questions

I am considering setting up an employment agency for care home staff from the Philippines: what is the current visa situation for getting them work permits in the UK? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2008-05-03 09:47

I am interested it setting up an employment agency specialising in home care or care home staff, recruiting staff from the Philippines. I wondered the best way to go about this? Can I hire the staff on local contract in the Philippines then will be able to get them UK work visas as contractors? Or would I have to recruit them directly to come here so they would be working under UK employment law (minimum wage, insurance, etc.).

I came to the UK in March on a two year Spouse Visa. Do I have to wait before applying for indefinite leave to remain or can I apply now? — by mariam — last modified 2008-05-12 10:52

I came to the UK in March 2008 on a two year Spouse Visa. My wife and son are British born and we married in 2001. We all spent more than five years in Pakistan. My question is, do I need to wait prior to applying for indefinite leave to remain or can I apply now?

My wife is on a Student Visa and I am on a Dependent Visa. Can we apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK? — by mariam — last modified 2008-05-12 11:22

My wife came to the UK as a student in 2001 and then we had two children, both of whom were born here. My wife is still on a Student Visa and I am on a Dependant Visa and working. Is there any way that we can apply for indefinite leave to remain in UK?

I am an American and have lived in the UK since 2002. I am considering divorce and wonder if I can continue to live in the UK after the divorce? — by mariam — last modified 2008-05-29 20:34

I am an American and have lived in the UK since 2002. I am married to a German citizen and we have had two children. We are considering divorce and am wondering whether I can still live in the UK with our children after we divorce or should we only separate so that I can continue to live in the UK?

My friend spent some time in prison ten years ago, will he be refused a Visa to enter the USA for a holiday at Disneyland? — by mariam — last modified 2008-07-01 14:33

Does America hold details of British people's past criminal records? We are considering family holiday to Disneyland but our friend who is considering going with us served some time in prison ten years ago (no convictions since). Will he be able to get a Visa?

I want to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain but my husband has been convicted of an endorseable offence. Will this affect our application? — by mariam — last modified 2008-07-15 15:26

I'm currently on a Work Permit and I will be applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (UK Residency) in few months carrying my dependants as well. My husband was convicted of an endorseable offence, Code MS90 + fine + 6 points, will this affect his/our application? Is MS90 considered minor offence?

Overstayed US visa led to me subsequently being refused entry: what can I do to gain a visa in future? — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2008-07-17 21:41

I over stayed my holiday visa by 8 days and was subsequently refused entry to America. I have been to the American embassy in London more recently they have still refused my application. My circumstances have changed since then - I now have more commitments such as a mortgage etc. What do I need to do to visit America again? - please advise my situation

Complaining about the conduct of a customs officer... — by Conrad Murray — last modified 2008-07-29 15:04

My question is about a customs officer at Leeds/Bradford airport. She walked into the reception area of the airport after my mother had passed through customs with no problems. She demanded my mum's case and keys, and took it back through with her refusing to let my mum be present whilst it was searched. I'm sure this is against the law as she could have stolen or planted something in her case. Please can you advise?

My wife is Chinese and we married in March 2008. Is there a quick way for her to get a UK passport? — by mariam — last modified 2008-08-18 12:30

My wife is Chinese and we married in March 2008. Is there a quicker way to get her a UK passport than doing the two year temporary visa and one year permanent leave to remain and then, after that year is up, applying for citizenship?

My friend is a foreign national but has Indefinite Leave to Remain. Can he claim Child Benefit? — by mariam — last modified 2008-08-18 13:40

I have a friend who is a Somali national, he will have been in living and working in the UK for five years in October and he has Indefinite Leave to Remain. He returned to Somalia two years ago to get married but has had a long struggle to get his wife and child into the country. The have just arrived, in the last few weeks, having been granted visas. However, he has been told he is not eligible for Child Benefit. Is this correct?

As an international student how many hours am I allowed to work a week? — by mariam — last modified 2008-09-05 09:44

I am international student (not from the EU). I am aware that we are permitted to work 20 hours a week part-time. My current employment is such that I might have to work say 25 hours one week and 15 hours the next week. Is that legal? Is the 20 hours rule hard and fast or is it an average 20 hours a week?

