Chetal Patel leads the ‘extremely competent team‘ at Bates Wells, which advises on the full range of personal immigration matters. The group has particular expertise advising EEA citizens on the EU Settlement Scheme and other issues arising from the implications of Brexit, and also excels in family and human rights matters. The team is also regularly sought out for its knowledge and experience handling issues such as HNW immigration, visit visas, domestic worker applications, PBS dependents issues and domestic violence cases. As an expert in LGBTQ+ asylum claims, Tim Barnden is a highly regarded practitioner in family immigration work and is particularly skilled in Article 8 claims and appeals, domestic violence applications and advice to EEA nationals and their families. The group also includes Matthew James, whose practice bridges personal and business immigration work and has expertise in post-Brexit Immigration for EEA nationals, and Alice Bennington, who ‘goes above and beyond to get the job done‘ and advises on a broad range of personal immigration issues, with an increasing focus on applications involving children citizenship issues, such as surrogacy and adoption work.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is noted for its full-service immigration practice, advising across both personal and corporate immigration, and has particular expertise advising clients such as business owners and other HNW and UHNW individuals on establishing in the UK, especially those who previously would have been eligible under the Tier 1 (Investor) route. Praised for the way its departments ‘collaborate seamlessly to deliver comprehensive solutions for clients with sophisticated needs‘, the group works closely with the firm’s private tax and private wealth teams to provide a holistic service advice to clients wanting to relocate to the UK. The team also advises on the immigration aspects of a family breakdown, as well as complex child custody and surrogacy matters for international clients. Leading the group, Rose Carey advises on a variety of complex immigration matters for HNW clients and businesspeople, while Kelvin Tanner has a ‘business-savvy mind‘ and specialises in all aspects of private client immigration work, with a focus on HNW clients seeking an alternative residence or citizenship. Adam Kyte and Owen Chan are also key figures in the firm for various personal immigration needs.

With an ‘ability to handle complex immigration issues with creativity and insight‘, Gherson LLP is a key name for HNW and UHNW individuals and families on all aspects of their UK immigration affairs across the whole spectrum of immigration categories. The group has considerable expertise handling a variety of discretionary applications involving excessive absences, previous criminality and politically motivated allegations or charges in other jurisdictions. With expertise in both contentious and non-contentious matters, the firm also has a reputable international protection team, which handles asylum, exclusion and extradition cases, and also has experience bringing cases involving immigration sanctions in the tribunals. Praised for her ‘dedication and professionalism‘, Lisa Uttley leads the personal immigration group. Kamilla Kelemen heads up the UK inbound immigration team and has extensive experience in both general immigration issues as well as international protection work, and Amalia Gherson has a broad immigration practice that includes advising on asylum and protection claims. Roger Gherson oversees the practice, and Charles Burnett acts on cases involving human rights or multi-jurisdictional issues.

The immigration group at Kingsley Napley LLP fields ‘masters of their craft‘ and advises HNW and high-profile individuals such as businesspeople, entrepreneurs and investors on all aspects of personal immigration. The group has expertise handling a broad range of visa applications, and is particularly knowledgeable of the Tier 1 (Investor), Global Talent, Innovator Founder routes. Practice head Nicolas Rollason runs an ‘ultra high touch-point service and team‘ and advises on all aspects of UK immigration and nationality law. Katie Newbury leads the immigration offering for private clients at the firm and is an expert in complex personal immigration matters and applications made under Tier 1 of the points-based system. She is also a reputable practitioner in the field of immigration law relating to surrogacy and adoption. The group also has a seasoned international protection practice, drawing on assistance from the criminal litigation team for matters involving alleged criminal offences, extradition and INTERPOL issues. Oliver Oldman is an expert in this area, and regularly advises clients facing politically motivated prosecutions and investigations on asylum and human rights claims.

