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OTS Solicitors is widely regarded as one of the best Immigration law firms in London. Our solicitors are experienced in advising clients from a variety of business sectors and our clients range from individuals, start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and multi-national corporations.
We are here to help you with all types of business Immigration matters whether it is:
After the 28 March 2019, the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa scheme will close.
OTS Solicitors is highly reputable in the legal field and specifically within Immigration as we are one of the market leaders in the Immigration sector.
We have a specialist team of Immigration Solicitors who have vast experience in dealing with Corporate Immigration matters as we understand the importance for corporations in the UK to secure the right people for the right Employment opportunities. This is indispensable for the growth of any business and its ability to continue to provide its’ services successfully.
We are one of very few Immigration law firms to provide highly qualified, and eminently respected Immigration solicitors in the UK and EU, such as Mr Paul Gulbenkian, a Senior Immigration Solicitor and former Immigration judge of the Immigration Tribunal in the UK. Mr Gulbenkian is one of the country’s most influential business Immigration lawyers and advises the UK Government’s Migration Advisory Committee on Immigration legislation and laws affecting UK and foreign businesses and investors.
Immigration Law is frequently changing and becoming increasingly complex with the list of requirements and policy guidance issued by the Home Office causing uncertainty and frustration for many businesses and corporations in the UK. This has resulted in many corporations and businesses unable to meet the strict requirements which has in turn had a negative impact on profitability and the services that businesses can offer as their ability to hire foreign employees have been restricted. Failure to adhere to the Immigration Rules can have serious consequences for a business and its employees, for example businesses can face substantial fines and have their Licence to sponsor revoked immediately without a right of appeal.
Understandably without the right employees, a business will fail and so, if a business is refused permission to sponsor the right workers, they will likely experience financial losses. It is therefore vital that the correct help and advice is sought from the outset to avoid any possible complications when submitting applications to the Home Office.
We are a niche firm of Immigration Solicitors with in depth knowledge and experience in all corporate Immigration matters. Due to the outstanding advice and service provided to clients and through our increasing expertise in Immigration, we have been awarded with the ‘Immigration Law firm of the Year 2017’ award which is a highly sought after award within the Immigration sector.
At OTS Solicitors our head of business Immigration team, Teni Shahiean has been a Legal 500 recommended Immigration lawyer. Our business Immigration department is made up of the UK's most knowledgeable and experienced Immigration and employment lawyers who are highly influential with an ability to track and anticipate changes to the Immigration rules. In turn this has proven to be highly valuable and beneficial to our clients who receive only the most up to date, accurate and reliable advice at the most earliest possible stage of their cases.
We assist corporations in all Immigration matters to ensure that the right people are hired for skilled jobs and that employees are successfully retained to ensure that businesses continue to grow and profitability is always increasing. With the Immigration Rules constantly changing and becoming more ambiguous, we understand that businesses require a firm of specialist Immigration Solicitors whom they can rely on at all times and as such we provide an array of corporate Immigration services to meet our clients’ needs.
We are fully equipped to assist and advise on many corporate Immigration matters including:
Contact our team of experts on 0207 936 9960 to start the process of securing your future’s business.
Our team of experts include Legal 500 solicitors and a former Immigration Judge, Mr Paul Gulbenkian. OTS Solicitors are a highly experienced and forward thinking, established firm with inside knowledge of the Immigration process and requirements.
We understand that the Immigration Rules can seem daunting and quite complex especially for those wishing to obtain leave to remain under the Points Based System due to the lengthy requirements and policy guidance imposed by the Home Office. We have established a business Immigration team with experts that have dealt with all business Immigration matters for numerous years to ensure that our team is able to deliver the precise, detailed and prompt advice that our clients require.
We are highly rated within the legal profession due to our niche expertise and increasing success rate. We are able to effectively advise those seeking to make an application under the Points Based System including applications for Tier 2 (General) visas and a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visas.
Following the submission of an application, our responsibilities do not end there as we will continue to advise and guide you on how to remain compliant with the Immigration Rules as it is constantly changing.
From experience, we have found that the key to ensuring a secure future in the UK is to instruct experts in the field from the very beginning who will competently assist you every step of the way, from the initial application in obtaining a visa to the very last step of applying for British Citizenship.
Contact our business Immigration team today on 0207 936 9960 for further information.
If you are thinking of employing, working, investing, starting or taking over an existing business in the UK, our business Immigration lawyers at OTS Solicitors have the expert knowledge to provide legal advice and guide you through the UK points based Immigration system. We therefore encourage you to get in contact with us at the earliest possible stage of your plans to migrate.
With our expert business Immigration and Employment advice on all types of compliance matters, points based applications, entrepreneur and investor applications, over 95% of our clients have continued sucessful businesses in the UK and take advantage of the economic benefits of doing business in the UK. If you would like to speak to one of our business Immigration solicitors, please call us on 0203 959 9123 or contact us online.
For a more detailed discussion regarding your case, or to book an appointment with a member of our Immigration team, please call us now on 0203 959 9123
By Hans Sok Appady and Teni Shahian
Our client was assisted by Mr Hans Sok Appadu, Trainee Solicitor, and supervised by Teni Shahiean, OTS Principal Solicitor. The client, an Indian national who was studying in the UK, wished to remain in the country to continue to invest in his studies. Following the 2016 ‘Brexit’ referendum on EU membership creating a degree of uncertainty for our client, he was keen to obtain advice from the best Immigration lawyers in London. After taking time to advise on the impact this might have and after being satisfied with the opportunities the UK would continue to offer him, we were instructed to proceed with his application for a Tier 1(investor) Visa. We secured a Super Premium Service from the Home Office, ensuring that the application was dealt with efficiently. We also drafted the details of his claim, guaranteeing a successful outcome.
By Teni Shahiean, of OTS Solicitors
Teni Shahiean is a founding partner at OTS Solicitors. She has a wealth of experience in business Immigration law, commercial law and employment law and regularly advises businesses on Sponsor Licence acquisition and compliance. Teni is also regularly called on to provide expert opinion on television and in print media, both in the UK and internationally.
A Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa is one of the most difficult to obtain. Not only do applicants have to have access to the required funds of £50,000 or £200,000, but they also need to pass the Genuine entrepreneur Test.
In 2015, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) released a report that stated the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa needed to be reviewed. One of the main reasons cited was that some migrants were using the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa route to avoid the £2 million required to obtain a Tier 1 Investor Visa, which could lead to an accelerated settlement. They achieved this by investing in a small equity stake of an established company but did not actively participate in running the organisation.
MAC suggested some significant changes to the existing application system. These included:
As at the time of writing, these measures have not been implemented. However, in 2015, the Genuine entrepreneur Test, has become significantly tougher.
OTS Solicitors is a Legal 500 recommended law firm. We have won numerous other awards for our Immigration service, including a Global Excellence Award for the Most Trusted in Immigration Law. My team and I regularly support clients who are applying for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa to pass the Genuine entrepreneur Test.
The Home Office uses the Genuine entrepreneur Test to assess your credibility. Immigration officials will take the following into consideration when looking at your application:
The two main components of the Genuine entrepreneur Test are your business plan and an interview with the Home Office.
The business plan
A key error those applying for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa make when presenting their business plan is simply submitting the version they have developed for investors and lenders. Although the financial forecast of the business is important, Immigration officials are more concerned with whether you can meet the requirements of the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa. These include:
In addition, your business plan will need to show you have an in-depth knowledge of the industry, you have the educational requirements and the experience needed to create/grow a successful enterprise and that you understand the UK market.
The Home Office Interview
As part of the Genuine entrepreneur Test, you may be required to attend an interview with an Immigration official. You will need to be prepared as the interviewer will ask you many questions about your background, business knowledge and industry experience to help them decide on whether to grant you entry under the entrepreneur route.
You are likely to be asked questions such as:
My team and I work extensively with Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa applicants to help them prepare for a Home Office interview. Not only do we provide a list of possible questions, but we also coach them through answers in mock interviews, so their answers are consistent and articulate on the day. Doing this means we have an extremely high success rate when it comes to having Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visas granted.
Our client worked in the music industry in the Middle East. They applied for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa using and planned to invest in an existing business in London. As the targeted business was not in their field of expertise and given and our client’s limited experience in this industry, we focused on detailing and showcasing all of the transferable skills from their marketing and managerial roles in the business plan and CV to fulfil the requirements of the Genuine Entrepreneurship Test. Because of our thorough gathering of evidence, the Home Office did not require an interview with the client, and their Entrepreneur Visa was granted straight away.
Being exempted from a Genuine entrepreneur Test interview is extremely rare. This example highlights the skills that our Immigration solicitors possess to create the best business plan that will instil confidence in Immigration officials.
To find out how we can help you successfully apply for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa and create a successful business plan, please call us on 0203 959 9123.
OTS Solicitors is one of the most respected Immigration law firms in London and is Legal 500 leading firm. By making an appointment with one of our business Immigration solicitors, you can be assured of receiving some of the best legal advice available in the UK today.
By Teni Shahiean, of OTS Solicitors
Teni Shahiean is a founding partner at OTS Solicitors. She has a wealth of experience in business Immigration law, commercial law and employment law and regularly advises businesses on Sponsor Licence acquisition and compliance. Teni is also regularly called on to provide expert opinion on television and print media, both in the UK and internationally.
I regularly receive instructions from clients to help them retain talented staff who have entered the UK on a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa. And for good reason. The applicants are usually university graduates from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea and Japan. They are smart, work hard and well-travelled. They have often become a key member of my client’s team.
