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A patent registers your invention and lets you take legal action against anyone who makes, uses, sells or imports your invention without your permission.

• Overview

  A UK patent may help if you want to take legal action against someone who…

• Before you apply

  Only apply for a patent if: you’ve checked your invention does not already…

• Prepare your application

  A patent application must include: a description of your invention that…

• File your initial application

  You must have prepared your documents before applying. Your initial…

• After you apply

  Once you’ve filed an application you’ll get a receipt with your…

• Search, publication and 'substantive examination'

  Before your patent can be granted the Intellectual Property Office (IPO)…

• When a patent is granted

  If your patent is granted: your application will be published in its final…

Apply to give up (renounce) your British citizenship or status - ‘declaration of renunciation’

• Overview

  You can apply to give up (renounce) your British citizenship or status. If…

• Apply

  Fill in the form online. You’ll usually be able to keep your documents…

• After you've applied

  You’ll get a ‘declaration of renunciation’ if your application is…

• Resume your British nationality

  In some cases it’s possible to resume your British nationality after…

Apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the arts, sciences or digital technology once you have been endorsed as a leader or potential leader.

• Overview

  You can apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the UK if you’re a…

• Documents you'll need to apply

  When you apply you’ll need to provide: a valid passport or other document…

• Apply from outside the UK

  The way you apply for a Global Talent visa depends on your circumstances.…

• Your partner and children

  Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as…

• Extend your visa

  You can usually apply to extend your stay in the UK if either: you applied…

• Switch to this visa

  You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Global Talent visa if…

Apply for a Temporary Work – International Agreement visa if you're working under international law (including diplomatic households) - extend or switch, family members

Apply for British citizenship if you have a British parent - who's eligible, fees and how to apply

Find out how interest is calculated and applied if you have a Plan 2 student loan, as well as previous interest rates.

• Updated: 16 September 2024

How to apply for British citizenship if you're a British overseas citizen, protected person, subject, national or overseas territories citizen - who's eligible, fees and where to send your application.

Check you can get a divorce, agree or disagree with a divorce application, what to do if your husband or wife lacks mental capacity.

How the UK's strategic export controls apply to academics, university researchers and their institutions, and when an export licence is needed.

• Updated: 2 August 2024

Apply as a child to join or stay with a close relative in the UK who has protection status - eligibility, fees, documents, applying for settlement.