Praised as a ‘truly unique legal practice that blends expertise, innovation, and client-centric approaches‘, 3CS Corporate Solicitors provides a comprehensive immigration service to a broad range of clients across industries. The group has particular expertise advising businesses in the Japan, China and South Korea markets. Leading the group, Thomas Miles has ‘a huge amount of knowledge in immigration law‘ and extensive experience with issues such as sponsorship compliance, corporate restructures and redundancies affecting migrant workers, and the immigration impacts of TUPE. Samuel Njogu, who has a broad immigration practice and is skillful in matters such as challenges to Home Office decisions and applications outside the Immigration Rules, is also a key contact.

Specialism immigration firm A Y & J Solicitors is a ‘one stop shop for visa and immigration advice‘ that covers all aspects of business immigration. Overseen by founder and director Yash Dubal, the team advises clients on Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence matters such as overturning suspensions and revocations, as well as Global Talent Visas. The group has sector-specific expertise in IT, financial services, hotels, domiciliary care, health, retail and sports sectors.

Praised by clients as ‘completely on top of difficult legal issues‘, Baker McKenzie LLP has particular expertise servicing multinational companies with all aspects of business immigration. Led by Tony Haque, who assists a broad range of corporates, entrepreneurs and HNW clients with solutions to international transfers, the team has full capabilities with matters that involve immigration support on transactions, multijurisdictional immigration projects and cross-border strategy, as well as applications for board directors, senior executives and specialist staff. Richard Mills is a key contact for a broad range of immigration and nationality law matters, especially relating to EU regulations, and Ying Li is particularly knowledgeable in the consumer electronics, information tech and engineering sectors. The group also has Japan practice that is led by immigration specialist Tomoko Sasaki.

With sought-after expertise in the sustainability and charity sectors, the group at Bates Wells is praised as ‘second to none‘ and advises companies and institutions on the full range of corporate immigration matters. As a full-service firm the team can provide a holistic service to clients and is accordingly skillful in work that overlaps between business and personal immigration. The practice is led by Chetal Patel who is a ‘simply fantastic‘ business immigration specialist. Aisha Choudhry advises clients on issues including sponsor license applications and compliance, as does Alice Bennington who is experienced in a broad range of business and personal immigration issues. Smruti Jeyanandhan ‘goes above and beyond to ensure client satisfaction‘ for a broad range of corporates, and is especially experienced in self-sponsored routes.

BDB Pitmans has a broad ranging immigration practice with a ‘clear understanding of the market‘, and is able to leverage its employment, corporate transactions and charities expertise. Led by Tim Hayes, the team specialises in the development of immigration strategies in line with clients’ corporate objectives, such as in relation to reorganisations, setting up businesses in the UK and the recruitment of HR talent from overseas.  His immigration practice includes experience with Right to Work, Sponsor Licensing support and in-house training, and he is also ‘incredibly knowledgeable in the architecture industry‘.

Led by Liz Barratt and Tanya Goldfarb, the immigration lawyers at Bindmans LLP are praised as ‘dedicated, devoted and passionate about their clients‘ and assist on all business-related visa categories. The team acts for clients such as start-ups, SMEs, large scale multinationals and not-for-profits in a variety of sectors, and has particular expertise in matters including temporary worker sponsorships, Global Business Mobility and Global Talent visas. Roberta Haslam has extensive experience with sponsor license applications for Skilled Workers, and Karma Hickman assists organisations and individuals with a broad range of business immigration work with notable capabilities in Global Talent work in the arts and culture sector. Described as ‘a legend in immigration law‘, Alison Stanley has retired from the partnership and is now a consultant.

The business immigration team at Bird & Bird LLP forms part of the firm’s international HR services group and incorporates employment, benefits and tax advice. The group advises on the full range of business immigration law and has unique sector-specific expertise in tech. Practice head Yuichi Sekine ‘leads his team to a very high standard‘ and is particularly knowledgeable in complex mobility and compliance issues, with a client base that includes governments, tech start-ups, unicorns and multinational companies. Jonathan Goldsworthy is another key contact and has expertise in the full range of business immigration issues.