Problems arise because a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa only lasts for two years. After that, unless their employee can switch to another visa, they must leave the country, which can be disastrous for an employer who has come to value their skills and rely on them.
OTS Solicitors is a Legal 500 recommended law firm and has won numerous other awards for our Immigration service (Including a Global Excellence Award for the Most Trusted in Immigration Law). My colleagues and I have successfully assisted many business and Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa holders. We help the former retain talented employees and the latter to stay in the UK for a few more years (and some even permanently through acquiring Indefinite Leave to Remain).
When taking instructions on these types of cases, it is imperative to understand not only the requirements of the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa but how an employer can obtain a UK Sponsor Licence to enable them to sponsor their employee on a Tier 2 (General) Visa.
The Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa is open to citizens of:
British overseas citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens and British overseas nationals can also apply.
Applicants must be aged between 18 and 30 and have £1,890 in savings.
Citizens of Hong Kong and the Republic of Korea must obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship reference number before they can apply. I will discuss certificates of sponsorship further on.
If an applicant is successful in obtaining a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa, they can study at most institutions, work in most professions or be self-employed (as long as your premises are rented, your equipment isn’t worth more than £5,000, and you don’t have any employees).
Family members cannot apply to come with you on a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa; they must apply separately.
Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visas expire after two years. There is no option to extend. Applicants must either find a UK employer to sponsor them and switch to a Tier 2 visa or leave the country.
Most employers who are looking at applying for a UK Sponsor Licence have very little idea of what is involved. As a highly-ranked Legal 500 Immigration law firm, we provide expert advice to employers on not only how to obtain a UK Sponsor Licence, but how to meet the extensive compliance requirements to prevent the licence being downgraded, suspended or revoked.
If you are an employer and wish to obtain a UK Sponsor Licence so you can retain your Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa employee, you must follow a strict application process which is outlined below:
Obtaining an A-rated Sponsor Licence is not the end of the process to retain an employee whose Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa is about to expire. To recruit a non-EEA national for the position occupied by the current employee, the job will need to be featured on the UK Shortage Occupation List. If it is not, you will need to conduct a Resident Labour Market Test to assess whether any EEA citizens can fill the position.
The Resident Labour Market Test must be done correctly. Failure to do so could result in your licence being suspended or revoked. An Immigration lawyer can provide you with the best advice on how to conduct a compliant Resident Labour Market Test.
Once you have received your UK Sponsor Licence, and have completed a Resident Labour Market Test, you may be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to your staff member who currently holds a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa. They will then be able to apply for a Tier 2 (General) Visa which will last for five years.
We recently advised a client who was keen to retain a key employee whose Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa was about to expire. We partnered with the company, helping them successfully apply for a UK Sponsor Licence and run a compliant Resident Labour Market Test. In addition, we continue to work with the organisation’s HR team on an ongoing basis, ensuring the Sponsor Management System is kept up-to-date, and all Home Office duties and responsibilities are complied with and conduct bi-annual mock audits to ensure the client’s HR systems will pass any unannounced Home Office visit.
To find out how we can help you retain talented employees by obtaining a UK Sponsor Licence, please call us on 0203 959 9123.
OTS Solicitors is one of the most respected Immigration law firms in London and is Legal 500 leading firm. By making an appointment with one of our business Immigration solicitors, you can be assured of receiving some of the best legal advice available in the UK today.
The client, a Chinese national entered the UK on a student visa. Prior to instructing OTS Solicitors, and following her graduation, she attempted to establish a business in the UK and remain in the country as a Tier 1 (entrepreneur) migrant. However, this application failed due to insufficient evidence of being a genuine entrepreneur.
Refusal on the Basis of TOEIC Centre
After the failure of Tier 1 entrepreneur application, she secured a job offer and was offered a sponsorship for that position. As at that time she was still on her Tier 4 visa, with the assistant of an oisc Immigration agent she applied in country to switch to Tier 2. The application was initially refused due to a claimed deception, as the client had omitted to disclose the Tier 1 refusal. After a new application in the same category, where the client provided explanation in regards to the omitted information, another refusal was issued, on the basis that when she was applying to extend her student visa, she had used a TOEIC centre that was later on found to have participated in fraudulent scheme that allowed some applicants to use deception to pass the test. On this basis, the Home Office found that our client had obtained her previous leave using deception and therefore her application was refused.
In-country right of Appeal against TOEIC Decision
The client, of course, vehemently denied any wrongdoing. She instructed a solicitor before coming to OTS to challenge this refusal. As the application had been submitted in 2015, prior to the changes to the right of appeal, the decision carried an in country right of appeal. An appeal was lodged and the client approached OTS solicitors after receiving a hearing date, as she wished to desist instructing her previous solicitors.
Instructing OTS Solicitors & Amendment of Grounds of Appeal
Our firm's Appeals and Litigation team appraised the case and the available material and advised the client on the merits of her appeal. They further made a decision that the grounds of appeal needed to be amended to strengthen the case. Having carefully analysed the client’s case, it was decided by our specialist lawyers that the best venue for a successful appeal was to challenge the Home Office refusal decision on two grounds. On the one had the fact that the Home Office had not discharged from the duty to prove that the client had committed a fraud and had sat a TOEIC examination through a proxy or otherwise implemented illegal tactics to pass the examination. The Home Office was relying on a general expert report without any direct evidence implicating our client into such a fraudulent activity. This ground was fully argued to clear our client’s name who had been unfairly accused of dishonesty and deception.
The second ground that was put forward, was in relation to the client’s private and family life. The client was in a relationship with a British Citizen for over two years. This line of argument had been completely left out from the appeal and therefore necessitated the grounds to be amended.
Based on the advice given by our appeals and litigation team, the client decided to instruct on submitting amended grounds of appeal. Properly argued grounds of appeal were drafted by a barrister and submitted.
Preparation for the Appeal Hearing
Following these initial stages, our team started working on the preparation for the hearing, in conjunction with the counsel. Detailed statement was taken from the appellant and several other attendees of the same examination. This was aimed at showing that the client was familiar with the set-up of the examination centre and the process was of the assessment itself, aiding to the argument that the Client had, in fact, taken part in the assessment. Further to this, evidence of the knowledge of English prior to the assessment was provided, showing that e client had no probable cause for cheating.
Apart from the aspects dealing with the allegations of deception, our appeals team worked hard to produce evidence of the client's private and family life and to evidence why returning back to her country of origin to continue their family life there was not an option.
TOEIC Refusal Decision Challenged & Appeal Allowed
This appeal was allowed on both grounds, under the Immigration rules and the Human Rights.
The client, a national of a non-EEA member country, entered the UK on a Tier 1 Investor Visa, having previously resided in the UK as a student.
Re-Entered the UK as Tier 1 investor after gratuation
While in the UK on the student visa, the client continued working for her family's business back home, acting as liaison for the business in the UK, the US and several EU countries. After graduating from her studies in the UK, she left the country and after a while, returned back to the country on as Tier 1 (investor) migrant.
High Profile Investigations
During the client's residency in the UK as a Tier 1 investor and before her leave would expire, a high-profile investigation was launched in the US that among other businesses implicated the client’s family business and the client personally into alleged counterfeiting activity. Investigations in Germany into the same business activity followed. The client's country of origin took advantage of these investigations that were being carefully followed by the media and claiming it was part of an anti-corruption and fraud campaign started against our client and several of her associates. The techniques applied by the authorities to carry out the investigations amounted to persecution of our client and others implicated. Some of her associates were imprisoned without due process. As a result of the investigation in the country of origin, a red notice was issued by the INTERPOL on our client's name. Our client was effectively in impossibility to travel and was under constant threat of being arrested on the basis of the Interpol notice.
Previous Solicitors
The client was advised by her previous solicitors to claim Asylum. The claim failed, as the Home Office found the criminal charges brought against our client to be an evidence of prosecution not persecution and therefore not being covered by the Refugee convention. Particular weight was attached to the fact that there were western jurisdictions that were also bringing charges against the client and the businesses she had worked with.
Instructing OTS Solicitors Appeals and Litigation Team
The client approached OTS Solicitors to represent her case in the appeal. At that point, as a result of her Asylum claim, her Tier 1 Investor Visa had been cancelled and the Client had no alternative basis to stay in the UK apart from the ongoing appeal.
Cross-Border Jursidictions
As the case involved complex issues and cross-border jurisdictions, our Appeals and Litigation team conducted a thorough initial assessment of the case, prior to lodging the appeal. The client was meticulously advised of the strengths and weaknesses of their case, of the evidence that would be required of them to produce to strengthen the claim and on the procedures. Throughout the entire time, our Appeals and Litigation team maintained contact with the client and their overseas legal representatives, closely monitoring the development of the overseas investigations and their outcomes.
Adjournment and Best Chances of Success
To give the client the best chance of success, our team asked for adjournment of the initial hearing on the basis that the outcomes of the overseas investigations where crucial to the Asylum claim and there were clear indications that the criminal cases brought against our client in the US and German jurisdictions were going to be dismissed. Although adjournment was initially refused, our team managed to secure adjournment of the hearing on different bases, on the date of hearing. Having succeeded on this first step, the team continued to work tirelessly to secure the best result for our client.
Overseas Representative
Our Appeals and litigation team continued to maintain close contact with the overseas representatives and monitor the cases that eventually were dismissed, all the charges against our client being dropped in the US and Germany. The country of origin, however continued to persist in their criminal proceedings against our client.