Praised as a team that ‘leads the UK immigration sector in every area of immigration law‘, boutique firm Laura Devine Immigration excels in all aspects of personal immigration. Dual qualified in the UK and US, Laura Devine is ‘a leading figure in the immigration law world‘ and advises clients such as executives, families and individuals on a broad range of UK and US immigration issues. Sophie Barrett-Brown, described as ‘extremely knowledgeable, solution-oriented and committed to excellence‘, assists clients with complex matters in every immigration category, including refusal challenges, complex applications under the EU Settlement Scheme and discretionary nationality applications with good character issues. Natasha Chell has a strong business-personal cross-over immigration practice, and Christi Hufford Jackson leads the firm’s US team covering all aspects of business and personal immigration. Francesca Sciberras regularly advises clients on complex family immigration matters, nationality issues and EUSS applications, while Matthew Wills and Zeena Luchowa co-lead the firm’s human rights practice; both have extensive experience handling complex personal immigration matters. Immigration specialist Brian Naumann, whose practice covers both business and personal immigration matters, is also a key contact.

Mishcon de Reya LLP advises on all aspects of personal immigration for a prestigious international client base of HNW and UHNW individuals and families. Described as ‘proactive, practical and commercial in its approach‘, the group has particular expertise in exceptional applications for naturalisation and complex applications for indefinite leave to remain, including cases where applicants have an adverse immigration history. The team also works closely with the firm’s departments in tax and wealth planning, residential real estate and reputation protection, and has additional capabilities handling asylum and humanitarian protection claims for clients experiencing corporate persecution. Practice head Steven Bostock, also qualified with the State Bar of California and capable of advising clients on their US immigration needs, has a broad immigration practice that includes expertise in all UK HNW visa categories. Kamal Rahman advises clients such as investors and entrepreneurs on all aspects of establishing a base in the UK, and Maria Patsalos acts for entrepreneurs, royalty and sportspeople, specialising in political asylum and obtaining second residencies and citizenships. Lucy Humphreys and Jessica Good both have extensive experience in human rights and asylum claims, and David Deane specialises in all aspects of UK immigration law, particularly complex British citizenship applications. Becca Hird and Hannah Barnett are other key figures in personal immigration.

Payne Hicks Beach LLP is widely known for its personal immigration advice to HNW and UHNW clients, particularly from the US, the Middle East, India and South America. With lawyers of ‘extremely high calibre and skill‘, the group regularly advises on visa categories such as Tier 1 Investor, Innovator and Global Talent, as well as family applications. The team also has significant expertise handling adult dependent relative applications, human rights applications with complex backgrounds, and appeals and judicial reviews. The practice is overseen by Kathryn Bradbury, praised by one client as ‘consistency and excellence personified‘, who advises clients such as businesspeople, particularly in the arts and media, financial services and tech sectors, on a broad range of UK immigration, EU free movement and UK nationality law. Known for ‘taking the most complex and demanding cases in his stride‘, Matt Ingham specialises in complex international protection claims for HNW clients, involving political persecution and corporate raiding; he also advises on public law and human rights based applications, and is especially experienced in asylum claims, judicial reviews, statutory appeals and urgent removal cases. Gintare Plistkovaite also advises on a broad range of immigration issues, including international protection, extradition, judicial review and human rights claims.

With a particular focus on HNW and high-profile individuals and families, Farrer & Co has a well-regarded team of specialised immigration lawyers who advise across all areas of UK immigration law. The group has noteworthy expertise advising European nationals and their families seeking to reside in the UK, and regularly handles discretionary applications under the EU Settlement Scheme that involve, for example, long periods of absences. The team is also highly capable in assisting clients from a variety of jurisdictions who are facing issues such as political attacks, targeted persecutions and economic raiding. Practice head Elena Hinchin specialises in providing strategic immigration advice to HNW and UHNW individuals, politically exposed people, senior executives as well as other professionals and their family members. Another key lawyer is Tom Hardwick, who has extensive experience with complex personal immigration matters, including issues relating to British nationality law, family members of British citizens, EEA immigration law and asylum, and he is particularly skilled in discretionary applications.

