Who qualifies for a UK visa? I asked an immigration lawyer

I moved from Australia to the UK on the finish of 2019. After I appeared into getting a piece visa, I struggled to seek out clear data.

There are such a lot of differing types. Relying on what nation you might be travelling from, it's possible you'll want a visa simply to go on vacation within the UK. I discovered recommendation on authorities web sites complicated, so I made a decision to ask an professional.

David Gering-Hasthorpe is an immigration lawyer and director of Southside Immigration in Glasgow, UK. Right here’s every little thing he instructed me about making use of for visas when travelling to the UK.

Can I journey to the UK with out a visa if I am coming from a Commonwealth nation like Australia?

“Some international locations, together with Australia, have a visa-free customer scheme with the UK. Which means that if an Australian citizen needs to return to the UK for a go to, they'll request customer standing on the airport after they arrive, slightly than making use of for a visa previous to travelling.

“The checklist of nations which have visa-free journey to the UK is completely separate from the Commonwealth, although. For instance, Kenya is within the Commonwealth, however Kenyan residents have to use for a visa earlier than visiting the UK.

“You'll be able to take a look at in case your nationality means you’ll want a visa or not on the UK authorities web site,” below the customer immigration guidelines visa nationwide checklist.

Do I would like a visa to journey to the UK if I've family who're British residents?

“Largely, sure, and positively should you’re trying to transfer right here completely.

“If you happen to’re simply trying to come to the UK as a customer, you then may be capable to enter below the visa-free customer association [outlined above], relying in your nationality.

“Even when your nation does have a visa-free customer association with the UK, although, this may typically be refused on the airport whenever you arrive. This could possibly be due to a historical past of overstaying your visa prior to now, or if the Residence Workplace thinks that you simply intend to reside within the UK completely.

“Having family within the UK is usually used as a motive why the Residence Workplace thinks that you simply may intend to remain right here completely.”

AP Photo
If you happen to're from a rustic with a UK visa-free customer association, it's possible you'll not want a visa earlier than journey.AP Picture

What frequent causes would folks be denied a UK visa?

“Typically individuals are denied as a result of they don't meet the necessities. For instance, if somebody needs a go to visa, however they intend to work within the UK, then the visa will likely be refused.

“A whole lot of the time, folks meet the necessities, however don’t have proof of it. For instance, in order for you a go to visa however you don’t have any proof of causes to return to your nation of residence, then you'll be able to count on that software to be refused as effectively.”

Can I keep within the UK as a vacationer for six months with out a visa?

“The Residence Workplace doesn’t have strict limits on the period of time that you could spend within the UK as a customer. They do have a ‘Real Customer’ requirement, although, for customer standing.

“One of many methods they assess this requirement is predicated on how a lot time you’ve spent within the UK as a customer just lately. If you happen to’ve spent six months or extra within the UK throughout the previous 12 months, they’ll begin to suppose that you simply’re most likely not a ‘real customer’.”

If I wished to journey to the UK for a vacation in December, when and the place can be the most effective time to use for a visa?

“I like to recommend submitting your visa software no less than two months earlier than you’re planning to journey. You’ll want to use out of your nation of residence generally.”

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