The seasoned immigration practice at Carter Thomas Solicitors has extensive expertise advising businesses on how to sponsor workers. The group has a particularly strong reputation for assisting clients in the education sector on immigration and sponsorship requirements, and practice head Nichola Carter is a key contact for universities seeking advice on risk matters relating to student sponsor licenses. The group also includes Irfan Ali, who leads the business immigration services at the firm and has a particular interest in sponsor compliance work, and Nick Gore, who advises businesses and individuals on a wide range of visa matters, including on the Global Talent Scheme in the fashion and arts sector. Gordana Gligorevic joined the team from DavidsonMorris  in January 2024.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP's team consists of ‘highly skilled professionals with specialised expertise in immigration law‘. With offices in multiple regions and particular expertise advising clients from China and the Middle East, the firm offers global support, and can also leverage its status as a full-service firm with corporate, tax and private wealth teams that can ensure a holistic service to clients. The group advises on the full range of corporate immigration matters, including work relating to compliance and Sponsor Licences, as well as Skilled Worker visas and the transfer of key personnel for family offices. Practice head Rose Carey has ‘extensive legal knowledge‘ of business immigration and regularly advises multinational enterprises and HNW individuals on a broad range of corporate immigration issues. Another key contact is Kelvin Tanner who advises clients such as multinational companies, SMEs and start ups on immigration strategy, compliance and the relocation of staff to the UK, and also specialises in inward investment matters for businesses establishing a UK company or registering a subsidiary.

Clarkslegal LLP advises on all aspects of business immigration across a variety of sectors, with notable expertise in the tech and design sectors. The group is particularly knowledgeable in securing Global Business Mobility for clients, as well as with the transfer of EU/EEA staff to the UK following Brexit. Monica Atwal heads the firm’s immigration practice and is a specialist in the global transfer of staff and their families, particularly at director level, in addition to assisting overseas companies and investors setting up in the UK.

The immigration group at Clintons is part of a full-service firm that can provide in-house US and UK corporate immigration advice. The group has a ‘good breadth of knowledge and strategic ability‘ especially in the media, tech, advertisement and marketing sectors, and also has distinctive expertise handling transatlantic transfers in the entertainment industry. The practice is co-led by Diana Okoeva, dual-qualified and described as the ‘go to person in the UK for US immigration law‘, and business immigration expert Natasha Hotson who ‘stands out as a real technical expert in the field of immigration law‘.

Praised for its ‘dedication, expertise, and strategic thinking‘, the immigration group at Clyde & Co advises a broad range of blue chip clients across multiple industries. The group is particularly experienced handling high volume quick turnaround cases, business immigration routes under Skilled Worker, Specialist Worker and Global Mobility, as well as all aspects of compliance work. Practice head and corporate immigration specialist Jonathan Chaimovic ‘brings years of experience and a sharp analytical mind to the table‘ and advises across the full range of UK inbound immigration.

With particular skill handling Sponsor Licence applications, DavidsonMorris advises a broad range of businesses on all aspects of corporate immigration. The group also has significant experience with matters that involve visa application processing, compliance, civil penalty challenges and global mobility strategy. Praised by clients as ‘the doyen of business immigration advice‘, Anne Morris leads the team and advises clients such as corporates and SMEs on the full range of business migration and compliance. Former practice head Demetris Demetriou left the firm in July 2023.

Deloitte Legal has a truly global immigration practice with a large and proficient team that advises corporate clients on the full range of immigration issues. The group has particular expertise in immigration services including, but not limited to, work permits and visas, residence application, M&A related immigration advice, Right to Work audits and business travel services. Jurga McCluskey, who leads the firm’s UK and European immigration practice, has expertise in matters including corporate governance and global compliance audits in sectors such as tech, financial services, engineering and oil and gas. Dual-qualified in the UK and Australia, Katrina Cooper is experienced in the full range of employment-based immigration and strategic global movement advice, whilst Emily King leads on the firm’s immigration tech work. Other notable practitioners include Alison Hutton who provides global immigration compliance assistance to multi-jurisdictional corporates, and Melanie Carr, who advises clients such as investment banks, media and tech companies on all aspects of UK immigration law, with particular knowledge in strategic immigration planning for large organisations.

