UK-Visas

Coming to the UK is an important step and knowing what is right for you is vital. Your intentions are crucial for us as we can understand what you want to do in the UK, whether you want to study, work or visit.

What travel documents are accepted at the border?

You must be the legal holder of a genuine document. Your documents must be valid and issued by a government or authority. The most common examples of travel documents are:

  • national passports; or
  • 1951 Convention travel documents for refugees.
  • Home Office also accept national identity cards for EEA citizens.

 

Waiting times at the border

With tougher checks now in place at the border you may have to wait a little longer to get into the United Kingdom, especially at peak times. Home Office use scanners to ensure that passports, visas and other official documents are genuine. Home Office officers are trained to detect forgeries and check that people have the right to enter the United Kingdom.

An officer will check your passport and give you permission to stay, if you need it and the turnaround is about 45 minutes.

If you are a national of the EU or EEA, you can use the separate EEA/EU channel, where Home Office will usually check your passport or national identity card more quickly.

If you are a frequent traveller, you should read about IRIS, Home Office automated barrier system which allows registered passengers to cross our border more quickly.

If you are part of a group you may be able to travel under the group travel scheme. This can also speed passage through the border.

Which countries are part of the EU?

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

 

Visiting the UK

To come to the UK as a visitor, there are various categories available. To read about general visitors, click here. Information regarding other types of visitors to the UK can be found here.

Business Visitors coming to the UK

The UK accomodates those who want to come to the UK on a short stay as a business visa holder. To find out more information, click here

Immigration Questions

THis section answers some of the most common questions regarding UK Immigration and these are real questions asked by majority of our clients. Please click here to read more.

Nationality Information & Common Questions

UK Nationality is one of the most complex and this requires expert advice. British citizenship is one of the six different forms of British nationality. Some of these were defined in the British Nationality Act 1981, which came into force on 1 January 1983. The laws defining how citizenship can be obtained changed on that date, which is why you will often see references to 1983 on this site. Click here to read more information.

European Citizens & Free Movement Rights

This section explains how European citizens and members of their family can enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom. The information in this section applies to citizens of countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

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Our Address

ICS Legal, ICS Ltd, Suite 51, City Business Centre, Canada Water, 25 Lower Road, London SE16 2XB.

Tel:0207 237 3388

Tel:0844 800 3919

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Home Office listed

Reassuringly we are listed on the Home Office website whereby we have demonstrated a good understanding of the sponsorship arrangements and have provided the Home Office with evidence about the types of checks and services we will make when working with clients. We are able to provide prospective sponsors with a document which assesses their readiness to make a sponsorship application.

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About ICS Legal

ICS Legal is a legal firm providing support regarding UK Immigration. We are regulated by The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), as this is compulsory for all organisations that provide UK immigration advice.

ICS Legal is also a member of Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants who campaigns for justice in Immigration & Asylum Law & Policy since 1967.

Whilst immigration supports the enhancement of a business competitive edge, its compliance is a key importance as non-compliance in reality can be catastrophic not only on monetary penalties but on your brand. Those involved in global mobility which includes both employers and their foreign national employees are subject to immigration compliance and must contend with an intensive and aggressive immigration enforcement environment.