UK visas explained: key takeaways from Melissa Vangeen’s podcast appearance
Moving to a new country is exciting, but it can also feel daunting once the paperwork starts piling up. Our Head of Immigration Department, Melissa Vangeen, recently joined Andrew and Mark on the Moving to the UK Podcast to share warm, practical guidance for anyone planning a move to the UK. You can listen to the full episode, UK Visas Explained: What You Need to Know Before You Move, on Spotify.
With over 25 years' experience helping individuals and businesses navigate UK immigration law, including senior roles as Head of Immigration at Watson Farley & Williams and Partner and Head of Immigration at Solomon Taylor & Shaw, Melissa has guided countless people through exactly this journey. You can read more about her expertise on her BK Law profile page.
In this article, we explore the key takeaways from Melissa’s appearance on the Moving to the UK Podcast.
Please note: this article is for general information only and should not be taken as specific legal advice. If you're planning a move to the UK and want tailored guidance, please contact our solicitors for immigration law for advice suited to your circumstances.
1. Research your visa before you move, not after
“From an immigration perspective, absolutely the first thing you need to do is research your visa before you move. I have a lot of people who come to me after the event. They've packed everything, they've arrived on UK soil, thinking they can just get on with life, and then they realise not only can they not apply for their visa from inside the UK, but in some cases they don't have a visa route they qualify for.’
It's a lovely feeling to have your move all planned out, but if you settle in the UK without the right visa and want to stay long term, you will usually need to return to your country of origin to apply from there. Melissa's gentle but firm advice: prioritise your visa with the same care and excitement you give to choosing where you're going to live, and remember there's no one-size-fits-all route. Take a moment to think about what you actually want to do in the UK, whether that's working or studying, and check standard processing times before you take any non-refundable steps, such as signing a lease or booking flights.
2. Budget for more than just the visa fee
It's easy to focus on the headline visa fee and be caught out by everything else that sits around it. Sponsorship, salary thresholds and the NHS surcharge all add to the real cost of a UK visa:
“ For an adult the NHS surcharge is £1,035 per year currently. It's slightly less for children under 18. It covers a year of NHS access, but you have to pay for the full duration of your visa on application.”
As a broad rule, the longer the visa, the more expensive it is likely to be, and costs vary depending on your route and circumstances. Melissa talks through the detail, including sponsor licence costs and where exemptions apply, in the full podcast episode.
3. Processing times vary, and preparation is everything
Standard timings depend heavily on the visa category, from around three weeks for many corporate visas to up to 60 working days for spouse and partner applications. Priority services can shorten this considerably. Melissa's key message: these are guidelines, not guarantees, so it's worth building in a little extra time and taking care to get your paperwork right the first time.
4. Take regulated advice, and be honest from the start
“Immigration advice is a regulated activity in the UK. It's really important to ensure that the person advising you is either a solicitor or an authorised immigration adviser with the IAA.”
It's an area of law that unfortunately attracts untrustworthy operators who are not always acting in good faith, and who make promises they can't keep. Taking a moment to check your adviser's credentials is strongly advised. Melissa also encourages full transparency from day one:
“I always encourage applicants to be as open and honest with me as possible. There can be things people don't like to talk about that might impact their application, whether that's bankruptcy in the past or that their earning capacity in their home country is completely different to in the UK. It's important to bring everything to the table and discuss it at the beginning.”
Speak to Melissa about your move to the UK
Melissa's full conversation with Andrew and Mark is well worth a listen, and covers a lot more ground than we can capture here. You can hear the full episode, UK Visas Explained: What You Need to Know Before You Move, on Spotify.
If you're planning a move to the UK, Melissa and the team would be genuinely pleased to help. Contact her via her BK Law profile page, or get in touch with our immigration law team for advice tailored to your circumstances.
Contact us in London (West Drayton) on 01895 449288 or in Hertfordshire (St Albans) on 01727 840900, or email us at info@bklaw.co.uk.