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IAA Level 3 immigration lawyersin London & Harrow

GSN Immigration are registered at IAA Level 3 so you can trust our immigration advice. Our team of qualified and specialist UK immigration lawyers always go the extra mile, ensuring our service excels that of other immigration solicitors.

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OUR SERVICES

Trusted immigration services for individuals & businesses

From spouse visas and family routes to sponsor licences, skilled worker visas and appeals — our IAA Level 3 team provides clear, practical advice at every stage.

Spouse Visa UK

What is a UK Spouse / Partner Visa? The UK partner visa provides the opportunity for a non-British spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner to join their partner to live and work in the UK for a period of 33 months. Following the first spouse visa the applicant can apply to extend their visa and, depending on the circumstances, can eventually obtain settlement after 5 years or 10 years in the UK. Spouse visa applicants will need to show that they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship with an eligible sponsor, meet the financial and accommodation requirements as well as the English Language requirement . In order to make a successful UK partner visa application you must meet the following requirements: You must both be 18 or over at the date of the application Pass the Genuine Relationship Test Meet the minimum income threshold Satisfy the English language requirement Evidence that you have suitable accommodation for you, your partner and any dependants In some instances, you may be required to pass a medical test to show you don’t have Tuberculosis (TB). What is a Spouse / Partner Visa? Who can apply for a spouse visa? What are the requirements for a spouse visa? How can I prove I am in a genuine relationship? How can I renew or extend my Spouse Visa? When can I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain if I am on a spouse visa? How long does the spouse visa process take? What are the financial requirements for a spouse visa? What is the cost of a UK Spouse visa? What documents are required for the Spouse Visa? What is the language test? What are the spouse visa accommodation requirements? What happens after a spouse visa application is submitted? What happens if my spouse visa application is refused? Spouse Visa application process What we can do Frequently Asked Questions Who can apply for a UK spouse or partner visa? You can apply for a Spouse Visa UK if you are aged 18 years old or over and your sponsor: is a British or Irish citizen has indefinite leave to remain or settled status, has pre-settled status and was living in the UK before 1stJanuary 2021 is in the UK on a Turkish Businessperson/Worker visa has refugee status or humanitarian protection status has leave as a stateless person The applicant must be either in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK. You can also apply as the fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner but this visa is granted for six months and you should marry or enter into a civil partnership in the UK within 6 months of arriving. What are the spouse visa requirements? There is in most cases a financial requirement to meet to apply for a spouse / partner visa. It is often the case that there is a requirement that the sponsor (or jointly with the applicant with in-country applications) is earning at least £29,000 gross per year, either in employment or self-employment or through other means such as specified state benefits. Savings can also help you to meet the financial requirement, or a combination of earnings and savings. The applicant must also show in most cases that there is suitable and adequate accommodation available for them. The UK spouse visa requirement for English language for an initial application is an English language qualification at A1 level. A UK degree qualification or degree-level qualification taught in English can also meet the English language requirement for the visa. Certain nationalities are exempt from meeting the English requirement. As your spouse visa lawyer we will prove all these elements for your spouse visa application with appropriate documentation for a successful outcome. If you apply for a UK spouse visa from outside the UK, the application is submitted online. An appointment is made at a centre outside the UK to take biometric details from the applicant. Usually the supporting documents to apply for a UK spouse visa are submitted online, but this varies from country to country. To apply for a spouse visa from within the UK the applicant will again apply online. The Home Office will make a decision on the application. How can I prove I am in a genuine and subsisting relationship? You must be able to prove to the case worker that your relationship is genuine and subsisting, which can be evidenced in many different ways including: Evidence of children Joint bills or shared finances Evidence of communication Pictures together Travel history Can my spouse visa be renewed or extended? You will be able to renew and extend your spouse visa for another period of 30 months, but you must apply before your current spouse visa expires. You will still need to ensure you meet the correct requirements for the spouse visa. When can I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain if I am on a spouse visa? After 5 or 10 years, depending on the circumstances, of living in the UK together you will be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) . How long does the process take? The usual Spouse Visa processing times are up to 12 weeks, however some can be decided earlier than this. Depending on how quickly you can provide us the required documentation we will be able to accommodate you for whatever time you wish to submit an application. What are the spouse visa financial requirements? In order for the applicant to enter or remain