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Business immigration
The landscape of immigration is ever changing. We help clients to navigate this rapidly changing area of law cost-effectively, providing accurate advice and filing applications to tight deadlines.
Our team of specialist immigration lawyers have unrivalled experience advising employers, investors and educational establishments on their immigration needs, becoming the link between organisations and the Home Office, applying creative thinking to solve complex immigration hurdles.
Our approach is tailor-made to your circumstances and objectives; we listen to your requirements and provide you with the most pragmatic, cost-effective approach to meeting your goals. We can provide immigration compliance advice, detailed audits, bespoke training and consultancy on the effects of immigration when going through a merger or registering a joint venture.
Our expertise
Businesses
The greatest asset for any organisation is its people. The key focus for our business immigration team is to provide advice to UK businesses on recruiting for employees outside of the European Economic Areas ensuring compliance with immigration rules.
We work closely with the UK government, so you can rest assured the advice we offer is at the highest level. Our service is partner-led - we pride ourselves on our creativity in solving the more complex immigration issues while working with forward-thinking organisations.
Our advice includes:
- Tier 2 sponsor licence applications
- global mobility and intra-company transfer services
- business visitors rules
- applications for EEA nationals and their family members
- the implementation and maintaining of compliant HR systems for firms seeking to apply for a sponsor licence
- supporting clients before and during UKBA audits
Related services
Investors
For investors and high net worth individuals, we work with you to understand your requirements and can advise on all aspects of securing and retaining the appropriate visa for your circumstances, whether you are looking to invest in a qualifying company or to set up your own business in the UK.
Our advice includes:
- Tier 1 - Investor visas
- Tier 1 - Entrepreneur visas
- British citizenship and indefinite leave to remain/settlement
- Family and dependant related visa applications for children, spouses, civil partners, fiancés and unmarried partners
We act for clients who wish to make an application under immigration rules for leave to remain, citizenship as well as applications under the EEA regulations and the EU settlement scheme.
"The firm is retained by the UK arms of large international businesses and has strong links with London and the USA."
Education establishments
We advise students, further and higher educational establishments, independent schools and English language schools on all aspects of securing immigration visas including:
- Tier 4 student visas
- ensuring compliance with Tier 4 requirements
- immigration appeals
- negotiating with the home office on behalf of sponsors
Pricing transparency
Quality assured: Wright Hassall is Lexcel accredited, the Law Society’s legal practice quality mark for practice management and client care.
The table below shows the indicative fee scale charged by our immigration team for their services as described. The fee scale reflects the scope of work *involved in a straightforward application on behalf of an individual (except those applying under Tier 1). As most businesses are likely to be seeking advice under the *Points-Based System, a different fee scale will apply (see below).
For more complex applications, please contact us for an individual fee estimate. Elements determining the complexity of a matter can include (but are not limited to) the number of dependants, whether it is a first-time application or an extension, and the number of supporting documents and witnesses.
Indicative fee scale
| Application type | Price range including VAT | Average timescales from instruction (using priority services where available) |
|
For naturalisation |
£1,440 - £2,500 | 4 – 6 months |
| EEA nationals including: | ||
| Permanent residence | £2,400 – £3,000 | 3 – 4 weeks |
| EEA Family Permit | £2,500 - £2,750 | 8 – 12 weeks |
| Registration certificates / Residence cards | £2,500 - £2,750 | 8 – 12 weeks |
| Under immigration rules including: | ||
|
Student/visit visas (short term under visitor rules – depends on level of support and visa / non-visa national status) |
£780 - £1,200 | 2 – 5 weeks |
| Visit visa (tourism/friends/family) | 2 – 5 weeks | |
| Spouse/partner /fiancé(e)s | £3,000 - £4,200 | 8 weeks |
| Work/study under Points-Based System | £1,800 - £3,300 | 8 weeks |
| Dependent family reunion | Not offered | NA |
| Ancestry visas | £2,400 - £3,300 | 6 weeks |
| Other including long residence | Please get in touch with us |
|
The prices above exclude costs payable to a third party, such as the services of a translator or a barrister, or interpreters’ fees, or mandatory Government fees including Home Office filing fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge or Immigration Skills Charge. We will quote separately for third party services arranged by us – see below. |
| Face to face review meeting | £ Price (including VAT) |
| An initial consultation meeting to discuss your application, including a review of documents prior to the meeting. | £425 - £540 |
The details
Straightforward applications
A straightforward application is likely to include:
- Review of documents
- Initial meeting with client, taking instructions and advising
- Preparation and submission of application
- Advising client on timelines and outcome of application.
Exclusions
*Points-Based System
Please note that these fees do not apply to those who are applying under the Tier 1 or Tier 2 Points-Based System unless specifically stated. If you are an individual wishing to enter the UK on a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa or you are a business looking to sponsor an employee from outside the EEA via the Tier 2 application process, please contact us separately.
Tribunals
Contentious immigration matters, including appeals, are complex and thus excluded from the above fee scale. If your case is likely to go to the Immigration Tribunal, please contact us to discuss the scope of your case and potential cost.
Interpreters
We rarely require the services of interpreters and therefore, if needed, we will quote separately.
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