My husband's Visa runs out in November. As my husband is not working and our income is only Job Seeker's Allowance, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit will this be a problem if he applies for Indefinite Leave to Remain? — by mariam — last modified 2008-09-09 10:00

My husband came to the UK for the first time in February 2007 and his Visa is going to end in November. During this period I got pregnant and my health got worse so my doctor would not give me permission to work. My husband stayed at home to care for me. After our baby was born my health did not improve and I still can't work. My husband is now looking for a job and I am getting Job Seeker's Allowance. As my husband is not working and our income is only Job Seeker's Allowance, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit will this be a problem if he applies for Indefinite Leave to Remain?

I am a Vietnamese student living in the UK. I am planning to marry a British citizen but my Visa will expire at the end of October 2008. What do I need to do? — by mariam — last modified 2008-09-09 11:42

I am a Vietnamese student and I am living in the UK now. I am planning to marry a British citizen but my visa will expire at the end of October 2008. What should I do now? If I get married do I need to return to Vietnam or not? To be honest, I don't want to go back to Vietnam. Is there any paperwork I need, such as any form or certificate? I applied for a visa extension to study for a Masters Degree this September but I now want to study a computer course and I don't know if it is legal to do this or not?

My boyfriend has overstayed his visa. We want to go to the US to get married but are worried that he will then be banned from the UK. Is this possible and is it overridden by marriage? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-09-12 13:34

I am a UK citizen and my boyfriend came to stay with me, originally planning to stay for the six months allowed but he has now been here for over two years. We want to go back to the US to get married, but we are worried that he will be then banned from the UK when we leave. Is this a possibility and, if so, is it overridden by marriage?

My girlfriend lives in Peru and we would like to be together. Is there a way she can come to the UK? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-09-23 13:48

My girlfriend lives in Peru and we would like to be together. We are finding it very difficult (virtually impossible in fact) to find a way for her to come to England. Is there a way she can come to the UK? She does speak fluent English so I can't see any problem for her finding employment eventually. I hope you can find a solution to our problem as it is getting frustrating for both of us!

My husband is Jamaican and has ILR. He has a child who was born here in 2003 but the mother is no longer around. Is it possible to register the child as a British citizen? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-09-22 13:27

My husband is Jamaican, we have been married for two years and he now has Indefinite Leave to Remain. He has a child born here in 2003 while he was not settled and neither was the child's mother. They were not married. We have no idea where the child's mother is now as she gave the child to my husband and left. Is it possible to register the child as a British citizen? Will there be a problem since the mother is not around?

I'm international student from Vietnam and I want to marry my British boyfriend. What do I need to do? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-09-23 13:47

I'm international student from Vietnam. I'm 18 years old and I've been living and studying in London for nearly two years. My boyfriend is British and we want to get married. What do I need to do? Where do I need to go to register and what documents are required from myself and my boyfriend?

My husband has just received a Court Summons for driving with no licence and no insurance. Is this classed as a criminal offence for visa application purposes? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-09-28 21:36

My husband has just received a Court Summons for driving with no licence and no insurance. Is this classed as a criminal offence for visa application purposes?

I was recently granted ILR. My marriage is now on the rocks and divorce is imminent. Will this affect my immigration status and my citizenship application? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-09-29 12:15

I was recently granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (I was previously a work permit dependent). My marriage is now on the rocks and divorce is imminent. Would a divorce affect my immigration status at all and if I wished to apply for citizenship would there be any problem?

I was granted leave to remain on the grounds of marriage. My marriage has now broken down, will this affect my visa? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-10-13 12:48

I was granted leave to remain earlier this year on the grounds of marriage. Suddenly my marriage has broken down and we have separated. Will this affect my visa and my leave to remain?

I'm a British citizen living abroad. I'm married to a citizen of another country and we have a child. Is it possible to get my child and wife a UK passport? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-10-22 14:45

I'm a British citizen living abroad, I'm married to a citizen of another country and we have a young child. Is it possible to get my child and my wife a UK passport and, if so, how do I go about this?

