Rowan

How we work

Editorial Policy

Our Commitment

At Rowan, we understand that navigating UK immigration is stressful and high-stakes. A single mistake can mean delays, extra costs, or a refused application. Our editorial policy sets out how each guide is written, where its information comes from, and how you can tell how old it is.

Editorial Standards

Accuracy First

All information is taken from official UK sources (GOV.UK, Home Office guidance, UK Visas and Immigration) and the published immigration rules. Each guide links to the source it relies on. Where a guide and GOV.UK disagree, GOV.UK is right.

Clear, Accessible Language

We avoid legal jargon and explain complex immigration concepts in plain English. Our guides are written for people with no prior knowledge of UK immigration law or Home Office procedures.

Practical Detail

Each guide sets out what the published rules say for its topic: the requirements, the documents GOV.UK lists, the fees, and the processing times GOV.UK publishes. Where GOV.UK gives no figure, the guide says so rather than estimating one.

Dated, Not Monitored

Every guide shows the date it was last checked against GOV.UK. We do not track rule changes automatically. The guides most affected by change (fees, processing times, income and salary thresholds, and the occupation list) are re-checked against GOV.UK periodically. Any guide not checked for six months shows a notice asking you to confirm the current rules on GOV.UK before relying on it.

Review Process

Our guides go through a multi-stage review process:

  1. Research: Information gathered from official Home Office guidance, UK Immigration Rules, and established legal resources
  2. Writing: Content drafted following our style guide and accessibility standards
  3. Review: Verified for accuracy against current immigration rules and completeness
  4. Publication: Published with date stamps and source citations
  5. Re-checking: The guides most affected by rule changes are re-checked against GOV.UK periodically and their checked date moved forward. A guide not checked for six months shows a notice saying so

Sources & Citations

We prioritise information from:

  • GOV.UK: Official UK government guidance on visas, immigration, and nationality
  • Home Office: Immigration Rules, policy guidance, and caseworker instructions
  • UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): Application procedures, processing times, and fee schedules
  • UK Legislation: Immigration Acts, Nationality Acts, and statutory instruments
  • Immigration Advice Authority: guidance and standards for regulated immigration advisers

What We're Not (Important Disclaimer)

Rowan provides tools and information to help people prepare UK visa, settlement, and citizenship applications. We are not:

  • A law firm or immigration practice
  • immigration advisers registered with the Immigration Advice Authority
  • Representatives who can act on your behalf

For complex cases, previous refusals, or if you need someone to represent you, these cases call for an adviser registered with the Immigration Advice Authority or immigration solicitor. Our guides help you understand the process and when professional help is needed.

Corrections Policy

If you spot an error or outdated information in our guides, please let us know at hello@withrowan.co.uk. We check every report against GOV.UK and correct the guide where it is wrong.

Last updated: September 2026

Questions about our editorial policy? Contact us