Immigration Journey Stages
Find the right information for where you are in your UK immigration journey
Your immigration questions can change over time. You might be applying to travel to the UK, checking the conditions attached to your permission, planning an extension or preparing for settlement.
This page helps you find guidance for the stage you are dealing with. You do not necessarily go through every stage, and the requirements depend on your route and circumstances.
AHJ Immigration provides regulated advice and application support for matters within our authorised scope. If you contact us, we will check whether we can help and explain the next step.
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Find guidance by stage
Entry clearance
Applying from outside the UK? Entry clearance is the process of assessing whether you meet the requirements to travel to the UK under a particular immigration route. Whether you need it depends on your nationality and purpose of travel.
Explore Entry Clearance
Leave to Enter
This means permission to enter the UK. In some cases, valid entry clearance takes effect as permission to enter when you arrive. The conditions and period of permission depend on what is granted.
Understand Leave to Enter
Leave to Remain
Already in the UK? Leave to remain means permission to stay. Depending on your route, you may need to apply to extend your permission or switch to another route. Application timing and eligibility vary, so check the requirements for your circumstances.
Explore Leave to Remain
Settlement and citizenship
Settlement, also called Indefinite Leave to Remain, and British citizenship are separate applications with separate requirements. Your route, immigration history and circumstances affect when and whether you can apply.
Explore settlement and citizenship
Fee waivers, eVisas and changes of conditions
These are different types of immigration support. A fee waiver request may help with certain application charges; an eVisa is a digital record of immigration status; and a change of conditions application may be relevant in specific circumstances.
Explore fee waivers, eVisas and changes of conditions
Looking for a particular visa route?
If you already know the type of application you are considering, explore our service pages:
- Personal Immigration for individuals and families
- Business Immigration for employers and business owners
How AHJ Immigration may help
The support available depends on the application and whether it falls within our authorised scope. Where we can assist, the agreed work may include:
- Reviewing the information you provide
- Explaining the requirements relevant to the agreed application
- Identifying what documents or information may be needed
- Preparing the application and supporting documents where included in your service
- Explaining the next steps after submission
We confirm the proposed service and professional fee before you decide whether to instruct us. Home Office charges and third-party costs are separate.
Our scope
We do not take on every immigration matter. Some cases involving human rights arguments, complex immigration history, refusals or challenges to Home Office decisions may require a different service.
We check whether the work is within our authorised scope before substantive work begins. If it is not, we will explain this and, where appropriate, discuss suitable next steps.
Read about our scope of work
View our immigration fees
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to go through every immigration stage on this page?
No. The stage you need depends on your route and circumstances. Some people apply for entry clearance before travelling; others already have permission and need to consider an extension, switch or later application.
Is entry clearance the same as Leave to Enter?
They are related but not identical. Entry clearance is assessed before travel. Leave to Enter is permission to enter the UK. In some cases, valid entry clearance takes effect as Leave to Enter when you arrive.
What does Leave to Remain mean?
It means permission to stay in the UK. It can include an extension or a variation of existing permission, depending on the application and route.
Is a fee waiver a visa?
No. A fee waiver is a request relating to specified application charges. It is separate from the immigration application itself, and eligibility depends on the relevant rules and evidence.
Can AHJ help at every stage?
We can assist with matters within our authorised scope. We check each enquiry before confirming whether we can act and what work is available.
Tell us where you are in the process
Share a short outline of your situation, the stage you are at and any important dates. We will review your enquiry and explain the appropriate next step.
Start a Query
Request a Call Back
AHJ Immigration is a brand of Knightsbridge Immigration Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. All advice and casework are managed through Knightsbridge Immigration Ltd.
