Our Immigration practice was established in 1990 and has a team of 20 legal professionals in London. We provide specialist immigration and nationality advice to a wide range of corporate clients, as well as high net worth individuals and private clients. In addition to advising on and managing all immigration issues, we work closely with tax, employment and other legal specialists to achieve a successful outcome.
We advise on all aspects of UK immigration, coordinating clients’ immigration needs across Europe and globally, including:
- Tier 1 (General), (Investor), (Post Study Work) and (Entrepreneur)
- Tier 2 (General) and (ICT)
- Licensing employers as sponsors under the Points Based System
- Indefinite Leave to Remain and Right of Abode
- Work Permit and Highly Skilled Migrant Programme extensions under the Points Based System
- European applications
- British nationality
We have also been instructed by corporate clients to manage stand-alone immigration projects
Points Based System
The previous work permit regime was replaced by Tier 2 of the Points Based System on 27 November 2008. Our team has developed a service to prepare clients for the changes, which represent the biggest shake-up in immigration law in more than 45 years. Our service includes advising on all aspects of licensing as a sponsor under the Points Based System, including providing strategic advice, project plans and reviews of internal processes to ensure compliance with sponsor obligations.
CMS Cameron McKenna is listed by the UK Border Agency as an assessed provider, with all appropriate understanding of the sponsorship arrangements and obligations. We continue to lobby policy makers within Government on practice and policy issues, and obtain clarification on points to ensure that our clients’ business needs are met while they remain fully compliant.
INS Zoom
CMS Cameron McKenna was the first UK law firm to use INS Zoom, a web-based case management system that we have customised to ensure its effectiveness under the Points Based System. INS Zoom enables clients to obtain updates on applications, upload documents, monitor expiry dates and run tailored reports. It also acts as a secure repository for all documents to be retained by employers under the Points Based System, in line with their reporting and record keeping obligations.
Relevant experience includes:
- Advising on high volume business immigration applications for leading multi-nationals
- Acting as a Level 1/Level 2 users for corporate clients, including verifying and issuing Certificates of Sponsorship, and supporting employees through the visa application process
- Conducting global audits and advising on best practices
- Advising individuals in relation to bringing unmarried and same-sex partners to the UK
- Advising individuals on the transfer of domestic workers, nannies and housekeepers
- Advising on high profile business and high net worth matters, providing expert opinions at Immigration Appeal Tribunals and High Court appeal cases
- Advising on the immigration aspects of major extradition cases