Using an Immigration Solicitor
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 42
Using an Immigration Solicitor
hi all,
We are planning on applying for a Spouse Visa for entry at the back end of 2020, ideally December (post pandemic). I am UK citizen based in USA (2 children are British passport holders). My wife is a US Citizen.
Planning to use savings route to apply.
Married 7 years
No previous immigration applications
Does anyone have opinions on using a solicitor for the process? I am really just trying to understand the process as best I can. Budget wise I want to keep costs down but prepared to invest if others think it is a wise move.
Thanks in advance.
We are planning on applying for a Spouse Visa for entry at the back end of 2020, ideally December (post pandemic). I am UK citizen based in USA (2 children are British passport holders). My wife is a US Citizen.
Planning to use savings route to apply.
Married 7 years
No previous immigration applications
Does anyone have opinions on using a solicitor for the process? I am really just trying to understand the process as best I can. Budget wise I want to keep costs down but prepared to invest if others think it is a wise move.
Thanks in advance.
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,620
Re: Using an Immigration Solicitor
Not worth it. The only thing the immigration lawyer does is put the documents, which you have already collected, together and go through the process which you can do yourself.
Since the application is now online it could not be easier; this forum can give you all the advice you need.
https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa
Since the application is now online it could not be easier; this forum can give you all the advice you need.
https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 42
Re: Using an Immigration Solicitor
Thanks for swift reply. Makes sense. Regards
#4
Re: Using an Immigration Solicitor
I agree with SDG - the forms and process aren't difficult to understand and complete - my wife and I completed her British visa application forms with no assistance, not even from BE or uk-yankee.com .... Your wife might want to join uk-yankee as that forum provides similar discussion forums for Americans in the UK as britishexpats.com does for Brits.
#5
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 42
Re: Using an Immigration Solicitor
Thanks
#6
Re: Using an Immigration Solicitor
The savings route makes meeting the financial requirements as straightforward as possible. If you’ve been married for seven years then you should have no difficulty showing yours is a genuine relationship. It’s therefore perfectly possible to do such an application yourself and you can seek clarification for any issues that may arise on this forum.
#7
Re: Using an Immigration Solicitor
The savings route makes meeting the financial requirements as straightforward as possible. If you’ve been married for seven years then you should have no difficulty showing yours is a genuine relationship. It’s therefore perfectly possible to do such an application yourself and you can seek clarification for any issues that may arise on this forum.
#8
Re: Using an Immigration Solicitor
My wife applied about three weeks after we married, having never lived on the same continent as me, and we had only been physically in each others presence for about six weeks before we married, one of which was the week before we married, and another two were at Christmas two months before we married. We didn't use a solicitor and experienced no problems at all. That was 20 years ago if it makes any difference.
#9
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 42
Re: Using an Immigration Solicitor
Thanks everyone