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UK Visas

The 1st Contact UK Visas department have a dedicated team of immigration specialists. If you want to live and work in the UK there is a good chance that you will be required by the UK Home Office (UK Border Agency) to hold a valid visa. There are many types of UK visas which you may be eligible for and by using our no-obligation online visa assessment you will be able to discern which will best fit your needs.

The UK - and London in particular - has long been a favoured destination for migrants. The UK’s lively cities are steeped in history and abundant job opportunities which are just some of the reasons why people from all over the world choose the UK as their destination country.

Take a FREE online Visa Assessment
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Tier 1 Visa Extension

The Tier 1 visa extension allows eligible candidates to apply for an additional period of leave to remain in the UK. Those granted a three (3) year initial Tier 1 visa will receive a two (2) year extension, and those issued with a two (2) year initial visa will be granted a further three (3) years. The Tier 1 visa was introduced to replace the highly skilled migrant programme (HSMP) visa, which was phased out in mid 2008.
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Spousal/Partner Visas

The UK Home Office is willing to issue spousal and partner visas based on either a married or unmarried partnership, including same-sex relationships, to people with partners who have a right to remain in the UK.

» Read more about spousal/partner visas

 
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UK Ancestry Visas

This visa will only be granted in an applicant’s home country and will be issued for a period of 5 years to Commonwealth citizens who can demonstrate that they have a grandparent born in the UK or Channel Islands. UK ancestry visa extensions will be issued here in the UK.

» Read more about UK ancestry visas

 
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UK Tier 5 (YMS) Visa

Tier 5 visas are for young citizens of participating countries to enter the UK for employment purposes for a maximum of 2 years.

» Read more about Tier 5 visas.

 
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Tier 2 (Skilled Workers) Visa

This visa replaces the old work permit scheme. It is for people with a UK employer who wish to sponsor them in a skilled occupation. Like the Tier 1 visa the application is points-based.

» Read more about UK Tier 2 visa

 
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Permanent Residence and Indefinite Leave to Remain

Often referred to as permanent residence, the official UK visa terminology is indefinite leave to remain. This status can be acquired through a number of different avenues and will allow a person to remain in the UK independently and indefinitely.

» Read more about indefinite leave to remain.

 
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Visas for European Citizens

If you are from a European country, you may be required to register under the worker registration scheme (WRS) or to apply for an accession worker card. Even if you are not required to register, but wish to live in the UK for an extended period of time, you may find it is useful to do so.

» Read more about these requirements

 

Why 1st Contact?

When you apply for a visa, you have two options:

  1. You can take the DIY route and work directly through the UK Border Agency website  
  2. You can work through an agency like 1st Contact Visas.

While doing things yourself could save you money in the short term, the benefits of working with us could outweigh many risks and implications that you could face in the long run.

With us, you get:

  • Help with your specific application. We don't believe that any visa application is generic – you have a different background and may have very unique needs from the next applicant.
  • Industry expertise. We're known for being specialists in the immigration industry. With over 250 staff in our London, Melbourne and Cape Town offices, we have the knowledge and resources to make sure your migration journey runs smoothly.
  • Dedicated consultants, here to talk you through your visa options.
  • Less stress. We apply on your behalf, and take care of the admin for you.
  • No gimmicks. If you don't get the visa, we don’t charge for our services.