Hiring an Immigration lawyer can be a smart choice to make if you’re dealing with complex immigration laws or problems with your application. Typically, they help with everything from application assistance to representing individuals dealing with criminal convictions in their application. But choosing to hire an immigration lawyer isn’t a straightforward decision. The process involves weighing up costs, researching options and most importantly, considering success rate. Here are 5 key considerations to make before making a decision.
Credentials & Qualifications
In the UK, applying for a Visa isn’t easy, and the difference between success and rejection could be an spelling mistake or a small error in your application. This is why many migration applicants choose to get support from an immigration lawyer. An immigration law firm who aren’t professionally qualified might fail to offer the quality support you need. In the UK, immigration lawyers must be authorised by a statutory regulatory body such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Bar Standards Board (BSB). Checking for these qualifications at an early stage can filter out firms that could negatively affect your chances of success.
Experience
It’s not just qualifications that will impact the success rate of your application. If you get the opportunity, ask them directly about their success level. If you’re not fully satisfied with their answer, read their online reviews to get a better idea of how they’ve performed with previous clients. It’s common for immigration lawyers to specialise in specific areas of immigration and visa application, such as family & partner visas, British citizenship or indefinite leave to remain. Whilst it may not be the deciding factor, asking about their experience with similar cases to yours can help get an idea of their expertise and what to expect from their services.
Communication
Clear, transparent and frequent communication is absolutely essential when choosing an immigration lawyer to assist with your application. Applying for a UK Visa is a long and complex process that quite often runs into unexpected complications. In these moments, to prevent further delays, strong communication between you and the firm you chose is crucial. Even after an initial meeting, if you don’t feel confident in how you’ll work together, it’s not too late to change your mind and look for another option.
Pricing & Cost
It might sound obvious, but comparing immigration lawyers fees can save you from spending excessive amounts on services that are typically offered at half the price. The price range for immigration lawyers also varies significantly. As an example, immigration lawyers in London can charge up to £500 by the hour, compared to £250 in the North West and Midland regions.
Expectations
Any immigration firm that promises a 100% success rate isn’t someone you should partner with. Don’t be afraid to ask for a clear idea of what they plan to do and how they plan to do it. By doing this, you can better understand their expertise and skill set while managing your own expectations. Most immigration lawyers, even if they’ve been practicing for less than a decade,