British citizenship and indefinite leave to remain
Applying for indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship is the last step in the immigration journey.
Whether you are looking to apply for indefinite leave to remain, to naturalise as a British citizen having obtained indefinite leave to remain, or to register as a British citizen on the basis of your parents’ nationality or status in the UK, we can provide you with detailed advice and guidance.
Eligibility
When the time comes to apply for indefinite leave to remain, normally but not always after five years in a qualifying category, we are able to assist you in meeting the eligibility requirements. Where applicable we can advise on accelerated indefinite leave to remain applications and long residence applications.
To apply for British Citizenship, typically you will be required to show:
- You have been lawfully resident in the UK for five years (qualifying period)
- Typically you would need to have held indefinite leave to remain for at least 12 months
- You should not have been absent from the UK for more than 450 days in the five years preceding your application and not more than 90 days in the final 12 months. There is the possibility of seeking discretion in respect of excess absences in specific circumstances, we can discuss this with you further
- You must be of good character
- You must have passed the Life in the UK Test
- You must satisfy an English language requirement
We regularly assist with complex citizenship applications so if you have any queries about the above requirements and how they may apply to you, we may be able to advise further at a consultation.
In the event that you are married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen, you may be able to take advantage of a shorter qualifying period of three years and be able to apply to naturalise as soon as you have obtained indefinite leave to remain.
We can also advise on the implications of changes following the May 2025 government immigration policy White Paper on new rules for indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship applications.
Our service and fees
We will also be on hand throughout the process to respond to any queries or concerns that you may have.
At the outset, we will explain the visa process in a straightforward and comprehensible manner which will allow you to know exactly what will be required in order for the application to be approved. We are aware of the importance placed by the Home Office on the specific documents required for an application to be approved and we can liaise with your employer and/or accountant to ensure that the documentation provided meets these standards.
Should any issues arise with your application, we will be on hand to liaise with the Home Office on your behalf.
We provide bespoke fee estimations for each matter we work on with our clients. Our fee estimation will depend on your particular circumstances and the complexities of your application. More information on how our fees are determined can be found here.
As an initial indication, typically our fees for indefinite leave to remain range from £3,675 – £7,000 and £18,500 for a Tier 1 (Investor), plus VAT and disbursements. Naturalisation as a British Citizenship applications range from £3,675 – £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements.
If you are happy to proceed on this basis please contact us.
Visit visa
Whether you need to visit the UK for business, to see family or for private medical treatment, we have considerable experience in helping individuals make successful visa applications.
We regularly assist individuals with complex UK immigration histories and who may have been refused visit visas in the past. If you are an individual looking to visit the UK and struggling with the application process, we can help simplify the process and assist you in preparing a strong application.
There is a lot of confusion about what a visitor can and cannot do in the UK and how long they can spend here. These misunderstandings can have serious repercussions and in the most serious situations, you could be banned from entering the UK.
It is therefore very important to understand the limits of your entry to the UK as a visitor and to remain compliant with the conditions of your visa.
Eligibility
You must show that:
- You’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
- You’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home
- You’re able to support yourself and your dependants during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
- You’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
- You have proof of any business or other activities you want to do in the UK, as allowed by the Visitor Rules
Our service and fees
We will start by advising you on whether the visitor category is suitable for your intended trip to the UK. If it is, we will work with you to prepare a comprehensive application that addresses all the key requirements for a visitor.
We will guide you through the process from start to finish and ensure you have a clear understanding at the end of what you can and cannot do in the UK on your new visa.
You might be a non-visa national who doesn’t need to obtain a visa in advance of visiting the UK but who has experienced difficulty entering the UK. In these cases, we will assess what the risk is to you returning to the UK and can either help you cover yourself with a visa or provide a letter to support your entry to the UK.
We also regularly advise businesses on the best way to move their global employees. If the visitor route is the best one for your employee, we will ensure you understand clearly what they will be able to do during their time in the UK and can assist with as smooth an entry to the UK as possible.
We provide bespoke fee estimations for each matter we work on with our clients. Our fee estimation will depend on your particular circumstances and the complexities of your application. More information on how our fees are determined can be found here.
As an initial indication, typically our fees for a visitor visa are between £3,000 – £3,500 plus VAT and disbursements.
If you are happy to proceed on this basis please contact us.
Investor visa
We have a long-established practice working with Tier 1 investors.
