Frequently Asked Questions

Our fees vary depending on the type and complexity of your case. We provide a clear, written fee quote before any work begins so you know the full cost upfront. We offer competitive fixed fees for most standard applications. Please see our Fee Scale page for an overview, or contact us for a quote specific to your case.

Yes. ZAM Law Associates is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), registration number F200900190. Our Principal Adviser, Zaheer Hussain, holds a Level 3 OISC qualification and has been providing regulated immigration advice since 2011. You can verify our registration on the IAA's public register at gov.uk/check-immigration-adviser.

Yes. We advise clients across the UK by telephone, email, video call, and WhatsApp. While we are based in Bradford, you do not need to be local to use our services. We regularly help clients in London, Manchester, Leeds, and elsewhere in the UK.

It helps to bring any existing immigration documents (passports, vignettes, BRP cards, previous visa refusal letters), correspondence from the Home Office, and any evidence relevant to your application. Do not worry if you do not have everything to hand — we can advise on what is needed once we understand your situation.

Processing times vary by visa type. Standard Skilled Worker applications typically take 3–8 weeks; family visas (entry clearance) vary between 8–12 weeks. Priority processing is available for many routes. Visitor visas from most countries are usually decided within 3 weeks. Always apply with sufficient lead time before your intended travel date.

Your options depend on the type of decision. You may have a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), a right to request an administrative review, or in some cases you may reapply with stronger evidence. Contact us as soon as possible — appeal and review deadlines are strict (often 14 or 28 days). See our Immigration Appeals page for more information.

This depends on your current immigration status and the type of application you have made. If you have submitted an in-country application before your current leave expired, you will usually have 3C leave — which preserves the conditions of your existing visa pending a decision. You must check the conditions of your current leave carefully before working.

The minimum income requirement for a spouse or partner visa increased to £29,000 in April 2024 and will increase again to £38,700 in early 2025. The sponsor must demonstrate income at or above the threshold. Savings can help meet shortfalls in some circumstances. See our Family Visa page for more details.

An initial spouse/partner visa is granted for 30 months. You can then apply for a further 30 months leave. After five years of continuous residence on the family route, your partner can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and subsequently British citizenship.

You must claim asylum as soon as possible after arriving in the UK if you fear persecution in your home country. You claim by attending a screening interview where the Home Office records your personal details. You will then await a substantive interview. We strongly recommend getting legal advice before and during this process. See our Asylum page.

Refugee status is granted where you face persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group under the Refugee Convention. Humanitarian Protection (HP) is granted where you face a serious risk of harm (such as death or torture) that does not fit the Convention definition. Both grant five years' leave in the first instance.

The qualifying period depends on your immigration route. Most work and family routes require 5 years of continuous residence. Global Talent (Exceptional Talent) allows ILR after 3 years. The Innovator Founder visa allows ILR after 3 years of trading. There are continuous residence rules and absence limits that apply in each case.

You can apply to naturalise as a British citizen 12 months after obtaining ILR (or immediately if you are married to, or the civil partner of, a British citizen). The total qualifying period from entry to citizenship is typically 6 years. See our Nationality page for full details.