You may also lose your application fee.

Download our guide carefully curated by business immigration experts to brief you on your immigration duties and understand what is needed to submit a perfectly prepared sponsor licence application.

This brochure on sponsor licences talks about the steps to make a sponsor licence application. An overview of the contents:-

1. Introduction
2. What is a sponsor licence?
3. Why do you need a sponsor licence?
4. Who is a skilled worker?
5. What are the eligibility requirements?
6. Documents required
7. How to apply for a sponsor licence?
8. How to prepare for Home Office Visits?
9. How long does it take to get a sponsor licence?

Formerly known as Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa, the Global Talent visa offers two categories, Global Talent Exceptional Talent or Global Talent Exceptional Promise for those interested to apply under this category. To be considered for entry under this visa, applicants are required to obtain an endorsement from one of six endorsing bodies recognised by the UK Visas and Immigration.

The great benefits of having this visa are that you can work freely for any employer, be self-employed or administer your own business. The Global Talent visa category carries the latest fast-track scheme for researchers, and world-leading scientists to come and work in the UK.

The new immigration changes brought by the UK government expands on the need of talented skilled workers, hence the process in applying for a Global Talent visa is much simpler. This brochure on Global Talent visa provides you the steps needed to make a Global Talent visa application. An overview of the contents –

1. Introduction
2. What is a Global Talent visa?
3. Who can apply for this visa?
4. Why should you opt for a Global Talent visa in 2020?
5. What are the requirements of Tech Nation in the field of Digital Technology?
6. What documents do you have to provide when applying for this visa?
7. How much does a Global Talent visa cost?
8. What technical or commercial skill/s do you require?
9. Will you be able to obtain British Citizenship with a Global Talent visa?
10. What happens when your Global Talent endorsement is refused?