Immigration Advice
Brian
Iddon is only able to help people who live in Bolton South East.
If you
do not live in Bolton South East, please go to see your own MP.
Please note, we will not take on any cases through third party representatives. You must come to the advice surgery in person. These forms alone are not enough to help us to deal with your case. We also need to see the relevant documentation.
What information do you need in order to sponsor a visitor to the UK?
British Citizenship/Nationality
Applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom
If you require a letter of support for a visa application you must allow two weeks for us to complete the letter. We are no longer able to contact Entry Clearance Posts by email for visa applications and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office have asked that all letters of support which are presented during an interview are the original copy from the MP, not faxed copies.
You should also download this Sponsorship Undertaking Form, fill it in and send it to the applicant so that they can include it with their other documents when they make the application.
In order to deal with your request more quickly, please complete the relevant form before you write to us or come to the advice surgery. Please complete a separate form for each applicant.
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to access these documents. You can download it for free here (opens in a new window).
What information do you need in order to sponsor a visitor to the UK?
If you are wishing to sponsor an application for entry clearance in the UK you need to make sure you have the following documents to support your application:
For all visa applications:
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accommodation certificate (available from the local Council)
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wage slips for the whole of the past six months prior to application
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P60
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bank statements for the whole of the past six months prior to application
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sponsorship declaration
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letter from your employer
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evidence of your own right to remain in the UK (for foreign nationals a copy of the ILR stamp in a passport or a copy of your grant of status letter, for UK nationals a copy of your passport)
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letter from local tax office (for those who are paid in cash to back up the claim of employment and income)
For applications on the basis of marriage you should also include:
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marriage certificate
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divorce certificate (where appropriate)
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birth certificates of any children
For visit visas you should also include:
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evidence of the applicant's employment and income
Visa application forms and accompanying guidance notes are available for free on the UK Visas website at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk
Unfortunately the MP's office is not able to assist you in completing application forms.
British Citizenship / Nationality
Nationality checking service
The nationality checking service is provided by local authorities (for example your county council or city council). The service allows you to make your application for British citizenship in person at your local council offices.
How does the service work?
If you decide to use the nationality checking service, you will have to pay a fee to the local authority. The fee is set by the local authority and you should contact it for details. The local authority fee is in addition to the fee you pay to us for deciding your application.
You should contact the local authority before you visit its office to find out if you need to make an appointment. You must visit the local authority in person; you cannot send a representative on your behalf. If you are a husband and wife or civil partners making a joint application you must visit the local authority together.
You should take your completed application form, supporting documents and the application fee with you to the local authority offices.
Staff will check:
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your application form is completed correctly; and
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you have provided all the necessary supporting documents; and
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you have included the correct fee for us to process your application.
The local authority will also photocopy and certify any valuable documents such as your passport. Your valuable documents will be returned and you will not need to send them to us. You must take the original documents with you to the local authority; photocopies are not acceptable.
We need the original evidence of your knowledge of life in the UK. These documents will not be photocopied by the local authority. We will return any original educational certificates by recorded delivery. Your letter about your life in the UK test will be retained by us as part of your application.
Once your application has been checked and your valuable documents have been copied, your application will be sent to us by recorded delivery.
The local authority only provides a checking service and will not be able to give you immigration advice. If we need further information to support your application we will write to you at the address you provided on the application form.
Where is this service available in Bolton?
The Nationality Checking Service is available at the
Register Office in Bolton
You must make an appointment in advance
The Register Office
Mere Hall
Merehall Street
Bolton
BL1 2QE
Telephone : 01204 331 185
Fax: 01204 525125
e-mail:
registrars@bolton.gov.uk
How much does it cost?
These fees are correct as of 22 January 2008. However, you should check this with the Register Office, as the fees may change on 31 March 2008.
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Single adult application £40.00
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Husband and Wife applying at the same time £55.00
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Husband and Wife with up to 2 Children £65.00
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Extra children included with parents’ application £20.00
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1 or more children under 18, who apply separately from their parents £20.00
Fees can be paid by cash, preferably, or by cheque, postal order or credit/debit card. If paying with a credit card, there will be a small administration fee.
MPs are not able to offer support for asylum applications.
