Immigration

Attracting and retaining global talent is essential for UK employers, but the process of sponsoring non-settled workers is increasingly complex and closely regulated. Employers need to navigate a fast-changing landscape, balancing business needs with strict Home Office requirements.

Clients approach us when they want to secure the right people for their business, ensure full compliance with sponsor licence duties, and avoid costly mistakes. The stakes are high: non-compliance can mean losing the ability to sponsor workers, while delays or errors can disrupt business plans.

We support employers through every stage of the sponsorship process, including:

• Obtaining and maintaining a UK sponsor licence.
• Managing the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) to request and assign Certificates of Sponsorship for visa applications.
• Assisting and preparing work visa applications, including applications for eligible family members (dependants).
• Seconding workers from an overseas office to a UK office.
• Advising on compliance with sponsor licence duties and responsibilities and conditions of visas granted.
• Assisting with making necessary notifications on the SMS regarding the company and its sponsored workers.
• Drafting and reviewing employment contracts and offer letters to ensure compliance with immigration and anti-discrimination laws.
• Assisting with Home Office compliance visits.
• Ongoing advice regarding changes to the Immigration Rules.

Relocating to the UK as a high-net-worth individual or family involves far more than securing the right visa. Clients face a complex web of legal, financial, and personal decisions, all of which must be managed with care and precision to ensure a smooth transition.

Our clients need clear, tailored guidance on the best immigration route for their unique circumstances, whether investing, starting a business, or joining family. Beyond immigration, many seek support with pre-arrival tax planning, succession strategies, finding the right property, opening UK bank accounts, or arranging school placements for their children.

Our team regularly advises international clients on every aspect of their move, drawing on deep experience and a full-service approach. We work closely with our private wealth, property, and corporate teams to deliver seamless solutions, and we coordinate with trusted intermediaries to cover every detail, from logistics to lifestyle.

We can help you with:

• Determining the best immigration option(s) and advising on the requirements.
• Advising on the documentation required for the application and the procedure for submitting the application.
• Reviewing, drafting and collating documentation for the application.
• Ensuring all requirements are met, including submitting the application and booking a biometrics appointment where necessary.
• Liaising with the Home Office, where necessary.
• Advising on the ongoing obligations once the visa is granted.
• Advising on future applications and the next steps to remain or settle in the UK and apply for British citizenship, if that is the goal.

Our team has a wealth of experience in supporting offshore energy clients on all UK immigration matters including the sponsor licence process, compliance with sponsor licence duties and responsibilities, sponsorship of crew operating in the UK and UK territorial waters and obtaining work visas.

Operating in the UK’s oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors brings unique immigration challenges due to the specialist types of crew required and their unique working patterns. Recent changes to UK immigration laws have added new layers of complexity, especially around eligibility for visas and compliance. Clients in these sectors need to ensure their workforce remains compliant and capable for deployment to the UK - often at short notice. Avoiding disruption is critical: delays or missteps can disrupt operations and expose businesses to regulatory risk.

We support employers and sponsors by providing tailored, commercially focused advice on the full range of immigration routes, including Skilled Worker and Senior or Specialist Worker Visas. Our team interprets the latest UK immigration laws, helps structure compliant sponsorship processes, and coordinates with our employment and regulatory teams to deliver seamless, end-to-end support.

By anticipating regulatory changes and managing risk, we help offshore energy companies maintain operational peace of mind and achieve successful completion of their projects.