Leave to Remain
Our Immigration Lawyers work with individuals on their leave to remain (visa) applications so that they can study, work, or join family in the UK. Leave to remain applications and understanding the requirements is complex business, which is why we take the time to understand your circumstances and goals, giving your visa application every chance of success, first time.
“Leonard solicitors are the best in Southampton. I used their services for many years and they never let me down. Specifically, Lee Ann Harvey always has good news because she is professional and a perfectionist.”
Leave to Remain Applications
What is Leave to Remain?
Leave to Enter & Remain is the permission granted by the UK Visas and Immigration department to non-UK nationals to live, work or study in the UK. Leave to Remain (otherwise referred to as Limited Leave to Remain) is the immigration status of a person holding a visa that generally allows them to live in the UK for a limited amount of time before it expires.
Immigration law is highly complex and varies based on your individual circumstances and the type of visa you’re applying for. Each visa type has its own criteria and if you’re applying from outside of the UK, you will also need to apply for Entry Clearance.
If you’re looking to live and work in the UK, you will need to have a job offer from a UK based company that meets the criteria of a current UK working visa. Typically, these are skilled job offers that fall under the Skilled Worker visa route, or it might be a ‘shortage occupation’ job offer. Your prospective employer will also need to hold a Sponsor Licence before they can issue you with a Certificate of Sponsorship.
If you’re 18 years old or over and looking to study in the UK, you will need a course offer from a university that holds a student sponsor licence. Your university can issue you with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to support your Student visa application. Children and young people aged 4-17, will need to apply for a Child Student visa and be offered a place at a specified institution. For student visa holders who have graduated from university and would like to remain and work in the UK, you can switch to a Graduate visa within 1 calendar month of your student visa expiring.
Family members, spouses, partners, and some other dependents can also join those who hold Leave to Remain status, Indefinite Leave to Remain status and UK nationals. Depending on your relationship with the person you are joining in the UK and what immigration status they hold will determine whether you are eligible for your own leave to remain status or as a dependant of another with leave to remain status. For example, a spouse or other dependent of a UK national or someone with indefinite leave to remain may be eligible to apply for a Spouse visa or Family visa. When a person who applies for their own leave to remain status and they have dependants who want to join them in the UK will be a part of the same application.
Why Leonard Solicitors?
Our expert Immigration Lawyers provide advice and guidance to individuals on the various types of visas available. Even if the route you are aiming for isn’t available to you at this moment, we can advise on alternatives that better suit your circumstances. Otherwise, we will guide you to where you need to be, so that you can achieve exactly what you’re aiming for.
We are often instructed by migrants and British nationals to support with their own or dependents leave to remain applications. If fact, we have 30 years of experience in practising immigration law, forging our excellent relationship with migrants and the Home Office. We are accredited under the Law Society’s Immigration & Asylum scheme, meaning you will receive a high standard of service and advice from our lawyers.