Immigration Law

Overview

Immigration law is an increasingly significant issue for UK businesses

Post Brexit businesses across different sectors have been finding it difficult to recruit new workers or even retain their existing staff. We help businesses navigate the new immigration laws which now make no distinction between EEA and non-EEA nationals.

We will help you determine whether a sponsorship licence is appropriate for your business and assist with the application process. Our immigration practice can advise in relation to the Skilled Worker visa route and on alternative visa categories with the right to work in the UK. We also advise on every step of the process from recruitment issues, and right-to-work checks, to ongoing duties as an employer, and can provide training to HR teams on all aspects of business immigration.

For individuals we can advise on other visa options that might be suitable for them, including the Innovator and Start-up visa routes and the Global Talent visa.

Sponsorship Licences

Not all jobs are eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. We will help determine whether the roles for which you are recruiting are eligible and assist you in applying for a sponsorship licence from the Home Office or renewing an existing licence.

Visa routes

There are several visas which do not require employer sponsorship, but which allow individuals to work in the UK. We will advise in relation to the Youth Mobility Scheme, UK Ancestry visa, British Nationals (Overseas) visa, Graduate visa, Family visa and High Potential Individual visa and whether these may be a more appropriate route.

Compliance and reporting

The penalties for breaching UK immigration law can be severe and in extreme cases may include fines and/or imprisonment. We will advise you on the legal issues at every step from the recruitment process and right to work checks, to record keeping and on how best to report concerns or problems to the Home Office. We also help to prepare for compliance audits and inspections.

Training

The Home Office expects that any staff involved in recruiting migrant workers will know their duties. We provide training on the immigration topics that are relevant to your business and will help you comply with your duties as an employer.

Individual visa routes

Entrepreneurs may be considering setting up a business in the UK; leaders and potential leaders in fields such as academia, the arts, and digital technology may be looking to relocate here. In such cases, we will advise in relation to the Innovator and Start-up visa routes and the Global Talent visa.