Praised by clients for its ‘excellent global and technical immigration knowledge‘, the dedicated HNW group at Fragomen LLP specialises exclusively in immigration. Advising a broad range of high-profile and HNW clients, the team has particular expertise in areas such as alternative residency and citizenship matters, Tier 1 (Investor) applications, surrogacy issues and cases with a multi-jurisdictional element. The group also has extensive experience handling exceptional cases requiring the exercise of discretion by authorities. The practice is overseen by Nadine Goldfoot, who is the worldwide private client lead, and Natasha Catterson who specialises in all aspects of UK immigration. The ‘superb‘ Olga Nechita is another key figure in personal immigration.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP is sought out for its specialist private client immigration advice to high-profile individuals such as politicians and businesspeople, and has unique expertise handling international protection cases. As the immigration team sits within the larger private client and immigration department, the group provides an integrated service to address all client needs, and also has considerable dispute resolution capabilities to aid clients facing allegations of fraud, freezing orders and information disclosures. The group is led by ‘excellent practitioner‘ Sarah Gogan, who has a broad immigration practice with a particular focus on complex international protection cases, regularly acting for families, businesspeople and politicians seeking political asylum. The group also includes Charlotte Boyce, who is another specialist in international protection law, and Sasha Lal, who has a broad immigration practice.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP ‘offers state-of-the-art services in the legal domain‘ and advises on the full range of personal immigration issues. As part of a full-service law firm and with a group embedded in the private client offering, the practice offers advice to HNW and UHNW clients on all aspects of relocating to the UK. Practice head Pat Saini is ‘a leader in the field of UK immigration‘ and also spearheads the firm’s India group; her immigration practice spans both personal and corporate immigration in a variety of industries, and, leveraging her expertise in the education sector, she regularly handles applications for international students looking to apply to remain in the UK. Hazar El-Chamaa heads up the firm’s private wealth immigration offering, and regularly advises HNW and UHNW on immigration routes such as Innovator Founder, Global Talent and the EU Settlement Scheme. Recently promoted to partner, Meghan Vozila has expertise in all aspects of immigration law.

Praised as ‘a niche specialist firm with one of the top personal immigration teams around‘, Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP has a well-established personal immigration practice. Particularly sought out for its human rights and civil liberties expertise, the group also advises across a broad range of personal immigration issues including nationality work, EU Settlement Scheme matters and visitor applications. Barry O’Leary specialises in the full range of immigration and nationality issues, and has particular expertise in applications based on partnership and family, as well as international surrogacy work, and Alison Hunter has specialist knowledge of the European free movement law and the EUSS; she is praised as ‘razor sharp and an expert in international adoption cases‘. Diana Baxter is ‘very knowledgeable and an expert in nationality law‘ as well as in Appendix FM applications for partners, children and parents, and Katie Dilger focuses on complex family cases.

The ‘exceptional‘ group at Withers LLP is dedicated to the personal immigration needs of HNW individuals and families, and is particularly proficient in matters that sit at the intersection of immigration, private client, employment, corporate and tax law. As part of an international private client firm, the team can draw on the global expertise from its colleagues in the US, Asia and Europe. Key figures include practice head Nicolette Bostock, whose ‘knowledge and expertise in immigration matters is remarkable‘, and who advises individuals, families and businesses on all aspects of UK immigration law, such as EU Settlement scheme issues, settlement applications, British citizenship and passport applications; and private client immigration specialist Ana Nicorici.

The immigration group at BDB Pitmans is part of the firm’s well-regarded private client offering, and goes ‘above and beyond‘ for individuals and families on a broad range of personal immigration issues. The team particularly excels in immigration mandates that require additional capabilities in other areas of law, and utilises a multi-disciplinary approach, working with other firm departments such as the employment, corporate transactions and private wealth teams. Leading the group, Tim Hayes‘ broad immigration expertise includes matters such as citizenship and passport issues and family applications; he also has notable experience in appeals to the First Tier Immigration Tribunal. The group also includes Chris Greep, who advises business and individuals on a wide range of immigration matters, including indefinite leave to remain, routes for dependent spouses and children, and graduate visas.