We played an active role in consulting with the government on the development of the programme and, as such, are well placed to advise active Tier 1 investors.
Eligibility
The Tier 1 (Investor) category was closed to new applicants from 17 February 2022. If you had been considering the Tier 1 (Investor) visa, there are a range of other immigration options which may be suitable and we would be happy to discuss potential options with you.
If you held a Tier 1 Investor visa in the last 12 months, you may still be able to apply to be readmitted onto the route.
For those who already hold a Tier 1 Investor visa, they can continue on their investor visa but there are some important recent changes which they should be aware of. Deadlines, called ‘sunset clauses’, are in place for those already holding investor status:
- 17 February 2026 for extension applications
- 17 February 2028 for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) applications
Our service and fees
We have a long established practice working with Tier 1 investors. We played an active role in consulting with the government on the development of the programme and, as such, are well placed to advise active Tier 1 investors.
This visa has been available for migrants who have £2 million to invest in the UK and offers a path to settlement in the UK.
We can help you understand your options, provide you with comprehensive advice on extension and settlement applications and guide you through the process. We will work with you to ensure you are set up to remain compliant with your visa and ultimately meet your UK immigration goals.
It is very important that you take proper tax advice as early as possible. We work closely with our tax team who can help you understand the UK system and advise on what steps you should take and when.
Together, we co-ordinate the tax and immigration aspects in a way which best suits you.
When we are instructed on a Tier 1 Investor visa, we begin by understanding your long term immigration goals. This enables us to provide strategic advice at the outset so you reach your ultimate goal as soon as possible.
The Tier 1 Investor visa is subject to a number of set criteria and it is important to ensure you are best placed to meet these on an on-going basis. Failure to do so can be fatal to future applications to remain in the UK so this planning is critical.
We will advise you on the process, documentation and requirements of the visa. We work directly with wealth managers, banks and other advisers so your application can be prepared as efficiently as possible.
We recognise that investors lead very busy lives and may need a service where most of the work is handled for you. On the other hand, you may want to be actively involved in the process. We tailor our service to your needs.
Our extensive experience dealing with investor visas, stretching back more than 20 years, has equipped us well to deal with the full range of applications.
We can assist in complex cases as well as more straightforward matters where the most important thing is ensuring on-going immigration planning is properly conducted. Our aim is to make sure you are well placed to continue your journey as a Tier 1 Investor.
A range of other immigration options are available for those who would have applied to the Tier 1 (Investor) category and we would be happy to assist you with those.
Typically our fees for assisting in Investor visa extension or settlement application are between £15,000 – £18,500 plus VAT.
If you are happy to proceed on this basis please contact us.
Parent of a British or settled child
If you have a British child or children living in the UK, there may be an option to obtain a visa on the basis of being their parent.
Eligibility
When you first apply, your child would need to be under 18 and not living an independent life. They need to be British, settled in the UK or typically have lived in the UK for at least seven years. They must be in the UK when you apply.
If you are in a relationship with the child’s other parent and would be eligible to apply as a partner on that basis, you cannot apply under this category.
There are also requirements regarding your responsibility for and contact with your child.
Finally, there are maintenance, accommodation and English language requirements that will normally need to be met.
Our service and fees
Our experienced immigration team have a wealth of experience assisting parents in making successful parent of a child applications.
We understand that the visa application process has the potential to be a stressful time for all those involved. Therefore, we will explain the visa process in a straightforward and comprehensible manner from the outset, which will allow you to know exactly what will be required in order for your application to be approved.
We will also be on hand throughout the process to respond to any queries or concerns that you may have.
We provide bespoke fee estimations for each matter we work on with our clients. Our fee estimation will depend on your particular circumstances and the complexities of your application.
However, as a guide our fees for parent of a child applications are typically around £5,775 – £7,150 plus VAT and disbursements.
If you are happy to proceed on this basis please contact us.
Adult dependent relative visa
The adult dependent relative visa is for relatives of British citizens, or those with permanent residence in the UK, who need long-term care and support to perform everyday tasks.
The adult dependent visa is notoriously difficult to obtain so we recommend you consider the below information before making a decision on whether to proceed with this application.
Eligibility
Adult dependent visas are granted in limited circumstances.
There is a high threshold to be met for British citizens or individuals with settled status or permanent residence in the UK to bring an adult dependent relative to the UK.
