INSIGHTS

Here you can find legal insights on the latest developments in immigration law written by your team at OTB Legal. 

10 year lawful residence applications update
Update to absence requirements for 10 year lawful residence applicationsBefore 11 April 2024, when making an application for indefinite leave[...]
Skilled worker made redundant
Develop:North – OTB’s insights: What happens if you get laid off in turbulent times?In the last article, we wrote about[...]
What happens if your gaming studio has to make layoffs?
Develop:North – OTB’s insights: What happens if your gaming studio has to make layoffs?Disclaimer: OTB Legal does not advise Firewalk[...]
My Graduate Visa is expiring… What can I do next?
What to do if my graduate visa is expiring?After completing your time studying in the UK, most people will go[...]
Electronic Travel Authorisation Update
What is the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme?Electronic Travel Authorisation is digital permission to travel. This has been introduced  to[...]
English language and Life in the UK Test: Exemptions
What are the ‘knowledge of English language’ and ‘Life in the UK Test’ requirements?In many categories where you apply for[...]
How to set up a UKVI account
How to Set Up a UKVI AccountAs previously discussed in our eVisa blog, the Home Office are phasing out physical[...]
No time limit applications
What is the purpose of a no time limit application?A No Time Limit (NTL) application allows individuals who have indefinite[...]
BNO Route to Settlement
BNO Route to SettlementThe BNO visa was introduced in 2021. The visa leads to the BNO route to settlement after[...]
Opening a new door to registration for British citizenship
Opening a new door to registration for British citizenship: Section 4L of the British Nationality Act 1981 The Nationality and[...]
Sponsor Licence Compliance Visit
This article is to address sponsor licence compliance visits. In the first quarter of 2024 we saw a big increase[...]
Self-sponsorship visas – The Loch Ness Monster of immigration law
Quick read: Self-sponsorship visas – The Loch Ness Monster of immigration lawOver the last 12 months we’ve noticed a big[...]
Develop Brighton 2024: Conversations with Developers
Conversations with Developers 2024: Tech Talent DialoguesHi Developers!Another year another great experience at Develop! Attending conferences is more than just[...]
The UK General Election Immigration Impacts
The UK General Election immigration Impacts: Crucial Implications for those on Family Visas Individuals on family visas are understandably concerned[...]
Long Residence Visa Rules
What do recent changes to the Immigration Rules mean for applications for indefinite leave to remain based on 10 years’[...]
Comparing UK Family Visa Options
Comparing UK Family Visa Options: Which One is Right for You?Exploring the UK immigration landscape can be complex, especially when[...]
Why You Might Not Qualify for a UK Graduate Visa
Nine Common Pitfalls: Why You Might Not Qualify for a UK Graduate VisaThe UK graduate visa offers a valuable opportunity[...]
Finding talent with tech recruitment
Recruiting talent in the Tech IndustryThis summer we are travelling the country speaking to tech businesses and entrepreneurs about the[...]
Why you might not qualify for a UK Graduate Visa
Nine Common Pitfalls: Why You Might Not Qualify for a UK Graduate VisaThe UK graduate visa offers a valuable opportunity[...]
How do Partner Visas work?
Partner Visas and how they work:A British person needs to sponsor their non-British partner if they wish to live together[...]
What to Do If Your Family Visa Application is Denied
What to Do If Your Family Visa Application Is DeniedHaving your family visa application denied can be a disheartening experience.[...]
Sponsor Licence Holder Duties
Sponsor Licence Holder Duties Sponsor licences will now be granted indefinitely and any licence due to renew on or after[...]
Changes to the Skilled Worker Route
Changes to the Skilled Worker Route Following the Government’s announcement on 04 December 2023 to cut net migration, the changes[...]
Minimum income requirement changes for partner and child routes
Minimum income requirement changes for those in the five-year partner and child routes under Appendix FMThe statement of change to[...]