UK Human Rights Obligation and Violations of Refugee Convention
Before the Tribunal, evidence was produced of the country’s record of Human Rights violations during the investigations of crimes, together with evidence that fair trial was unlikely to be accessible to our client. Further to this, evidence was produced on the prison conditions in support of the argument that returning the client to her country of origin knowing that the custodial sentence was highly likely to be applied, was already a violation of the UK’s obligations under the Refugee Convention.
Appeal Allowed on Human Rights Article 3 Grounds and Refugee Convention
The client’s appeal was allowed and it was considered that returning the client to her country of origin would result in the UK’s breach of obligations under the Refugee convention, as they would face violation of their rights under Article 3 and of the European Human Right Convention.
Solicitor – Teni Shahiean– CEO and Founder of OTS Solicitor, UK immigration law Specialist
Background
Teni's client is an Iranian national who came to OTS after his Tier 1 (entrepreneur) Visa was refused twice following the applications being made by another Immigration law firm. Our client was not happy with the service he received from his previous Immigration solicitor and felt that after talking to Teni and Maryem, he would receive the best service available from OTS Solicitors.
UK Visas & Immigration first refused our client because they believed that he was not a director of a company. The second time he was refused was because the department claimed he had not properly invested the required £200,000.
How we helped
Teni began by investigating the first two initial refusals. She found that UK Visa & Migration had not considered our client’s Certificate of Directorship and had ignored invoices that showed he had invested in his company in a way that is required by the Immigration Rules.
We have submitted a Pre-Action Protocol on our client’s behalf, alerting the Home Office that we will be challenging the decision via judicial review. Teni and her team are currently negotiating with the Home Office to try and reach an early settlement.
Follow-up Support
We will continue to work with our client after his Tier 1 (entrepreneur) Visa is approved; assisting him by ensuring he understands the residency requirements for applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain. We will also work with him and his staff to ensure his business is continuing to be compliant with UK Immigration laws and policies.
Teni Shahiean – Principal and Business Immigration Specialist
Background
Lusine was instructed by a financial technology company who wanted to hire an international student who was interning at the company but whose visa was soon to expire.
How we helped
Because the employee’s existing visa was due to expire, Lusine ensured that the application for the Sponsor Licence was expedited. She was also extremely diligent in ensuring all the necessary documentation was collated and the application form was filled out correctly so no delays would be incurred.
Follow-up Support
Our client’s application is still pending. Once it is approved, we will assist them with obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship and ensuring they remain compliant with their sponsor obligations.
Solicitor – Teni Shahiean
Background
Teni was instructed by a wholesale company which supplied subscription drugs to doctors and pharmacies who wanted to hire a non-EEA national and therefore required a UK Sponsor Licence.
How we helped
Teni took the time to meet with the client and discuss their Immigration requirements. She quickly established that there were no ‘red flags’ that may cause the Home Office to refuse to grant the Sponsor Licence. Practices that may result in an application for a Sponsor Licences being rejected include:
Our solicitors ensure that as part of this due diligence process, any potential problems with obtaining a Sponsor Licence are identified and dealt with swiftly.
Follow-up Support
Our client’s application is still pending. Once it is approved, we will assist them with obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship and ensuring they remain compliant with their sponsor obligations.
Solicitor – Teni Shahiean – Partner and co-founder of OTS Solicitors
Background
Our client was an international bank based in London who required a Sponsor Licence to employ a staff member working in an overseas branch of the organisation. To gain entry into the UK, the employee had to apply for a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Visa.
How we helped
Teni worked with the bank closely, taking the time to understand their reasons for needing the Sponsor Licence and ensuring that a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Visa was the best strategy to use.
Once she established that it was, she made the application for the Sponsor Licence. Because she partnered closely with the bank’s HR team, she was able to advise on all the supporting documentation that UK Visas & Immigration would require to approve the application quickly.
The process was smooth and efficient, with the Sponsor Licence being granted in under four weeks.
Teni then organised a Certificate of Sponsorship for the employee who would be applying for the Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Visa. This was obtained within two weeks because of her in-depth understanding of the process and what is required to ensure applications for a Certificate of Sponsorship are submitted correctly the first time so no unnecessary delays occur.
Follow up support
Teni and her team provided the bank’s HR and Compliance Officer with the knowledge they require to meet their ongoing regulatory obligations under the Sponsor Licence regime. They continue to be on hand to offer advice and training as and when required.
Solicitor – Teni Shahiean – Partner and co-founder of OTS Solicitors
Background
Teni’s client is a Chinese family who came to the UK on a Tier One (entrepreneur) Visa. They had gone on to create an extremely successful business and wanted to apply for accelerated leave to remain in the UK.
How we helped
Under the Tier 1 (entrepreneur) Visa, there are two ways accelerated leave to remain can be granted:
a) the business employs 10 or more people who are ‘settled’ (ie are British Citizens or have Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK; or
b) the organisation has a turnover of at least £5 million per year
Teni’s client is applying under the 10 or more employee qualifier. The application required a vast amount of paperwork to be collated and submitted to UK Visas & Immigration, not only from the applicants themselves, but their employees.
We have advised the clients on the supporting documentation needed, prepared the application and are currently awaiting a decision from the Home Office.
Follow-up Support
Once the family obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain, we will continue to work with them to strategise their application for British Citizenship, ensuring any business travel requirements do not jeopardise their eligibility for naturalisation.
Solicitor – Teni Shahiean – Partner and co-founder of OTS Solicitors
Background
Our client operated in the financial sector and was based in London. They required a Sponsor Licence to employ a staff member already working for the organisation whose existing visa was about to expire. The employee needed to apply for a Tier 2 (General) Visa to remain in the UK and to do this our client had to sponsor him.
How we helped
Teni and her team partnered closely with the businesses HR team, advising both them and the employee on the best steps to take to ensure a successful outcome would be achieved.
An application for the Sponsor Licence was made and quickly approved.
Teni then organised a Certificate of Sponsorship for the employee who would be applying for the Tier 2 (General) Visa.
Follow up support
For organisations planning to recruit talent from outside the EU, it is imperative that they have all the supporting documentation required to make business visa applications easily accessible. At OTS Solicitors, we work with organisations over the long term, making a point of understanding their business and their commercial ambitions. This allows us to advise them of the documentation they will need to collate if they wish to grow in the future and need to make a fresh hire or seek an intra-company transfer to fill the position they have available.
Solicitor – Teni Shahiean
Background
Teni was instructed by a frozen food delivery company who wanted to hire a non-EEA national who had previously worked for the organisation but now lived abroad.
How we helped
Teni advised the client on conducting the required Resident Labour Market Test. She guided them through the advertising process, ensuring they placed the advertisements in the correct locations for the full 28 days and that they were designed in a way that would satisfy Home Office Officials. She then submitted the application for the UK Sponsor Licence for the client.
Follow-up Support
Our client’s application is still pending. Once it is approved, we will assist them with obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship and ensuring they remain compliant with their sponsor obligations.
Our client TZ, a national of China, approached OTS Solicitors after refusal of her leave to remain as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa and a high net worth investor. She had previously been granted leave to enter as Tier 1 entrepreneur applicant and had established successful businesses in the UK into which she had invested significant amount of funds. At the time of her extension application she was the director of the company she incorporated and was employing 4 workers.
Her Tier 1 entrepreneur extension application was refused for alleged failure to provide a piece of specified evidence. As our client approached our business investment and Immigration department after refusal of her application that carried a right of administrative review our business Immigration lawyers conducted an initial consultation to assess the reasons of refusal and any possible grounds of challenge.
The client was advised that the missing evidence was not mandatory, as the other documents provided with her leave to remain application provided the specified information. She was also advised of her options and that administrative review was her next step as an investor she would not have a right of appeal. She was advised that this was a statutory remedy and, although it was unlikely to succeed due to the Home Office established practice of refusing administrative review requests, our lawyers explained that any judicial review claim was unlikely to succeed if administrative review was not sought.
While administrative review was pending, our investment and Tier 1 entrepreneur Immigration team requested the client's file from previous representatives, in order to carry full assessment of the case to detect any possible and hidden issues that might lead to further refusals.
After receiving the expected refusal of the administrative review, our lawyers issued the Home office with a pre-action letter requesting withdrawal of the erroneous decision and reconsideration of our client's Tier 1 entrepreneur decision. Our business Immigration lawyers argued that specified information had been provided and as such was sufficient. Further to this, argument was made, based on home office evidential flexibility policy, that the Respondent should have requested any such further evidence they felt necessary for considering the application.
No response was received in the 14 days allowed for the Respondent to respond to the pre-action letter. judicial review proceedings were started and lodged. On the same day, after the lodging of the judicial review claim, response was received from the Respondent, agreeing to reconsider our client's application. Negotiations started with the Respondent to settle the judicial review claim and the Respondent, also agreed to pay our client's costs.
Shortly after, our business Immigration team was contacted by the Home Office confirming a new decision was made and that our client was to be granted 2 years further leave in Tier 1 entrepreneur category and our client would continue to invest in ther UK businesses.
Our client, KK, a national of Lebanon arrived to the UK in 2007 with his wife and two young children. He came as a work permit holder. During his stay in the UK, the employer became insolvent and the business was continued under different company. Our client was not correctly advised at the time of his obligations to inform the Home Office of his change of employer and carried on with his activities.