in the UK on a spouse visa, you must be able to meet the financial requirement to show that the applicant will be supported during their time in the UK. The sponsor must earn a minimum of £29,000 before tax annually to sponsor their partner to join them in the UK. There is no additional financial requirements for any children also applying. Whilst for entry clearance the sponsor alone must meet the financial requirement, to remain in the UK and renew your visa the sponsor or the applicant themselves or both jointly can meet this financial requirement. If the sponsor is currently receiving certain eligible benefits, they may still be able to sponsor their partner to join them in the UK. How much does a spouse visa cost? If you are applying from abroad to enter the UK the application fees are £2,064, whereas if you are applying to remain in the UK, you will be required to pay £1,407. You will also be required to pay the IHS fees (currently £1,035 per year), which will give the applicant access to the UK’s healthcare system. During the preparation of an application, you may need to consider other services that may incur costs such as translation fees, English and TB tests and other fees you will have the option to purchase such as priority service to ensure a quicker decision. You can view the latest April 2026 Home Office fee scale here: Home Office fee page April 2026 What documents are required? Whilst every case may require different or additional documentation you will usually be required to provide: Marriage or civil partnership certificate Valid passports that will not be expiring 6 months after the submission of the application Evidence that the relationship is genuine and subsisting Specified evidence of meeting the financial requirement Proof of sufficient accommodation English language test certificate at the required level (unless the requirement is otherwise satisfied) The documents provided must be in the correct format that are specified by the Home Office. What is the language test? It is essential to have passed an English Language test at the correct level by an approved Secure English Language Testing (SELT) provider. The level of English Language you must pass depends on the type of visa you are applying for. The English test will remain valid for 2 years, however you may also be exempt from taking the test if you are aged 65 or over, are a national of a majority English speaking country, hold a UK degree or hold a non-British degree taught in English. What are the accommodation requirements for the spouse visa? To meet the accommodation requirements you must ensure that the property will not be overcrowded if the applicant and any dependants were to join. What happens after a spouse visa application is submitted? Each applicant will be required to attend a biometric application in the country where they reside, during which they will provide their biometrics and passports and submit all of the supporting documents. If an application is made from outside the UK, the applicant or their representatives will receive an email once a decision has been made for the applicant to return to the visa application centre where the biometrics were given. If the decision is successful the applicant will receive spouse visa entry clearance valid to enter the UK. The visa will take the form of an eVisa, ie a virtual document accessible via smartphone.. If an application is made from within the UK, the applicant or their representatives will receive the decision via an email and again the visa will be an eVisa. What happens if my spouse / Partner visa application is refused? If your application has unfortunately been refused, you will be given the chance to appeal against the decision. It is crucial to appeal within the correct timeframe and is always better to receive professional advice on your chances. As a level 3 IAA certified organisation, GSN Immigration can handle the full appeal process for you. What is the application process of a partner visa? If the applicant is applying from within the UK they must normally have valid immigration leave. There are some exceptions to this and we assess each application by merit. Unmarried partners must prove that they have been in a relationship like marriage or civil partnership for at least two years. The spouse, civil partner and unmarried partner visa give the right to work in the UK but the fiancée / proposed civil partner does not. What we can do As your spouse visa immigration lawyer we can first of all assess your case and determine whether you have a potentially strong application and, if so, under which part of the rules you can apply for a spouse visa. In some cases it may be possible to make an application even if you are an overstayer. You may be able to apply even if you do not meet all the rules. But this is something that we will assess carefully. We can also advise about the possibility or otherwise of going on the five-year route to settlement. To apply for a spouse visa you require very specific types of documents which must meet detailed requirements. We can give you clear and honest advice about this. Our role is to guide you towards submitting the best documents possible. Submitting an organised application can bring about a successful outcome. Your Spouse Visa Immigration Lawyer will provide a Person and Country Specific Document Checklist. This will ensure you can gather the required documents, according to your circumstances. We will complete all the relevant application forms for you and provide you country specific guidance, if relevant. We will ensure we are with you from the very start until you receive a decision for your application. Sometimes applications take longer than expected and we can liaise with the Home Office or UKVI on your behalf. We have also assisted many clients in applying for a spouse visa to switch from a Skilled Worker Visa, Youth Mobility Visa, Student Visa, Graduate Visa and other visa categories from within the UK.