Immigration Fee Waiver Applications
Cutting Costs: Immigration Fee Waiver Applications in Light of Rising UK Immigration FeesThe Home Office fees associated with maintaining a[...]
Sponsor Compliance Case Study: Prestwick Care
Sponsor Compliance Visits Case StudyTwo recent High Court cases give us an insight into the approach of the Home Office[...]
Having a Sponsor Licence Revoked: Care Case Study
Having a Sponsor Licence Revoked: Care Case StudyTwo recent High Court cases give us an insight into the approach of[...]
Late Settled Status for UK Permanent Residence holders
Late Settled Status applications under the EUSS Settled scheme for holders of the Permanent Residence (Blue Card)Following Brexit, the Home[...]
Pre-Settled Status
Pre-settled StatusAll of the provisions relating to pre-settled and settled status applications made under the EU Settlement Scheme are found[...]
Tier 1 Entrepreneur Settlement
Calling time on the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) RouteThe Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Route closed to new applicants in March 2019.  If you[...]
Understanding the Financial Requirements for UK Partner Visas
Introduction to Financial Requirements for UK Partner VisasNavigating the UK partner visa application process can be challenging, particularly when it[...]
Update on the Immigration Health Surcharge: Deadline Extended
Update on Immigration Health Surcharge : Deadline ExtendedIn a recent development, the UK government is set to increase the Immigration[...]
Important update on UK immigration changes 2023
Important update on UK immigration changes announced on 4th December 2023On 4th December, the Home Secretary announced major updates on[...]
FAQ on the Increase in Financial Requirement for Family Visas
FAQ on the Increase in Financial Requirement for Family Visas Following the Home Secretary's initial announcement on 4 December 2023[...]
Introduction of the ‘eVisa’ and how will this impact you
The Home Office’s introduction of the ‘eVisa’ and how will this impact you:The home office is developing a digital immigration[...]
Meeting the financial requirements for a partner application
Can the sponsor’s income from benefits such as Universal Credit be used in meeting the financial requirements for a partner[...]
A beginner’s guide to the High Potential Individual visa
Introduction and benefits of the High Potential VisaLaunched earlier this year, the High Potential Individual visa is a generous route[...]
Increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)? The immigration health surcharge is the fee paid when submitting a visa application.[...]
Should I hire an Immigration Lawyer? Scenario 1.
Should I hire an Immigration Lawyer? – Scenario 1- Partner/Spouse visa (financial requirements) Disclaimer: The following scenario is a work[...]
Can I set up a business as a skilled worker?
Can I set up a business as a skilled worker? – A guide to supplementary work and self-employmentOne the most[...]
Recent Updates to UK Immigration Rules
July 2023 has been an eventful month for changes in the UK’s Immigration Rules. In July 2023, the Home Office[...]
Good Character Requirement changes for Naturalisation
On the 31st July 2023, the Home Office published new guidance in relation to the good character requirement for Naturalisation[...]
10 Benefits of Hiring an Immigration Lawyer
Are you considering applying for a visa to travel, work, or study in the UK? Navigating the complex world of[...]
Right to work check increases
Right to work check increases Civil Penalties for employers caught employing workers without the right to work will triple. The[...]
UK Law for children born in the UK to EU Nationals
UK Law regarding children born in the UK to EU Nationals before 02 October 2000  A recent High Court decision[...]
Diversity
Diversity is important to OTB Legal. To demonstrate our commitment to our staff, our clients and those we work with,[...]
Conversations with Game Developers
Conversations with Game Developers – Sam’s top five takeaway’s from Develop Brighton This week Sally (owner, director), Tom (operations manager),[...]
Partner Visa UK – Can you rely on an ‘online’ or ‘proxy’ marriage?
Partner visa UK – Can you rely on an ‘online’ or ‘proxy’ marriage? When applying for a partner visa for[...]
Innovator Founder Route
The Innovator Founder Route The innovator founder route was launched on the 13th April 2023, merging and replacing the innovator[...]