Dentons can leverage its international network and implement global immigration strategies for businesses whilst also maintaining ‘a personalised approach to each client’. The group regularly undertakes immigration work such as transactions support, helping businesses expand into new locations and advising on international right to work requirements. Head of immigration Sarah Ingles-Carlyle ensures an ‘exceptional human treatment and excellent communication skills‘, and advises both corporates and private individuals with immigration issues including compliant business travel, applications under the points based system and preparing for Home Office audits. The group also includes Vaida Lukaite who has particular expertise in the points based system and with clients in the legal services, pharma, and energy sectors, and immigration specialist Amy Phillips, who specialises in large volume and complex sponsored visa work.

Distinguished for its ‘exceptional customer care and guidance‘, the seasoned immigration group at Doyle Clayton advises clients such as corporations, global businesses, educational institutions and entrepreneurs on the full range of immigration matters. Practice head and business immigration expert Anita de Atouguia has a ‘strategic approach to immigration matters that makes her service stand out‘, and Alfreda Joubert advises corporates and private clients on all aspects of business immigration, with particular expertise advising startup firms in sectors such as Construction and AI to expand their businesses in the UK. Both lawyers are dual-qualified in the UK and South Africa. Malini Skandachanmugarasan is also a key contact for corporate immigration issues, especially ones involving strategic direction and discretionary applications. Elisabeth Kynaston, who regularly advises on sponsor licenses and right to work issues, and Anna Blackden who assists clients such as educational institutions and employers on a broad range of immigration matters, are also notable practitioners. Adam Cotterill left the group in October 2023.

Led by Vicash Ramkissoon and Tamana Aziz, Duncan Lewis Solicitors is praised by clients as ‘one of the premier immigration firms‘ and advises across a broad range of business immigration matters. The group regularly assists clients like SMEs, investors and entrepreneurs with visa applications under the Business visitor, Innovator, Investor and Skilled Worker routes. The team also has notable expertise handling issues relating to Sponsor Licence applications, including challenges to the suspension and revocation of obtained licences, in addition to advising clients on compliance duties and all aspects of the Points Based System.

A practice described as ‘always ahead of the curve‘, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP advises national and international commercial clients across all sectors on business immigration issues such as challenging sponsor licence revocations decisions, immigration issues arising from corporate transactions and planning for UKVI audits. With considerable expertise in both immigration and employment law, the group is well equipped to provide end-to-end support on all aspects of employment migration. Employment and business immigration specialist Audrey Elliott is the global head of immigration.

A team with ‘no weak links‘, the immigration group at Farrer & Co acts for domestic and international corporates in all aspects of business immigration. The group regularly advises corporate clients on issues such as Sponsor Licences, compliance, Skilled Worker applications and Global Business Mobility routes, and also has ‘fantastic knowledge of the education sector‘. As part of a full-service firm, the team can also provide HNW individuals, family offices and start-ups with holistic advice on both the private and corporate aspects of their affairs. The group is led by immigration specialist Elena Hinchin whose ‘knowledge and experience in the field is exceptional‘, and also includes Adam Hoefel who has extensive experience with sponsor license applications and compliance, and Sonia Cala-Lesina who is knowledgeable in the work sponsorship system under the Skilled Worker route.

With particular expertise advising overseas law firms, the immigration group at Fox Williams LLP provides ‘clear and commercial advice with the ability to assess risk level‘ to companies, institutions, individuals and families. The group specialises in strategic immigration advice on issues including sponsorship compliance, immigration aspects of corporate transactions and TUPE, and Global Mobility routes. Practice head Sacha Schoenfeld has expertise in all aspects of UK business immigration and nationality law, and Yawar Abbas is also a key contact for corporate immigration.

Led by immigration specialist Emma Brooksbank, the team at Freeths LLP are ‘experts in their fields‘ and advise clients such as multinationals, start-ups and HNW individuals on the full spectrum of corporate immigration matters, with particular expertise in the education sector. In addition to a seasoned Sponsor Licence practice, the group advises on issues such as compliance, Home Office audits, the prevention of illegal working and challenging civil penalties, as well as on general immigration strategy.

With expertise in ‘the full spread of immigration, asylum and nationality work‘, Gherson LLP regularly advises clients such as SMEs, private offices, entrepreneurs and conglomerates on a broad range of business immigration issues, including compliance and monitoring obligations. Kamilla Kelemen, who joined from Magrath Sheldrick LLP in August 2023, and ‘powerhouse‘ Roger Gherson both oversee the UK inbound immigration team, and between them the two lawyers have extensive experience in complex corporate immigration work across many industries. Lisa Uttley and Mayuri Manjula are also key contacts for business immigration.

Howard Kennedy LLP has a comprehensive corporate immigration practice with a strong focus on the tech sector. The group has extensive experience obtaining Sponsor Licences for businesses, as well as assisting with compliance through on-site audits, health check and staff training. In addition, the group has distinctive capabilities with Start-up and Innovator routes. Practice head John Kiely has a broad practice in corporate immigration that spans multiple sectors, with a strong focus on sports.

JMW Solicitors LLP has broad expertise in corporate immigration, with particular expertise in matters such involving visas such as Expansion Worker, Innovator Founder, Service Supplier and Temporary Worker. The group also has significant experience with contentious business immigration matters, such as assisting distressed sponsor licence holders with compliance audits, and bringing Judicial Review actions against the Home Office. The group is led by Dipesh Shah, who has extensive experience with UK corporate immigration law. Hateem Ali and Nisha Patel are also key contacts.

Keystone Law advises on all aspects of corporate immigration, including issues relating to sponsorships, visa applications and settlement. Working in collaboration with the employment department, the group also has considerable expertise in compliance and can assist clients with auditing the workforce and internal processes. Tsige Berhanu, Sharmila Mehta, Jayanti Mitra-Valdes, Nicola Richards and Dhruti Thakrar are key names in the group.

Led by corporate immigration veteran Nicolas Rollason, the group at Kingsley Napley LLP has a ‘bespoke client service which is second to none‘, particularly in the media, entertainment, sport, tech and financial and legal services sectors. The ‘high touch service‘ also extends to hospitality and similar industries that are frequently targeted by the Home Office with adverse decisions and compliance inspections. The group regularly advises on immigration issues such as inward investment, illegal working, corporate restructure and criminal convictions advice, and can also leverage the firm’s full-service offering to provide a holistic service to clients. Marcia Longdon is an expert in corporate immigration work relating to M&A, Ilda De Sousa is highly knowledgeable in issues involving the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement as well as in the tech sector, and Kim Vowden represents a variety of clients on a broad range of business immigration issues. The group also includes Robert Houchill, who has expertise in corporate immigration matters such as sponsor license applications and compliance, and Emma Dauriac, who has unique capabilities advising French companies on their UK immigration needs.

With ‘exceptional insight into the immigration market,‘ Laura Devine Immigration has expertise in the full range of business immigration. Spearheaded by Laura Devine, the group is regularly successful handling discretionary applications, and with offices in both the UK and the US, it is uniquely positioned to assist on transatlantic corporate matters. Sophie Barrett-Brown has ‘a ferocious legal intellect‘ and expertise across all aspects of UK immigration, including corporate restructuring and sponsor compliance issues. Christi Hufford Jackson leads the firm’s US teams and advises on all business immigration issues, especially for entertainment sector clients. Natasha Chell has a broad corporate immigration practice with expertise in sponsorship and compliance, while the ‘utterly brilliant‘ Francesca Sciberras is highly experienced in EU free movement law and matters relating to the Withdrawal Agreement. The group also includes Zeena Luchowa, who has an ‘incredibly calm but proactive style‘ and extensive experience in business immigration, Matthew Wills advises clients in, among others, the education, entertainment and sports sectors, and Sam Ingham who has a broad business-related immigration practice.

Drawing on its strengths as an international full-service firm, Lewis Silkin advises multinational corporates as well as start-ups on all their business immigration needs in sectors such as financial services, tech, oil and gas and sports. The group has extensive experience with applications like Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility and Global Talent, and has additional expertise in the full range of Sponsor Licenses issues, including obtainment, overturning revocations, civil penalties under illegal working legislation, compliance and audits. Leading the team, Andrew Osborne advises across the full range of business and personal immigration, including strategic advice relating to recruitment, right to work and applications outside immigration rules. Supinder Singh Sian regularly advises on UK in-bound immigration and global mobility programs with niche capabilities in International Agreement Contractual Service Supplier sponsorship, whilst Stephen O’Flaherty has particular expertise advising on a broad range of immigration issues in the tech and sports sector. The ‘excellent‘ Naomi Hanrahan-Soar who is an expert in Sponsor License compliance issues and immigration work relating to M&A, and the ‘steadfast and impressive‘ Sam Koppel, who has broad experience advising on UK and global immigration projects, are also key contacts.

