Business Immigration Solicitors

  • Experienced, skilled, collaborative expertise and support every step of the way

  • Experts in the sponsor management system, specialised business visas, and HR immigration support

  • Transparent pricing at all stages

Guiding businesses through the UK immigration system

Our business immigration solicitors can support you through the entire process of obtaining a sponsor licence, assigning work authorisation, and applying for the right visas to employ staff from outside of the UK. The sponsor management system can be difficult to understand for non-specialists, but we offer the know-how your organisation needs to achieve its aims.

We also have an established reputation for representing high net worth individuals with Investor visas for UK residency and experienced entrepreneurs with a viable business idea under the Innovator visa route. Our team provides leaders and potential leaders in arts and culture, digital technology and research with the expertise required to navigate the immigration system.

Get in touch today by completing the form to arrange a free consultation.

Our business immigration lawyers’ expertise

The team at Shakespeare Martineau offers depth and breadth of expertise in all matters relating to business immigration:

  • Sponsorship - Sponsor licence applications/renewals, support with sponsor management system (SMS) and certificate of sponsorship, skilled worker visas, and intra-company transfer visas.

  • High value & innovation - Investor visas, start-up/innovator visas, and global talent visas.

  • HR support – right to work consultancy, sponsor licence compliance audits, and HR immigration training.

Sponsorship lawyers

We can guide you through every aspect of employee sponsorship in the UK. Our sponsorship lawyers have helped many businesses to apply for and renew licences, and can support you with negotiating the intricacies of the sponsor management system. We’re also experienced in helping with certificates of sponsorship and understanding which visas are most appropriate.

The UK's points-based immigration system: an introduction gov.uk >> 

High value & innovation immigration

Our business immigration team includes specialist Global Talent, Innovator, and Investor visa solicitors. Whether you’re a high net worth individual, entrepreneur, or potential leader in your field, we’ll work with you to identify which type of business visa best fits your circumstances and offer the legal expertise you need to ensure a successful application.

HR immigration training & support

We also assist HR teams with immigration. Our team provides cost-effective right to work compliance solutions to suit your business, as well as sponsor licence compliance audits to ensure your organisation has the appropriate HR systems in place to monitor sponsored employees.

Looking to educate your global mobility and recruitment teams? We provide bespoke HR immigration training to businesses across the UK. Training packages can include topics such as:

  • Right to work compliance

  • Understanding the UK’s point based immigration system

  • Meeting sponsorship duties

Our business immigration packages

With a range of fixed-fee or bespoke packages, our team can help with all your immigration legal needs. Below are two of our most popular products:

Start-Up And Innovator Visa Guide

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Start-Up And Innovator Visa Guide
Applying For A Sponsor Licence

Download

Applying For A Sponsor Licence
Sponsor Licence Compliance Audit Services

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Sponsor Licence Compliance Audit Services

The process of engaging business immigration lawyers

You may be unsure of how to go about engaging business immigration solicitors. Our process is straightforward and can be tailored to suit your organisation:

Request a free consultation by using the button below or call us on 0333 024 0333. A member of our team will call you back within two hours and arrange a 15-minute no-obligation consultation with one of our immigration experts.

If you wish to proceed, we will work with you on the initial application for a sponsor licence or work visa for the chosen candidate. The candidate will attend a fact-finding meeting with us so we can help seek solutions. Our pricing is always transparent and we will provide regular updates throughout the process as well as touch point meetings and regular email correspondence.

Once the applications have been submitted to the UKVI we are on hand with any queries you might have on the next steps and to support you on any additional legal support.

Why choose Shakespeare Martineau?

There are plenty of reasons to choose Shakespeare Martineau as your business immigration lawyers:

  • We have an established reputation as one of the leading law firms for business immigration, with a proven track record of achieving the right outcomes for high net worth individuals and organisations alike

  • Whether you need assistance with sponsorship, business visa applications, HR immigration support, or a combination of the above, we’re well positioned to help

  • Our immigration experts understand the ins and outs of the various business visa options available to you and can advise on the best course of action, whatever your circumstances

  • We are proud members of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) a professional association and registered charity aiming to promote and improve advice and representation in immigration, asylum and nationality law. Find out more here.