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Skilled Worker Visa

Skilled Worker Visa The Skilled Worker Visa is part of the points-based system. It allows foreign nationals to gain sponsorship from employers to work in the UK, but only if they are filling job roles that are classified as “skilled”. A “skilled” role is defined as a role deemed to be at least at the skill level of RQF Level 6 (ie degree level). The migrant does not have to hold a degree qualification but the job must be at this level. Applicants may apply from outside the UK or, in some circumstances, may apply to “switch” to a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK. There is in an English language requirement which can be satisfied by, for example, a B2 English language test. The visa can be granted for up to five years and it provides a potential route to settlement after five years for the migrant and family members if any. Sponsorship licence and certificate of sponsorship The UK employer must hold, or must acquire, a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence; this is a licence issued by the Home Office. Once they hold such a licence the employer can apply to sponsor migrants as Skilled Workers. The employer must issue a “certificate of sponsorship” (COS), which is a virtual document and which contains detailed information about the migrant and about the job. Then the migrant must make their Skilled Worker visa application, either in-country (to the Home Office) or out-of-country (to a UK visa centre). If the visa application is successful the migrant can then start work for the employer in the specified job. So, as we see, the scheme in its entirety consists of two parts: (1) sponsor licensing (2) visa application. How far in advance can you apply for a Skilled Worker Visa? The visa application can be submitted as far as three months before the employment start date that is referenced on the COS. Visa costs & other fees The costs associated with the Skilled Worker Visa vary considerably depending on the duration of the visa and sometimes on the type of visa. The visa application fees are between £324 to £1,865 and there is also in most cases an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is charged at £1035 per year of the visa period applied for. But this fee does not have to be paid by those applying for a Health & Care Visa, which is a specialist Skilled Worker Visa for those working in the medical field. Supporting documents Depending on the role that is being applied for or the nationality of the applicant some supporting documents other than a passport may be required for the application. These can include bank statements, a criminal record certificate, qualification certificates, and a TB test certificate. Completing the process Once the visa application has been prepared and submitted online the migrant must submit their biometric details (photograph and fingerprints) either to the Home Office in the UK or to the UK visa centre outside the UK.