After reaching the required five year period for settlement, our client applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain. At this point he and his family had fully adapted to the British way of life and from an employee he had become a successful businessman, employing considerable amount of workers.
After a lengthy delay, our client's Indefinite Leave to Remain application was refused due to lack of compliance with his duties to inform the Home Office of change of employers.
Our client approached OTS Solicitors seeking advice and assistance on challenging the decision. As the decision was made under the old rules, it carried right of appeal and our Immigration litigation lawyers advised the client on his options and grounds for challenging the refusal. Our client was advised that due to his lengthy presence in the UK, his family ties in the country, he had a strong family and private life grounds for challenging the refusal of his Indefinite Leave to Remain application. He was further advised that due to the length of his children's stay in the UK and their full integration into British society, the rule regarding the child's stay in the UK for more than 7 years was considerably adding weight to the strength of his family's case.
Our team of Immigration lawyers specializing in appeals and Immigration litigation took over the case and prepared the grounds of the appeal challenging the decision. After the hearing date was notified to our offices by the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, we worked closely with the client advising and assisting him in compiling the evidence to put before the Tribunal. Our team of lawyers also constantly liaised with the Counsel instructed by our firm on behalf of the client, to make sure that the client's and his witnesses' statements and evidence were covering all the issues to be raised during the hearing.
Our client's appeal was allowed on the grounds of family and private life as advised by our Immigration litigation team, with considerable weight being given to the fact that he had extended family in the UK, who would be affected by their removal and with acknowledgement that our client's children would have succeeded in their claim to remain in the UK in any event, irrespective of the extended family presence, due to the length of their stay and degree of integration into this country.
This work was carried out by Principal Solicitor Teni Shahiean and Immigration Lawyer Dr. Lusine Navasardyan.
To find out how we can help you with your immigration appeal, please phone our London office on 0207 936 9960, to talk to one of our experienced immigration Solicitors.
An Innovator Visa holder can apply settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain after three years of continuous UK residence, provided at least two of the following conditions are met:
If an applicant has leave to remain in the UK because they hold a Start-up Visa; Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur); or Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) they can apply to switch to an Innovator Visa.
Our experienced and highly-qualified Innovator visa Immigration solicitors will take the time needed to put together the best application for your family members if you are coming to the UK on a business visa. We will ensure your case has the best chance of succeeding and will answer any questions UK Visas and Immigration have regarding your application on your behalf.
The UK Tier 1 (investor) visa provides those of high-net-worth with entry into the UK and the opportunity to invest in one of the strongest economies in the world.
Our Immigration solicitors can advise you or your representatives on obtaining an Investor Visa. We can also put you in touch with wealth advisors and investment companies here in the UK who can invest your funds for you.
The Immigration lawyers at OTS Solicitors are led by Teni Shahiean, who has been recognised in the Legal 500 and by the Law Society of England and Wales for her in-depth knowledge of Immigration law. Our firm is fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and we have a proven track record of successfully obtaining Investor Visa for clients worldwide, including applicants from Russia, China, India and the Middle East.
Eligibility criteria for a Tier 1 (investor) visa
The investor route is for high-net worth individuals who will be making substantial financial investments in the UK. The main advantages of the Tier 1 (investor) visa are:
Applicants must have control of £2 million of their own funds (they cannot be obtained via a loan), which must be held in a UK or overseas-regulated financial institution and be disposable in the UK. These funds must be invested within three months of arrival in Britain. Investment options include UK government bonds, or share or loan capital in active and trading UK-registered companies (these are termed 'qualifying investments'). If granted entry clearance, you can delay this three-month period so that it starts on the date you first enter the UK (provided that you keep evidence of your arrival). Failure to invest the minimum £2 million in qualifying investments within the relevant three-month deadline, or to maintain your investments at this figure from that point on can result in your leave to stay in the UK being cut short.
The portfolio of qualifying investments must be managed in the UK by a financial institution which is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and, where relevant, the Prudential Regulation Authority. We can put you or your representatives in touch with registered wealth managers and investment experts.
Obtaining a Tier 1 (investor) visa can be a complex process, and with so much capital at stake, you need to engage a solicitor who is not only familiar with Immigration law, but also understands business.
Why choose OTS Solicitors
Our specialist Immigration solicitors understand business and Immigration law and how they interact together. We have developed strong relationships with investment and wealth management advisors in London, who can help you find investments that offer the best return.
By engaging our Immigration lawyers to help you secure a Tier 1 Investor Visa, you can be confident that the application process will go smoothly. And when it comes to applying for settlement, we will assist you with obtaining both Indefinite Leave to Remain and British Citizenship.
To discuss applying for a Tier 1 Investor Visa, please feel free to contact our best business Immigration solicitors on 0203 959 9123. We will gladly assist you in your application and dealings with UK Visas and Immigration.
Our Immigration lawyers understand the needs of entrepreneurs. We understand the commercial pressures you face, the opportunities you want to take advantage of and the never-ending demands on your time.
Our Immigration solicitors are here to help you enter the UK through the entrepreneur route quickly and smoothly, so you can get on with business.
Are you eligible for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa?
If you want to setup and run a business in the UK, you will have to successfully apply for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa.
You must have access to a certain level of funds. The standard level of funds required is £200,000, but this is reduced to £50,000 if:
a) they have been engaged in business activity which was not, or did not amount to, activity pursuant to a contract of service with a business other than their own—i.e. they must not have been working in disguised Employment
b) they have been registered with HMRC as self-employed or registered with Companies House as a director of a new or existing company, and
c) they have been continuously working in a skilled occupation at NQF level 4 or above as listed in the Immigration Rules, Appendix J; or
You also need to show you have a good knowledge of English. To prove your competency, you must:
UK Visas and Immigration will want to know that you can support yourself without having to rely on benefits.
The Genuine entrepreneur Test
All Entrepreneur Visa applicants are required to meet a 'genuine entrepreneur' test. The funds must be genuinely available to the applicant and they must intend to setup, join or become a director of one or more businesses within six months, invest the relevant funds, and not seek Employment other than in the business(es) they are setting up or joining. The Home Office will consider various factors when making this assessment, including the viability and credibility of the applicant's business plans, their previous educational and business experience, their Immigration history and previous activity in the UK. This will usually require the applicant to send in relevant evidence including a mandatory business plan, as well as evidence of their educational qualifications and previous Employment experience.
Officials may also interview Entrepreneur Visa applicants about their plans and the viability of the business and request further evidence to be provided.
Staying in the UK
You will be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years in the Entrepreneur Visa category provided that:
Bringing family with you
You can bring dependent family members with you to the UK. Dependents are defined as your spouse and children under 18 years of age. You must show you have enough funds to support them. If you’re applying from outside the UK or have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you must have £1,890 for each dependant. If you’ve been in the UK for more than 12 months, you must have £630 per family member.
Why choose OTS Solicitors
Our specialist Immigration solicitors understand business and Immigration law and how they interact together. We have developed strong relationships with investment and wealth management advisors in London, who can help find the right business for you to work and invest in. We will also ensure your business plan meets Home office requirements and advise and accompany you on any interviews you may be asked to attend.
By engaging our Immigration lawyers to help you secure a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, you can be confident that the application process will go through smoothly.
To discuss applying for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, please feel free to contact our UK Immigration solicitors on 0203 959 9123. We will gladly assist you in your application and dealings with UK Visas and Immigration.
If you wish to employ a non-EEA national, then your business will need to apply and obtain a UK Sponsor Licence. This licence will allow you to issue Certificates of Sponsorship to international workers. They can then apply for a Tier 2 work visa.
At OTS Solicitors we understand business Immigration. We are based in the heart of London’s business district and are alert to the latest changes that occur in relation to how UK immigration law affects commercial entities.
Our Immigration solicitors, is led by Teni Shahiean, a highly regarded Immigration and Employment solicitor who has been recognised in the Legal 500 and by the Law Society of England and Wales for her expertise in Immigration law. Teni and her team will listen to your recruitment requirements and provide you with full support when collating the required documentation and completing the application form. We will also use our contacts at UK Visas and Immigration to ensure any questions or concerns they may have about your application are answered efficiently and effectively.
Our service
We manage the Sponsor Licence process for many UK businesses. Our clients range from SMEs to large, multi-national corporations. We understand how busy owners, directors and managers are; our clients know they can trust our Immigration solicitors implicitly to manage their Sponsor Licence applications and advise them how to maintain their A-rating.
A Sponsor Licence lasts for four years (unless it is revoked) and we will endeavour to support you throughout that time. A Sponsor Licence holder must comply with multiple duties set out by the Home Office. Our Immigration lawyers will ensure that you know what your responsibilities are and will conduct mock audits of your HR processes and procedures, swiftly identifying any weaknesses that could result in your licence rating being downgraded.
What you need to show to be approved for a Sponsor Licence
A potential sponsor must prove to the Home Office that they:
If your organisation meets the above criteria, then the Home Office will examine whether your company has the resources and personnel required to comply with the duties and responsibilities of a Sponsor Licence holder.
These responsibilities include:
Teni and her team of expert Immigration solicitors will provide you with the best legal advice available, empowering you to define and manage your HR processes to ensure you maintain compliance effortlessly.
Why choose OTS Solicitors
Our Immigration lawyers are dedicated to ensuring employers receive and maintain an A-rated Sponsor Licence. Our Immigration lawyers want to learn about your business so we can ensure your application for a Sponsorship Licence is approved. By instructing us, you can have the confidence that you fully understand both the processes and responsibilities that holding a UK Employer Sponsorship Licence entails.
