Eligibility assessment

An eligibility assessment is for anyone who is not yet sure which visa fits their plans, or whether they meet the rules for the visa they have in mind. It is a good first step before you pay any government fees, book English tests or ask your employer or university for documents.

Who it is for

• People planning to visit, study, work or join family in the UK, Canada, the USA, Australia or a Schengen country.

• People who have been refused before and want to understand whether their situation has changed enough to apply again.

• Families who want to know whether a partner or children can come too.

What is included

• A conversation with an adviser by video call or phone, in plain language.

• A review of your passport, immigration history, studies, work and finances against the current published rules.

• An explanation of the routes that look realistic for you, and the ones that do not, with the reasons.

• A list of the main requirements for the route you choose, including any that change often, such as fees or money thresholds, with links to the official pages where the current figures are published.

What you get at the end

A short written summary of our advice. It sets out the route or routes we discussed, what you would need to show, the risks we can see, and what to do next. You can use it to decide whether to apply now, wait until your circumstances change, or not apply at all.

What we need from you

• A copy of your passport.

• Details of any previous visa applications, including refusals, for any country.

• A short description of your plans: where, why, when and for how long.

• Basic information about your studies, work and money. We will tell you if we need documents before the call.

Please be complete and honest, even about things that feel awkward. Advice is only as good as the information it is based on.

Limits you should know about

An assessment is our professional view of how the rules apply to you. It is not a decision. Only the government concerned can decide your application, and we cannot influence that decision. Rules can change between our call and your application, so check the official pages again before you apply. If your situation involves complex legal matters, such as an appeal, removal or deportation, or a criminal record, we will tell you and refer you to a solicitor or other suitably qualified lawyer.