As there’s such a wide range of visas available for immigrants to the UK, we make sure to understand your needs and advise on the right one for you. It’ll depend on your qualifications, experience, finances, your family, and your plans for the future. Each visa has a slightly different application process and eligibility criteria. Depending on the visa, you may need to prove: Your date and place of birth Your education Your parents’ or grandparents’ nationalities That you have access to a certain amount of investment funds That you have a job offer in a particular role or industry That you have a viable and innovative business plan That you have been endorsed by an authorised UK organisation. You will have our support every step of the way through your application, so you can move to the UK as quickly as possible.

Immigration Solicitors

Q: What do I do if my visa application is rejected?

If UK Visas and Immigration refuse your initial application or extension application, we can: Challenge the decision through an administrative review, appeal, or judicial review Advise on other visa options Help you switch to a different immigration category If your visa application was rejected, contact us to start planning a way forward.

Moving to another country can feel daunting. Our immigration solicitors make your move to the UK as smooth as possible.

Speak to an Expert

As your legal partner, we’ll help you navigate the immigration process so you can feel confident in your future here.

Whatever your reason for coming to the UK, our immigration specialists can make the process as straightforward as possible. We’ll help you apply for the right visa to:

Invest or start a business
Attend a business trip or conference
Work (short or long-term)
Study or carry out research
Receive private medical treatment
Visit for a short stay
Bring your family with you

If you already have a visa, we can help you extend it or apply for settlement so you can stay permanently. If you are not eligible right away, we’ll explain your options and create a plan to help you apply in the future.

We also assist with problems during your move, including challenging rejected visa applications and advising on alternatives so you can continue with your plans.

If you live outside the EEA, you will need a visa to move to the UK and must meet its terms to stay here. Each visa has its own criteria and conditions, and choosing the right one is essential — especially if you want to work or bring your family. Entering on the wrong visa or overstaying can put you at risk of deportation.

Whether you are planning your move, already here, or facing a visa issue, our experienced immigration solicitors are here to guide and support you.

Speak to our expert

We have the largest private client team in the UK, our team of experts are here to provide discreet legal advice to support you and your family.

Mandeep Khroud

Partner

Find out more

Meet our experts

Mandeep Khroud

Partner

Find out more

Why choose us?

No one decides to move country lightly. It’s a big decision and it’s worth getting expert advice to make sure your move is a success. We know through years of experience that there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all immigration advice.

That’s why our immigration lawyers take the time to understand you personally before giving any guidance. We’ll guide you through every step of the UK immigration process and explain everything you need to know in clear, jargon-free language.

Once you’re here, we’ll continue to advise on whatever legal issues you face. Whether that’s renewing a visa, paying UK tax, or buying a home, we can help. Our immigration team work closely with all of Irwin Mitchell’s wide range of specialist solicitors to give you a fully-joined up service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move my family to the UK?

Many UK visas allow you to bring your family with you when you move here. Whatever your current immigration status, we’ll help secure the right visas for you and your family – whether that means bringing them on your current visa, switching visas, or choosing the right visa entirely.

Our specialist family law team can also advise on other family law issues, including relocating children after divorce.

What do I do if my visa application is rejected?

Which visas can I get legal help with?

Our solicitors can help with a wide range of visas and permits, including:

Investor, Innovator, and Start-up visas
Exceptional Talent visas
Study visas
Temporary employment visas
EEA family permits and the EU settlement scheme
Ancestry visas
Long residence visas
Spouse and family-based visas
Domestic worker visas
Standard visitor visas.

We can also help with applications for discretionary leave and indefinite leave, settlement or permanent residence.

Our business immigration advisors can help you get the right sponsorship licence to hire migrant workers.

Our locations

With offices all over the country, we can help you wherever you are. If you are not in the UK, we can speak by phone, video call, or even email.

I need help with…

Find answers to specific immigration rules and processes.

Applying for a visa

As there’s such a wide range of visas available for immigrants to the UK, we make sure to understand your needs and advise on the right one for you. It’ll depend on your qualifications, experience, finances, your family, and your plans for the future.

Each visa has a slightly different application process and eligibility criteria. Depending on the visa, you may need to prove:

Your date and place of birth
Your education
Your parents’ or grandparents’ nationalities
That you have access to a certain amount of investment funds
That you have a job offer in a particular role or industry
That you have a viable and innovative business plan
That you have been endorsed by an authorised UK organisation.

You will have our support every step of the way through your application, so you can move to the UK as quickly as possible.

Extending my visa

If you are living in the UK temporarily and would like to stay longer, we may be able to help you extend or renew your visa.

You will have to meet certain requirements to extend your visa. We’ll advise whether or not you are eligible and help you provide evidence for your application.

If you plan to extend your visa in the future, we can help you plan ahead to make sure you are eligible when the time comes.

Applying to settle permanently in the UK

Many visas allow you to apply for permanent settlement in the UK, and later for citizenship, after a set period of time. The length of time depends on your visa type – for example, Tier 1 (Investor) visa holders may qualify sooner depending on the amount invested.

Each visa also has its own eligibility criteria. You may need to prove the UK has been your main home for a certain period, meet financial requirements, or show you haven’t spent too much time abroad.

Our solicitors can guide you through the application process and help you gather the evidence needed to prove your eligibility.

Investing in the UK

With a Tier 1 (Investor) visa, you can live in the UK if you invest at least £2 million here. You will also need to:

Be over 18 years old
Have opened an account with a UK regulated bank
Be able to prove that you have controlled your investment funds for at least two years.

You will be able to live, work and study in the UK. You will also be allowed to bring dependants with you, including children under 18 and your partner – whether you are married or not.

The initial visa typically lasts three years and four months, with the option to extend for a further two years. Depending on your investment amount, you may be able to apply for permanent settlement after two to five years. We can guide you through each step.

Starting a business in the UK

If you want to start a business in the UK, you will need either an Innovator Founder. These applications can be complex and come with strict requirements.

You will need a viable, innovative business plan endorsed by an approved UK organisation, and for an Innovator visa, at least £50,000 in investment funds.

We can help you prepare your application or switch to one of these visas if you are already in the UK.