A UK immigration solicitor specializes in visas, immigration, work permits, overstayers, deportation, British citizenship and appeals. This is a challenging and politically charged area of legal practice. The expansion of the European Union and political troubles elsewhere across the globe has led to a massive influx of refugees, asylum seekers and people who just want to improve their lot in life vying for limited space on an island with limited room for growth.
People coming from most countries in the world will need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Exceptions include the European Union, the United States, and former British Commonwealth countries. A substantial portion of your caseload will consist of individuals facing deportation for overstaying their visas.
Another segment of your clientele will be people who want to work in the United Kingdom. Obtaining a work visa is even more difficult than getting a tourist visa. The past few years have seen a rush of immigrants from former Eastern Bloc countries (Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, Bulgaria, etc) seeking employment. Note, however, that even the most talented football (soccer) player requires permission from the government in order to play professionally.
The laws on foreigners allowed to work in the UK were tightened in November 2010 and implemented the following April. You will need to be familiar with new guidelines for Tier 1 and Tier 2 caps.
The British government has been clamping down on marriages of convenience. The UK Immigration solicitor will therefore be called upon to help potential immigrants and their partners jump through the many necessary hoops required before they can marry. This means assembling paperwork, negotiating interviews and understanding the difference between a date for a wedding at a local registry office and a date for an interview to determine their eligibility to get married! Permanent settlers in the UK are now required to pass an examination on 'Life in the United Kingdom.
Human trafficking has become a serious issue in immigration law. This refers to the smuggling of individuals using threats or other form of coercion for the purposes of exploitation, often involving prostitution. You may be called upon to defend alleged traffickers or you may choose to work for the Home Office or the Serious Organized Crime Agency.
The subject of immigration law is very rarely out of the news. Recently, the Home Office and the UK Border Agency came under fire for relaxing restrictions on people trying to enter the country. Anyone choosing to enter this area of legal practice will be kept very busy, on their toes, and will find plenty of variety and challenge.
This article does not constitute legal advice, and the author is not a solicitor. However, if you are looking to enter the UK to study, work, settle with a partner, set up a business or employ foreign workers, you should consult a UK immigration solicitor. You are recommended to use the UK-based immigration solicitors at http://www.usmankhansolicitors.com