If you have an outstanding application with the Home Office it may be possible for us to find out about the progress of your application or appeal.
We are also able to correspond with your solicitor to find out about the progress of your case.
However, we will not chase up asylum applications which are less than
one year old.
Have you had a questionnaire about an asylum application you made before 5 March 2007? If so, please see here.
The Home Office will NOT return documents such as passports, birth certificates, etc. unless an asylum-seeker has been granted leave to remain in the UK, so please do not ask your MP to request them as he is not able to assist. If necessary, an endorsed photocopy may be obtained for the purposes of opening a bank account or obtaining a driving licence. If an asylum-seeker wishes to leave the UK permanently, he or she should make arrangements with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) (freephone 0800 783 2332). Their documents will be returned to them at the point of departure.
Asylum-seekers or refugees who wish to return to their country of origin should read the information on the Refugee Council website.
If you have exhausted your appeal rights we are only able to ask the Home Office to re-examine your case if there is significant new evidence which has not previously been considered by the Home Office.
Applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom
The Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) currently has a backlog of applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, it can take several years for a decision to be made. If you have made an application within the past two years, and you have not yet received a decision, please do not ask your MP to chase up a response for you, as the BIA is not able to give a timescale on when a decision will be made. If the MPs keep writing to the BIA asking when decisions will be made; this adds to their workload and slows the system down even more. Please be patient.
Whilst the BIA is considering your application, you still have the same rights as those specified in your visa. If you need an endorsed photocopy of your passport, and a letter from the BIA confirming that you have an ILR decision pending, please write to them, clearly stating your full name, address, date of birth and Home Office Reference Number (if you have one):
Border and Immigration Agency
Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road,
Croydon
CR9 2BY.
If you employ non-British nationals it is important that you ensure they are entitled to work in the UK or you could be breaking the law and face prosecution.
Those with valid visas
If someone is in the UK for a short period of time on a visit visa you cannot employ him or her. They have been issued with a visa for the sole purpose of a visit and not to work. If you ask to look at their visa it will state employment prohibited.
However, if someone is in the UK on a settlement visa, i.e. for the purposes of marriage, they are entitled to work and their visa will show this.
If you wish to employ someone who needs work permit you must obtain the work permit before the person applies for their visa. It is important to remember that a work permit is only issued for the specific job and is not transferable; you must not employ anyone in the UK who was issued with a work permit for another employer. More information is available at www.workingintheuk.gov.uk
Those without valid visas
When people enter the UK on a settlement visa they have to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK approximately one month before their visa expires. If they have submitted their application prior to the expiry of their visa you can employ them as they are entitled to work unless their application is refused.
Many people who entered the UK as asylum seekers were granted either discretionary leave to remain in the UK or exceptional leave to remain in the UK. This is granted for up to four years. After four years they are entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Their applications should be submitted approximately one month before their leave to remain expires. If they have submitted their application in time they are entitled to continue working or receiving benefits until the Home Office makes a decision on their case.
It is important to remember that at the moment the Home Office is dealing with thousands of applications for people who apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK after completing four years exceptional leave to remain and therefore there is a severe delay in dealing with these cases. It is not unusual for applications to take longer than three years before a decision is sent to the applicant and therefore just because your employee has waited a long time you should not worry about whether they are still ok to work, just make sure they tell you when they receive a decision – especially if it is a refusal!
The Immigration & Nationality Directorate operates an Employers Helpline service for employers who have questions and queries about immigration law affecting people's entitlement to work in the UK. The number is 0845 010 6677.
More information on your rights and responsibilities as an employer can be found here - http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/preventingillegalworking/
You can check whether or not your employee, or potential employee, has the legal right to work in the UK by using this simple checking tool from the Home Office. You can also ring the Employers' Telephone Helpline on 0845 010 6677.
Amnesty International - Amnesty International is a worldwide voluntary movement of people who campaign for human rights. They are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion. Their vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.
Citizens' Advice Bureau - Citizens Advice Bureaux provide free, confidential and independent advice from over 3,200 locations including in bureaux, GP surgeries, hospitals, colleges, prisons and courts. Advice is available face-to-face and by telephone. Most bureaux offer home visits and some also provide email advice. Our advice helps people resolve their debt, benefits, housing, legal, discrimination, employment, immigration, consumer and other problems and is available to everyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality, age, nationality, disability or religion.