Registering as a British Citizen
As you may already know, applications to register as British are often incredibly complex. This is owing to a range[...]
Sponsor Licence Guidance Updates Webinar
Sponsor Licence Guidance Updates Webinar  On Friday 21st April 2023, OTB Legal's Business Immigration team hosted their third webinar. With[...]
Ordinary Residence requirement for BNO Visas
Understanding the Ordinary Residence requirement for the BNO visa. The Hong Kong BNO visa is quite generous compared to many[...]
The Ultimate Sponsor Licence Guide
We've compiled all of the useful resources we've shared throughout 2022 to create this comprehensive "all you need to know"[...]
Priority Service for Family Visa Applications
Home Office reintroduce Priority Service for Family Visa applications The priority service for family visa applications was reinstated on the[...]
Curtailment of a Student Visa
What is Curtailment? The Home Office has power to cancel your visa. This is called curtailment of leave to remain.[...]
Naturalisation: Generous approach for ILR
Naturalisation: More generous approach to the lawful residence / good character requirement for those granted ILR The Home Office nationality[...]
3- How to deal with Home Office Delays
This is the third and final instalment in our series about Home Office delays. Over the last few days we[...]
2- Will the Home Office Delays affect me?
How will the Home Office delays affect me? And how should I change my approach to an application? It’s time for[...]
Article 1 – Delays in the Immigration System
One of the main areas of enquiries we are seeing at the moment is applicants worried about delays in receiving[...]
Hong Kong BNO visa expansions
Home Office expands Hong Kong BNO visa for grown up children of BNO nationals: The home office expands the BNO[...]
Reporting Requirements Webinar
Sponsor Duties Webinar : Reporting RequirementsOn Friday 25th November 2022, OTB Legal's Business Immigration team hosted their second webinar. With[...]
When can I get ILR?
When can I get ILR - Our Personal Immigration Team's League Table If you are in the UK with some[...]
Certificates of Sponsorship
Certificates of Sponsorship In this month’s blog, we will consider the type of certificates of sponsorship, that can be assigned[...]
Important change allowing children to register as British
Important change to Home Office guidance allows children to register as British who have completed 10 years residence and who[...]
Deprived Citizenship: Indefinite Leave to Remain
Can I apply for indefinite leave to remain if I have just been deprived of my British citizenship on grounds[...]
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions are complex matters and this complexity extends to managing a sponsor licence. As responsible sponsors know, holding[...]
The Basics of a Student Visa
The Basics of a Student Visa, Written by a Student... OTB Legal have provided me with an excellent work experience[...]
OTB Awarded Cyber Essentials Plus
What is Cyber Essentials? Cyber Essentials is a government backed certification scheme designed to help organisations to mitigate the risks[...]
Sponsor Licence FAQs
The questions that we as immigration lawyers are most frequently asked about being a registered sponsor. The focus of the[...]
Common problems for sponsor licence holders and how to solve them
Common problems for sponsor licence holders and how to avoid them In this post we focus on three problems for[...]
Immigration health surcharge reimbursement scheme for NHS and care workers
The immigration health surcharge reimbursement scheme for NHS and care workers In October 2020 the Department of Health and Social[...]
OTB Legal’s First Business Immigration Webinar
Sponsor Management System: Licence Holders Webinar : Understand Your Duties On Friday 24th June 2022, OTB Legal's Business Immigration team[...]
Unlawful Detention
Unlawful Detention If you have been subject to unlawful immigration detention by the Home Office, you could be entitled to[...]
Global Mobility Visa
Global Mobility Visa In April 2022 the Home Office scrapped a number of existing immigration routes and replaced them all[...]
Sponsor Licence Reporting Duties
Sponsor Licence reporting dutiesEvery employer knows how hard it is to obtain a sponsor licence. But it can be just[...]
NHS Charging for Services
Registering with a GP (primary services)If you are in the UK, you can register with a General Practitioner (GP) without[...]
