Immigration and Asylum
Introduction - Immigration
We can help you with many aspects of immigration including citizenship, naturalisation and entry clearance. We can advise you about the types of visas available and their requirements and restrictions. We can also advise you about your family's rights relating to your visa or naturalisation application.
Please call us on 0161 872 3669 to discuss any aspect of the immigration process.
If we decide to act for you, please be aware that there are severe time restrictions imposed on us by the Legal Services Commission. We only have a very limited amount of time to work on your case without applying for extensions or additional funding that we may not get.
If you become a client, please bear in mind when contacting us that we are using up time that may be better used in another aspect of your case.
Our Immigration leaflet is available in PDF format from the Immigration menu on the right.
Please note you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file, available from adobe.co.uk.
Applying for UK Citizenship
To apply for UK citizenship you need to have been in the UK for 5 years (3 years if you arrived on a spouse or unmarried partners visa), one of which must have been with Indefinite Leave to Remain. If you are unsure whether or not you qualify, please contact us.
You will also need to pass a Life in the UK test and send the certificate with your application. Please see the Life in the UK Test website at http://www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk/ for more information and to find your local test centre.
Entry Clearance
We can advise you about the procedures and requirements for a variety of entry clearance applications. We can often do this at our drop in sessions, where we can also give you the forms and let you know how much the application will cost.
If you or a member of your family has their entry clearance refused, we may be able to assist you in preparing an appeal on their behalf. Please contact us for more information.
Introduction - Asylum
If you are an asylum seeker living in the Trafford area, we can provide free advice and representation through all stages of the asylum process. We can also help with other related issues, for example problems with NASS.
Please call us on 0161 872 3669 to discuss your asylum case.
If we decide to act for you, please be aware that there are severe time restrictions imposed on us by the Legal Services Commission. We only have a very limited amount of time to work on your case without applying for extensions or additional funding that we may not get.
If you become a client, please bear in mind when contacting us that we are using up time that may be better used in another aspect of your case.
The Asylum Application
Once you have applied to the Home Office for asylum they will consider your application. This can take from a few weeks to several years. During this time, you will be called to an interview about your asylum claim. You can have a representative attend the interview with you and there will be an interpreter present who speaks your language. You should seek legal advice as early as possible.
The Decision
Some time after the interview you will receive a decision. You may be granted refugee status and given 5 years limited leave to remain in the UK. At the end of this period the Home Office will perform an 'active review' on your case and, provided they are satisfied that you are still at risk, you will be given indefinite leave to remain.
Alternatively, you may be granted humanitarian leave to remain for a limited period. You could also be granted discretionary leave to remain. However, most asylum applications are refused at this point. If you wish to appeal against this decision you have 10 days in which to lodge your appeal.
The Appeal
Your appeal will be heard at court by an Immigration Judge. You will have to attend the appeal where you will be asked to give evidence about your asylum claim. This is very important as a lot will depend upon whether or not the Immigration Judge believes what you are saying. Written evidence such as country and expert reports will also be considered. The Immigration Judge will normally take a few weeks to produce a decision. It is also possible to make an application for leave to remain on human rights grounds.
If You Lose Your Appeal
If your appeal is refused then it is possible in some cases to apply for a review and reconsideration of the Immigration Judge's decision.
If you need legal representation at any point during this process, please call us on 0161 872 3669 to discuss your claim.
Our Immigration leaflet is available in PDF format.
Please note you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file, available from adobe.co.uk.
We are registered with OISC.