In short, it has to be shown that:
- Their adult dependent relative requires “long-term personal care to perform everyday tasks”
- Even with their practical and financial help, their adult dependent relative is unable to “obtain the required level of care in the country where they are living, because (a) it is not available and there is no person in that country who can reasonably provide it; or (b) it is not affordable”
- The person the adult dependent relative will be joining in the UK will be able to support, accommodate and care for them without claiming public funds for at least five years
Our service and fees
Our team have made successful adult dependent visa applications, however the threshold is very high.
Typically we would suggest an initial consultation with a member of our immigration team before deciding whether to go ahead with the application.
During the consultation we can advise you on the requirements of the visa and set out the likelihood of a successful application based on your family’s circumstances. From this information, you can make an informed decision as to whether you would like to progress with the application.
Our fee for the consultation is £1,000 plus VAT or £1,900 plus VAT if the consultation will be complex.
Should you wish to go ahead with the adult dependent relative visa, our fees are typically between £8,400 – £10,800 plus VAT, depending on the complexity of the application.
If you are happy to proceed on this basis please contact us.
EU Settlement Scheme
The EU Settlement Scheme was introduced to enable EU, EEA or Swiss citizens, who were resident in the UK before 11 pm on 31 December 2020, to protect their residence in the UK following the end of free movement.
The scheme also applies to eligible family members.
Depending on your circumstances, you will either get settled or pre-settled status. Pre-settled status can lead to settled status, also known as indefinite leave to remain.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme, you must have been resident in the UK by 31 December 2020.
Applications to the Scheme should have been made by 30 June 2021. Late applications are possible but are subject to increasing scrutiny and tighter rules on what is considered to be a reasonable excuse for the delay.
If you’re a close family member of an individual who has pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit to join your family member in the UK.
In order to be eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit, your family relationship must have started before 31 December 2020 but there is no need for you to demonstrate you were resident in the UK by 31 December 2020.
A close family member, for the purposes of the EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit includes:
- Spouses and unmarried partners
- Dependent relatives
- Children
Our service and fees
Our team are highly experienced in EU Settlement Scheme applications for straightforward, complex and family applications.
We’re here to guide you and your family smoothly through the process and ensure you are granted the correct status based on your circumstances.
If you instruct us we will advise you on what status you will likely be granted, based on your circumstances and guide you through the application process.
We provide holistic advice and will be able to advise you on the requirements of your status and what requirements you will need to meet if you wish to eventually gain settled status, indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship in the UK.
Typically our fees for EU Settlement Scheme applications are between £2,100 – £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements.
If you are happy to proceed on this basis please contact us.
Global Talent visa
From 20 February 2020, the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) category changed to Global Talent.
Global Talent visas are for applicants with ‘exceptional talent’ or ‘exceptional promise’ who wish to work in the UK within the science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology and arts and culture sectors, including film and television, fashion design and architecture.
The Exceptional Talent category is primarily for established leaders within their fields, whereas the Exceptional Promise category is for those able to show the potential to become leaders in their field.
The Global Talent visa is a flexible visa category which provides the right to live, study and work in the UK. Holders of the Global Talent visa have the flexibility to work as an employee or self-employed throughout the visa.
A visa can be obtained for up to five years. It can be extended and can lead to indefinite leave to remain in the UK within three to five years.
Eligibility
Applicants must be over 18 and will have to demonstrate that they are already a leader in their field (Exceptional Talent) or show that they have the potential to become a leader in their field (Exceptional Promise).
The first stage of the application is to gain endorsement from one of the six endorsing bodies, depending on your field of expertise:
- The Royal Society
- The Royal Academy of Engineering
- The British Academy
- Tech Nation
- Arts Council England
- UK Research and Innovation
Stringent documentary requirements and detailed assessment criteria are in place for all endorsing bodies. Successfully applying for endorsement can be challenging, even for the most talented applicants.
Our service and fees
Our specialist private client immigration team has a wealth of experience assisting clients with complex exceptional talent and exceptional promise applications.
We will start by reviewing your experience with you and explore your eligibility for an Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise application in your relevant field.
We will provide you with an overview of the process of applying, what you can expect and how we will support your application.
We assist in preparation of the necessary documentation and support you in determining the best information to include.
As a full service law firm, we can provide coordinated advice that you and your business need, including employment law advice, corporate and commercial, tax, regulatory and property.
Our fees for the Endorsement Application are typically around £4,700 – £6,250 plus VAT and disbursements.
