Visas, Settlement & Citizenship
UK Immigration Advice & Services
There is a UK immigration route for almost every situation, from joining family to working, studying, settling and becoming British. The right one depends on your circumstances, and getting it right is the difference between a smooth application and a costly refusal. Regulated advice helps you choose well and apply once.
This page explains how UK immigration works, sets out the main visa, settlement and citizenship routes, and covers when you need an adviser, what it costs, and how Whytecroft Ford can help.
How UK immigration works
UK immigration is built around a set of routes, each with its own purpose, eligibility rules and fees. Almost everyone who comes to or stays in the UK does so on one of them: to join family, to work, to study, to visit, to settle permanently, or to become British. Choosing the route that fits your situation is the first and most important decision, because the requirements, timelines and costs differ sharply between them.
Most routes follow the same shape. You apply for entry clearance if you are outside the UK, or leave to remain if you are already here, meet the requirements for that route, and are granted permission for a set period, now held digitally as a UK eVisa. You extend when that runs out, then qualify for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain), usually after five years, and later for British citizenship. The detail is where applications succeed or fail: each route sets its own income, English language, documentary and residence requirements, and the Immigration Rules that govern them change several times a year.
The main UK immigration routes
The six route families below cover almost every application. Each links to a detailed guide with the current requirements, fees and timelines.
Which UK immigration route do you need?
The route you need is set by why you are coming to, or staying in, the UK. Most people find their situation in the table below, then follow the guide for that route to check the detailed requirements.
| Your goal | The route |
|---|---|
| Live with a partner, spouse or family member | Family Visas |
| Work, use a specialist talent or run a business | Work & Business Visas |
| Study a course in the UK | Student Visas |
| Visit for a short stay, or pass through | Visit & Short-Term Visas |
| Settle in the UK permanently | Settlement (ILR) |
| Become a British citizen | British Citizenship |
Many people move through several of these routes over time, from a first visa to an extension, then to settlement and citizenship. Getting each stage right protects the ones that follow.
When do you need an immigration adviser?
You are not required to use an adviser, and many people apply successfully on their own for a straightforward first visa. Professional advice earns its cost when the situation is not straightforward. It is worth getting help if:
- A previous application has been refused, or you have an immigration history to explain.
- You do not clearly meet a requirement, such as the minimum income, English language or continuous residence rules, and need to understand your options.
- Your circumstances are unusual, for example self-employment, a complex family situation, or long periods spent outside the UK.
- The application is high-stakes, such as settlement or citizenship, or a route your job or family depends on.
- You simply want certainty that the application is right before you pay a non-refundable Home Office fee.
A regulated adviser will tell you honestly whether you need one; our guide on whether you need a UK immigration adviser looks at this in more detail. Where a case is straightforward, we will say so.
How Whytecroft Ford helps
Whytecroft Ford is authorised and regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority, and there are real advantages to using a regulated adviser. We advise on and prepare applications across the routes most people need:
- Entry clearance – visa applications made from outside the UK.
- Leave to remain and extensions – applications made from inside the UK.
- Settlement – Indefinite Leave to Remain once you meet the qualifying period.
- British citizenship – naturalisation and registration.
- Eligibility and document review – a check of your position before you commit to an application.
Every case starts with an honest assessment of whether you qualify and which route is strongest. We then prepare the application to the standard the Home Office requires, with the documents and supporting representations that give it the best chance, and keep you informed from instruction to decision.
What does an immigration adviser cost, and how does it work?
Every case is different, so we give you a clear quote before you instruct us, with no obligation. Most people begin with a consultation, where we assess your situation, confirm the right route, and set out what the application will involve. From there you can instruct us to prepare and submit the application, or take what you have learned and apply yourself.
Government fees are separate. The Home Office application fee and, where it applies, the Immigration Health Surcharge are paid to the Home Office, not to us. We always tell you what those come to for your route, so there are no surprises. A typical engagement runs in three stages:
- Assessment. We confirm your eligibility and the strongest route, and flag anything that needs attention before you apply.
- Preparation. We gather and check your documents, complete the application, and draft any supporting representations.
- Submission. We review, submit and track the application through to the Home Office decision.
Frequently asked questions
Which UK visa do I need?
The route depends on why you are coming to, or staying in, the UK: to join family, work, study, visit, settle or naturalise. Each has its own requirements. The routes above set out which one fits your situation, and a consultation can confirm your eligibility.
Do I need an immigration adviser?
Not everyone does, and many people apply successfully on their own for a straightforward first visa. But where a previous application was refused, the rules are unclear, or the stakes are high, advice, even a one-off consultation, is well worth having. A regulated adviser will tell you honestly whether you need one.
How much does an immigration adviser cost?
Fees depend on the route and the complexity of your case, so we give you a clear quote before you instruct us, with no obligation. Government fees, the Home Office application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge where it applies, are separate and paid to the Home Office. We set out both so you can see the full cost before you decide.
What is the difference between an immigration adviser and a solicitor?
An immigration adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority and an immigration solicitor can both give immigration advice and prepare applications; the difference is the regulator that oversees them. For the visa, settlement and citizenship applications most people need, a regulated adviser can do everything the application requires.
Do I need a visa to visit the UK?
It depends on your nationality. Visa nationals must apply for a visitor visa before they travel, while many other travellers now need only an Electronic Travel Authorisation, which is a digital permission rather than a visa.
How long does a UK visa application take?
It varies by route and by where you apply from. Many in-country applications are decided within about eight weeks on the standard service, and entry clearance applications within about three weeks, though these are guidelines rather than guarantees. See our guide to UK visa processing times, or the priority service if you need a faster decision.
Can I settle in the UK and become a citizen?
Most work and family routes lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain after a qualifying period, usually five years. Once settled, most people can apply for British citizenship, generally twelve months later, so the two steps are usually planned together.
What happens if my UK visa application is refused?
A refusal is not always the end. Depending on the reason, you may be able to make a fresh application that addresses the problem, sometimes with stronger evidence or a different route. Our guides on the common reasons applications are refused and re-applying after a refusal explain the options, and we can review the refusal and advise on the strongest way forward.
Helpful UK immigration guides
Whichever route you are on, these practical guides answer the questions that come up most often. Browse the full library on our UK immigration guides page.
How Whytecroft Ford can help
Whether you are at the start of your UK immigration journey or reaching settlement or citizenship, the Whytecroft Ford immigration team can confirm the right route, prepare your application to the required standard, and submit it correctly. This is the work that suits anyone who wants their application handled properly the first time.
To discuss your situation with our team, call 0208 757 5751 or use the contact form.