Commission for Racial Equality - The Commission for Racial Equality is a publicly funded, non-governmental body set up under the Race Relations Act 1976 to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality. The Commission for Racial Equality works in partnership with individuals and organisations for a fair and just society which values diversity and gives everyone an equal chance to work, learn and live free from discrimination, prejudice, and racism. They work in both the public and private sectors to encourage fair treatment and to promote equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their race, colour, nationality, or national or ethnic origin.
Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, 0161 740 7722, 400 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester, M8
Immigration Advisory Service - IAS gives free advice and assistance on all immigration, asylum and nationality issues to persons in the UK and abroad eligible for Legal Help and Controlled Legal Representation and we present appeals against refusal decisions for all who have a right of appeal. We can take cases to the higher courts by way of appeal and judicial review.
Immigration Appellate Authority - hears appeals against decisions made by the Home Secretary (and his officials) in asylum and immigration matters. The main types of appeal heard are against decisions to refuse a person political asylum in the UK. refuse a person entry to, or leave to remain in, the UK for permanent settlement, deport someone already in the UK, refuse a person entry to the UK for a family visit.
Immigration & Nationality Directorate - As part of the Home Office, the IND is responsible for Immigration control. It also considers applications for permission to stay, citizenship and asylum. Their website will help you understand UK Immigration control and what your rights and responsibilities are when you make an application.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - the world's largest humanitarian organisation, with 181 member National Societies. All our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants - JCWI is an independent national voluntary organisation, campaigning for justice and combating racism in immigration and asylum law and policy. JCWI provides free advice and casework, training courses, and a range of publications.
Law Centres - Law Centres provide a free and independent professional legal service to people who live or work in their catchment areas.
Manchester Refugee Support Network - works to support and empower Manchester’s refugee communities to establish strong organisations; to give refugees and asylum seekers a voice and the opportunity to represent the needs and aspirations of their own communities, to reduce levels of stress, unemployment, poverty and isolation for asylum seekers and refugees and to increase public awareness around issues of asylum and media representation. MRSN is a refugee umbrella organisation representing a growing number of communities including: Vietnamese, Afghani, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Zimbabwean, Bosnians, Chileans, Kosovar/Albanians, Kurds, Iraqis, Somalis, Somali Bravanese, Sudanese, Tamil and West African.
National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns - NCADC is a voluntary organisation, which provides practical help and advice to people facing deportation on how to launch and run anti-deportation campaigns. They provide objective and confidential advice on all pros and cons of campaigning work. NCADC also provides advice and assistance with the media and preparing press releases and we support public events organised by each campaign.
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
The OISC is responsible for
* regulating immigration advisers in accordance with the Commissioner's Code of Standards and Rules;
* processing applications for registration or exemption from immigration advisers;
* maintaining and publishing the register of advisers;
* promoting good practice by immigration advisers;
* receiving and handling complaints about immigration advisers; and
* taking criminal proceedings against advisers who are acting illegally.
Refugee Action - Refugee Action have a 'one-stop shop' in Manchester, as well as a telephone advice service. They work with private landlords and advice services and provide expertise in funding, immigration advice, employment. They also help to provide clothing and other practical necessities, as well as links with social groups.
Refugee Council - The Refugee Council is the largest refugee organisation in the UK providing advice and assistance to asylum seekers and refugees in London, the Eastern Region, West Midlands and Yorkshire & Humberside. Our offices provide a range of services for asylum seekers recently arrived in the UK, asylum seekers settled in the UK, as well as offering advice to those who have received an asylum decision. Our offices can be visited in person or advice can be given by telephone, subject to the availability of interpreters.
UK Council for International Education - UKCOSA's main areas of activity is the specialist advice service, giving expert information and guidance on key topics related to international education, and international student mobility in particular.
UK Passport Service - The United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) site aims to assist new applicants and existing passport holders by providing information and online facilities for all aspects of application, renewal and amendments of passports for British nationals resident in the UK.