Changes to the British Nationality Act mean that many people can now apply for British Citizenship. Breytenbachs has many British Citizenship success stories following the changes in the Act.

One such recent success is that of a client born in Northern Rhodesia, now known as Zambia. In 1957, at the time of our client's birth, Northern Rhodesia was a British Protectorate. Due to historical unfairness and the new Section 4L Act, which was implemented in June 2022, we were able to apply for our client's British Citizenship, which has since been approved together with his British Passport.

If you or your parents were born in a former British Colony, Territory or Protectorate and you have a grandparent born in the UK, you may be eligible for British Citizenship. 

Don't hesitate to contact us for a free assessment of your eligibility.

Breytenbachs recently successfully applied for an out-of-time settlement application based on exceptional circumstances for our client.

Our client’s leave has expired due to exceptional circumstances. He suffers from serious health issues and has a complex medical history, which includes a heart transplant. The client also needs ongoing specialist medical care. Breytenbachs subsequently had to prepare urgent representations.

The next task was to overcome the hurdle of arranging our client's biometrics. His health condition prevented him from travelling and enrolling in person. Breytenbachs liaised with the MP and the Home Office and reminded them of the Biometric enrolment policy guidance. A mobile unit attended the client's address and enrolled his biometrics.

Breytenbachs are pleased to report that our client’s out-of-time settlement application, based on exceptional circumstances was decided in two days. Our client now has the status of ILR.

Home Office application fees for Limited Leave to Remain in the UK, including those under Appendix FM, will increase by 20% on 24 July 2024. The fees will increase from £1,048 to £1,258 per application.

Transitional provisions will be in place to accommodate certain groups. For instance, if an applicant submits a fee waiver request prior to 09h00 on July 24, 2024, and the request is denied, they will still be eligible, according to transitional provisions, to pay the lower fee of £1,048.

Considering these fee increases, Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants offers two recommendations. First, applicants who qualify to apply for their limited leave to remain should do so without delay. Second, given the rising expenses, applicants should recognise the potential financial implications of unsuccessful applications. Therefore, it would be sensible to engage Breytenbachs to increase the likelihood of a successful visa outcome.

Additionally, we would like to reiterate our No Visa, No Fee guarantee to our clients.

The International Sportsperson Visa for the UK offers numerous advantages, making it an attractive option for elite sportpersons and coaches.

This visa not only facilitates entry into the UK for training, competition, and employment but also serves as a pathway to settlement in the UK .

Another key benefit is the ability for sportspersons and coaches to bring their families with them, ensuring that they can maintain their personal lives while pursuing professional excellence. This family-friendly approach enhances the overall appeal of the visa, offering stability and support to the applicants.

Join us for an informative webinar on UK Business Migration. Discover everything you need to know about establishing or expanding your business in the UK, as well as working opportunities in the country.

Breytenbachs is excited to announce that we will be hosting a free webinar on 27 June 2024. Our senior immigration consultants will be discussing various options available for individuals looking to relocate to the UK for business-related reasons, including:

• Branching out your business to the UK through the Expansion Worker Visa.
• Establishing your unique business model in the UK via the Innovator Founder Visa.
• Working in the UK through the Skilled Worker or Global Talent Visa.
• Updates on British Nationality Developments.

In addition, our guest speakers, Gerhard Visagie and George Antoniou from Fusion Consulting (previously Exceed UK), will provide valuable insights on the administration and compliance requirements of setting up a business in the UK, as well as important information on bank accounts, PAYE, and recent changes to the non-dom status.

27 June 2024, 18h00 SAST /17h00 BST

Some clients who have Indefinite Leave to Remain only have proof of this through a physical document. Such proof might be a wet-ink stamp or a vignette sticker in their passport.

In such cases, the Home Office recommends that the person apply for a ‘No Time Limit’ (NTL) application. As soon as your NTL application is approved, you will receive a BRP card; whereafter you will be able to create your UKVI account for your e-Visa.

Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants have a FREE online assessment form.

Are you dreaming of living and working in the United Kingdom? Wondering if you qualify for a UK permit or visa? Look no further. Breytenbachs has got you covered.

