Batley Law is a team of immigration lawyers that specialise in immigration, asylum and nationality law. We’re proud to provide clients in Dewsbury and the surrounding area with legal advice and support. We strive to provide the best immigration legal services for the people of Dewsbury.
About UK Immigration Law
The Home Office is ultimately responsible for immigration affairs in the UK through the division known as UK Visas and Immigration.
All of the decisions relating to immigration, residency and nationality are made by this division. If you were to try and move to the UK or extend your current stay, it would be the UK Visas and Immigration division that you would apply to.
For those wishing to enter the UK for employment, family, leisure or business, they must first obtain visas or entry certificates from UK consulates abroad before coming to this country – unless they fall into an immigration category that permits them to vary their status in-country. Examples in this category include indefinite leave to remain applications or deportation appeals.
Evidence and documentation are always required for immigration law but this varies depending on the type of application. If you’re planning to join a spouse in Dewsbury for example, the requirements would be very different compared to a full British citizenship application.
Brexit has meant that the rules on immigration have changed and are likely to continue changing, making it difficult to keep up. One of the most recognisable changes to the law is the new points-based system, created to ensure that the government only accepts their top candidates.
In this new system, applicants will need to have a secure and mandatory job offer from an approved sponsor at an appropriate skill level and with sufficient salary and qualifications. There’s also the English language requirement for living in the UK.
This is only a small aspect of immigration law. There are so many different aspects to it, depending on your unique situation. If you’re a foreign national living in Dewsbury, you may feel nervous when it comes to navigating all these changes and new immigration laws. We completely understand how that may feel and that’s why we are here to help.
Appeals & Judicial Review
If you’ve been refused a visa or received a rejection letter, it can be quite distressing. You will likely want to challenge this decision, but without legal knowledge and support, this can be quite difficult to do and succeed. As immigration lawyers in your local area, we can assist you with challenging the decision by the Home Office. If possible, the first step would be to start the Administrative Review Process.
Sometimes, there is not a right of appeal, meaning that you aren’t able to use the Administrative Review process. When this happens, you may want to proceed with legal support for a Judicial Review.
At Batley Law, we have extensive experience of successfully challenging the Home Office via both Administrative Review and Judicial Review. We’ve worked with rejected visa applications & asylum claims; failure to grant Indefinite Leave to Remain; a negative conclusive grounds decision in a trafficking case; and more.
Judicial Review can be a complex process, but our lawyers at Batley Law have the experience and expertise to guide you through this process, for clients in Dewsbury and the wider area.
Asylum Applications
A refugee or asylum seeker, according to UK law, is a person that is fleeing their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution. As immigration lawyers in Dewsbury, we are passionate about helping asylum seekers find refuge and safety in the UK.
Asylum law can be complicated and deadlines for providing evidence for a claim can be very short. If you have little or no money, you may be entitled to receive Legal Aid, which provides funding for eligible applicants. Please contact us to find out whether or not you qualify.
Business Visas – Tier 1 and Tier 2
Dewsbury is a town surrounded by the cities of Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield as well as the town of Huddersfield. As an area full of opportunities, you may decide to start a UK business or find employment here. If you do so, you’ll need to apply for one of these visas. There are 2 different tiers for a business visa.
The Tier 1 Visa is aimed at migrants such as investors or entrepreneurs who are classed as ‘high value’. Within Tier 1, there are two sub-categories: a Start-Up visa and an Innovator Visa. If you’re planning to start a business for the first time in Dewsbury or close-by, it will be a slightly different route than if you were a more experienced ‘innovator’ with at least £50,000 in funds to invest in a business.
A Tier 2 Visa is for UK based companies and employers who wish to employ foreign workers for a skilled role in the UK. However, this is only if that role cannot be filled by the labour market. The Tier 2 Visa is a good example of where you may be affected by the points-based system as a potential employee of a business. In addition to achieving a score of 70 points, there are also a number of other rules and requirements you need to navigate and meet. Batley Law can advise you on all of these, giving you the best possible chance of success.
If you are acting on behalf of a UK employer that plans to employ foreign nationals as part of your workforce, you will need to ensure you have a Sponsorship License.
We have extensive experience in assisting companies and employees alike in Dewsbury and the surrounding area and can ensure that you avoid mistakes or potential refusal in your application.
