Personal Immigration Legal Services

There remain a number of options for new investors and high-net-worth individuals looking to relocate and our expertise means we are well-placed to advise on the best immigration strategy.

We are also experienced in coordinating with advisors in other jurisdictions. Many of our clients choose to undertake a residence or citizenship by investment programme in another country (e.g. Malta) alongside their other immigration matters to give them maximum flexibility for international travel and overseas residence.

If you are a high net worth or ultra-high net worth individual, pre-arrival tax planning will usually be an essential element to consider alongside your visa planning. We work closely with our renowned Tax, Trusts & Succession team as well as our international offices to ensure you receive the specialist advice you need to achieve your goals.

The UK has a number of visa routes designed to attract the most innovative or talented individuals. The Innovator and Start-Up visas are for entrepreneurs looking to establish a business in the UK for the first time, with the former aimed particularly at experienced applicants.

Individuals who are leaders or potential leaders in their chosen field, whether that be academia or research, arts, and culture or digital technology, may be eligible to apply for a Global Talent visa. Applicants must have endorsement from a UK government-approved body or have won a prestigious eligible award. This visa category can lead to settlement in the UK.

The International Sportsperson route is open to elite sportspersons and qualified coaches at the top of their profession, who have been endorsed by their sport’s governing body. Sponsorship by a licensed UK sponsor is required. The route can lead to settlement in the UK after 5 years.

Most of the main UK visa categories allow the main applicant to bring a dependant partner and/or minor children with them. Partners may be spouses, civil partners, or unmarried partners who have lived together for at least 2 years. Dependant family members may apply together with the main applicant or separately if they are joining a sponsor who is already in the UK. We can assist with all types of dependant applications and are experienced in dealing with complex family set-ups.

Relocating to a new country is often a stressful experience, especially where the reasons for moving are deeply personal. We have extensive experience in acting for family members of British citizens or those with the right of permanent residence in the UK, including those with complex or sensitive family circumstances. For family applications, the financial requirements in particular are extremely technical and we recommend taking professional legal advice from the outset to avoid costly mistakes and minimise any stress involved.

The UK legal landscape has changed significantly for EEA & Swiss nationals and their family members in recent years. We have a wealth of experience in this area to guide you through the maze and help you determine and implement the best strategy to secure your position in the UK.

We also work closely with our specialist Family and Tax, Trusts & Succession teams both in the UK and internationally.

For many clients, achieving the security of permanent residence and British citizenship is the ultimate goal. The right to live in the UK permanently, free from any immigration restrictions, can provide a level of flexibility and peace of mind which is highly-prized. We regularly assist clients with everything from straightforward naturalisation applications, through registration of eligible children as British citizens, to complex and highly technical nationality issues often based on historic family circumstances.