The UK mortgage market is large and complex with numerous lenders and options available to a buyer. This can make it an especially daunting place for someone who is entering the market for the first time. With so many choices, buyers could make several mistakes that may affect one’s chances of securing a mortgage, achieving a lower loan, or result in a higher interest rate on the principal. So, before you unlock the door to home ownership, make sure you’re not committing any one of these common mistakes.

Portugal’s Golden Visa programme offers an excellent lifestyle and financial investment for South Africans. But, after a successful application, you will still need to pass a Portuguese language test before being granted residency. We’ve put together a short guide to help you understand what this means and how you should go about preparing for the test.

The way you apply for a visa extension, settlement or citizenship within the UK is changing. The new system aims to make the process quicker, easier and more secure for applicants.

Over his 24 years working with UK nationality, Philip Gamble has seen a fair amount of strange and unusual claims to British citizenship. A recent case involving the adoption of a child in South Africa by a UK-born man may be one of the more unusual.

South Africans are, by now, well familiar with the concept that when there is uncertainty in a country the local currency devalues and becomes volatile. Nowhere is this truer than in the UK as it nears the looming Brexit deadline. But, when a currency is under pressure, it presents fantastic buying opportunities to investors using foreign currency.

If you’re thinking of establishing a business in the UK, it’s essential that you understand how the UK’s VAT system works. Having a knowledgeable accountant working with you will not only ensure that your VAT is managed correctly and efficiently, but that you comply with HMRC’s rules.

On 29 October 2018 the Chancellor presented his Autumn budget. The budget gave an overall update of how the economy has fared over the year and what spending is planned over the next four to five years. Below is a summary of some of the main points that we think are relevant to you.

With so many complicated Corporation Tax rules in the UK, knowing which types of taxes apply to your business can be tricky. It’s vital that you understand your tax obligations before you begin so you can accurately plan your venture’s future. With proper planning, you will ensure the necessary systems are in place which in turn will allow you to concentrate on the more exciting aspects of running your business.

The UK government has just announced a proposed increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge fee this year. The increase will affect thousands of non-EU nationals who are currently living, working and studying in the UK.

Philip Gamble, our British nationality expert, has come across a rare situation where a client qualifies for registration as a British citizen on the basis of quadruple descent. What does that mean? Simply put it means some people may be able to claim British citizenship from their great grandfather’s birth in the UK.