With ‘excellent knowledge of visa applications and the minutia associated with them‘, Bindmans LLP has expertise in all aspects of personal immigration and nationality law. The group is particularly knowledgeable in post-Brexit related immigration advice, the immigration aspects of a family breakdown, surrogacy issues, and work relating to domestic violence. Leading the group, Liz Barratt advises on all aspects of immigration law and is especially known for her work in complex nationality law and for assisting unaccompanied children and vulnerable clients. Alison Stanley, now a consultant, is particularly experienced in litigation, and Roberta Haslam and Karma Hickman both have a broad practice with particular expertise in family law matters. Alice Davis and Elisabeth Attwood, both of whom have a diverse personal immigration practice, are also key figures in this area.

Overseen by Anita de Atouguia, Doyle Clayton's practice advises on all aspects of UK immigration law and is praised for its ‘attention to detail, integrity, and great responsiveness‘. Working with a diverse range of clients, the group’s expertise includes Global Talent and Innovator Founder applications, human rights issues and applications from EU nationals and family members. Malini Skandachanmugarasan ‘knows the intricacies of the laws and regulations‘ and specialises in the full range of UK immigration law, with particular skill in handling discretionary applications for individuals and families unable meet requirements under the immigration rules, in addition to late EU Settlement Scheme applications. The group also includes Anna Blackden, who is a specialist in education and student immigration matters.

OTS Solicitors provides a comprehensive offering characterised by ‘exceptional expertise and unwavering dedication‘ in the field of personal immigration. The group excels in a broad range of matters, including judicial reviews, indefinite leave to remain applications and issues relating to the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as a broad range of visas, British nationality cases and asylum claims; the team also has notable capabilities in family-related immigration issues. Key figures in the team include Teni Shahiean, an expert in human rights and family life cases, Oshin Shahiean, who advises on a broad range of personal immigration matters, and Maryem Ahmed, who has wide-ranging expertise in areas such as family reunion applications, adult dependent relative applications, spousal visas and EU and Brexit immigration matters.

Russell-Cooke LLP fields an expert HNW personal immigration practice, and is particularly skilled in discretionary UK immigration and nationality applications. The group excels in immigration routes such as Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Skilled Worker and Scale Up visas, and also has niche capabilities in surrogacy and cross-border adoptions. Seasoned litigator and ‘unique legal professional’ Tom Bradford brings to the team his expertise in contentious personal immigration matters, including administrative reviews and appeals. The ‘outstanding‘ Bhavneeta Limbachia specialises in a broad range of personal immigration matters, and Harry Qiu Yu Yu, who joined the group in November 2023, focuses on personal immigration issues for HNW clients. The immigration department is overseen by Edward Wanambwa.

Advising HNW clients and celebrities on all aspects of personal immigration, Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law ‘always makes overwhelmingly complex immigration rules and forms seem relatively straightforward‘. The group has particular expertise securing Global Talent visas for artists, scientists, creators and digital tech figures, and also advises on issues relating to family applications, citizenships, indefinite leave to remain and EU Settlement Scheme applications. ‘Excellent‘ practice head Vanessa Ganguin advises on all aspects of private immigration and human rights work, while Philip Trott is a specialist in discretionary personal immigration applications outside the rules, and also a go-to lawyer for music industry figures having difficulties entering the country. Ben Maitland, who has a broad ranging immigration practice, is another key name within the group.

Praised as ‘a leading firm in a highly competitive and fast-changing sector‘, Wilson Solicitors LLP has a well-established personal immigration offering. In addition to an exceptional practice in the field of asylum, human rights and deportation work, the group has considerable expertise representing EU nationals applying for settled status for themselves and family members, as well as handling family visa applications, citizenship issues and Global Talent visas. Anita Vasisht leads the group, supported by Ana Gonzalez, a ‘wonderful solicitor and advocate‘ who specialises in all aspects of asylum and personal immigration, and Muhunthan Paramesvaran. Matthew Davies, who has a broad personal immigration practice, is also a key contact, and senior consultant Michael Hanley also contributes to the practice.

