UK immigration decisions rarely run on a neat, predictable timetable. Even when an applicant does everything “right”, delays can still happen because of biometrics backlogs, verification checks, digital system issues, or shifting Home Office priorities. Garth Coates Solicitors often sees that the biggest practical risk is not the delay itself, but the knock-on effect: missed…
A Home Office refusal can feel like a verdict on someone’s honesty. The language often lands hard: “not credible”, “inconsistencies”, “not satisfied”, “little weight”. But credibility findings are not always the result of dishonesty. In many cases, they are the product of casework mistakes, missing context, or evidence that was not properly understood. Garth Coates…
Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights protects the right to respect for private life and family life. In UK immigration cases, it is often the legal “backstop” people rely on when a refusal would separate a family, disrupt a child’s life, or break a person’s long-established ties to the UK. In practice,…
The UK’s move towards digital-only immigration status (eVisas) is not just a change for migrants. It is an operational change for employers. HR teams that still treat right to work as a “passport photocopy exercise” risk getting caught out by missed steps, expired permissions, or recruitment delays that could have been avoided with a tighter…
For most UK spouse and partner visa applications, the relationship requirement is where applicants feel the most exposed. It is also where many otherwise well-prepared cases come unstuck — not because the relationship is not genuine, but because the evidence does not prove it in a way that matches how caseworkers assess credibility. Garth Coates…
An EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) refusal can feel final, especially when it arrives as a short decision notice with unfamiliar references to “Appendix EU”, “eligibility” or “suitability”. In reality, many refusals can be challenged successfully — but the difference between a strong challenge and an unsuccessful one is usually found in the detail: why the…
A UK visa refusal does not end your options, but strict deadlines control what you can do next. You usually have 14 days to appeal if you are inside the UK, or 28 days if you are outside the UK, and missing this window can block your appeal unless you qualify for an out-of-time exception….
Planning to study in the UK often starts with one big question: what does the UK student visa really require? You need a valid CAS from a licensed university, enough approved funds to support your stay, and a clear, honest explanation of your study plans during the credibility interview. These three areas decide most visa…
Right to work checks protect your business, but small mistakes can still lead to serious trouble. UK employers must follow Home Office guidance and check every worker before they start. Missed steps can expose you to civil penalties if an illegal worker slips through. You avoid civil penalties by completing the correct right to work…
