UK immigration Questions

No. Our practice is dedicated exclusively to UK inbound immigration law. We assist individuals, families, and businesses with matters relating to entering and remaining in the United Kingdom, but we do not provide immigration advice for other countries.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) was introduced under the Immigration Act 2014 and requires most people applying for a UK visa that lasts longer than six months to contribute towards the cost of the National Health Service (NHS). In most cases, applicants must pay £1,035 per year, while students, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants, and their dependants usually pay a reduced rate of £776 per year. The surcharge must be paid as part of the immigration application and covers each year, or part of a year, of the visa period.

No, we do not process or advise on Schengen visa applications. Our expertise focuses solely on UK immigration matters, and we therefore do not provide services related to European Schengen visas.

Yes. We regularly work with clients located all over the world. Instructions can be taken remotely through video meetings (such as Zoom), email, or telephone. Documents can be securely sent via courier, registered post, or other protected methods.

Some applicants are exempt from paying the NHS Health Surcharge. This includes health and care workers and their dependants, diplomats or visiting armed forces personnel exempt from immigration control, dependants of armed forces members, and domestic workers who are identified as victims of modern slavery. Exemptions also apply to individuals applying under the EU Settlement Scheme, frontier workers, asylum seekers, and those applying for humanitarian protection. If the surcharge is not paid when required, a Home Office caseworker will normally request payment. Applicants must pay the fee within 10 working days if they are inside the UK or 7 working days if they are outside the UK. If payment is not made within this time, the immigration application may be rejected.

Yes. In-person meetings are available by prior appointment during our normal working hours. Appointments allow us to dedicate time to understanding your circumstances and providing tailored legal advice.

Our office is located in central London. However, we assist clients regardless of their location, both within the UK and internationally.

We aim to provide clear, honest, and practical legal advice. Before accepting instructions, we carefully assess each case. If we believe an application may not succeed, we will explain the situation and discuss any alternative options available to you.

No. RLegal is an independent law firm regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). While we are not connected to the Home Office or UK Visas and Immigration, we frequently communicate and correspond with these authorities on behalf of our clients when managing immigration applications and cases.

Our partners have many years of experience practising UK immigration law, and our firm has built a strong reputation for delivering successful outcomes. We take a selective approach to the cases we accept and generally proceed only where we believe there is a strong prospect of success. You can learn more about our experience by visiting the About Us and Our People sections of our website.

You can contact us using any of the following methods: Phone: +44 (0)20 7038 3980 Email: [email protected] Alternatively, you may submit an enquiry through our online contact form, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible.