At First Law Solicitors, we provide clear, strategic, and results-focused legal advice for individuals and families visiting the United Kingdom for tourism, business, study, or family purposes.
Whether your visit is short-term or part of a long-term travel pattern, our solicitors ensure that every aspect of your application complies with the latest Appendix Visitor Rules and the evolving digital border system for 2026.
Based in Manchester and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID No 665823), we represent clients globally with precision, confidentiality, and a commitment to excellence.
A Visit Visa allows overseas nationals to enter the United Kingdom for temporary purposes, typically up to six months per visit. Visitors are expected to leave the country at the end of their stay and cannot take employment, settle permanently, or access public funds.
This route covers a broad range of purposes, including tourism, visiting relatives, business meetings, academic exchanges, private medical care, and short study courses.
Our solicitors guide each client through the process, preparing applications that are fully aligned with the Home Office’s evidential standards and structured to avoid unnecessary delays or refusals.
From 25 February 2026, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) becomes a legal requirement for almost all non-visa nationals, including citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union.
An ETA is a digital pre-travel approval confirming that an individual is authorised to enter the United Kingdom for short visits. It remains valid for two years and can be used for multiple trips within that period.
Between now and 24 February 2026, travellers are strongly advised to obtain an ETA in advance, although airlines and carriers are not yet obliged to refuse boarding for its absence.
Expert Note: Dual British citizens who also hold another nationality, for example, a US or Canadian passport, must travel using their British passport from 25 February 2026. Carriers will be legally required to deny boarding to passengers without an ETA linked to the passport being used for travel.
If an ETA application is refused, the traveller must apply for a full Standard Visit Visa. Our solicitors manage these complex cases, addressing the reasons for refusal and preparing legally grounded representations that restore eligibility to travel.
To qualify for a Visit Visa, applicants must demonstrate that they intend to visit the United Kingdom for a genuine purpose, that they will leave at the end of their stay, and that they have sufficient funds to cover all travel, accommodation, and daily expenses.
Our team carefully reviews financial statements, accommodation documents, travel history, and sponsor information to ensure compliance with the Home Office’s credibility standards.
For family visits, we prepare invitation letters and status confirmations that satisfy the exact evidential requirements of Appendix Finance and Appendix Visitor.
The Home Office now permits limited remote work during visits, provided it is incidental to the main purpose of the trip. Visitors may check emails, attend online meetings, or complete work for an overseas employer while in the UK, as long as these activities do not involve UK-based employment.
However, caseworkers are instructed to scrutinize any stay exceeding one month that includes remote work, to ensure the visitor is not effectively living or working from the UK.
Our solicitors provide tailored advice on maintaining compliance with this “incidental” standard while accommodating modern professional flexibility.
A standard Visit Visa allows stays of up to six months per visit. Frequent travellers may apply for longer-term multiple-entry visas valid for several years, while remaining bound by the six-month-per-visit rule.
We assess each client’s travel objectives and long-term immigration strategy, selecting the option that balances flexibility with compliance and convenience.
From 15 January 2026, most new overseas applicants in visitor categories receive a digital eVisa instead of a physical visa vignette.
Applications are filed through the Home Office online system, and identity verification is completed via Digital ID Verification (IDV) technology.
While a small number of travellers may temporarily continue to receive physical vignettes, the Home Office aims to transition fully to digital border processing later in 2026.
Our solicitors oversee every stage of this process, ensuring your application, identity, and travel status are correctly recorded in your UKVI account, avoiding disruption at the border.
Visa refusals often stem from unclear travel intentions, inconsistent financial evidence, or inadequate proof of ties to the home country.
We identify and resolve potential weaknesses before submission, drafting clear, persuasive legal representations that satisfy the Home Office’s evidential and credibility standards.
For clients with previous refusals, we conduct full case audits, address procedural or factual errors, and prepare targeted reapplications or appeals designed for success.
Strategic Oversight: Every application is managed by an experienced solicitor who anticipates Home Office scrutiny and ensures full compliance with Appendix Visitor and Appendix Finance.
Digital Security: Our systems comply with the Data Use and Access Act 2025, protecting all client data through secure encryption and verified digital identity frameworks.
Global Insight: We advise frequent travellers, entrepreneurs, and families on managing their UK visits efficiently under the new digital travel framework.
Continuity and Foresight: We also guide clients who wish to transition from visitor status to long-term residence, study, or investment routes, providing forward-looking immigration strategy.
At First Law Solicitors, we go beyond standard visa processing. We deliver clarity, protection, and strategic control over your travel rights and personal data.
If you plan to visit the United Kingdom for tourism, business, or family reasons, contact First Law Solicitors for professional, discreet, and legally precise advice.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
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