Once Endorsement has been granted, the application for the visa is made separately. We are able to assist you with just the Endorsement application or both the Endorsement and visa application.
If you are happy to proceed on this basis please contact us.
Global Talent Visa – Tech Nation Endorsement
From 20 February 2020, the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) category changed to Global Talent.
Kingsley Napley is Tech Nation’s sole visa partner and assists tech visa applicants with their visa requirements at every stage of their UK immigration journey.
More information about the Tech Nation visa can be found here.
Tech Nation enables talented people from around the world to come and work in the UK’s digital tech sector, and has been designated by the Home Office to endorse applications for the Global Talent visa in digital technology.
The Global Talent visa is a flexible visa category which provides the right to live, study and work in the UK. Holders of the Global Talent visa have the flexibility to work as an employee or self-employed throughout the visa.
A visa can be obtained for up to five years. It can be extended and can lead to indefinite leave to remain in the UK within three to five years.
Tech Nation and Kingsley Napley Immigration
More information about the Tech Nation visa can be found here.
Eligibility
Global Talent visas are for applicants with ‘exceptional talent’ or ‘exceptional promise’.
The Exceptional Talent category is primarily for established leaders within their fields, whereas the Exceptional Promise category is for those able to show the potential to become leaders in their field.
Stringent documentary requirements and detailed assessment criteria are in place for endorsement with Tech Nation. Successfully applying for endorsement can be challenging, even for the most talented applicants.
Our service and fees
Our specialist private client immigration team has a wealth of experience assisting clients with complex exceptional talent and exceptional promise endorsement applications.
If you instruct us we will advise you on the endorsement criteria and, if you decide to proceed with the application, we will help you to put together the necessary documents.
We will review the evidence, suggest changes if appropriate, collate the evidence and submit the application.
We will guide you on what your personal statement or the letters of recommendation should cover but we will not draft the documents – you and your referees need to do this. We will review the drafts and tell you if we think they should be amended before they are finalised.
As a full service law firm, we can provide coordinated advice that you and your business need, including employment law advice, corporate and commercial, tax, regulatory and property.
Our specialist tech lawyers in our corporate and commercial team advise early stage companies and start-ups, as well as established businesses, whose primary assets are their technology.
We advise on the key legal issues faced by fast-growing tech businesses, including:
- Investment rounds (angel, VC and private equity)
- The terms of technology agreements with suppliers and customers
- Data protection
- The exploitation and protection of intellectual property rights
- Employee share schemes and other employment issues
- Exits, whether by a merger, acquisition or a listing
Our fees for the Endorsement Application are typically around £6,250 plus VAT and disbursements.
Once Endorsement has been granted, the application for the visa is made separately. We are able to assist you with just the Endorsement application or both the Endorsement and visa application.
If you are happy to proceed on this basis please contact us to arrange an initial call.
Asylum
You may have already decided that you need to claim asylum or make a human rights application.
Alternatively, you may need advice on the options open to you.
Whatever stage you are at, we can advise you about how you may wish to proceed as well as preparing a thorough application for you, if appropriate.
We also regularly assist with appeals and judicial reviews against refusals of human rights applications as well as challenging refusals of asylum.
Eligibility
You must already be in the UK to claim asylum.
We are prohibited from assisting those outside of the UK to claim asylum in the UK. This is because there are a number of related criminal offences of assisting those who wish to come to the UK to claim asylum.
Our service and fees
Our fees to assist in an immigration matter of this type would be charged on a time spent basis in accordance with our hourly rates.
Our hourly rates range from £210 to £755 plus VAT, depending on the seniority of the fee earner working on the matter.
As asylum matters are complex, it would require a considerable amount of work and a fee estimation will be tailored to your circumstances.
If you instruct us, we will investigate your human rights and/or asylum claim thoroughly and help you gather supporting evidence. This may include working with independent experts to obtain objective supporting evidence.
We know the process, particularly of claiming asylum, can be a stressful one and at times may take you out of your comfort zone.
You may be new to the UK and you may not have strong English language skills. Even if you have spent a lot of time here, the asylum process is very different to other UK immigration routes and can be difficult to adjust to.
We will be with you at every stage of the process, ensuring you understand what is happening and challenging the Home Office as appropriate.
You will have a team to not only help prepare a detailed and well researched application or claim but to help you and your family through the process.
If you would like to proceed based on the information set out above, please contact us using the below form.
