Schengen group
Comprised of all European Union (EU) countries except the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark. The group established common immigration policy and common border controls.
Schengen visa
One visa which allows people to apply to travel in all the Schengen Group countries.
Settlement
A person is settled in the United Kingdom if they are ordinarily resident here without any restriction on the period for which they may remain. Most British Citizens will be regarded as settled. Other people will have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Nationals of countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) and their families may have permanent residence.
Solicitors Regulation Authority
The independent regulatory body of the Law Society of England and Wales, established in 1 July 2007. Prior to this date the Law Society of England and Wales carried out regulatory activities directly.
Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC)
Immigration cases that raise questions of national security are heard before this tribunal instead of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT).
Sponsor
A family member, friend or other person, who supports a person’s application to come to the UK. For example, if a man is applying to join his British wife, he would be the applicant and she would be the sponsor.
Switching
This term is used when people in the UK with one type of leave wish to change to a different type. For example, a person here with a work permit may get married and wish to switch to be in the UK as a spouse. The Immigration Rules set out who is allowed to switch, and into which categories. When switching is prohibited then, except in very exceptional circumstances, it will be necessary to leave the country and obtain a new entry clearance.