UK IMMIGRATION SERVICES - Key Persons
After obtaining her LLB (Hons) in 2012, Arifa began working for the local Citizens Advice Bureau and has qualified as a Gateway Assessor. She has experience in dealing with various issues such as housing, benefits, debts, employment, family, and immigration. She joined UK Immigration Services in February 2016. After continuously developing her knowledge and skills she has obtained her OISC Level 2 accreditation. She specialises in preparing Points Based applications, Entry Clearance and In-Country applications, applications under Appendix FM, applications under Nationality Law, Appendix EU, and preparing appeal bundles. She further assists with the day-to-day running of the business. Arifa is trilingual in English, German and Urdu.
A graduate in politics, philosophy and history, Gerard worked initially in banking. He moved on from there into financial publishing ultimately working for "The Economist Books", a division of the Economist Group, publishers of "The Economist". His lifelong interest in the legal system and specifically those areas of the law which impact upon ordinary people led him to take up full time legal studies. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Law and the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice with Commendation. As part of the latter, Gerard opted to take Immigration Law as one his subjects leading to his developing an interest in the principles and practice of Immigration Law in the United Kingdom. He joined UK Immigration services in early 2013 and has since worked in various areas of the law. He specialises in application for entry clearance, in-country applications for further leave to remain, Appendix EU applications, and Sponsorship Licence applications. He is currently registered with the OISC at Level 1 and is working towards Level 2.
Hardeep has been with UK Immigration Services since December 2010. She holds an LLB. Hardeep provides initial advice on Entry Clearance, Leave to Enter, Leave to Remain, Nationality & Citizenship under UK Law, and applications in accordance with Appendix EU. She is registered with the OISC at Level 1 and is working towards Level 2. As well as English, she is fluent in Punjabi.
John is a retired Home Office Civil Servant with more than 20 years' experience in dealing with Asylum, Human Rights, Appeals and Enforcement cases. One important role he undertook was as a Home Office Presenting Officer, representing the SSHD before the Immigration Tribunal. He has an in-depth knowledge of the Immigration Rules, Home Office policy and case law. He has a keen interest in Immigration Law and is registered at Level 1 with the OISC; working towards Level 2 accreditation. He handles Visit Visa applications, Spouse and Partner applications, and Points Based applications. John was a school governor for 15 years. He joined UK Immigration Services in 2017.
Job Titles:
- MANAGING DIRECTOR ( LEVEL 3 )
Nelam has been practising Immigration & Nationality Law since 1999. She has made numerous trips abroad dealing with complex cases and representing clients at British Diplomatic posts overseas, as well as representing clients at interviews held by the Authorities in the UK. She specialises in all applications for Entry Clearance, Leave to Enter, Leave to Remain, Nationality & Citizenship, Appendix FM, EU applications, Investor, Business Development and Talent Visas, Points Based applications, and application under the European Convention on Human Rights. She is registered with the OISC at Level 3, the highest level, allowing her to carry out advocacy and representation before the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal. In addition to English, she is fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu.
Valentina was admitted as a solicitor of England and Wales in 2001 and following three years living in Madrid returned to the UK where she subsequently worked for the Immigration Advisory Service for 6 years. She has more than 12 years' experience of practising immigration law. She joined UK Immigration Services in April 2016. She has a broad range of experience, assisting clients in applications made under the Points-Based System, offering support and advice to employers applying for a Sponsor Licence (and on-going compliance duties), regularly advising clients on family immigration matters, including entry clearance, leave to remain and settlement applications under Appendix FM, along with long residency and citizenship applications.
Valentina also holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Birmingham and had completed the Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course at the former College of Law, London. She speaks Spanish and Greek to a high standard.