Frequently Asked Questions

You can book a consultation by calling us on our main telephone number, emailing us, or completing the contact form on our website. We offer initial consultations to assess your case and advise you on the best course of action. Consultations can be conducted in person at our offices, by telephone, or by video call.

Our fees vary depending on the type and complexity of your case. We provide transparent, fixed-fee pricing for many standard applications, and we will always give you a clear indication of costs before you instruct us. We do not charge for initial enquiries, and we can discuss payment options to suit your circumstances.

Yes, Kings Court Law is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). All our solicitors are qualified and registered with the SRA, and we are bound by the SRA Standards and Regulations. You can verify our registration on the SRA website.

The Home Office aims to process sponsor licence applications within 8 weeks. However, processing times can vary, and some applications may take longer if the Home Office requires additional information or decides to conduct a pre-licence visit. We recommend applying well in advance of when you need to sponsor your first worker.

From April 2024, the general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas is £38,700 per year. However, there are different thresholds for different occupation codes, and some roles may qualify for lower thresholds. New entrants to the labour market may also qualify for a lower threshold.

Yes, it is possible to sponsor a worker for part-time employment under the Skilled Worker route, provided the role meets the skill level requirements and the salary is at least the pro-rated equivalent of the relevant threshold. However, the worker must work a minimum of 16 hours per week.

If your sponsor licence is suspended, you will not be able to assign new Certificates of Sponsorship until the suspension is lifted. If your licence is revoked, your sponsored workers' visas may be curtailed, giving them 60 days to find a new sponsor or leave the UK. You should seek urgent legal advice if your licence is suspended or revoked.

From April 2024, the minimum income requirement for a spouse or partner visa is £29,000 per year. This threshold is set to increase further in subsequent years. The requirement can be met through employment income, self-employment income, pension income, or a combination of these sources.

The processing time for a spouse visa application varies depending on where you apply and whether you use the priority service. Applications made outside the UK typically take 12 weeks for standard processing. The priority service (where available) can reduce this to 5 working days.

Yes, if you are granted a spouse or partner visa, you will generally be permitted to work in the UK without restriction. Your visa will be endorsed with "Work permitted" or similar wording. There are no restrictions on the type of work you can do or the number of hours you can work.

The qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain depends on the visa route you are on. For most work and family visa routes, the qualifying period is 5 years. For the Global Talent visa (exceptional talent category), it is 3 years. For the long residence route, it is 10 years of continuous lawful residence.

Whether you have a right of appeal depends on the type of visa you applied for and the reasons for refusal. Most family visa refusals carry a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). Many other visa refusals do not carry a right of appeal but may be subject to administrative review.

The time limit for appealing a visa refusal depends on whether you are in the UK or outside the UK. If you are in the UK, you generally have 14 days to appeal. If you are outside the UK, you generally have 28 days. These time limits are strict, and you should seek legal advice as soon as possible after receiving a refusal.

Judicial review is a legal process by which the courts can review the lawfulness of decisions made by public bodies, including the Home Office. It can be used when there is no right of appeal, or when an appeal has been exhausted. Judicial review is a complex and expensive process, and you should seek specialist legal advice before pursuing it.

If you receive a notice of removal, you should seek urgent legal advice immediately. There may be grounds to challenge the removal, and there are strict time limits for doing so. Our lawyers can advise you on your options and, if appropriate, apply for an injunction to prevent removal while legal proceedings are ongoing.