Immigration Law

As an Accredited Paralegal, you are required to demonstrate competence in your chosen area of practice as well as the general competencies and standards of conduct.

Below are competencies, skills, knowledge and understanding, and legislation specific to the immigration law practice area.

Competencies

You should be able to progress an immigration application by:

• Assisting clients and solicitors with completion of visa and nationality application forms
• Advising clients on the relevant costs, timescales and procedures associated with applications
• Preparing organising and digitally uploading the correct supporting documentation to accompany the application under supervision of a solicitor

Skills, knowledge and understanding

You should be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and awareness of:

• the application submission processes both inside and outside of the UK and across the different third-party visa application centers.
• the following common immigration/nationality applications:                 
  • Naturalisation as a British citizen
  • Registration as a British citizen
  • Appendix FM (Partner Routes)
  • Appendix FM (Parent Routes)
  • Skilled Workers
  • Sponsor Licenses
  • Long Residence

Legislation 

You are required to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and familiarity with the relevant legislation and rules of court. This requires being cognisant of the continuing changes to current legislation and rules and the introduction of new legislation and rules. The following is a non-exhaustive list of the areas relevant to immigration:

• Home Office guidance
• Immigration Rules
• Immigration Acts
• Nationality Acts
• AML Regulations

While not central to the competency, applicants should have a basic understanding of the relevant sections of the Human Rights Act and the European Convention on Human Rights.