Immigration solicitor for UK spouse visa - worth it?

I've hired an immigration accountant to process my new spouse visa as the rules seem quite complicated.  But honestly, I've found all the documents needed online and he hasn't told me anything that I didn't know already or could find out on my own.

Is there any benefit in terms of presentation to UKBA to having said you worked with an immigration specialist?  Or was that just money wasted? Does he fight my corner is an appeal is needed or something like that?

I think for most people there is no need. Do you have a particularly complicated situation on something?

A good representative will say "these are the documents I need, this is the information I need, I'll prepare your application" If you're having to do most of the work yourself then, no, it probably isn't worth it.

Sometimes it's just that confidence boost if you're unsure of the rules but whether it's worth it financially depends on how you see things and on the service received.

A solicitor (or consultant) won't represent you in an appeal unless it's been agreed in advance. Most of the time, a representative will agree a fee with you for the initial application. If it is refused then (s)he can represent you at an appeal (subject to being qualified to do so) but it will usually be at additional cost.

My husband is self employed so financial support is a bit more complex. I still am not sure what an accountant's certificate of confirmation for his accounts is and my husband has no clue as he's been self assessment with HMRC for years. Apparently we need that now for the application?

My solicitor has said to get him all the documents. I filled out the UKBA forms.  But I can't see what work he's doing.  Guess I'm paying £835 for a professional review/audit.

Wow. That is a LOT of money to spend.

Wow. That is a LOT of money to spend.

I agree.

Have you had a "client care letter"? It should outline the fee and what work that includes.

I think with the accountant bit it's this section :

If the applicant’s business is not required to produce annual audited accounts, the latest unaudited accounts and an accountant’s certificate of confirmation, from an accountant who is a member of a UK Recognised Supervisory Body (as defined in the Companies Act 2006)

(from UKBA guidance)

What this means is that your husband's business accounts need to be prepared by an accountant and then they'll issue a certificate saying they've prepared them. Audited means they've checked every single transaction whereas unaudited means they'll take your husband's word for it as to what he's spent money on. For clarification, unaudited accounts is all you'll need

I agree.

Have you had a "client care letter"? It should outline the fee and what work that includes.

I have the terms and conditions but at the bottom on the email with the price quote it said..."we charge fees for our services and will detail such fees to you if and when relevant."

Oh dear, have I been taken?  My application is on hold; I should cancel it and get my money back if it can be done for cheaper.

You may not have been taken.

Is this a UK-based representative?

Are they solicitors or OISC advisors?

and

What did they say they would do for the fee, in the quote they gave you?

You haven't necessarily been taken, but that is a lot of money to spend on something you can do for free.

@ Steve_G

Thanks for the clarification on what an unaudited certification is.  My husband is in a panic trying to get all the invoices into an accountant - he's not the best organizer.  This should make him sleep better.  He's going to an accountant tomorrow to speak to him about the certification.

The company I used is a UK based registered OISC and ARIA member and the person I am using is an immigration solicitor.  And my quote said the fee reflected the "weighty process" as my husband is self employed and that is harder to prove.  They said they would "arrange everything" and I could make the application from the US.

Thanks again for your replys

You haven't necessarily been taken, but that is a lot of money to spend on something you can do for free.

I know.  When it comes to the UK immigration system, especially with these new changes, it really intimidates me.  And I consider myself a very intelligent confident person - but UKBA really scares me.

If my husband was employed - salaried - it would be more cut and dry. If we were independently wealthy it would be much easier still

Hmmm, a solicitor registered with the OISC is unusual - solicitors firms don't need to register with the OISC. They're exempt due to the even tighter regulation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.  ARIA has no legal standing whatsoever and is more of a 'club' than a regulatory service. Even their website is shocking as it seems to include links to firms that were closed down years ago.

Giving you vague comments like "arrange everything" isn't the way things are done really. "Arranging everything" could be interpreted very widely.

Being self-employed isn't any more "weighty" than being employed - in both situations, the UKBA specify documents to be provided and the income levels to be met. Arguably, it involved more work under the old rules where detailed calculations had to be done.

I'd suggest caution. Email them and ask for a breakdown of what they will do for what you've agreed to pay.

If my husband was employed - salaried - it would be more cut and dry. If we were independently wealthy it would be much easier still

As long as your husband is earning the required level, you'll be ok (of course, the required documents need to be submitted to support that as well)

I used a lawyer for my spouse visa in April 2011, and we got an exact breakdown of what was going to be done by the lawyer - even down to how many copies of each document they would make, (which was basically one for us, one for the UKBA, and one for the lawyer, but they listed each item).

They wrote the covering letter. Made all the copies. Filled out all the forms.

All we did was get them the things they asked for: Marriage certificate, photos, bank statements, phone records, passports - pretty basic stuff.

Basically, she gave us a list of stuff to give to her, and we gave it to her, and she interviewed us, and wrote everything up, and she got us the visa.

We were also applying as self employed and therefore confused, and of course nervous, and it was old rules.

It was expensive but it was worth it. We did get the visa. And we got it only a few days after applying.

It made it all a bit less stressful for us.