UK Visitor Visas
If you’re planning a short stay in the UK, you may require a UK Visitor Visa, which is normally granted for a period of 6 months. However, there are restrictions on what you’re allowed to do whilst in the UK on a Visitor Visa. For example, you are not allowed to become employed in the UK on this type of visa. Acceptable examples for this type of visa can include visiting friends and family for a short period of time or tourists on holiday. UK visitor visas are also acceptable if you are travelling to the UK for private medical treatment (not on the NHS) or limited business activity.
If you’re submitting a visitor visa application to come to the UK and are concerned about your chances of success, Batley Law can offer expert advice. We can also help complete online applications, arrange the visa appointment and draft a detailed letter of representations so that you can relax and enjoy your trip to the UK.
Leave to Remain
If you’ve already been living in the UK for an extended period of time, it might be time to apply for what is known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Being granted Indefinite Leave to Remain is also known as settlement or being settled and is a key step for any overseas national who wishes to make the UK their permanent home.
Once you have Indefinite Leave to Remain, you will no longer need to apply for any extensions. You’ll be able to claim public funds (such as universal credit, tax credits etc.) if you are eligible and no longer be required to pay the immigration health surcharge to access healthcare in the UK.
Depending on the type of visa you currently hold for your residency in the UK, you could be granted ILR after 2, 5 or 10 years (also known as Long Residence ILR). You will be required to pass English language proficiency tests, demonstrate your knowledge of life in the UK as well as provide other documentation and evidence such as proving you’ve had continuous residence here.
Different circumstances may mean different requirements and it can become quite stressful and difficult without legal help. We can advise you on these requirements and help you check your immigration history and eligibility. We’ll also be able to assist you with correctly completing all aspects of the application process for the highest possible chance of success.
Fiancé/Spouse Visas
Relationships and family are an important part of life in the UK. As such, UK law allows for fiancés and spouses to come to the UK to be with their partners. There are however certain requirements that must be met and appropriate evidence to support the application.
A Fiancé Visa allows a person to come to the UK so that they can marry or enter into a civil partnership with their British partner. A UK Spouse Visa is a route for those that are already married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen and wish to settle in the UK. You can also switch from a Fiancé Visa to a Spouse Visa if you marry your partner within six months of entry.
At Batley Law, we’re passionate about helping people in Dewsbury navigate the complicated legal aspects and finally become reunited with their partners. We have extensive experience in both Fiancé Visas and Spouse Visas, with a 98% success rate in the latter.
Student Visas
Dewsbury has a number of local colleges. It’s also fairly close to the universities in Huddersfield, Bradford and Leeds. If you’re moving to the area to study, you’re going to need a Student Visa.
You’ll need to be over 16 years old to be eligible for a Tier 4 UK Student Visa with a certain level of English language proficiency. You’ll also need to prove you have enough money to maintain yourself and that you have been offered an unconditional place on a course at a UK educational institution with a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence.
As expert immigration lawyers, we are able to help with you with understanding the requirements, gathering your documentation, checking your CAS reference, arranging visa appointments and more. We have a 98% success rate with student visa applications and have helped many students to start their studies in the UK.
Why would you need an Immigration lawyer in Dewsbury?
You might be wondering whether it is possible to submit applications without an immigration lawyer. The truth is you can. You could apply for a visa on your own, but without expert support, your chances of success will be much lower.
Complex Rules
The immigration rules in the UK are complicated and can be difficult to understand. There are many requirements and it’s not always easy to tell whether you’ve met them.
As the law constantly changes, it’s important to keep up to date with the changes. With immigration lawyers on your side who know the regulations inside out, you can progress through your application with confidence and peace of mind.
English is your Second Language
Another reason you may need to find an immigration lawyer in Dewsbury is when English is not your first language. It can be overwhelming to have to read and understand all of the legal jargon and documentation and then act upon it. Batley Law can assist you with this and we can arrange an interpreter for you to work on your case.
Complicated Cases
We believe that every case is unique and sometimes the case might be too complicated to handle on your own. There may be multiple parties involved in the case making things more complex or you may have to deal with additional problems such as alleged marriage fraud. If you’re initially declined by the Home Office, this could also complicate matters.
We can handle the complex nature of immigration cases and break things down for you so you still know exactly what is going on, allowing you to make the right decisions.
Poor Immigration History
It can be more difficult to enter or stay in the UK if you’ve got a previous record of poor immigration. A team of immigration lawyers on your side can make all the difference when it comes to visas and immigration-related procedures, with a higher chance of success.