Business immigration news and events

Employment immigration: news in brief | Autumn 2023

23 Nov

Employment

Employment immigration: news in brief | Autumn 2023

The Home Office has announced significant increases to illegal working penalties, which will take […]

Read article Right Arrow

Visa and Immigration Fees Update

20 Aug

Business Immigration

Visa and Immigration Fees Update

In response to the recent agreed pay rise for NHS doctors, the Government announced […]

Read article Right Arrow

Immigration update: News in brief | Summer 2023

18 Aug

Business Immigration

Immigration update: News in brief | Summer 2023

Read article Right Arrow

Brexit: the impact of the end of freedom of movement on UK businesses

19 Jun

Business Immigration

Brexit: the impact of the end of freedom of movement on UK businesses

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Seasonal Worker scheme extended to 2024

23 May

Business Immigration

Seasonal Worker scheme extended to 2024

Read article Right Arrow

Immigration update: News in brief | Spring 2023

26 Apr

Business Immigration

Immigration update: News in brief | Spring 2023

Read article Right Arrow

Exploring the Innovator Founder Route: Changes, Eligibility, and Start Date

6 Apr

Business Immigration

Exploring the Innovator Founder Route: Changes, Eligibility, and Start Date

Read article Right Arrow

Upcoming Events

How can we help?

Our expert lawyers are ready to help you with a wide range of legal services, use the search below or call us on: 0330 024 0333

How we have helped international business

Global FX company

Acted for a global FX company in defending a c. £78m claim brought by its client seeking rescission of contracts on grounds of unlawful means conspiracy, breach of fiduciary duties, fraud and bribery.

We advised the client on how the litigation may have financial and regulatory implications across different jurisdictions in which the client operates. We acted for the client in freezing orders, applications for pre-action disclosure, security for costs and third party disclosure orders. We also drafted witness statements, consulted experts and carried out a mammoth disclosure exercise that required careful review of sensitive information provided by different entities in the client group operating in different jurisdictions.

Politically sensitive claim

Acted for a sovereign State and its various ministries in defending a politically sensitive claim that involved 5 arbitrations, and eventually led to court proceedings in 5 different jurisdictions (including England, India, Abu Dhabi, New York and District of Columbia) to seek enforcement of the arbitration award.

The case required swift and effective collaboration with foreign law firms, as well as various ministries involved, to adopt a unified and harmonious approach whilst dealing with enforcement proceedings in different jurisdictions.

Aircraft lease contract

Acted for a sovereign State in defending a £30m claim by a foreign lessor arising out of an aircraft lease contract and a linked guarantee agreement.

The case posed complex jurisdictional and governing law issues as the lease and guarantee contracts contained different jurisdiction and governing law clauses. The case also involved issues of foreign illegality, on which we had to liaise closely with foreign law experts and foreign witnesses. We also carried out an on-site review of documentary evidence and held witness interviews at the client’s offices in Africa.

Ultra high net worth individual

Acted for an ultra-high-net-worth individual in defending a potential claim for recovery of US$76m brought by an overseas resident claimant alleging complex causes of actions ranging from breach of trust and breach of fiduciary duty to mistake, fraud and conspiracy.

Insurer claim

Acting for the claimant in arbitration proceedings for recovery of £1.25m from the insurer of defendant, after first successfully representing the claimant in securing a summary judgment against the defendant for the recovery of such sum before the insurer declined cover. As the insurer is based in a foreign jurisdiction, and is currently in administration, the team has had to deal with complex issues of jurisdiction, governing law and extra-territorial operation of moratoria.

How can we help?

Our expert lawyers are ready to help you with a wide range of legal services, use the search below or call us on: 0330 024 0333