With offices in the UK, US and Singapore, Magrath Sheldrick LLP has a global immigration offering that is a strong choice for international businesses. Head of practice Ben Sheldrick leads a group that regularly assists multinational companies and individuals with the full range of corporate immigration matters, including work authorisation, skilled worker visas and UK entry clearance, as well as strategic immigration planning, developing compliance and legal right-to-work policies, and also has particular expertise in the financial services sector. The group also includes Joanne Taylor, who focuses on corporate immigration and has significant expertise in all aspects of Sponsor Licence matters, and Anita Ofis who specialises in all aspects of UK corporate immigration. Antonia Grant, who joined from Baker McKenzie LLP in September 2023 and specialises in the full range of corporate and personal immigration in the Asia Pacific region and Chris Magrath are also key contacts.

Leveraging the firm’s private wealth department, Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP has a ‘technically adept and approachable team‘ that handles both personal and business immigration for a broad range of HNW clients. The group has particular expertise migrating businesses and family offices to the UK, as well with obtaining visas for business associates and family members. Practice head Colin Senez, whose ‘knowledge of Home Office practice is second to none‘, specialises in all types of immigration work for HNW clients. Ceris Gardner and Emma-Jane Weider are also key figures for a broad range of immigration advice.

Boutique immigration firm Meymand Maczynski Ltd provides ‘a bespoke solution for each client‘. The group assists HNW clients on a broad range immigration routes, with notable expertise handling Innovator Founder and Skilled Worker visa applications for entrepreneurs who aim to set up their own business or sponsor themselves, and has niche expertise assisting retail, fashion and investment bank clients. The practice is led by Sam Meymand who is ‘particularly skilled at handling complex immigration needs for high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients‘.

Mills & Reeve LLP has a full service national immigration service with strong capabilities in business immigration. The ‘pragmatic and responsive‘ group advises on a broad range of corporate immigration issues, including a variety of visa application and compliance concerns, and has particular expertise with clients in the education, health, charity, life sciences, tech, sports and private wealth sectors. The group is led by Alex Russell, who has a broad corporate immigration practice.

Drawing on its strength as a full-service firm, Mishcon de Reya LLP ‘leaves no stone unturned‘ for their corporate clients and can provide industry specific advice in sectors such as financial services, media, tech, sports and fashion. The ‘knowledgeable, responsive, and helpful‘ team assists on the full range of business immigration work, including training for HR departments, compliance, Sponsor License applications, Skilled Worker visas and Global Business Mobility routes. Business immigration expert Steven Bostock leads the group and is sought after by transatlantic clients due to his dual-qualification in the US. Neil Shanghavi is a key contact for all corporate immigration matters, especially ones involving sponsorship compliance and Home Office Audits, whilst Kamal Rahman has strong capabilities advising HNW individuals and families on high inward investments into the UK through commercial enterprises, and Maria Patsalos advises corporate clients on all areas of immigration law. Natalie Loader left the firm in February 2024.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP is praised as a ‘multinational law firm that provides top-notch immigration support and advice for our global immigration needs‘. The practice is overseen by Washington DC-based Shannon Donnelly alongside Matthew Howse, who leads the firm’s labor and employment practice in London. The group also includes seasoned immigration lawyer Jennifer Connolly who has broad experience in managing global mobility programs and the prevention of illegal working, and Yvette Allen whose practice includes the points-based-system, Sponsor Licence applications and strategic immigration advice. Both lawyers are particularly experienced in the sport, media and entertainment, financial services and tech sectors.

NNU Immigration has capabilities ‘unmatched within the UK‘, providing US immigration advice to global businesses, entrepreneurs and HNW private clients. The group advises on the full range of corporate immigration matters, including employer-sponsored visas, investor visas, business visitor visas and green card status. Praised as ‘exceptionally knowledgeable and well-connected‘, practice head Nita Nicole Upadhye has a diverse client base and expertise in both US and UK business immigration law.

With ‘particular expertise in business law and dealing with high net worth clients‘, the group at OTS Solicitors has comprehensive capabilities in business immigration. The team regularly assists a broad range of clients with visas such as Global Mobility and Global Talent, Sponsorship Licence applications, illegal working compliance and global migration planning. The group also has notable expertise in the care provision, restaurants and food supply, retail, tech and financial services sectors. The practice is overseen by Teni Shahiean, Oshin Shahiean, and ‘star‘ Hans Sok Appadu.

