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Immigration Law
Applying for a visa, appealing a refusal or planning your route to settlement? Mistakes on an application can be costly and hard to undo.
Who you need
An immigration solicitor, or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA). It is a criminal offence for anyone else to give immigration advice in the course of business.
What to do first
- Check the adviser is regulated before you pay anything.
- Note your visa expiry date and any deadline in a Home Office letter. Appeal and review deadlines can be as short as 14 days.
- Keep copies of everything you send to the Home Office.
- Legal aid is available for asylum and some other immigration cases.
Questions worth asking any lawyer
- What will this cost — fixed fee, hourly rate, or a share of any compensation?
- Who will actually do the work, and how often will I hear from you?
- Have you handled cases like mine, and what's a realistic outcome?
- Could I get this done for free through legal aid, insurance or a charity?
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and it can't take account of your circumstances. The law differs in England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and it changes. If something is urgent, speak to a solicitor — in an emergency, call 999.