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Indefinite Leave To Remain

What is Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR)? Indefinite Leave to Remain means the same thing as settlement in the UK. Once you have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) you can stay in the UK without any time restrictions. It can be achieved through various routes depending on your circumstances and how long you have been in the UK. Visa categories that can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain include: Spouse visa/Civil Partner visa/Unmarried Partner visa (after five or ten years) The settlement rules for these three categories are the same. If the applicant meets all the requirements of the rules they will go on the five-year route to settlement but if they only meet some of them they will go on the ten-year route. But once settlement has been achieved it has equal status, whether acquired after five years or ten years. Child, Parent or Adult Dependent Relative visa (the time period varies depending on the circumstances) A child or a parent may qualify for settlement after either five or ten years. The required period for an Adult Dependant Relative varies, depending on the situation of their sponsor. In some cases settlement can be acquired immediately. Working/business/investment visas (after five years or less in some cases) In the majority of cases settlement can be acquired after five years but some routes offer settlement in three years or even two years. In some cases leave held under different visas can be combined. UK Ancestry visa In every case the required period is five years. EEA nationals and dependants In every case the required period is five years. Long residence (after ten years of legal residence in the UK) The applicant must demonstrate that they have lived continuously lawfully in the UK for that period, under various different types of visa or combination of visas. Refugee/Humanitarian Protection status The required period for settlement is five years. Your ILR settled status will become invalid if you are absent from the UK for too long. If your ILR becomes invalid, you may be able to apply for a Returning Resident visa in order to return to the UK. Achieving indefinite leave to remain status may be necessary for an application for British Citizenship via Naturalisation or Registration. Your family members, if any, may in many cases also be able apply for ILR along with you. And settlement can in some cases be acquired by migrants who do not hold legal immigration status, under the “private life” rules . These rules potentially cover both adults and children: those who have overstayed their visas, those who were born in the UK without legal status, and those who came to the UK illegally. The rules about settlement in this area are complex. In many cases a successful applicant will be granted two and a half years’ leave or five years’ leave and a settlement application may be possible after five years or ten years, depending on the circumstances. So in some cases the migrant will have to extend their leave until they have acquired a sufficient period. But in the case of some children if the application is successful settlement will be granted immediately. Requirements for ILR and Settlement in the UK Certain requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain are common to most routes (although there are some exceptions) such as: Pass the Life in the UK Test Satisfy an English language requirement Not to have spent too much time outside the UK Applying for indefinite leave to remain as a Spouse, Civil Partner or Unmarried Partner, you will need to have completed five years or ten years in the UK as the partner of a British citizen, someone who already holds settlement, or other type of qualifying sponsor. If applying for Indefinite Leave to Enter or Remain as an Adult Dependent Relative, you will need to demonstrate that you will be adequately maintained, accommodated and cared for without recourse to public funds. There is no English language requirement and it is not necessary to pass the Life in the UK test. Each of the family-related settlement categories also have their own additional eligibility criteria, which we will be able to guide you on fully. Requirements for ILR working/business/investment visas To apply under these categories you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that: You have spent a sufficient continuous period in the UK in a permitted category(ies) You have not been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period preceding the date of application Each of the work and investment related settlement categories also has its own additional eligibility criteria, which we will guide you on in detail. Do I qualify for ILR based on the Long Residence 10-year route to Settlement? You may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain based on a ten-year route to settlement if you have resided in the UK lawfully for that period. Your residence can consist of a combination of different visa routes. Can I apply for ILR fast track? Yes, you can. You can buy Super priority or Priority Service. Super priority normally delivers your ILR decision by the next working day for £1000 extra and if you purchase the Priority service your case will normally be processed within five working days for £500 extra. Why should I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain? What are the benefits? Once you have obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain you no longer have to apply for visas to continue to live in the UK and you can live in the UK permanently. There are no restrictions upon your activity in the UK, and you can work, study, or run a business. You can access NHS healthcare free of charge and you can receive any state benefits you are entitled to. Biometric Residence Permit for ILR Every time you make an application to the Home Office for permission to remain/stay in the UK you will have to provide your biometric details, even if you have provided them previously. Can Home Office revoke my Indefinite Leave to Remain? The Home Office can revoke your ILR status under certain circumstances such as if they find out that you obtained your ILR through deception. Can I lose my ILR status? If you stay outside the UK for too long you can lose your ILR. If you are in such a situation you should obtain immigration advice. What is the Life in the UK test? The Life in the UK test is designed by the Home Office to test how well you have integrated into British society and how much you understand about British values and culture. In total there are 24 questions and it is a timed test where you have 45 minutes to answer all the questions. What are the Residence requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain? The residence requirements vary depending on which route you are on. Many routes require a total of five years’ residence but some require less and some more. What we can do for you for a successful ILR Application We can initially advise you about the strength of your ILR application. If there are likely to be any difficult issues we will advise you about these. We can advise you about submitting the right documents so that you have the best possible application. We have helped many clients successfully with their ILR applications. You can watch our client’s video testimonial , we can do the same for you. It is our job to complete your application forms and also submit the application. This also includes advice on the Biometrics appointment. Our aim is to submit your application smoothly and in addition provide up-to-date information at all times. This way you do not need to keep up to date with the UKVI changes. We remain available during and after the submission of your application and until a decision comes through. We will provide a legal representation letter, which will support your application. We will work hard and diligently and advise you fully on your application. This ensures you have the best chance of success. Contact our Indefinite Leave to Remain Lawyers Why not give us a call to discover that we are the best Indefinite Leave to Remain Immigration Lawyers in London and Harrow? We work with clients from all over the UK, so if you are not in London or Harrow do not worry, we can assist you wherever you are. We provide top quality immigration advice in London for ILR applications to clients from all over the UK, including Harrow, Wembley, Ealing, Birmingham, Oxford, Slough, High Wycombe, Milton Keynes, Bristol and even Scotland. You can call and speak to our Immigration Lawyers in London on 0207 993 6981 ; they are ready to take your call. You can also call our Immigration Lawyers in Harrow on +44 208 150 6709 Call now and speak to us and discover for yourself that we are the right Immigration Lawyers for you. Alternatively, you can Email us on info@gsnimmigration.co.uk