Sponsor Duties for Licence Holders
Duties of a Sponsor Licence HolderIf your organisation gets a sponsor licence, this comes with a number of extra responsibilities.[...]
Right to Work Checks 2022
What you need to know from 06 April 2022 On 17 January the Home Office announced that from 6 April[...]
Ukrainian Nationals for UK Visas
Introduction The current situation in Ukraine is understandably very worrying for people all around the world. As well as the[...]
Business Immigration Updates 2022
Hello from the Business Immigration Team! We’re often asked about upcoming changes in the world of Business Immigration. We thought[...]
Annual Certificate of Sponsorship allocation renewal
Have you started received lots of reminders from the Home Office about your Certificate of Sponsorship allocation being about to[...]
The Scale-Up Visa
As part of the Autumn Budget presented at the end of October, the government formally announced a new work visa.[...]
Sponsoring Care Workers as an Employer
Sponsoring care workers- considerations for employers As the crisis in social care recruitment deepens, many care providers are considering sponsoring[...]
How to Reduce your Carbon Footprint as a Small Firm
According to the British Business Bank, it is estimated that smaller businesses account for almost a third (30%) of all[...]
What type of UK Visa can I get?
What type of Visa can I get? Immigration options for Work, Business and Study: Updated June 2022We are often contacted[...]
Work Experience at an Immigration Law Firm
COVID-19 and Work Experience It is no secret that professional life is different for everyone in our current, post-covid, UK.[...]
The Innovator Visa
The Innovator Visa route is designed for experienced business people who wish to start or expand their business in the[...]
The new SQE route to becoming a Solicitor
What is the SQE? As of September 1st, 2021, the SQE will be the recommended route to qualifying as a[...]
How to find Skilled Workers as a Tech Start-Up
Skilled Worker Shortages Following the lift of UK COVID restrictions, demand for skilled workers increased at the fastest rate in[...]
Global Talents Visa: Arts and Culture
What is the Global Talent Visa?The Global Talent visa is designed to provide promising and talented individuals from various fields,[...]
OTB Legal obtains landmark ruling for those facing deprivation of citizenship
In an important decision handed down on 2 June 2021, the High Court found that a client, even when facing[...]
Bitcoin usage for immigration applications
Can I rely on Bitcoin to meet the financial requirement?Bitcoin is a digital currency, or cryptocurrency, that never spends too[...]
Sole Responsibility for BNO nationals
We receive a lot of enquiries from couples who want their children to move to the UK with one parent.[...]
Recruiting Personal Immigration Lawyer
Position: Personal Immigration Team Advisor / Solicitor. Location: Creative House, Unit 1 Chase Park, Daleside Road, Nottingham, NG2 4GT. 1[...]
Sponsoring Overseas Care Workers
Recruiting Care Workers from overseasCare Workers and Senior care workers are both on the shortage occupation list making it easier[...]
Recruiting for Trainee Operations Manager
Position: Trainee Operations ManagerHours: Full TimeSalary - £20-23,000 per annumWe are a leading immigration law firm based in Nottingham. As[...]
Thousands of children in care risk missing June deadline for EU status
One of the consequences of Brexit has been that EU Nationals must apply for permission to stay in the UK.[...]
Skilled Worker Visa: Coming to the UK to work
If you are considering coming to the UK for work, this blog article provides a summary of the requirements for[...]
Hong Kong BNO opens but app delayed
The new Hong Kong BNO visa is now open for applications both inside and outside the UK. However, the launch[...]
Post-Brexit Immigration Rules for Skilled Workers
31 December 2020 saw the end of free movement between the UK and the EU and the new immigration system[...]
Sponsoring a Skilled Chef from Abroad
The new Points Based System – Skilled Worker Route became operational on 1st December 2020.  At OTB Legal, we have[...]
Applying for British Citizenship as a German National
On 31 December 2020, the Brexit transition period will come to an end and the law of the European Union[...]
Comprehensive Sickness Insurance for British Citizenship
If you have Settled Status in the UK and you’re looking to apply for British citizenship, it’s important that you[...]
