Applying for a Partner visa to the UK can be a long, complicated and expensive process.
Getting professional help may make it easier and help to ensure you don’t make any mistakes.
A regulated immigration adviser could help you to complete your visa application.
Immigration advisers are regulated by the OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) and are required to meet certain criteria.
If you want to use a regulated immigration adviser to help with your visa application, choosing the right one is important.
There are a few things that you can do to find the right adviser to help you.
What is an OISC Regulated Immigration Adviser?
Researching immigration advisers and how they can help you will get you started with finding the right adviser.
Firstly, it’s important to understand what an immigration adviser does and how they’re qualified to help, as well as how they are regulated.
This will help you to understand the importance of having a good immigration adviser on your side and the importance of choosing the right one.
Advisers need to meet certain criteria to show that they are qualified to offer you advice.
They need to take a code and rules test to show that they understand relevant information on immigration and can advise people appropriately.
Advisers must carry insurance against giving bad advice and stay up to date with current immigration advice.
Registered immigration advisers can give advice about certain issues based on the level that they hold.
It’s important to check that an immigration adviser has approval to give the advice that you need before you hire them.
The Government website can be a useful resource if you want to know more about how immigration advisers can help you.
Benefits of using an OISC regulated adviser
Using an OISC adviser offers you a number of benefits.
An immigration adviser offers you specialist immigration advice.
They focus on immigration alone, whereas some other professions, such as solicitors, might cover a broad range of topics.
OISC regulated advisers must follow the Commissioner’s code of standards and be honest with you about your chances of success with your visa application.
They must pass assessments to be granted the status of an immigration adviser and prove their knowledge.
An immigration adviser should be on the OISC register and have a 10-digit registration number.
They must act in your best interest and be authorised to represent you.
If you are not happy with the service provided by an adviser you can complain directly to the OISC.
How your Immigration Adviser Will Help You
Your immigration adviser can do several things for you, making the partner visa application a lot easier.
Check that you meet the requirements
Firstly, your adviser can ask you questions to make sure that you meet the requirements of the visa.
These include ‘suitability’ requirements, financial requirements and relationship requirements.
Identify which supporting documents you need
Applying for a visa involves a variety of supporting documents and your immigration adviser can ensure you have the right ones.
Our “Do Your Own Partner Visa Pack” service provides you with a complete document list and template letters based on YOUR circumstances.
Check your supporting documents
As well as letting you know which documents you need, an immigration adviser can check them so that you have all the correct documents and they all meet the requirements for approval.
Submit your application
Your immigration adviser can also submit your application and represent you.
This is particularly helpful when making an application outside of the UK and using the Visa4UK website, which can be complicated.
Your immigration adviser can make it a lot easier.
Deal with any correspondence from the Home Office
Your immigration adviser is also able to deal with any communication and let you know if your visa application is successful or not, as well as if you need to provide any more documents.
Visa Fees
The average cost for immigration advice is between £750 and £2,000, based on London-based immigration advisers.
When you look at fees for immigration advisers, it’s important to consider just what they are doing for you and how much time and skill goes into their services.
Preparing your visa application is time-consuming and getting it right is important.
Your immigration adviser has the knowledge and qualifications to help you tick all of the right boxes.
By choosing to use an immigration adviser, you hand the stress of completing your application to someone else.
How to Choose an Immigration Adviser
When you’re looking for the right immigration adviser, there are a few ways you can find the right service for you.
When you’re looking for the right immigration adviser, do some research to explore your options.
Check that, like VisaHelpUK, they are registered and able to give you the advice that you need.
Asking for a referral can be a helpful way of finding the right immigration adviser.
You might already be in contact with some useful immigration or legal services that are able to recommend a good immigration adviser for your needs.
When you have a shortlist of some of the immigration advice firms that you might use, talking to them should help you to work out which ones are right for you.
You can ask them questions to help you determine which firms could help you with your visa application.
Firstly, you will want to find out what level of advice they can offer and what knowledge they have about visas.
If you have to make an important decision, the worst thing that you can do is get stressed about it and rush into making your choice.
While you might feel like you’re on a clock, you don’t want to be too hasty when you’re choosing a regulated immigration adviser.
Keeping calm and avoiding too much stress will help you to keep a level head and select an immigration adviser that will work for you.
You might find that some immigration advice services make promises about what they can do for you.
However, it’s a good idea to be wary of any guarantees that they make.
They can offer you advice on your application, but immigration advisers can’t promise you the result that you want.
In fact, they need to have liability insurance to protect them against the consequences of any bad advice that they might accidentally offer.
If an immigration advice service is promising any particular outcomes, it’s usually best to steer clear of them.
Look for firms that are realistic about the help that they can offer you, while also being knowledgeable and demonstrating how they have helped others in the past.
When you’re applying for a visa and looking for a regulated immigration adviser, it’s a good idea to get your paperwork in order as soon as possible.
You can find that you need a lot of different documents to complete your application, from forms that you need to fill in to evidence of the information that you give.
Take a look at our visa guides to find out about what personal documents both you and your partner need.
You will need to have documents such as passports and passport copies.
Anyone who is not exempt needs to provide proof of their English language ability.
You will also need proof of other requirements, such as the accommodation and financial requirements.
Using an Immigration Adviser for Your Visa Application
A regulated immigration adviser will give you the advice that you need for your visa application.
When you’re looking for the right adviser, make sure you check that they are regulated by the OISC so that you know they are qualified to give you the advice that you need.
Ask them questions to find out about how they can help you and the experience that they have advising on visa applications.
With the help of a regulated immigration adviser, you can make your visa application smoother and avoid making any mistakes.
Find your regulated immigration adviser today and you can soon get the help that you need for your visa application.
It’s worth taking some time to look for the best adviser for you.
At VisaHelpUK, we are regulated OISC immigration advisers who specialise in partner and settlement visas including UK Spouse Visa, UK Fiancee Visa and FLR M.
If you feel confident submitting the application yourself we offer a “Do Your Own Partner Visa Pack” service which provides you with a list of documents and template letters for your visa application based on YOUR circumstances.
If you have compiled your application documents we can check to make sure everything is in order.
Or, if you want the peace of mind of knowing that your partner visa application is being dealt with by immigration experts then why not contact us to represent you and we will deal with the whole application process from start to finish so that you can increase your chances of success.