A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration firm representing both individuals and corporate clients in a broad range of UK immigration matters. The group’s expertise in personal immigration includes issues such as appeals, nationality, human rights, and other immigration challenges at the Immigration Tribunal. The team is led by Diana Elena Todirica, who specialises in both business and personal immigration, and has notable experience with matters such as visitor visas, asylum claims, family applications and matters relating to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Benefiting from its position within a full-service law firm that can handle all aspects of relocating to the UK, Edwin Coe LLP's practice provides a specialist personal immigration service to clients such as entrepreneurs, HNW individuals and family offices. The practice is led by the ‘knowledgeable, efficient and responsive‘ Sundeep Rathod, who advises on both personal and corporate immigration matters, and has particular expertise in immigration routes under applications such as Expansion Worker, Entrepreneur, Innovator and Start-up, and Graduate and Student, in addition to an established complex nationality practice.

Keystone Law advises on a broad range of personal immigration matters, such as advising clients applying to enter the UK as an investor or innovator, those joining family members, or those applying for British Citizenship; the group also has notable expertise in the EU Settlement Scheme. The team consists of multiple immigration specialists with broad ranging expertise; some key names include Christine Chiew, Tsige Berhanu, Sharmila Mehta, Dhruti Thakrar, Jayanti Mitra-Valdes and Nicola Richards.

With ‘unparalleled dedication to personalised client care and innovative solutions’, Lisa's Law Solicitors provides a comprehensive legal service to both individual and business clients across a broad range of UK immigration matters, including complex family-based applications, discretionary cases, European Convention on Human Rights claims, trafficking matters and asylum claims. The group has unique capabilities in the Chinese UK Market, and specialises in advising Chinese clients seeking migration to the UK. Chuanli Ding spearheads the practice.

Led by Colin Senez, who specialises in HNW immigration issues, Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP is a boutique private client firm advising on all aspects of UK immigration and nationality work. Focusing on providing immigration services to a HNW and UHNW client base, the group can also draw on expertise in tax, wills and estate planning and contentious trusts. Ceris Gardner and Emma-Jane Weider are also key figures.

Meymand Maczynski Ltd is a boutique business immigration practice with considerable personal immigration capabilities, and is particularly skilled in advising HNW clients on options for immigration which include foreign direct investment through Innovator Founder and Skilled Worker routes. The group also advises on legacy immigration routes including Investor and Entrepreneur visas, and also excels in Global Talent and Graduate visa advice. Sam Meymand oversees the practice.

RLegal Solicitors is a boutique practice specialising in in a wide range of UK immigration and nationality cases. Praised for its ‘exceptional communication‘, the group regularly works with HNW clients applying for investment-based entry in the Innovator Founder and Global Business Expansion categories, and additionally has a seasoned practice in family migration, human rights and nationality issues, and matters involving the EU Settlement Scheme. The practice is led by immigration specialists David Robinson and Evan Remedios, who both have extensive experience challenging refusals through appeal, and handling administrative and judicial reviews.

Rove Legal is a specialist immigration law firm that focuses on HNW individuals and entrepreneurs. The group has notable expertise in applications under Tier 1 Investor and Entrepreneur, Start-up and Innovator visas as well as in the visa categories Family, Visit and Ancestry, and is especially experienced working with clients from the Middle East. Described as as ‘a very versatile lawyer who has a great practical outlook on immigration problems‘, founding partner and practice head Jay Moghal specialises in providing immigration advice to HNW individuals.

Boutique firm Sterling Law advises across both personal and corporate immigration matters for a broad range of individuals, families and businesses. The group’s expertise includes a variety of complex nationality matters, HNW applications, Global Talent, Investor visas and human rights issues. Key figures in the team are Ruslan Kosarenko, Yuriy Lysenko and Edward Meade.