By simply filling out our user-friendly online assessment form, you can get closer to finding out whether you qualify to live and work in the UK.

Our team of experienced consultants will provide you with a short answer or telephone call within two working days. 

Please note that we cannot assist with job placements.

As many UK sponsors will be aware, there have been extensive delays to the processing of many UCoS and DCoS applications since the start of the year.

One of the reasons for the ongoing delays appears to be an increase in compliance checks being undertaken by the Home Office. The Home Office reserves the right to request additional information or evidence whilst processing any CoS application to ensure that the position is genuine and meets all the relevant requirements, and further that the sponsoring organisation is meeting its duties as a sponsor. Breytenbachs has noticed a marked increase in the number of requests being made of this nature, at times with high levels of additional documents being requested. Accordingly, sponsoring organisations are best advised to apply for any required CoS in good time and to ensure that they are primed to provide further evidence at short notice, should this be requested. Your Breytenbachs consultant will be able to assist.

"I recently had the pleasure of working with Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants (BIC) for my visa application, and I couldn't be more satisfied with their services. From start to finish, their team was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. The entire process was smooth and efficient, thanks to their clear communication and expert guidance. They were always available to answer my questions and provided timely updates on the progress of my application. Their attention to detail and thorough understanding of the immigration process gave me confidence and peace of mind throughout. Special thanks to Verity and her team, who went above and beyond to ensure everything was handled correctly. Their dedication and hard work truly made a difference, and I am grateful for their exceptional service. I highly recommend BIC to anyone seeking immigration assistance. Their expertise and commitment to their clients are unmatched. Thank you, BIC for making my visa application experience a positive and successful one."

Paula Barcellos

The head office of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Ltd is in London. By law, our UK-based consultants must register with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).

There are three registration levels, with the highest Level 3. Our level 3 registration level allows us to advise from the most basic to the most complex immigration matters, such as appeals and reviews.

Our OISC registration gives clients the peace of mind that they are dealing with professionals trained to the highest standard. The OISC also supervise and audits our head office, providing further peace of mind to clients that their cases are in safe and capable hands!

Visa applicants can receive a partial refund if they apply to extend or switch their visa from inside the UK, and this results in them paying NHS fees twice for the same period. Thus, if you have paid twice for the same period, and that period is 6 months or more, you’ll get a partial refund. The refund will be rounded down to the nearest 6 months.

The Home Office will round as follows: if you have paid twice for a 15-month period, they will refund you for 12 months of IHS. If you have paid twice for the same period, and it is less than 6 months, you will unfortunately not get a refund.

Your Breytenbachs consultant will assist you in getting your partial refund. 

In the latest immigration scam that Breytenbachs became aware of, migrants in the UK are being phoned after hours by the supposed “Home Office” on their mobile phones. The number shows up as an ordinary mobile number. When answered, it is a recorded voice telling the person that there is a problem with their immigration status and that they need to follow the prompts. Some people are told that they paid short on their Immigration Health Surcharge fees, or that their BRP is not valid.

The Home Office has confirmed to Breytenbachs that they are aware of this scam. They have also confirmed that the Home Office do not work over weekends. Furthermore, they will always call from an anonymous number, and the call will always be preceded by a letter or email.

The Digital Nomad Visa for South Africa was launched on 20 May 2024. This modern visa is a significant step in attracting foreign nationals who wish to reside in South Africa while working remotely. It will align South Africa with a growing global trend where countries are tailoring visas to attract digital nomads and remote workers.

The visa will allow individuals to work as freelancers or for employers outside of South Africa, provided they meet specific income requirements set by the SA Government.

The Retirement Visa for South Africa offers excellent benefits for persons looking to retire in South Africa. The country is a popular destination for many retirees as it offers a high-quality lifestyle and a wonderful climate.

The visa is a temporary residence visa, and there is no age restriction. Anyone can thus qualify, provided that they can fulfil the financial requirement. The applicant has to show a monthly income of R37 000. This amount can consist of pension income, interest from investments or rental income. It is also possible to qualify if one can show capital investments.