Immigration Law
Winckworth Sherwood’s immigration team advises on all aspects of private and business UK immigration, British nationality and Home Office challenges.
Immigration is a complex area of law which is constantly evolving with changes being made to legislation and policy on a regular basis. Beyond the rhetoric and statistics, the UK remains an attractive place for global businesses, entrepreneurs, international families and students and the specialist team at Winckworth Sherwood have over 15 years’ experience in helping clients through their UK immigration journey, from initial entry to becoming British citizens.
We recognise the importance of listening to your needs and providing clear, thorough and honest advice which you can rely upon for the years to come. Whether you are an investor, innovator, a company with a global reach transferring staff to the UK or an individual looking to work or join family in the UK, our full-service law firm can provide you with high quality immigration support and advice.
How we can help
There are a number of reasons why you may wish to come to or remain in the UK. Our talented team is well-placed to help you find the correct UK immigration option that meets your current and future intentions. We are recognised as providing client-focussed, effective and clear advice combined with excellent client service. Whether you wish to start a business, require the ability to move international staff or relocate your family to the UK, we are able to assist in straightforward cases as well as the more complex circumstances.
Immigration for businesses
At Winckworth Sherwood we act for a wide variety of financial institutions, IT and AI companies, global law firms, international hotels, arts organisations and universities. We have experience in sectors including manufacturing, IT, AI, media, technology and hospitality. Our team provides our business clients with strategic planning in end-to-end UK immigration advice, sponsorship and visa support. In addition to day to day assistance, we support HR teams with ever-changing UK immigration law and policy changes through regular updates, webinars and client training.
Our services to corporate clients include:
- Setting up a company in the UK through the Innovator Founder or UK Expansion Worker routes
- Obtaining Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licences (Previously Tier 2 and/or Tier 5 licences)
- Charity Sponsor Licences (Previously Tier 2 and/or Tier 5 licences)
- Ongoing HR support and strategy
- Advising the prevention of illegal working and ongoing sponsor compliance
- Regular audits of HR systems and processes
- Strategic advice for senior executives
- Legal advice on the implications of corporate reorganisation and restructuring
Please contact Malini Skandachanmugarasan if you have any queries regarding business immigration law. As a full service law firm, we regularly work with colleagues in the employment, corporate and private client teams and provide a thorough and seamless service.
Immigration for individuals
The immigration system can be daunting to navigate, whether you are looking to work, study, invest, settle with family in the UK or become a British national. We understand the importance of providing tailored advice, making well-prepared applications and ensuring the whole process is as smooth as possible. Our team has the expertise to advise on the more straightforward matters to the most complex of immigration applications.
We are known for providing high quality, clear and effective advice so our clients are informed every step of the way. We have extensive experience and a strong reputation in dealing with complex UK immigration issues including in relation to human rights, the exercise of discretion and challenging Home Office decisions.
For personal immigration matters, we can assist main applicants and/or dependants with:
- Complex visit visa applications and dealing with refusals
- Family members visas (such as spouse, civil partner and unmarried partner)
- Applications for children of British citizens and/or those resident in the UK
- Adoption and surrogacy matters
- Investment extension and settlement applications under the old Tier 1 Investor category
- Entrepreneur extension and settlement applications under the old Tier 1 Entrepreneur category
- Global Talent applications for individuals with Exceptional Promise and Exceptional Talent, working with different UK endorsing bodies
- Innovator Founder applications, working with different UK endorsing bodies
- Student visas to study in the UK
- Graduate applications for those who have studied in the UK and wish to remain for a period of time
- Skilled Worker visas to work in the UK
- Temporary Worker and Youth Mobility Scheme visas
- UK ancestry visas
- Applications for discretionary leave to remain in the UK and/or leave outside the Immigration Rules
- Human rights based applications
- Application on the basis Long Residence in the UK
- Settlement applications
- Naturalisation and registration as British nationals for adults and/or children, including where discretion is required to be exercised by the Home Office
Please contact Malini Skandachanmugarasan if you have any queries regarding personal immigration law. As a full service law firm, we regularly work with colleagues in the tax, family and private client teams and provide a thorough and seamless service.
Refusals and challenging Home Office decisions
Positive decisions are not always reached at an initial stage and receiving a refusal from the Home Office can be particularly stressful. Our team has a wealth of experience in identifying issues and seeking the most appropriate way to proceed and meet your objectives as quickly as possible. Due to the depth of experience in the team, we work with clients to ensure that all possible options are thoroughly explored and seek to proceed in the most suitable and cost-effective way, whether that be a fresh UK immigration application or direct challenge to the Home Office. We have a notable track record of securing successful outcomes through creative solutions to reverse or rectify decisions even when clients have been advised by other legal professionals that it is not possible.
We can assist with challenging Home Office decisions through:
- Request for reconsideration
- Administrative Review
- Nationality Review
- Appeals to the First Tier and Upper Tier Tribunals
- Judicial Review
Please contact Malini Skandachanmugarasan if you wish to discuss a recent refusal decision from the Home Office. We work with a number of renowned Immigration Barristers to secure positive outcomes for clients.
As a full-service firm, we are able to cater to all your legal needs. You will have access to our multiple award-winning individuals and departments that can provide essential legal advice to support your move and/or stay in the UK. Related services include, but are not limited to the following practice areas: