The immigration team at Rahman and Co are able to deal with all your immigration needs. We are able to offer experienced and specialist advice on this diverse and ever changing area of law. Our staff can provide you with professional assistance in relation to all aspects of the law including:

• Applications for Entry Clearance ranging from spouses, students and other family mermbers
• Highly Skilled Migrant Program Visas
• Work Permits
• Business Visas including investors and sole representatives
• Asylum Applications

We also provide specialist advice in relation to appeals

The immigration law in the UK is contained in the Immigration Rules and other Acts of Parliament. The Immigration Rules cover the law relating to students, spouses, children, business related visa's amongst others. It is essential when making any type of application that the requirements of the Immigration Rules are met. Over time, case law and Home Office policies have developed which should also be paid reference to.

Asylum law is governed under the United Nations Convention for the Status of Refugees, and other acts of UK Parliament. We are able to provide specialist advice and assistance at all stages of the asylum application. Typically, an asylum application involves the following stages:

• Attending the Home Office to make an asylum application
• Submitting a SEF form to the Home Office which provides details of the reasons for claiming asylum
• Attending an interview at the Home Office to discuss the reasons for claiming asylum
• Service of the decision by the Home Office

Our staff can assist you in all the above stages. We are also able to represent clients who are in detention.

We have particular expertise in assisting clients under 18 who have claimed asylum. Different procedures apply to such minors and good legal representation is extremely crucial to the outcome of a case, particularly where the Home Office have discounted the claimed age of a minor.

Another important aspect of immigration law is the Human Rights Act 1988. It can have substantial impacts on cases relating to immigration and asylum and our staff are fully aware of the Human Rights Act and when it can be used in a particular case.

The appeals procedure in the UK falls under the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal. Appeals normally follow the following stages:

• Appeal to an Immigration Judge; if unsuccessful
• Application for a review of the Immigration Judges decision; if successful
• Reconsideration Hearing; if unsuccessful
• Application for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal

In exceptional cases there may be a Judicial Review

Appeals in the UK are normally heard at an oral hearing at which an Immigration Judge will decide the appeal, after the Appellant and the Respondent present their cases. Of course in order for a hearing to take place a notice of appeal must be lodged, with reasons provided as to why the original decision is being appealed against. It is important that a notice of appeal is lodged within the relevant time limit. In a typical hearing, such as an entry clearance appeal, a Home Office Presenting Officer will act for the Home Office. The Appellant has the option to act for him or her or to instruct a representative, such as a duly qualified solicitor or barrister. Appeals are heard throughout the UK.