My friend is Portugese and has a son who was born in England. At the moment they live in Portugal but would the child be allowed to study in the UK when he is older? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-10-23 13:49

I have a Portuguese friend who has a young son. The boy was born in England and his father is an Englishman. My friend and her son now live in Portugal. Would the child be allowed to study in the UK when he is older and would he be eligible for medical treatment?

Is there any way to get citizenship if I have been convicted of driving uninsured four months ago? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-10-24 13:15

Is there any way to get citizenship if I have been convicted of driving uninsured four months ago? I fulfil all the other requirements to apply for citizenship.

I currently have a two year work holiday visa which expires in December. I am married to a British citizen and will apply for a spouse visa in person. If I am refused the visa will I be able to re-apply by post and stay in the country? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-05 16:47

I am a Zimbabwean man on a two year work holiday visa which expires this December. I am married to a British citizen and will apply for a spouse visa soon in person at Croydon. If I am refused the visa will I be able to re-apply by post and stay in the country if a reply takes longer than the time remaining on my visa?

I entered the country in 2000 as a 16 year old with temporary right to stay until I was 18. I was then refused permanent stay but have stayed ever since. Is there any amnesty with regard to overstaying? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-17 12:03

I entered the country in 2000 as a 16 year old minor. I had temporary right to stay until I was 18 years of age. After that I was refused permanent stay but I have stayed in England ever since. Is there any amnesty for me to claim regarding overstaying and what are my chances?

I am in the UK on a Tier 1 post study work Visa and recently married a British citizen. When will I be able to apply for ILR? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-17 17:30

I have lived in the UK for the last five years and finished my studies at Masters level. I have now obtained a Tier 1 post study work Visa for two years and I am working full time at the moment. Last month I got married and as my wife is a British citizen I wonder if you could tell me when I will be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, taking into consideration all the above mentioned circumstances?

I am a naturalised British citizen with dual nationality. If my father's child is a citizen of another country will my child automatically be a British citizen, even if born abroad? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-11-21 12:34

I'm a British citizen, naturalised with dual nationality (British/Colombian) and I am living abroad at the moment. If the father of my child is a citizen of another country (Colombia) is my child automatically a British/Colombian citizen, even if he is born in Colombia?

I have a Tier 1 post study work Visa and would like my wife to join me in the UK. What application form should she use? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-01 13:47

I have got a Tier 1 post study work Visa and am in the UK. My wife is not in the UK but I would like her to join me as soon as possible. Which application form should she use and what supporting evidence is required?

I am planning to travel to the USA but when I was 16 I received a caution for possession of drugs and motor offences. Will I be able to get a visa? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-05 14:11

I am looking to travel to the USA in the near future. However I was arrested when I was 16 and receieved a caution for possession of a Class C controlled substance and two motoring offences. Would this mean I would not be granted a visa waiver and must apply for a visa? If so, is it possible that the visa application will be rejected?

I submitted my application for ILR but have yet to hear and my mother is sick. I want to do an express application but I have been told I have to withdraw my original application. Is this correct? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-05 16:59

I submitted my application for ILR after my two years probation as a spouse of British citizen. I have yet to hear from the Home Office and my mother is sick. I have written to them but have yet to receive a response. I asked if I can pay extra to do an express application but they said I need to withdraw my application first. Is this correct?

I was cautioned for shoplifting. Do I need to declare this caution when applying for an extension of my student visa? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-12 14:42

I was cautioned by the police for shoplifting in November 2007. I was caught stealing something, the manager called the police and looking at my clean record they gave me a simple caution and took my details. I am a foreign national here and my immigration status is student. I now need to apply for an extension of my student visa. Do I need to declare this caution when applying for my student extension?

What is the current situation regarding failed asylum seekers from Zimbabwe? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-09 15:46

What is the current situation regarding failed asylum seekers from Zimbabwe?

I am an international student on a study visa. As I only have classes two days a week I would like to work full time. Am I allowed to do this? — by Maria Mason — last modified 2008-12-23 16:11

I am an international student from India and I am on a study visa for four and a half years. I want to work full time and study as well because my classes are only two days a week. At the moment I am working 35 hours a week, am I allowed to do this?