To discuss applying for a UK Employer Sponsorship Licence or if you have any questions in relation to recruiting skilled workers from outside the EEA, please feel free to contact our UK Immigration team on 0203 959 9123. We will gladly assist you to obtain the best outcome for your matter.
Employers who wish to hire talent from outside the EEA need to acquire a Sponsor Licence. The application process and the ongoing responsibilities that come with having a Sponsor Licence can be daunting; however, you can rely on our Immigration solicitors to make obtaining and maintaining a licence simple, fast and stress-free.
Getting to know your business
Our Immigration lawyers partner with businesses who engage us to manage their Sponsor Licence application and ongoing compliance matters. We take the trouble to find out about your business, your commercial ambitions and how you want to structure your recruitment processes over the next two to five years. This puts us in a position to advise you on:
Whether the positions you need to fill are on the Shortage Occupation List. If they are not, you will not have to advertise the position within the UK before recruiting from abroad.
Applying for your Sponsor Licence.
Your existing HR policies and procedures and steps that need to be implemented to ensure you can meet your sponsor obligations.
Assisting successful applicants for the position on obtaining their Tier 2 work visa.
How to maintain full compliance with Home Office regulations and maintain your A-rating.
Why you need an experienced Immigration solicitor
The Home Office has consistently toughened up rules and regulations as they apply to Sponsor Licences over the past few years. Not only do organisations have to meet strict criteria to be granted a Sponsor Licence, they must have strong HR systems in place to meet compliance requirements and be prepared for Home Office audits, which are often unannounced.
Our Immigration lawyers are led by Teni Shahiean, who has been recognised in the Legal 500 and by the Law Society of England and Wales for her in-depth knowledge of both Employment and Immigration law. Teni has a degree in both business and law, and she and her team regularly assist clients by conducting mock audits. By checking HR policies, and your Sponsor Licence Management procedures, our Immigration lawyers can analyse the strengths and weaknesses of your current systems, and put in place a strategic plan to ensure they are fully up-to-date and can cope with Home Office compliance requirements.
Under the Immigration Act 2016, employers now face harsh penalties if caught employing illegal workers. Prior to the introduction of the new Act, employers were liable to criminal prosecution for employing an illegal worker only if they had actual knowledge of having done so. The 2016 Act extends the existing criminal offence to also cover the situation where an employer has “reasonable cause to believe” that someone is an illegal worker. The Act also increases the maximum prison sentence for either offence from two to five years.
The 2016 Act also gives the Home Office the power to shut down businesses for up to 48 hours if there is evidence of an organisation employing illegal workers and evading sanctions. If the employer can prove they have conducted the right to work checks, the closure notice may be withdrawn. However, if right to work checks have not been carried out, the business may be placed under special compliance requirements, as directed by a Court. This can include continued closure for a period, followed by re-opening subject to compliance inspections and the requirement to conduct right to work checks.
Our team of Immigration lawyers will ensure you are up-to-date with changes in the law and understand how and when to check employees’ Immigration status. By engaging us to advise you on your Sponsor Licence Management, you can be confident that your business is fully compliant with UK immigration law.
Let us help you grow your business
Our Immigration lawyers are experts in their field. We take away the time-commitment and stress of keeping up to date with ever-changing Immigration regulations and Home Office policies, by ensuring that relevant staff in your organisation understand what is required to maintain an A-rating on a Sponsor Licence.
We provide fast, proactive, friendly service to organisations ranging from small- operators to SMEs to large, multi-national corporations. We invest heavily in legal research materials; so our clients are confident that we know about forthcoming regulation changes well in advance.
If your Sponsor Licence has been downgraded, we will help you develop a plan to recover your A- rating as soon as possible.
To find out more about our Sponsor Licence Management, please feel free to contact our UK Immigration solicitors on 0203 959 9123. We are here to help ensure you are in full compliance with your Sponsor Licence obligations.
Our Immigration solicitors make managing the Sponsorship Licence process easy. We will partner with your business, ensure we understand it and support you in not only getting your UK Immigration Sponsorship Licence, but in keeping it.
Our services and support around Sponsorship Licences are all encompassing. They include:
a) monitoring Immigration status and preventing illegal Employment
b) maintaining migrant contact details
c) record keeping duties
d) migrant tracking and monitoring
e) recruitment practices and professional registrations and accreditations
We will ensure your HR department can manage these extra responsibilities efficiently and effectively. They can rely on our support whenever it is required and can contact us with questions anytime.
Applying for a UK Sponsorship Licence
To be eligible for a UK Sponsorship Licence you must prove to the Home Office that:
Applicants for a UK Sponsorship Licence are rigorously questioned by officials to establish whether or not they are capable of complying with relevant duties and responsibilities.
You may be asked questions about the structure of your organisation, the nature of your business, why you need to recruit non-EEA nationals and your HR policies and procedures. Our Immigration solicitors will review your organisation and alert you to any weaknesses that could jeopardise your chances of gaining a Sponsorship Licence.
Assisting with the suitability assessment
The Home Office will consider whether an organisation is suitable to be granted a Sponsorship Licence by examining whether or not they can comply with four broad suitability categories. These are:
Your organisation will also be assessed on its honesty and dependability, and compliance with the law in areas other than Immigration.
Home Office visits
If the Home Office decides to visit your organisation to assess its capability of fulfilling sponsorship duties, we will be on hand to manage the process. Our Immigration lawyers will work with you to prepare for the visit, ensuring that all documentation and procedures are up-to-date and easily accessible.
Our Immigration solicitors will ensure the visit is stress free and successful.
Support if your licence is downgraded
If your Sponsorship Licence is downgraded from an A-rating to a B-rating, we will devise a fast and effective strategy to implement any action plans set out by the Home Office. Our Immigration lawyers will utilise their vast experience to ensure you re-acquire your A-rating as soon as possible.
Let us provide you and your organisation with the support and service it needs to comply with its UK Sponsorship Licence duties through our dedicated Sponsorship Licence Management Service.
To find out more about our Sponsor Licence Management Service, please feel free to contact our UK Immigration solicitors on 0203 959 9123. We are here to help you achieve your commercial ambitions.
Our Immigration solicitors understand the UK Visas and Immigration office requirements for obtaining a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa. We know that international corporations often need to move swiftly to transfer employees to the UK, whether it be to set up a new branch or oversee a specific project.
If you need an efficient, effective Immigration law service, our Immigration lawyers will provide it.
The Immigration team at OTS Solicitors is led by Teni Shahiean, who has been recognised in the Legal 500 and by the Law Society of England and Wales for her in-depth knowledge of both Employment and Immigration law.
At OTS Solicitors, we listen to our clients. We want to understand the commercial ambitions and objectives of your organisation, so we can support your Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa applicant and get them into the UK so they can hit the ground running.
By engaging our Immigration lawyers, you can be assured of top-quality service, tailored to your organisation’s requirements.
All about the UK Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa
There are four types of intra-company transfer visas:
To be eligible for an intra-company transfer, you will need to have a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed sponsor. You will also need to be offered an ‘appropriate’ salary and have £945 in savings.
If the organisation sponsoring you has an A-rated Sponsorship Licence you will be exempt from the savings requirement.
Appropriate salary
Applicants must prove to UK Visas and Immigration that they will be paid an appropriate salary by their employer. As of August 2016 the rates were as follows:
The ‘Genuine Vacancy’ test – what employers need to know
From 6 November 2014, applications for leave to enter and remain in the Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) categories have been subject to several subjective genuineness tests.
UK Visas and Immigration officials have the power to refuse entry clearance to Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa applicants if:
If UK Visas and Immigration has doubts about the genuineness of the vacancy or the applicant’s qualifications to do the job, they may request that the sponsor provide additional information to quell their concerns.
Our Immigration lawyers will assist you at the beginning of the application to ensure that the process for applying for an intra-company transfer visa is not delayed due to questions surrounding ‘genuineness’.
Bringing family members to the UK on a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa
You can bring your spouse or partner with you to the UK along with any children under 18 years.
Unless you have an A-rated sponsor who states that they will support you for the first month you are in the UK, you will need to show evidence of at least £630 in savings for each of your dependents. These funds need to be present in your bank account at least 90 days before you arrive in the country.
Let our Immigration lawyers help you
Teni and her team are committed to assisting individuals and organisations with the movement of staff between different company locations. We understand how important it is for successful businesses to have the freedom to transport skills and labour to the UK when it is needed, and the advantages in terms of skills transfer and being able to place the right staff in the right positions.
Let our Immigration solicitors assist you with applying for a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa. We make the process easy and cost-effective, so you can get on with business.
To discuss applying for a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa, please feel free to contact our UK Immigration solicitors on 0203 959 9123. We will gladly assist you in your application and dealings with UK Visas and Immigration.
OTS Solicitors has a strong reputation for providing quality advice on Tier 2 (General) visas (or work visas as they are often known). Our Immigration lawyers have the experience and expertise to assist both employers and employees in understanding the processes and procedures for obtaining a UK work visa.
The Immigration team at OTS Solicitors is led by Teni Shahiean, who has been recognised in the Legal 500 and by the Law Society of England and Wales for her in-depth knowledge of both Employment and Immigration law.
Unlike many Immigration solicitors, we take the time to listen to our clients to understand any weaknesses in their application for a Tier 2 (General) visa and strategise how to overcome them. We also work closely with UK Visas and Immigration, and will answer any questions they may have regarding your application on your behalf.
