Business Immigration Solicitors

Structured Legal Support for Employers

Employing overseas nationals requires strict compliance with UK immigration law. Errors in sponsorship, reporting or right to work procedures can expose a business to enforcement action.

As business immigration solicitors, we advise and represent UK employers in sponsor licence matters, work visa applications and compliance obligations. We prepare and submit applications on behalf of companies and manage communication with the Home Office throughout the process.

Our role is to provide clear legal direction while ensuring operational continuity.

To sponsor overseas workers, an organisation must hold a valid sponsor licence and maintain compliant systems.

We assist with:

  • Sponsor licence applications, renewals & compliance
  • Sponsor licence audits, suspension & revocation
  • Certificates of Sponsorship (defined & undefined CoS management)
  • Right to work checks & employer compliance

As sponsor licence solicitors, we prepare and submit the sponsor licence application, draft supporting representations and upload required documentation. Where a business needs to apply for sponsor licence status for the first time, we manage the full sponsor licence application process from eligibility review to submission.

We also prepare responses to compliance visits, suspension notices and revocation decisions. If a licence has been downgraded or suspended, we draft formal representations and manage remedial action plans.

In relation to skilled worker licence requirements, we advise on reporting duties and maintain ongoing compliance systems to reduce risk.

Employers sponsoring overseas workers must ensure that each visa application meets the Immigration Rules.

We assist with:

  • Skilled Worker & Global Business Mobility visas
  • UK Expansion Worker & overseas business routes
  • Temporary Worker visas
  • Innovator Founder & Scale-up visas
  • Business visitor & permitted activity advice
  • Settlement & Indefinite Leave to Remain for sponsored workers

As business immigration solicitors, we prepare and submit Skilled Worker visa applications for sponsored employees and their dependants. This includes drafting supporting letters, assigning Certificates of Sponsorship and completing the online application process.

Where companies are expanding into the UK, we prepare UK Expansion Worker applications and supporting corporate documentation.

In relation to the innovator visa and Scale-up routes, we advise on endorsement requirements and prepare the relevant immigration applications once endorsement is secured.

For sponsored workers approaching long residence or settlement eligibility, we prepare Indefinite Leave to Remain applications and manage supporting evidence.

All employers must conduct compliant right to work checks before employment begins.

We advise on compliant procedures and, where necessary, conduct internal audits to assess risk exposure. Where civil penalties have been issued, we prepare formal objections and represent businesses in enforcement proceedings.

Business immigration involves more than individual applications. It requires forward planning.

As business immigration solicitors, we provide structured advice on workforce planning, sponsorship strategy and long-term immigration pathways for key personnel.

We ensure that applications are properly prepared, submitted and followed through to decision, while maintaining compliance with reporting and record-keeping duties.

Have a question
or need legal advice?

Frequently Asked Questions

A sponsor licence is required if your business wants to employ non-UK nationals under the Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility visa routes. It gives you permission to issue Certificates of Sponsorship and sponsor eligible workers. We can help you apply and manage the licence.

The standard processing time is around 8 weeks, but this can vary. An optional priority service may reduce this to 10 working days (subject to availability). Preparing your application properly the first time helps avoid delays.

You must carry out right to work checks, report certain changes to the Home Office, and maintain accurate HR records. Sponsors are expected to monitor immigration status and compliance throughout an employee’s visa period.

The Skilled Worker visa allows you to hire qualified individuals for eligible UK-based jobs. The ICT (now Global Business Mobility) visa is for multinational companies transferring staff to a UK branch — usually short-term and without leading to settlement.

Yes. Licences can be suspended or revoked for non-compliance. We can help you stay compliant, respond to audits, and challenge enforcement action where needed.

Right to work checks ensure that you are employing someone legally. If done correctly, they provide a statutory excuse against penalties. If done incorrectly, you could face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

Absolutely. We support individuals and employers with business plans, endorsement preparation, and visa applications under routes such as Innovator Founder, Global Talent, and legacy investor visas.

Sponsorship must be based on a genuine employment relationship. Sponsoring close family members through your business can raise compliance issues, but we can advise on alternative options or structure matters properly.