Criminal Record
The UK isn’t keen on bringing criminals to the country from abroad. They’ll do a full check and all convinctions, regardless of how small they may be, need to be declared. The Home Office will likely make a decision based on the prisonce sentence you served and how recent this was.
If there’s a mistake in your past that you’re trying to put behind you, working with a law firm such as Batley Law could increase your chance of success.
Appeals in Court or Tribunal
Going to court or facing a tribunal for appeals or judicial review can leave you nervous about your stay in the UK. If things don’t go the way you hoped, it could sadly result in the family being kept apart, losing a job that you have in the UK, being unable to study in the UK and more.
Having a local immigration lawyer will not only help you to succeed with your case but also give you confidence as you go through the process. Batley Law will be honest with you about your chances of success and help you navigate the UK Immigration system for the best possible outcome.
Struggle with Technology
The UK government is moving closer and closer to a fully electronic process and as such, the majority of the process is done online. Visa applications can already seem like a challenging and intimidating process, but if technology is not your strong point, you might feel at a disadvantage. You may want to get the help of an immigration lawyer to handle the application process for you.
Reviews of our Immigration Solicitor Services
We’ve provided a range of immigration lawyer services over the years for people in your area. Here’s what some of our clients had to say about us:
“I would like to thank the staff at Batley Law for going above and beyond with my case. The staff are friendly, super helpful, and professional. They kept me updated throughout and whenever I had a query there is always someone there to answer it. Unlike other firms where they have a generic model for dealing with their clients, the guys at Batley will give you a personal plan based on your own circumstances. I’m not exaggerating when I say your chance of winning your case are increased SUBSTANTIALLY with Batley law. Thank you Faizan and co. It was a pleasure.” – M.A.
“Really good service and extremely helpful. I’m so impressed with the way they handled it. I dealt with Waseem Nasir and his professionalism, fast response and his way of dealing with the case was so smooth. I would highly recommend using Batley law, you will not regret” – Aazaz Raza
Why choose Batley Law as your Immigration Lawyers?
Passionate About What we do
We are passionate about what we do and we care about the needs and objectives of our clients. We don’t offer a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution as we strongly believe that every case is different and we will take the time to fully understand your case. As a result, we can provide specific advice tailored to your circumstances.
We’re Local
It’s always good to have some local help. Our offices are in West Yorkshire, so if you’re based in Dewsbury or planning to immigrate there, having a local solicitor’s help can bring you that extra comfort you need when going through legal cases.
Highly Recommended
99% of our clients have said they’d recommend our services to other people.
Complete Service
We’ve had experience of taking cases from the very beginning all the way to an appeal of judicial review and beyond. We’ve also taken appeals to the Court of Appeal. There’s no aspect of the immigration law process that is foreign to us, meaning you can rest assured that Batley Law has your back at every step of the process.
Fully Accredited
Everyone on the team at Batley Law is accredited by the Law Society Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme, including our paralegals and trainees.
Clear Pricing
Know the fees before you proceed. At Batley Law, we work on a fixed fee basis and we’ll provide a full quote before we start. This ensures that you won’t incur any hidden or unexpected costs.
Specialist Quality Mark
We are proud to hold a Legal Aid Specialist Quality Mark, following a rigorous and thorough audit in November 2018. This demonstrates that we have efficient and professional office practices and procedures.
How the Process at Batley Law Works
When working with us to support your case, you can expect the following step by step process.
Step 1 – Get In Touch
You can reach out to us via email, phone or through our online contact form. At Batley Law we also have a 4hr callback promise.
Step 2 – Case Review
We’ll have a chat with you to understand your situation and check your eligibility. We’ll review your case with you and make sure you have all the required information and documentation to proceed.
Step 3 – Getting to Work
Now we fully understand the work required, we’ll make a start and keep you fully informed of any developments. We’ll keep everything simple and easy to understand.
Step 4 – Further Information
We may require further information or details from you, this may include arranging to provide biometric information for the Home Office.
Step 5 – Submit Application
Once we’re both happy with the application, we’ll submit it.
Step 6 – Wait for a Decision
Depending on the type of application you’re making, the Home Office decision could take anything from a week to a number of months. You may be able to pay extra for an express service from the Home Office.
Final Step – The Decision
You receive notice back from the Home Office regarding their decision. If you need to appeal further we can work with you on this.
Get in touch today to find out how we can help you.