By engaging our Immigration lawyers, you can be assured of fast, efficient, cost-effective service.
UK work visas – the essentials
To be eligible for a UK work visa, you must have a genuine offer of Employment from a UK employer who holds a Sponsorship Licence. Your employer will offer you a Certificate of Sponsorship which will allow you to apply for a Tier 2 (General) visa.
Other eligibility requirements include:
Appropriate salary
To qualify for a UK work visa, your employer must offer you an appropriate salary. The thresholds are as follows:
Knowledge of English
To submit a successful application, you will need to show UK Visas and Immigration that you have a good knowledge of English. You can do this by:
If you are from certain countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the United States of America, you will not need to provide evidence of your knowledge of English.
Savings
UK Visas and Immigration will want to be assured that you can support yourself when you first come to Britain without having to rely on benefits. Therefore, you must show you have savings of at least £945 and these funds must have been in your bank account for at least 90 days prior to your arrival. However, if your sponsor has an A rating and they can certify that you will not claim any benefits during your stay you will be exempt from this requirement.
Bringing you family to the UK on a Tier 2 (General) visa
Your dependent family members can come with you to the UK if you are successful in obtaining a Tier 2 (General) visa. Dependent family members are defined as:
You will need to show you have enough funds to support your family whilst you are waiting for your first pay. In addition to the £945 you must have to show you can support yourself, you must have an extra £630 for each dependent.
If your employer has an A-rated Sponsorship Licence and states that they will provide £630 for each of your family members, you will be exempt from this requirement.
Documents required for a UK work visa application
Along with your application you will need to prove:
Let our Immigration lawyers help you
Teni and her team are dedicated to helping those who have a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer obtain their Tier 2 (General) visa so they can start their new position. We know you are excited and eager to get here – let us assist you in making it easy to apply for your visa and collate the necessary documentation.
To discuss applying for a Tier 2 (General) visa, please feel free to contact our UK Immigration solicitors on 0203 959 9123. We will gladly assist you in your application and dealings with UK Visas and Immigration.
If you are considering establishing a branch office or a wholly-owned subsidiary in the UK with just one employee, then you may wish to consider sending them to the UK on a Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa.
Our Immigration solicitors will advise you as to whether this type of visa would suit the needs of your organisation. We understand the complexities of a Sole Representative visa and will take the time to find out about your organisation and establish whether this visa or another Tier 2 entry route would be best for you.
The Immigration team at OTS Solicitors is led by Teni Shahiean, who has been recognised in the Legal 500 and by the Law Society of England and Wales for her in-depth knowledge of both Employment and Immigration law.
The essential elements of the Sole Representative visa
To send an employee to the UK on a Sole Representative visa, you must demonstrate to the UK Home Office the following:
The application for a Sole Representative will also need to include a notarised statement declaring:
Home Office considerations
The Home Office will carefully consider all applications under this route. It will be most concerned with whether or not the business is a genuine commercial venture. As well as examining the organisation’s business activities, turnover and profitability, it will be looking for signs that the visa is for more for the benefit of the individual rather than the company. If certain elements of the company’s business activities are not in-line with what the Home Office would expect of an organisation looking to establish a presence in the UK, the visa application is likely to be rejected.
Things that will cause the Home Office to question the application include:
Care should be taken to identify the most appropriate overseas business entity to support the application where a complex corporate structure exists overseas. For example, it may be appropriate for a specialised subsidiary of a large corporate group to support the application where the UK business will be specialised in the same area, whereas a higher level/more general entity may be more appropriate where it is intended that the UK operations will be more diverse.
Let our Immigration lawyers help you
Teni and her team are committed to assisting international organisations with opening a branch office or subsidiary in the UK. We understand how important it is for successful businesses to have the freedom to trade in the UK and take advantages of commercial opportunities by having a person based in the country.
Let our Immigration solicitors assist you with applying for a Sole Representative of an Overseas Company visa. We make the process easy and cost-effective, so you can get on with business.
To discuss applying for a Sole Representative of an Overseas Company visa, please feel free to contact our UK Immigration solicitors on 0203 959 9123. We will gladly assist you in your application and dealings with UK Visas and Immigration.
OTS Solicitors is widely regarded as one of the best Immigration and employment law firms in London. With outstanding commercial acumen and attention to detail, our dynamic, down-to-earth team will ensure you receive the most comprehensive and practical Immigration and Employment advice available.
To talk to us about our services for UK businesses, please phone our London office on 0203 959 9123.
Helping Your Business Grow and Meet Targets
As the UK economy continues to improve, businesses are under greater pressure to recruit and retain talented employees who are committed to helping organisations grow.
This requires employers to have access to commercially astute legal advice, delivered quickly and accurately. The head of our Immigration and employment law teams, Teni Shahiean, a law and business graduate, has been ranked by the Legal 500 as a recommended Immigration solicitor from 2012 to 2015 and has been highly accredited by the Law Society for her Immigration knowledge and advice through the Law Society Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme. Teni and her teams collaborate to provide employers with advice on the following:
Why Employers Need a Legal Partner When Employing non-EEA Workers
Tier 2 and 5 sponsorship obligations and responsibilities can be a compliance nightmare. Dynamic, success-focused organisations need access to legal advice they can rely on and trust implicitly. With our experience in both Immigration and employment law, we can offer UK businesses a complete service, which encompasses the initial application of a Sponsorship Licence, through to negotiating an employment contract with successful recruits.
Teni and her team will take the time to talk to you about your plans for recruiting non-EEA nationals, the goals you wish to achieve by doing so and outline details of the commitment you will be taking on. They will then ensure that the process runs smoothly and effectively, allowing you to carry on with your ordinary course of business.
A Quick Guide to Hiring Foreign Workers in the UK
If you are planning to employee someone from outside the EEA, there are a number of processes and procedures you must follow. Teni and her team can advise you on this process in a timely, cost-effective manner.
In order to hire a foreign worker under the Tier 2 (General) or Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Visa, you will need to complete a number of steps which include:
- OTS Solicitors: A Step-by-Step Guide for Employers Wanting to Obtain Sponsorship Licence
- OTS Solicitors: Immigration Law Guide To Employing Non-EU Citizens
Why Chose OTS Solicitors
Our Immigration and Employment teams are widely regarded as well-informed, practical and commercially minded. We collaborate with our clients when it comes to their legal matters, forming enduring partnerships, which allows us to get to know their commercial goals and ambitions in detail.
When you engage our services you can expect the following standard of service:
OTS Solicitors is registered with and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Our Fees
We can offer a fixed fee service for business clients in some circumstances. We can also offer payment options if required.
To find out more on how we can advise your business, please phone our office on 0203 959 9123 to talk to one of our team. We would be happy to offer an initial consultation over the phone, or you can make an appointment to see us in our London office.
OTS Solicitors are dedicated to keeping clients up-to-date with their Immigration compliance obligations. Our dynamic, down-to-earth team will ensure you receive the most comprehensive and practical advice regarding complying with your sponsorship responsibilities. We are regarded as one of the best Immigration and employment law firms in London and we have earned this reputation through providing professional, competent and collaborative legal service to every client who instructs us.
To talk to us about our services for Immigration audits and compliance, please phone our London office on 0203 959 9123.
How we Assist Organisations with Immigration Compliance
At OTS Solicitors we provide tailor-made legal advice to our clients, designed to fit with their organisation’s business goals and ambitions. The head of our Immigration team, Teni Shahiean, a law and business graduate, has been ranked by the Legal 500 as a recommended Immigration solicitor from 2012 to 2015 and has been highly accredited by the Law Society for her Immigration knowledge and advice through the Law Society Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme. Teni and her teams collaborate to provide employers with advice on the following:
We are dedicated to providing clients with accurate, up-to-date compliance advice, to enable them to feel confident that their risk assessments and due diligence procedures are performed in a way that fully protect their business.
If we identify any compliance issues within your company, we will act swiftly to advise you on how to rectify them, and if necessary, we will liaise and negotiate with the Home Office on your behalf using our contacts and business partners. Our primary focus would be to protect your Sponsorship Licence and your firm’s reputation.
Business Immigration Compliance Training
In today’s highly regulated business environment and with the UK Government clamping down on illegal Immigration, it is no longer enough for companies to simply ensure ‘all the boxes are ticked’ when it comes to compliance.
If your organisation is granted a Sponsorship Licence, it will need to comply with a number of obligations to maintain its A-rating.
These include such things as:
A dedicated staff member or members must be appointed to fulfil the Immigration compliance role within any organisation as a requirement of being granted a Sponsorship Licence. With access to up-to-date legislation and case law, our Immigration solicitors have the experience and expertise to provide your staff with the information they need to fulfil their compliance responsibilities competently. We can also update HR managers and compliance officers regularly, in a format that suits them, of any latest changes they should know about regarding Immigration compliance.
Why Chose OTS Solicitors
Our Immigration and Employment teams are widely regarded as well-informed, practical and commercially minded. We collaborate with our clients when it comes to their legal matters, forming enduring partnerships, which allows us to get to know their commercial goals and ambitions in detail.
When you engage our services you can expect the following standard of service:
OTS Solicitors is registered with and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Our Fees
We can offer a fixed fee service for business clients in some circumstances. We can also offer payment options if required.
To find out more on how we can advise your business on its compliance and audit obligations, please phone our office on 0203 959 9123 to talk to one of our team. We would be happy to offer an initial consultation over the phone, or you can make an appointment to see us in our London office.