Hong Kong BN(O) visa rules and prices revealed
Hong Kong BNO Visa - The Basics The Hong Kong BNO visa is for people who registered as BNO nationals[...]
Meet the Team – Lydia Watkinson
As our team at OTB Legal expands we would like to introduce you to a new member of our legal[...]
New Student Route Opens Early
This year has seen a significant reduction in the numbers of international students coming to the UK, due to the[...]
Immigration Health Surcharge Increase
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is set to increase to £624 per year for most visa applicants. The increase will[...]
Hong Kong: New UK Immigration route for British Nationals Overseas (BNO)
From January 2021, Hong Kong residents who hold British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status can apply for a visa to live[...]
Coronavirus UK Immigration Rules Update 6
The UK Home Office are continually reviewing their guidance on the immigration rules as the situation in relation to COVID-19[...]
Changes to the Immigration Rules June 2020
The Home Office have recently published a statement of changes to the immigration rules which affect various immigration categories. Our[...]
Coronavirus UK Immigration Rules Update 5
The UK Home Office are continually reviewing their guidance on the immigration rules as the situation in relation to COVID-19[...]
Sponsor Licence – Why companies should be applying now
The UK government maintains that the transition period for the UK leaving the EU will end on 31 December 2020[...]
Coronavirus UK Immigration Rules Update 4
The UK Home Office are continually reviewing their guidance as the situation in relation to COVID-19 changes, and they have[...]
Coronavirus UK Immigration Rules Update 3
The UK Home Office are continually reviewing their guidance as the situation in relation to COVID-19 changes, and they have[...]
Coronavirus UK Immigration Rules Update 2
Following unprecedented action taken by the UK government to delay the spread of coronavirus the Home Office has updated its[...]
Coronavirus and the UK Immigration Rules
The spread of Coronavirus is having a significant impact on all aspects of life globally, and the UK is no[...]
OTB Legal: Coronavirus Update
Coronavirus - Our PrioritiesWith the current Coronavirus on everyone’s minds, we want to reassure everyone that the health and wellbeing[...]
How Client Care Helped Us Win Award
We put our client care at the heart of everything we do here at OTB Legal and we’re dedicated to[...]
Paralegal Positions Available
Position: Paralegal x2Location: Creative House, Unit 1 Chase Park, Daleside Road, Nottingham, NG2 4GT. 1 mile from Nottingham City Centre.Hours:[...]
Free movement to be replaced by the UK’s Points-Based Immigration System
The Home Office have published a policy statement today which sets out plans for a dramatic overhaul of the UK’s[...]
Treble Award Recognition for OTB Legal
After the end of a successful launch year for OTB Legal which saw us ranked in the top 10 solicitors[...]
Challenging a decision by the Passport Office to refuse to issue a British passport
As an immigration lawyer I am used to challenging decisions by the Home Office to refuse my non-British clients permission[...]
OTB Legal Immigration Solicitors – A Review in Numbers
OTB Legal are now proudly 6 months old. We thought it would be interesting to give a review of how[...]
EU nationals should apply for Settled Status before 31 October
How applying for Settled Status can make EU nationals living in the UK better prepared on the 31st October 2019[...]
Choosing an Immigration Lawyer – 10 Questions to Ask
Choosing an immigration lawyer can be a difficult task. Once you have made the decision to get specialist help with[...]
Post-Study Options for International Students
Graduation Season is upon us, and many international students will be wondering what their Post-Study options for remaining in the[...]
Top 3 Immigration Solicitors in Nottingham
OTB Legal are very proud to have been externally assessed and ranked as one of the top three immigration solicitors[...]
Right to Work. Is your business at risk?
400% increase in Home Office issued fines shows importance of Right to Work checks.The latest Home Office report confirms that[...]
What does the Home Office mean by this?
The UK Immigration System is well known for becoming more complicated year by year. The Immigration Rules started as 20[...]
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