UK Immigration Lawyer for Canadians Moving to the UK
For Canadian citizens who wish to immigrate to the United Kingdom from their home country of Canada, the process can be overwhelming and complicated.
Enlisting the help of a UK immigration lawyer in Canada could help to reduce the stress and increase the risk of having your application denied. Reach out to the Total Law lawyers to discuss any concerns you may have on +1 844 312 4979 or contact us via live chat.
How UK Immigration Lawyers Can Provide Support
A key step in relocating to the UK from Canada is ensuring you and your family apply for the correct visas. It is important to select a permit that accurately reflects your plans for when you arrive in the UK otherwise you could face lengthy delays, additional costs or entry refusal.
Every application is different, with a wide range of documents required. Most applications also require a visit to a local visa application centre, where you must interview and provide the correct paperwork otherwise your application will be rejected. Therefore, we offer clients a personalized document-checking system to ensure you have provided comprehensive evidence to support your case.
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Wanting to Immigrate to the UK as a Canadian Citizen?
The UK government has specific immigration criteria for foreign nationals, including Canadians to enter the UK, including Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands.
Canadians with a valid Canadian passport are able to leave Canada to experience life in the UK on visa-free travel for six months. Canadians do not need a UK visitor visa. During those six months, they can only undertake tourist-related activity and must not work.
If you want to work and live in the United Kingdom as a Canadian citizen you must be granted a UK visa. There are many work permits available for Canadians looking to move to the UK. However, every visa has different eligibility criteria and most UK work visas require a UK-based sponsor.
UK Visas Available for Canadians
The UK immigration system offers a range of visas to suit your circumstances and your reason for moving to the UK from Canada.
Family Visas
These long-term permits allow dependent family members – a spouse or dependent children to join you in the UK and are a faster track to permanent residence, and eventually possible British citizenship.
- Parent of a British national or settled person – You can apply for this permit if your child is under the age of 18 and is living an independent life in the UK.
- Children of a British national or settled person – Only children under the age of 18 can be included in your application as dependants.
- Adults coming to be cared for by a relative – To be eligible, your designated relative must be a British citizen or settled person. In addition, this person must be able to support, accommodate and care for you without claiming public funds.
- UK Ancestry Visa – Canadians are considered commonwealth citizens, so are eligible for this route and/or if they can prove that one of their grandparents was a UK national.
- Spouse visa – This allows Canadians to reunite with their partner of whom they are legally married in the UK for up to 30 months.
- Fiance Visa – Is designed for someone who intends to get married in the UK, but they must do so within six months from the date of your application.
- Unmarried Partner Visa – For unmarried couples including same-sex couples that wish to legally form a civil partnership, or convert their existing one into a marriage in the UK.
Work and Business Visas
- Skilled Worker Visa: This visa permits holders to live or stay in the United Kingdom, and work for a qualifying business so long the offer is from an approved employer/sponsor. The visa lasts for 5 years before a UK visa renewal is required.
- Health or Care Worker: For medical professionals who have the qualification and wish to work a job with the National Health Service, or a National Health supplier, or in adult social care, they can apply for this visa route and it permits holders to stay for 5 years, before renewing.
- Intra-company – Transfer or Graduate Trainee: This UK visa is reserved for people who are being transferred from Canada, and the visa permits holders to freely live, stay and work at your employer’s UK branch.
- Minister of Religion: This visa is perfect for Canadians who work in the faith community, including ministers, members of an order, missionaries, and so on that have a job offer. This visa grants you maximum 3 years and 1 month in the UK.
- Business Visa: The UK business visas are targeted toward Canadians who are international entrepreneurs or investors that are able to invest significant capital or intend to set up a business in the UK.
- Global Talent Visa – For Canadians who work in science, medicine, engineering, or the arts and are internationally recognized as leaders within these specific fields.
- Innovator Founder – This visa is for experienced business leaders wanting to start a business in the UK, and requires a significant level of capital investment.
Temporary worker and short term UK work permits
Short-term work permits entry clearance to the UK on a temporary basis.
- Creative and Sporting: this is a visa perfect for Canadians working within the creative industry professionals including paid actors, dancers, musicians or elite athletes with valid work offers to come and work in the UK for up to 12 months.