Companies who require Immigration advice on a multi-jurisdictional level need to be confident the legal advice they receive is accurate. Widely regarded as one of the best Immigration and employment law firms in London, OTS Solicitors can provide you with the assurance that when it comes to moving your employees between global offices, you have all your Immigration compliance basis covered.
With outstanding commercial acumen and attention to detail, the dynamic, the down-to-earth team of highly accredited Immigration solicitors at OTS we will ensure you receive the most comprehensive and practical Immigration and Employment advice available. We advise both UK companies who need to transfer employees to foreign jurisdictions and overseas-based companies who want to send staff to the UK.
To talk to us about our services for UK businesses, please phone our Fleet Street office on 0207 936 9960.
Keeping Your Business on the Move
The world’s economy is now more global than at any other time in history. Corporations require the ability to react to emerging opportunities quickly and get staff swiftly on the ground, with the freedom to be productive from day one.
This requires employers to have access to commercially astute legal advice, delivered quickly and accurately. The head of our Immigration and employment law teams, Teni Shahiean, a law and business graduate, has been ranked by the Legal 500 as a recommended Immigration solicitor from 2012 to 2015 and has been highly accredited by the Law Society for her Immigration knowledge and advice through the Law Society Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme. Teni and her teams collaborate to provide companies who need guidance on intra-company transfers with legal advice on the following:
UK Intra-Company Transfer Visa
If you wish to transfer employees to your UK-based office, and they are a non-EEA national, they will need a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Visa to enter the UK.
You must provide your employee with the following for them to be eligible:
If your company has a fully approved (‘A-rated) Sponsorship Licence and you can certify that you can support and accommodate the employee for the first month they are employed, they will not need to show £945 in savings.
Appropriate salary definitions are as follows:
Family members of the employee can also come to the UK; however, they will require appropriate visas if they are non-EEA nationals.
Why Chose OTS Solicitors
Our Immigration and Employment teams are widely regarded as well-informed, practical and commercially minded. We collaborate with our business clients when it comes to their legal matters, forming enduring partnerships, which allows us to get to know their commercial goals and ambitions in detail.
When you engage our services you can expect the following standard of service:
OTS Solicitors is registered with and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Our Fees
We can offer a fixed fee service for business clients in some circumstances. We can also offer payment options if required.
To find out more on how we can advise your business with intra-company transfers, please phone our office on 0203 959 9123 to talk to one of our team. We would be happy to offer an initial consultation over the phone, or you can make an appointment to see us in our London office.
OTS Solicitors is widely regarded as one of the best Immigration and employment law firms in London. Our experience in the technology sector is extensive, and our clients range from those in the start-up phase of their business to multi-national corporations.
With an innovative approach to finding legal solutions and a laser-like attention to detail, our dynamic, down-to-earth team will ensure you receive the most comprehensive and practical Immigration and employment law advice available in the UK.
To talk to us about our Immigration solutions for technology clients, please phone our London office on 0207 936 9960.
The head of our Immigration and employment law teams, Teni Shahiean, a law and business graduate, has been ranked by the Legal 500 as a recommended Immigration solicitor from 2012 to 2015 and has been highly accredited by the Law Society for her Immigration knowledge and advice through the Law Society Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme. Teni and her teams collaborate to provide business owners, suppliers, employers and employees working within the UK technology sector with legal advice on the following:
The Tier One Tech Talent Scheme
Last year technology companies in Britain raised a staggering $3.6bn from venture capitalists. Strong investor appetite for London-based start-ups and fintech groups resulted in record levels of tech investment flowing into the country, and the growth shows no sign of abating.
In 2010, in response to the rapid growth in the technology sector, the Government set up Tech City UK. The organisation’s mission was to support businesses in the technology sector and attract the most talented people from around the globe to come and work in the UK tech industry.
The Tech Nation Visa Scheme
Following consultation with business leaders in the technology section, the Tech Nation Visa Scheme was created.
To make it easier for businesses in the technology sector to attract and retain top talent from outside the EEA, four new qualifying criteria were added.
The new qualifying criteria are:
Teni and her colleagues can assist you in taking advantage of this opportunity to recruit the talent you need to scale up your business and increase its profits. Not only can we assist you with the two-stage application process, but we can also draft your Employment contracts and staff handbooks, so you can concentrate on building your team. We can also assist you with any Employment disputes which may arise in the future.
Why Chose OTS Solicitors
Our Immigration and Employment teams are widely regarded as well-informed, practical and commercially minded. We collaborate closely with our clients in the technology sector, forming enduring partnerships, which allows us to get to know their commercial goals and ambitions in detail.
Our Solicitors understand how fast things can move in the tech industry and therefore manage legal issues with speed, accuracy and efficiency. Many of our Solicitors are multi-lingual, allowing us to swiftly deal with cross-jurisdictional matters.
When you engage our services you can expect the following standard of service:
OTS Solicitors is registered with and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Our Fees
We can offer a fixed fee service for business clients in some circumstances. We can also offer payment options if required.
To find out more on how we can advise your business, please phone our office on 0203 959 9123 to talk to one of our team. We would be happy to offer an initial consultation over the phone, or you can make an appointment to see us in our London office.
OTS Solicitors is widely regarded as one of the best Immigration law firms in the United Kingdom. With a deep knowledge of the education sector and strong attention to detail, our dynamic, down-to-earth legal team will ensure you receive the most comprehensive and up to date Immigration advice available.
We have many years’ experience advising higher and further educational establishments, independent schools and English language schools. Our Immigration team are experts in explaining complex Immigration law pertaining to the education sector in a practical manner, free from legal jargon.
To talk to us about our services for UK businesses, please phone our London office on 0207 936 9960.
The head of our Immigration team, Teni Shahiean, a law and business graduate, has been ranked by the Legal 500 as a recommended Immigration lawyer from 2012 to 2015 and has been highly accredited by the Law Society for her Immigration knowledge and advice through the Law Society Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme. Teni and her teams collaborate to with educational establishments to the following:
A Brief Guide to Applying for Tier 4 Sponsorship
If you want to enrol students from outside the EEA then you must apply for a Tier 4 Sponsorship Licence.
The licence is granted for four years unless it is revoked for some reason. To be issued a Tier 4 licence, an education provider must be:
An education provider must meet these criteria in order to be granted a Tier 4 licence, and continue to meet them in order to retain its licence.
As a Tier 4 sponsor, an education provider has a number of sponsorship responsibilities and will need to allocate the following four roles to members their staff:
These roles can all be filled by the same person or by a combination of different people.
When you successfully apply for a Tier 4 licence, UKVI will give you a probationary Sponsor Licence. This is a transitional period lasting 12 months whilst you demonstrate you can fulfil all of your duties as a Tier 4 sponsor. You must apply for a basic compliance assessment after 12 months.
Why Chose OTS Solicitors
Our Immigration team is widely regarded as well-informed, practical and solutions focused. We collaborate with education institutes when it comes to their legal matters, forming enduring partnerships, which allows us to get to know their commercial goals and academic ambitions in detail.
When you engage our services you can expect the following standard of service:
OTS Solicitors is registered with and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Our Fees
We can offer a fixed fee service for educational institutions in some circumstances. We can also offer payment options if required.
To find out more on how we can advise your organisation, please phone our office on 0203 959 9123 to talk to one of our team. We would be happy to offer an initial consultation over the phone, or you can make an appointment to see us in our London office.
For those international students who have finished their course of study in the UK and have a strong business idea, a Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) visa provides a way to stay in Britain and launch your new venture.
OTS Solicitors are experts in business Immigration law. Our Immigration lawyers are based in the centre of London and we collaborate with a wide range of financial advisors who can assist our graduate entrepreneur clients obtain funding and investment for their business venture.
Our Immigration solicitors are led by Teni Shahiean, who has been recognised in the Legal 500 and by the Law Society of England and Wales for her in-depth knowledge of Immigration law. Our firm is fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and we have a proven track record of successfully assisting graduates to apply for and obtain a Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) visa.
UK Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) Visa – the basics
To apply for a Graduate Entrepreneur Visa, you need:
The above criteria are only the basic requirements that you will need to demonstrate to successfully gain an endorsement from a HEI. Your will need to show that your business has the potential to add to the British economy and not just be a standard venture that simply replicates existing business models. You will also be expected to demonstrate your business development skills and commit to spending your working time in the UK launching and growing your venture.
Your HEI sponsor will be responsible for checking on your progress and ensuring that you are on track according to the goals set out in your application and business plan.
A Graduate Entrepreneur Visa is granted for 12 months, with the option to extend for a further 12 months. After this, you may have the option to apply for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, but you must have £50,000 available to invest in your business. This will allow you to remain in the UK for a further three years and four months, with an option to extend and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years.
Your family (partner and dependent children) will be able to join you in the UK, but they will have to apply for a visa in their own right.
Why choose OTS Solicitors
Our specialist Immigration solicitors understand business and Immigration law and how they interact together. Our Immigration lawyers understand the pressure involved in putting together an application and business plan in the hope of getting endorsement from a HEI. To help you, we will look at your application and supporting documents and advise you on the strengths and weaknesses of your proposal. We will then provide you with clear, concise advice, based on our many years of experience, on how to draft a present a fact-based, well-researched and influential proposal.
By engaging our Immigration lawyers to help you secure a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa, you can be confident that your application has the best chance of success.
To discuss applying for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, please feel free to contact our UK Immigration solicitors on 0203 959 9123. We will gladly assist you in your application and dealings with UK Visas and Immigration.