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OUR TEAM

Meet Our Immigration Lawyers

20+ Years

Oliver Westmoreland

Senior Immigration Lawyer

Oliver Westmoreland is a Senior Immigration Lawyer with more than 20 years of experience advising individuals, families, and businesses on UK immigration law. Since beginning his career in immigration in 2005, he has developed extensive expertise across a broad range of immigration matters, including family visas, work visas, settlement applications, British citizenship, human rights claims, and complex appeals.

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S Zaib Shah

Immigration Lawyer

Syed Zaib Shah is an Immigration Lawyer dedicated to helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate the complexities of UK immigration law. He advises clients on a wide range of immigration matters, including family visas, skilled worker applications, settlement, British citizenship, and immigration appeals, delivering practical solutions tailored to each client's circumstances.

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Jules Motcho

Senior Immigration Lawyer

Jules Motcho is a Senior Immigration Lawyer with extensive experience advising individuals, families, and businesses on a broad range of UK immigration matters. He provides strategic legal guidance across family and work visas, settlement applications, British citizenship, human rights claims, and complex immigration cases, combining technical expertise with a practical, client-focused approach.

Recognised for his thorough preparation and clear communication, Jules is committed to delivering tailored immigration solutions that reflect each client's unique circumstances. He works diligently to simplify complex legal processes, providing trusted advice and dedicated representation to help clients achieve the best possible outcome at every stage of their immigration journey.

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Xiaofan Liang

Immigration Lawyer

Xiaofan Liang is a dedicated Immigration Lawyer committed to helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate the UK immigration system with confidence. She provides clear, practical advice across a wide range of immigration matters, taking a client-focused approach to ensure every case receives the attention and care it deserves.

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TESTIMONIALS

GSN Immigration Client Reviews

5.0Google review

“We have had another fantastic experience with GSN Immigration under the expert guidance of Xiaofan (Thank you, Xiaofan!). GSN helped us a few years ago with my husband's spousal visa application and have now helped us again with the renewal application. The process is thorough, clear, organised and seamless. Highly recommend.”

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Priya Thukral

2 July 2026

5.0Google review

“Thanks to GSN Immigration for the excellent support they provided throughout my UK dependant visa process. From the initial consultation to the successful completion of my case, they were professional, supportive, and extremely helpful at every stage.Their guidance was clear and easy to follow, which gave me a lot of confidence throughout the process. They took the time to explain everything properly and made sure all my documents were prepared correctly.Also, they were very responsive and reliable. Every question I had was answered promptly, which made the whole experience much less stressful.I highly recommend GSN Immigration to anyone looking for trustworthy and professional immigration support in the UK.”

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Einar Cruz

2 July 2026

5.0Google review

“I had an excellent experience with this law firm. From the very beginning, Xiaofan and Shah were incredibly prompt in replying to all my questions and gave me their full, undivided attention throughout the entire process. Their professionalism really stood out. With their expert guidance, I was able to successfully apply for and obtain my visa, something I had been quite stressed about before finding them. They explained everything clearly, handled the details with care, and made the whole process much smoother than I expected. Highly recommend their services to anyone looking for reliable and knowledgeable legal support!”

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Ayush Mukhiya

2 July 2026

5.0Google review

“Highly recommend GSN Immigration as they are very professional and systematic compiling documents required for visa process and always guide you througout.”

AR

Aliton Rodrigues

2 July 2026

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