If you have a spouse and/or close family members who are not currently in the UK and live outside the EEA, and you and they want to be together, they can apply for a visa to enter and remain in the UK.
The process for UK family visa applications is complicated and gets changed regularly. This, and the great importance of successful applications for families, means it is often worthwhile making sure you get the right, experienced legal advice and help with applications.
Common ways in which we advise and assist include:
• Advising on eligibility issues before any application.
• Assistance in preparing the application and supporting documents.
• Where a spouse or family visa application is rejected, whether there are good grounds and prospects for either making an appeal or applying for judicial review.
The legal requirements are strict and the applicant must be able to evidence all of the following :-
• Both parties to the marriage must be over 18 years old.
• That the marriage is not an arranged marriage, so the parties must have met and be legally married and have a clear intention to live together permanently.
• That you have sufficient finances and accommodation in place to support yourselves (and any dependents) without applying for Government support. This generally means that the sponsoring partner will need to be earning more than £18,600.00 per year (current amount for 2024) or he or she has enough money saved to satisfy the requirements. The amounts needed will be higher if there are also dependent children applying for a visa..
• You must satisfy the English language requirements.
Partner and Head of Immigration
Efrat is a partner and head of the Immigration department. She joined the firm in January 2022.
Senior Associate - Private and Corporate Immigration
Charlotte is an experienced UK immigration solicitor. She advises individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses across the full range of UK immigration routes and is known for her calm, supportive approach, making complex Home Office processes feel manageable for her clients.
Paralegal
Lisa is a Paralegal in the immigration team at Branch Austin McCormick. She assists with a broad range of personal and business immigration matters, including Skilled Worker applications, family-based routes, and nationality matters.
Trainee Solicitor
Ramatu Ibrahim, joined the firm in February 2024, and has started her training contract in the Immigration Department.
