Immigration and Nationality Law
Our approach is based upon the concept of teamwork with our clients, in order to achieve the desired results as swiftly and efficiently as possible. We have unparalleled experience of immigration requirements and procedures within a wide variety of industry sectors, including financial services, manufacturing, information technology, retail banking and inter-dealer brokerage. In addition we act for a number of high net worth individuals and families on a range of issues relating to their entry to and stay in the UK.
We believe that no other UK law firm can provide the same range of in-depth immigration services, as we have worked with a variety of multi-national corporations and organisations, all of whom have differing immigration requirements depending on their internal human resources structure and policy, as well as individuals from varying walks of life. We therefore appreciate the importance of tailoring the service to the particular needs of clients, and understand that it is vital to every organisation to have an immigration service that provides speedy, efficient and reliable processing of applications, to ensure key personnel are in situ when required, in order to minimise risk of exposure, or loss of business opportunities. We can therefore either provide a service which minimises the input required from the client, or which involves the active and ongoing liaison with the client or a representative. We are also able to provide an urgent advice service for those who require added reassurance in situations which may arise at the port of entry or a Consulate, for example.
The truth is effective representation will increase the likelihood of applications being accepted. Entry Clearance and Immigration Officers exercise considerable discretion in approving and refusing applicants. Clients rely on our experience to steer them safely through each stage of the immigration process.
As a result of our extensive experience in this field, we have established a network of contacts with important bodies involved in the application process, including the work permit issuing authority, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, and a number of law firms and institutions overseas, all of which enable us to call on experts in the field in locations outside the UK, who can assist with and thereby quicken the application process.
The firm’s areas of expertise include:
- Corporate immigration: work permits, Training and Work Experience permits, business visitors, etc in a range of sectors from IT to hospitality to healthcare
- Business investor related applications (including self employed persons, investors, sole representative and sole trader applications)
- Applications under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and for Innovators
- Entertainment and sportsperson applications
- Entry clearance/visa applications at the Consulate abroad for family settlement/dependants
- Spouse and partner applications
- Student applications and extensions, and appeals against refusal of further leave to remain
- Other categories, e.g. UK ancestry applications, working holiday makers, private domestic servant concessions, long residence concession
- UK nationality: advice on nationality tracing and naturalisation/registration as a British citizen, certificates of entitlement, etc.
- Advice on deportation and removal, or in cases where an applicant has previously been refused entry to the UK
Global Immigration
In addition, in response to the increasing global repatriation requirements of corporate clients, we have developed our expertise for employment related visas/work authorisation to facilitate transfers of personnel within Europe and globally. The following are examples of countries where we have most frequently been asked to advice:
- Europe: France, Luxembourg, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Belgium and Russia
- Far East: Hong King, Singapore, Thailand and Japan
- World-wide: Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Barbados, Bahamas, Cayman Islands and India
For more information please contact Sacha Schoenfeld