Payne Hicks Beach LLP is praised as a ‘top immigration firm‘ with extensive experience advising HNW individuals and businesses in sectors such as fashion, financial services and the not-for-profit sector. Practice head Kathryn Bradbury, an expert in EU immigration law and the tech and media sectors, leads a team of lawyers who go ‘above and beyond their call of duty‘, and that is particularly capable advising SMEs on Sponsor Licence and Skilled Worker visas, assisting overseas companies wanting to establish in the UK, as well as with Global Talent applications. Gintare Plistkovaite, who has a broad immigration practice and expertise in non-contentious business immigration, is another key contact.

The immigration group at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is praised as ‘word-class in terms of professional skills, knowledge of the law and effectiveness‘, and has expertise in all aspects of business immigration with particular emphasis on the education, tech and private wealth sectors. The department has its own audit compliance and training arm, extensive experience handling private individual applications for businesses and assisting private clients wanting to set up businesses in the UK, and can additionally draw on the firm’s employment, corporate and dispute resolution teams. Pat Saini leads the immigration team as well as the India group and is particularly knowledgeable in the tech, education and life sciences sectors, and Hazar El-Chamaa acts for corporate clients in a broad range of sectors, and as well as heading the firm’s private wealth offering. The group also includes Meghan Vozila who is ‘a star‘ and advises on all aspects of UK immigration and nationality law, and Afeefah Shabbir assists corporate clients with comprehensive immigration advice and is ‘very knowledgeable, responsive and flexible in her approach‘.

Led by the ‘truly dedicated and very knowledgeable‘ David Robinson and Evan Remedios, RLegal Solicitors is a boutique practice specialising in UK immigration and nationality law. Praised for its ‘excellent customer service, accessibility, and responsiveness‘, the group advises clients such as SMEs and multinationals on the full range of corporate immigration matters, including sponsor licence and compliance issues, Skilled Worker provisions and helping overseas businesses establishing a presence in the UK.

A sought-after firm by financial services companies, multinational energy conglomerates, international law firms and SMEs, Russell-Cooke LLP is ‘highly regarded by businesses across various industries for their proficiency in UK immigration matters‘. The group is particularly capable of assisting clients on the immigration law implications of corporate transactions, as practice head Edward Wanambwa is an expert in this type of work. The group also includes ‘unique legal professional‘ Tom Bradford, who has extensive experience advising overseas entrepreneurs and business owners with relocating to the UK, and Bhavneeta Limbachia whose ‘professionalism, attentiveness and knowledge are exceptional‘ and advises across a broad range of industries, including healthcare, energy, tech, finance and media. Harry Qiu Yu Yu joined the group from Gherson LLP in November 2023.

Led by Owen Jones, the business immigration practice at Sheridans is highly sought after in the entertainment and tech industries. The group has specialist expertise in matters relating to shortage occupation work in the games, postproduction, sports and healthcare sectors, and also has niche capabilities assisting clients under the Temporary Workers – Creative routes. The team has additional capabilities with the points based system of immigration, Sponsor Licence applications, compliance, and right to work issues.

Squire Patton Boggs has unique expertise providing strategic immigration advice to global businesses and corporate entities. The immigration group is part of a global full-service that provides a ‘seamless experience‘ to clients, regularly advising on matters such as Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, Right to Work and the prevention of illegal working. Practice head and ‘expert in her field‘ Annabel Mace is especially knowledgeable in immigration matters arising out of corporate restructures and M&A, in addition to an accomplished practice in compliance and Sponsor Licenses issues. UK business immigration specialist May Cheung has extensive experience in corporate immigration and, as an example, represents clients against the Home Office in licence suspension cases and civil penalty claims. Osheenn Giam, who ‘has a high level of expertise and offers personalised service‘, is also a key contact for business immigration.

Distinguished for its ‘blend of professional agility and deep expertise in managing complex projects‘, boutique firm Sterling Law advises on the full range of personal and corporate immigration matters. With a client base that spans a variety of sectors, the group has particular experience advising on matters such as Sponsor Licence applications, compliance and Skilled Worker visas. Key figures in the team include Ruslan Kosarenko, Yuriy Lysenko and Edward Meade.

