First Law Solicitors

Personal Immigration Solicitors UK

Expert Legal Support for Families, Partners and Individuals Coming to the UK

At First Law Solicitors, we provide trusted legal advice for individuals, couples and families navigating the UK immigration system. Based in Manchester and serving clients across the UK and internationally, our solicitors offer clear, precise and professional guidance at every stage — from visa applications and extensions to settlement and citizenship.

We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID No: 665823) and uphold the highest standards of legal and ethical service in all immigration matters.

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Authorised and Regulated by the SRA

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Over a Decade of Service as an Approved UK Law Firm

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Personal Immigration

Understanding Personal Immigration

Personal immigration law governs how individuals can enter and remain in the United Kingdom for family, private or long-term residence purposes. The main categories include:

Our solicitors provide comprehensive support, ensuring your application meets every evidential and procedural requirement of the Home Office.

Why choose us for personal immigration?

Understand your case

Deal direct with a lawyer

Clear process updates

Fees explained upfront

Trusted by Clients

Family Visas and Partner Applications

If you are applying to join or remain with your spouse, partner or family member in the UK, your case will fall under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules. To qualify, the relationship must be genuine and subsisting, and the UK sponsor must meet the financial requirement.

Financial Requirement (As of December 2025)

The minimum income threshold for new applicants is £29,000 per year.
Applicants relying solely on savings typically require £88,500 held for six months.
Those already on the route before April 2024 may still rely on the previous £18,600 threshold under transitional rules.
Sponsors receiving certain disability or carer benefits may instead qualify under the Adequate Maintenance test.

Compliance Alert (Effective 8 January 2026)

From 8 January 2026, the English language requirement for initial Partner and Skilled Worker visa applications rises from B1 to B2 (equivalent to A-level standard).

Applicants seeking extensions or further leave to remain may continue to rely on the B1 level used in their previous successful application.

This change is one of the most significant updates in the current Immigration Rules and affects all new submissions made on or after 8 January 2026.

Private Life and Human Rights Applications

We represent individuals who have built private or family lives in the UK under Appendix Private Life and Article 8 ECHR.

Our solicitors prepare thorough representations detailing your residence history, community connections, and compassionate circumstances to ensure your right to family and private life is properly recognised under the law.

Long-Term Settlement and Citizenship

Once you have completed the required residence period, you may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — the first step toward full settlement in the UK.

Typical pathways include:

After ILR, most individuals become eligible for British citizenship 12 months later, provided they meet the residence, good character and language criteria.

Naturalisation as a British Citizen: £1,605 (inclusive of the £130 citizenship ceremony fee).

Our solicitors oversee every step of the settlement and citizenship process, ensuring accuracy and compliance from start to finish.

Evidence and Documentation

Strong documentation is critical to a successful application. Our immigration solicitors prepare a detailed checklist and review all supporting materials before submission to ensure compliance with Home Office standards.

Common evidence includes:

Every document is verified, translated (if necessary) and formatted according to Home Office evidential specifications.

Home Office Fees (Effective April 2025)

The following fees apply as of 31 December 2025:

Spouse or Partner Visa (outside the UK) – £1,938
Adult Dependent Relative (outside the UK) – £3,413
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) – £3,029
Naturalisation as a British Citizen – £1,605 (inclusive of the £130 ceremony fee)
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – £1,035 per year for adults and £776 for children or students

These are official Home Office fees and are VAT-exempt.
Our professional legal fees are charged separately and are subject to VAT at 20%, in accordance with SRA Transparency Rules.

Common Reasons for Refusal

Applications can be refused for many reasons, including:

We identify and correct potential weaknesses before submission, helping prevent unnecessary delays or refusals.

If Your Application Is Refused

If your visa or immigration application is refused, you may be entitled to an appeal, an Administrative Review, or a Judicial Review, depending on your route.

Our solicitors assess your refusal notice to determine whether the decision was based on a factual or legal error and guide you through the most effective remedy. We act promptly to preserve your lawful status while your case is under challenge.

Why Choose First Law Solicitors

Clients choose First Law Solicitors for our legal precision, integrity and personal care. We provide:

Expert representation across all family and private immigration routes.
Clear advice grounded in the latest Home Office rules and appendices.
Transparent costs and realistic timelines.
Representation before the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal when required.

All cases are supervised by experienced immigration solicitors with over 20 years of post-qualification experience, ensuring your matter is handled to the highest professional standard.