Immigration

Our highly rated Immigration team provides advice and assistance on all aspects of UK immigration law to employers of all sizes working across a broad range of industries.

We advise HR professionals, employers and businesses with regard to registering as a sponsor under the Points-Based System, issuing Certificates of Sponsorship under Tiers 2 and 5 of the Points-Based System, business visitor visas, immigration audits, entry clearance (visa) applications for lead applicants and their dependants and the legalities of engaging employees from overseas. We also advise on investors and sole representatives applications for individuals looking to launch businesses in the UK.

Sponsorship and the Points-Based System
We have a highly detailed knowledge of the new Points-Based System as well as an unique understanding of how it affects employers, their HR teams and their recruitment methods and retention objectives. We have been assessed by the UK Border Agency as having demonstrated an excellent understanding of the sponsorship process and as such we are one of a small number of firms assessed and recommended by the UK Border Agency to advise and assist with registering as a sponsor under the Points-Based System. Without exception, all clients we have assisted to register as sponsors have been awarded an ‘A’ rating and 100% of applications have been approved.

Our recognised expertise
We are ranked in the top 10 law firms for business immigration in the Legal 500. Tracy Evlogidis, who leads the group, and Nick Hobson are recognised as leading experts in immigration law. The team is experienced in advising high profile, global employers as well as creatives working in the entertainment and media industries, and also regularly advise airlines, music labels, theatres, banks, investors and other financial services companies.

Full service
Working together with the Employment and Tax groups, the Immigration team are uniquely placed to advise employers on a range of employment-related immigration matters including service agreements, secondment arrangements and UK tax planning for overseas nationals. Unlike many City firms, we offer a complete service to employers looking to relocate executives and their families to the UK.

For information regarding personal immigration please click here.

Experience

Bespoke solutions to prevent penalties for illegal working
Advising a leading UK retailer on a complete overhaul of its recruitment procedures and policies including drafting a bespoke immigration policy to assist HR teams at Head Office, recruitment and store levels.

Providing full service UK immigration advice
Advising a multinational media and entertainment company on all aspects of their immigration requirements including registering as a sponsor under Tiers 2 and 5 of the Points-Based System, implementing a full immigration audit and undertaking clear HR processes, providing full HR support including issuing certificates of sponsorship, management of the sponsor management system and preparing entry clearance applications.

Assisting leaders in media and entertainment
Advising a leading theatre production company on registering as a sponsor under the Points-Based System and advising them as to transferring the UK immigration permission of cast and crew members from the old style entertainers work permits in order to continue high profile shows in the West End.

Lobbying UK Border Agency
Lobbying senior directors at the UK Border Agency for an expansion of the law relating to Tier 4 of the Points-Based System to facilitate the commercial objectives of a large private education company as well as preparing sponsorship registration applications for various entities across a complex international structure.

Lobbying the Home Office
Lobbying the Home Office against proposed changes to Tier 2 of the Points-Based System on behalf of a major organisation representing financial institutions operating in the UK, in particular against restrictions to intra-company transfers which are a major issue for the members of this organisation.