The immigration practitioners at Taylor Wessing LLP are ‘experts in their field‘ and particularly sought after by tech and life sciences companies, as well as HNW investors. The group advises on all aspects of business immigration, with notable capabilities in Sponsor Licence applications and compliance, Skilled Worker and Global Talent visas, Global Business Mobility and immigration implications of M&A transactions. The group is led by Sean Nesbitt who has broad immigration and employment practice with particular experience advising Latin American clients and acting for major tech companies. Corporate immigration specialist Charlie Pring and Vikki Wiberg, and expert in the establishment of family office structures as an alternative to investor visas, are also key figures.

Travers Smith LLP has a broad business immigration practice with particular expertise advising clients in the financial services sector. The firm has comprehensive regulatory capabilities and can ensure a holistic service to overseas corporate clients wanting to establish a UK presence, or that are going through a restructuring or acquiring a new business. The group also has extensive experience handling Global Mobility issues, such as managing overseas remote working and global business travel. Practice head Tim Gilbert advises on all aspects of business immigration issues, and is an expert in Sponsor Licences and compliance issues.

The boutique immigration offering at Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law  is ‘excellent at providing concise information about complex areas of law‘. The group advises on immigration issues relating to Sponsor Licences, takeovers, redundancies and down-sizing, across a broad range of sectors such as tech, engineering, media, sports and finance. The group is led by Vanessa Ganguin, who is an expert in all aspects of business and personal immigration, and also includes Philip Trott who advises businesses, HNW individuals and celebrities across a broad range of matters, and has particular expertise with complex immigration matters such as discretionary immigration applications outside the rules and appeals against adverse decisions. Anushka Sinha has broad experience with Sponsor Licence applications and business visitor applications, as well as niche expertise assisting tech eluders with immigration routes such as Global Talent, and Ben Maitland whose ‘exceptional knowledge in immigration‘ includes Skilled Worker applications and Global Business Mobility routes.

The immigration practitioners at Vialto Partners  are ‘proficient in the mobility space and have a clear understanding of the law‘. The group has a vast global mobility service offering and assists clients on a range of corporate immigration work, and with an approach that is praised as ‘incredibly humane‘. Lead UK immigration partner Ian Robinson has sector-specific expertise in IT, energy, professional services and tech, whilst Sharan Kundi, who leads the firm’s immigration practice globally, has extensive global mobility experience with issues such as HR transformation projects, tech enhancements opportunities and Right to Work issues. The firm’s compliance team is led by Andrea Als, and Lyudmyla Davies is highly experienced in personal immigration work in addition to her strong corporate practice. Another key contact is Lindsey Barras who advises on a range of global immigration matters and has particular expertise in post-Brexit immigration issues. Tom Marsom joined from Macfarlanes LLP in October 2023 and specialises in UK immigration and sponsor licence compliance.

The ‘knowledgeable, calm and professional‘ immigration team at Watson Farley & Williams LLP is particularly sought after for its expertise in the maritime and offshore sectors. In collaboration with the firm’s employment and corporate departments, the group is particularly capable at advising overseas businesses seeking to expand into the UK. The group also advises clients such as HR practitioners, investors, executives and entrepreneurs on the full range of immigration matters. Devan Khagram and Anna Robinson lead the practice.

Drawing on its strength as an international private client firm, Withers LLP excels in work at the intersection of immigration, employment and tax law. The group has particular expertise advising tech companies and their founders, and is also experienced with immigration matters such as acquiring and re-instating lost Sponsor Licences, Global Mobility and a broad range of work visas. Practice head Tracy Evlogidis is particularly capable providing strategic advice to businesses and senior executives, and Nicolette Bostock advises private clients and businesses on all aspects of UK immigration.

Wright Hassall LLP advises corporates and private clients across multiple industries on a wide variety of business immigration issues, such as Sponsor Licence compliance, Right to Work and the points based system. The group can also leverage the firm’s employment and corporate teams to provide a comprehensive service to clients on legal issues arising from acquisitions and TUPE transfers. Practice head Matthew Davies advises clients across a broad range of sectors, and has notable expertise in sensitive cases at the intersection of employment and immigration law, such as issues relating to illegal working and dismissals.