Common Mistakes You Should Avoid When Applying for UK Immigration

Applying for UK immigration is often characterised by simple mistakes made by the applicant, leading to the rejection of the filed application.

In some cases, the implications could be so severe, rendering the applicant liable to criminal conviction.

Resourcing the best immigration lawyers in London, our team at Wembley Solicitors, have good knowledge of the common mistakes that many applicants make when filing their immigration papers with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

To make sure you don’t have to go through the same disappointment that many other applicants have gone through in the past, we have compiled this list of:

Common mistakes you should avoid when applying for UK immigration

Mistake #1: Not Seeking Professional Help

Whether it’s the urge to save money or the lack of trust in the agencies that provide professional legal support in cases involving UK immigration, many people choose to opt out of seeking professional help when applying for the immigration process. This can make your application weak.

First of all, UK immigration laws are complex and the requirements for different visa tiers vary in accordance with these different categories. As such, it’s quite likely that you might miss out on something important, leaving your application incomplete.

Secondly, seeking professional help allows a more objective analysis of your application—something that’s missing when you proceed with the application process on your own.

Tip: Hire a firm that resources immigration lawyers who are well trained in UK immigration law, rather than a firm that employs immigration agents.

Mistake #2: Furnishing Unneeded Additional Information

Some people believe that providing additional information to the Home Office’s immigration department can make their case stronger; when at most times, it leads to the opposite.

More information means that authorities need more time to validate the additionally provisioned information. This could lead to unnecessary delays. Furthermore, the additional information could trigger an inquiry, where immigration officials might ask you additional questions related to the furnished information, and a failure to convince them can put them in doubt.

Tip: Consult your UK immigration lawyer who will advise you precisely on what is needed and what information does not need to be disclosed to improve the chances of your application success.

Mistake #3: Non-Provision of Supporting Financial Statement

Another common mistake that many people make when applying for UK immigration is the failure to provide supporting financial documents that help UKVI to assess whether you would be able to finance your temporary or permanent stay in the country.

In many of the cases, it’s the lack of information rather than the lack of finances that account for the mistake. For instance, there are often cases where applicants fail to factor in the finances involving dependents, when applying for UK immigration to move with the family. Similarly, when applying for Youth Mobility Visa, applicants fail to realize that they need to show a financial statement that should resonate with their available cash savings and should not include trust funds, bonds, lines of credit etc.

Tip: You should refer to an appropriate source that can guide you with the correct information about the finances to be disclosed and the format of the supporting financial documents required for submission.

Mistake #4: Failure to Comply with UKVI’s Specification for Submitted Photograph

Believe this or not, but failure to provide a photograph of yourself or/and your family (depending on the type of visa application) as per the specifications set by UKVI, can delay the processing of your application and in some cases even make it invalid.

The submitted photograph should have a standard size of 45 mm by 35 mm. All submitted photographs should have been taken within 28 days of submission of your application. They should be printed to a professional standard.

Tip: Read this official guide from UKVI that comprehensively explains the rules for photos that need to be submitted with your visa application.    

In conclusion, you should prepare your UK immigration application in the light of complete and correct information and knowledge to avoid the mistakes that can lead to unnecessary delays or rejection.

If you want to know about the different types of visas available for the UK, check out this helpful guide.