What are the legal duties of an immigration lawyer and when might you hire one? This article seeks to answer these questions.
Immigration law covers a wider spectrum of the law than you think. From business immigration and work permits to individual migrants and representing their legal rights – the average immigration lawyer has a lot more to do than you might first think.
This article covers a cross-section of the duties which you might expect the average immigration lawyer to cover. Pay attention. It may come in handy someday. Especially if you have a business you plan to move abroad.
Times You May Need to Call an Immigration Lawyer
There are obvious reasons why you may need an immigration lawyer but there are also a number of other duties which they perform. Here are 9 duties of an immigration lawyer that you may or may not know about.
1 – Moving Into the UK
The most obvious time in life when you may need an immigration lawyer is when you move into the UK. To do this, you must go through the visa application process. Although it is possible to navigate this legal minefield
2 – When You Get Married
There are those who come to the UK because they have fallen in love with a UK resident. In this instance, they apply for the marriage license and gain entry and permission to live with their spouse. This spousal visa permits you to remain in the UK.
3 – During your Divorce
Similarly, if you go ahead and marry into the UK, or marry someone who is not a UK citizen naturally, then during your divorce that partner will require an immigration lawyer. UK divorces can take 6 months or more. Once that happens, the spousal visa will expire and other arrangements must be made.
4 – When Seeking Asylum
When refugees apply for safe refuge in the UK, they become asylum seekers. This could see them kept in a waiting area, or holding area, until their asylum status has been approved. There has been recent talk of repurposing ferries into Asylum Ships to sit off UK shores – an idea that has not been well received by the people.
5 – When Migrating Abroad
Just as those coming into the UK need help negotiating the laws and restrictions, so too do those leaving the UK. Whichever country you are relocating to will have its own specific set of visa application processes. You may or may not be able to gain citizenship in that country and if you do, you will have a mountain of legal technicalities to get through.
6 – To apply for British Nationality
If you were born while your parents were on holiday in another country, or if your grandparents were British, you can apply for a UK passport as a natural citizen. However, you will need to go through some hoops to do so. The easiest and fastest way to make this work is through hiring an attorney to represent you. Knowing you have a legal representative speeds up the process for you.
7 – Business Migration
When you own a business which has grown to international proportions, you will need a specialist in business migration law. If you wish to relocate the business HQ abroad then you must consult with an immigration lawyer to get an overview of the costs involved. Luckily, many lawyers in the UK will offer a free initial consultation to gauge whether or not you have a case.
8 – EEA Nationals in the UK
There are thousands of European citizens living in the UK right now. As a rule of thumb, EU nationals can stay in the UK for six months without needing a visa. After that time, they will need to apply for a visa or leave the country. If you are an EU citizen working in the UK you will need a visa. If you are here as a student you will also need a visa since these things can require you to stay in the UK longer than the initial 6 month allowance.
9 – When Applying to Migrate into the UK
Of course, let’s not forget that primary duty of immigration law: to help those who are applying for legal entry into the UK to complete their visa applications. Hiring a lawyer will speed up the process since they ensure you have the correct paperwork and file it for you at the right time. Miss a small detail when filing your visa application yourself and you could be set back for months.
Immigration Law is Intricate
Although you may think an immigration lawyer spends their day running back and forth between clients held at the borders, it turns out that they do way more. Keep that in mind should you ever need to hire one someday.