Immigration

At Michelmores, we recognise that personal immigration journeys are deeply individual, often life changing, and sometimes complex. We provide tailored, client-focused and practical advice to guide individuals and families through every stage of the process.

We provide a white-glove service as trusted advisors from the moment you begin planning your move. Whether you are relocating with family, starting a business, pursuing a career, or studying in the UK, we are here to assist with every step and make the journey as easy and stress free as possible. From entry clearance visa applications and extensions to settlement and British citizenship, we ensure a smooth journey to achieve your goals.

Collaboration is key to providing a seamless experience which is why our Immigration, Family, Tax, and Real Estate teams work closely together to offer holistic solutions that address every aspect of your relocation. Indeed, we also work closely with external advisors to assist with the practicalities of your move – whether that means structuring your assets and wealth, finding the perfect school for your children, locating your ideal home, or bringing your favourite belongings from overseas – we are committed to making your transition to life in the UK as smooth, stress-free, and successful as possible.

Key Services:

• Visitor visas: Whether you are coming for a holiday, a business meeting, or to see family and friends, we will help you secure a Visitor visa and understand what you are permitted to do during your short stay.
• Family based visas: When you want to bring your loved ones to join you in the UK – be it your spouse, partner, or dependent relatives – we will guide you through the required steps, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process.
• EU Settlement Scheme: If you are an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen (or their family member) who was living in the UK before Brexit, we can assist you in securing the Settled or Pre-settled Status you need to continue living, working, and enjoying life here.
• Creative worker visa applications: For those in the arts, entertainment, or creative industries, we make the visa process straightforward so you can focus on performing and contributing to the UK’s cultural scene.
• Government Authorised Exchange visas (including Internship visas): We help you join approved programs that offer work experience in the UK, ensuring a smooth visa application and compliance with all immigration requirements.
• Global Talent visa applications: If you are a recognised leader or an up-and-coming star in fields like arts, science, academia, research or technology, we help you secure a visa that acknowledges your exceptional talent.
• Innovator Founder visa applications: For entrepreneurs with bold, scalable business ideas, we guide you through the Innovator Founder visa process, helping you launch and grow your business in the UK.
• Youth Mobility Scheme visa applications: We simplify the visa application process allowing young people from participating countries to live, work, or study in the UK.
• Graduate visa applications: Recent Student visa graduates can stay and work in the UK after their studies. We ensure the application runs smoothly so you can start your post-study career with ease.
• High Potential Individual visa applications: For recent international graduates of top global universities, we assist in obtaining a visa that lets you live and work in the UK without a job offer, allowing you to make the most of your skillset and potential.
• UK Ancestry visa applications: If you have a grandparent born in the UK, we help confirm your eligibility and secure this visa, enabling you to live and work in the UK based on your ancestry.
• Overseas Domestic Worker: If you need to bring a domestic worker to the UK – such as a nanny or personal assistant – we will ensure the visa process is compliant and straightforward, protecting both your interests and those of your employee.
• Settlement / Indefinite Leave to Remain applications: After you have spent two, three, five, or ten years in the UK with lawful residence, we advise on the requirements for permanent residency, ultimately freeing you from immigration restrictions.
• British citizenship applications: We guide you through the process of becoming a British citizen, ensuring a smooth path to a British passport.
• Administrative Review: If you have received a refusal decision, we review the outcome and ascertain the merits to challenge the Home Office or otherwise find an alternative strategy to meet your immigration goals.
• Judicial Review: We can take your case to the courts to challenge decisions made by the Home Office.
• Appeals: If your visa or immigration request is turned down, we can represent you in the appeals process, building a strong case to overturn the initial decision.

Highlights:

• Obtained Indefinite Leave to Remain for a Tier 1 (Investor) applicant and their family, despite a significant breach of the 180-day residence requirement. Recognising the complexity of their situation, we prepared detailed and persuasive representations, presenting compelling evidence to explain the breach. Our approach involved close collaboration with the Home Office and engagement with a Member of Parliament to ensure the applications received due consideration. This diligent advocacy resulted in the approval of Indefinite Leave to Remain for the client and their family, safeguarding their future in the UK.
• Secured a Medical Visitor visa for an individual who had a complex UK immigration history. Our approach involved anticipating and addressing potential objections, while presenting extensive evidence of the applicant’s personal ties to their country of residence and their ability to independently fund medical treatment in the UK. Due to our detailed preparation and robust submissions, the visa was granted in under five days.
• Secured Indefinite Leave to Remain under the revised 2024 ten-year long residence route for a client who faced significant challenges after losing their Skilled Worker visa employment in 2023. Following receipt of their Skilled Worker visa curtailment notice from the Home Office in late 2024, we acted swiftly to prepare and submit their application within one week. We ensured all evidence was meticulously presented and the end of their Skilled Worker sponsorship carefully explained. We secured Super Priority processing and an expedited biometric appointment. This resulted in the client being granted ILR just one day after attending their biometric appointment.
• Provided tailored advice to a South American author on their eligibility for a Global Talent visa. Taking into account their extensive background, achievements, and professional profile, we conducted a detailed assessment to evaluate the strength of their case. Our guidance offered a clear and comprehensive understanding of the requirements, as well as the likelihood of their application being approved, enabling them to make an informed decision about pursuing this visa route.
• Assisted a co-founder of a tech start-up in securing a visa for continued residency in the UK.
• Liaised with Home Office contacts to secure expedited visa processing for urgent applications.
• Obtained Visitor visas for clients with histories of previous refusals, overcoming complex challenges.
• Assisted clients in obtaining ILR under the ten-year long residence provisions, despite notable absences from the UK.
• Obtained first British passports within a week, a process that typically takes a minimum of four to six weeks.
• Supported clients in calculating and monitoring their absences in accordance with revised rolling absence rules introduced in January 2018.
• Successfully obtained British citizenship for clients whose absences exceed the usually permitted limit of 450 days.