- Seasonal Worker: This is a temporary visa for people to come to the UK in order to do varied work on farms or drive heavy goods vehicles to transport food for a period of up to 6 months. For this work visa, applicants must be at least 18 years or over and hold a valid ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ from their UK-based sponsor.
- Graduate Visa: This temporary UK work visa grants holders the chance to work in the UK for up to 2 years after completing an educational course in the UK, or up to 3 years for a Ph.D. or other doctoral qualification. This visa has the possibility of extension/renewal and requires a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ from a licensed sponsor.
- Youth Mobility Scheme Visa: The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is available for people aged 18 – 35 who wish to live, work and travel in the UK for up to two years and is helped by Canadian government funding. It is not possible to extend a youth mobility scheme visa, access public funds, or bring a dependent child or any other family member.
Study Visas
For Canadians who want to attend school, college, or university. To be eligible, applicants must hold a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) at a United Kingdom educational institution. These include:
- Student permit –For Students 18 and up with a certified spot at a UK educational institution.
- Child Student Visa – This permit is accessible for Canadian students under 18.
- Short-Term Study Visa – You can short term visa that lasts between 6 – 11 months allows short-term course attendance.
Get Support to Move to UK from Canada Permanently
Moving to the UK from Canada can be challenging, especially if you are planning to make the move permanently.
It is important to ensure you consider your immigration choices and apply for the correct visa which offers a pathway to permanent residence and Indefinite Leave to Remain status. While applying for a temporary visa may be the correct and easier choice initially it could not count towards the qualifying time needed for settlement.
Our experienced team at Total Law are able to provide a wealth of support in applying for British citizenship and a British passport.
How Can Total Law Help
Moving to a new country from Canada can be a stressful and time-consuming process. Even more important is ensuring that you have all the information you need to make sure that the immigration and visa process goes smoothly.
As expert UK immigration consultants, Total Law can help. We offer complete and comprehensive legal services for those looking to move to the UK or anywhere else in the world.
Whether you need assistance with applying for a UK visa, understanding the eligibility criteria to immigrate, or extra assistance with the logistics of moving to the UK, our legal advisers are on hand to advise. For more information about what we could do for you, reach out to us on +1 844 312 4979 today.
Advice Package
Get clear, expert advice on your visa options, eligibility and application before you commit to applying.
Application Package
Let our immigration lawyers prepare, check and manage your application so you can apply with confidence.
Fast Track Package
Need to apply quickly? Get priority handling by our immigration lawyers from preparation to submission.
Appeal Package
Been refused or received an unfavourable decision? Get expert legal help to challenge it or determine your next step.
The Advice Package
During this Advice Session, an immigration lawyer will assess your circumstances, explain your options and tell you what you need to do to make a strong application.
We review your circumstances, explain the relevant requirements, identify potential problems or refusal risks, and advise you on the evidence and next steps.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will assess your case, prepare your application, check your supporting documents and submit your forms on your behalf.
We check your application for missing information, inconsistencies and potential issues before submission, helping you avoid common mistakes that could affect your case.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package gives your case priority with our immigration lawyers, helping you get your application prepared, checked and submitted as quickly as possible.
Your case receives priority handling, including accelerated document reviews, application preparation, communication with your caseworker and submission support.
The Appeal Package
Our immigration lawyers will review the decision, explain why it was refused and advise on the strongest option available to you, including an appeal, review or fresh application where appropriate.
We will examine the reasons for refusal, identify weaknesses or errors, assess your available options and provide the legal support and representation your case requires.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on the immigration route you are applying for, you may be required to pay a healthcare surcharge, also known as the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The fee is paid when you complete your application forms online. After paying the surcharge and when the application is granted, you can begin using the National Health Service (NHS).
However, you may still need to pay for additional services, such as prescriptions, eye tests, and dental treatments unless it is covered by any travel insurance or work insurance.
When/if you receive a refusal letter, you will also get further instructions from the UK government on if you have the right to appeal against its decision. Should you not be granted the right of appeal, you may be offered the chance for an administrative review.
Consult an immigration expert for more advice if you wish to appeal a visa application decision.
It is a criminal offence to overstay your permission. This means that when your visa expires, you must leave the United Kingdom within 30 days unless there are reasonable causes to do otherwise.
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