OTS Solicitors has a strong reputation for providing excellent Immigration law advice. Our Immigration lawyers are well qualified, highly experienced and are committed to providing friendly, professional legal service to all our clients. Clients often comment on our efficiency, professionalism and organisation – by engaging us they are confident they are in good hands.
The Immigration team at OTS Solicitors is led by Teni Shahiean, who has been recognised in the Legal 500 and by the Law Society of England and Wales for her in-depth knowledge of both Employment and Immigration law. As senior partner in the firm, Teni oversees the work of all our Immigration solicitors and guides them on how to achieve the best outcomes for their clients.
By engaging our Immigration lawyers, you can be assured of fast, efficient service and value for money throughout every stage of our work.
Tier 1 (General) Visa – A History
Tier 1 (General) is a former Points-Based System category for which no sponsor is required. The intention of the category is to enable highly-skilled people to be employed and/or self-employed in the UK. It is a category leading to settlement after five years of residency.
The category was closed to new applicants from abroad on 23rd December 2010 as part of the Coalition Government's drive to reduce net migration and was closed to new in-country applicants on 6th April 2011, with the following exceptions:
The Tier 1 (General) route was closed on 6th April 2015 for applications for further leave to remain as a Tier 1 (General) migrant.
Applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain under a Tier 1 (General) visa
The Home Office will not accept applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the Immigration Rules for Tier 1 (General) migrants on or after 6th April 2018.
The closure of ILR applications under the Tier 1 (General) category from 6th April 2018 means that those who cannot satisfy the requirements for ILR on or before 5th April 2018 may need to consider whether they are eligible for further leave to remain in another visa category.
If you currently hold a Tier 1 (General), visa our Immigration solicitors can help you apply for ILR or advise you on switching to another visa. You should look at doing this sooner rather than later, or you may risk being deported.
Why choose OTS Solicitors
We understand how the Tier 1 (General) visa works and the history behind the closure of the route. We can assist both you and your family members on switching your visa to another category or applying for settlement.
OTS Solicitors is fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. You can be confident when you engage us that we will provide you with up-to-date and relevant Immigration law advice. Our Immigration solicitors are approachable and sensitive, and many of our staff are multi-lingual. If you require an interpreter, we can easily arrange one so you fully understand the advice we give you.
Contact our London office today to talk about your next steps in regards to your Tier 1 (General) visa.
To discuss applying for a Tier 1 General visa, please feel free to contact our UK Immigration solicitors on 0203 959 9123. We will gladly assist you in your application and dealings with UK Visas and Immigration.
If you wish to employ a non-EEA national, then your business will need to apply and obtain a UK Sponsor Licence. This licence will allow you to issue Certificates of Sponsorship to international workers. They can then apply for a Tier 2 work visa.
At OTS Solicitors we understand business Immigration. We are based in the heart of London’s business district and are alert to the latest changes that occur in relation to how UK immigration law affects commercial entities.
Our Immigration solicitors, is led by Teni Shahiean, a highly regarded Immigration and Employment solicitor who has been recognised in the Legal 500 and by the Law Society of England and Wales for her expertise in Immigration law. Teni and her team will listen to your recruitment requirements and provide you with full support when collating the required documentation and completing the application form. We will also use our contacts at UK Visas and Immigration to ensure any questions or concerns they may have about your application are answered efficiently and effectively.
Our service
We manage the Sponsor Licence process for many UK businesses. Our clients range from SMEs to large, multi-national corporations. We understand how busy owners, directors and managers are; our clients know they can trust our Immigration solicitors implicitly to manage their Sponsor Licence applications and advise them how to maintain their A-rating.
A Sponsor Licence lasts for four years (unless it is revoked) and we will endeavour to support you throughout that time. A Sponsor Licence holder must comply with multiple duties set out by the Home Office. Our Immigration lawyers will ensure that you know what your responsibilities are and will conduct mock audits of your HR processes and procedures, swiftly identifying any weaknesses that could result in your licence rating being downgraded.
What you need to show to be approved for a Sponsor Licence
A potential sponsor must prove to the Home Office that they:
If your organisation meets the above criteria, then the Home Office will examine whether your company has the resources and personnel required to comply with the duties and responsibilities of a Sponsor Licence holder.
These responsibilities include:
Teni and her team of expert Immigration solicitors will provide you with the best legal advice available, empowering you to define and manage your HR processes to ensure you maintain compliance effortlessly.
Why choose OTS Solicitors
Our Immigration lawyers are dedicated to ensuring employers receive and maintain an A-rated Sponsor Licence. Our Immigration lawyers want to learn about your business so we can ensure your application for a Sponsorship Licence is approved. By instructing us, you can have the confidence that you fully understand both the processes and responsibilities that holding a UK Employer Sponsorship Licence entails.
To discuss applying for a UK Employer Sponsorship Licence or if you have any questions in relation to recruiting skilled workers from outside the EEA, please feel free to contact our UK Immigration team on 0203 959 9123. We will gladly assist you to obtain the best outcome for your matter.
The Tier 2 (General) visa is an employer-led process which allows businesses who hold a Sponsorship Licence to recruit workers from outside the EEA if a particular position/s cannot be filled by someone settled in the UK.
Our Immigration solicitors assist both businesses and applicants in obtaining a UK work visa. We have the skills and experience required to ensure visa applications are submitted correctly, reducing the time it takes for them to be processed by UK Visas and Immigration.
The Immigration team at OTS Solicitors is led by Teni Shahiean, who has been recognised in the Legal 500 and by the Law Society of England and Wales for her in-depth knowledge of both Employment and Immigration law. Our Immigration lawyers are well-recognised for providing quality legal advice to employers and employees and for listening and establishing the needs of both parties to the visa application.
A full service
If you are a business looking to recruit international workers, we can assist you throughout the life-cycle of the process. From obtaining a UK Sponsor Licence, to assessing whether or not the position you wish to recruit for is on the Shortage Occupation List, through to helping you conduct the Residential Labour Market Test, we will offer you practical advice from beginning to end.
The Shortage Occupation List
Not every job can be filled by a foreign worker. To protect the UK labour market, the Government has created a Shortage Occupation List. This list contains jobs that cannot be adequately filled by people already settled in Britain, because there are not enough individuals with the skills, qualifications and/or experience.
If the position you need to fill appears on this list, then you can automatically start recruiting a person from overseas.
For jobs not appearing on the Shortage Occupation List, a Residential Labour Market Test will need to be conducted.
Residential Labour Market test
If the position you wish to recruit for is not on the Shortage Occupation List then you will need to advertise the job before you issue a Certificate of Sponsorship.
To advertise the position in compliance with the Tier 2 Sponsorship rules, you need to ensure you:
Before you can apply to sponsor a foreign worker, you must provide evidence that you could not find a suitable worker via the Residential Labour Market Test.
Minimum salary ranges
For most positions, you will have to pay a minimum salary of £20,800 (some occupations require higher pay). On top of this, employers must plan for the future. From April 2016, Tier 2 (General) visa holders who wish to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain must earn a minimum of £35,000 per year. If you plan to invest time and money into training a non-EEA national employee, it would be uneconomical not to pay them a sufficient salary so they could remain legally entitled to work in the UK after five years.
Our Immigration lawyers can assist you with identifying the correct salary range for a prospective foreign employees and help you plan an HR strategy to ensure that you retain talented recruits after their Tier 2 (General) visa expires.
Let our Immigration lawyers help you
Teni and her team are dedicated to assisting employers recruit non-EEA talent in a way that is fully compliant with the UK Immigration rules and regulations. Our Immigration solicitors will ensure that you are fully informed of your responsibilities to the Home Office, and that you adequately complete the Residential Market Labour Test.
To discuss recruiting an employee on a Tier 2 (General) visa, please feel free to contact our UK Immigration solicitors on 0203 959 9123. We will gladly assist you in your application and dealings with UK Visas and Immigration.
Thank you for getting in touch with us.
Thank you for contacting us with your enquiry. It is mandatory for employers to have the necessary documentation to confirm your right to work in the UK. Having a vignette in your old expired passport will be an issue going forward and we advise that you make an application to apply for a BRP. We can assist you with this application and suggest that you phone our office on 0203 959 9126 to speak with our experienced lawyer.
Thank you for getting in touch with us.
Thank you for your enquiry regarding a start-up visa. Please contact us on 02039 599123 or alternatively email at info@otssolicitors.co.uk to set up an appointment to discuss your visa.
Thank you for your enquiry. We require further details in order to advise you on the options which are available. Please contact us on 02039 599123 to arrange a consultation and we would be happy to assist you.
Thank you for your enquiry. We need further information from your wife. Please contact our office to discuss this matter. Please call us on 0203 959 9126.
Thank you for your enquiry. We would recommend that you contact us directly on 02039 599123 in order for us to advise you on your particular circumstances.
You are allowed to switch from Tier 4 Dependent to a Tier 2 inside the UK. You need to be sponsored by a company which has a Sponsorship Licence and please do note that the job should be skilled job under Appendix J of the Immigration rules. For more information please call us on 02039 599123.
Dear Sir, thank you for your enquiry. Our clients will normally find the businesses they intend to invest in. If you require any further information please contact the team on 02039 599123
If you are looking for an excellent Immigration law firm, look no further.
I am a returning client from two and half years ago.
I took my spouse visa renewal application to OTS Solicitors with a peace of mine that my case will be in the best hands.
I had the privilege to have Mr Hans Sok Apadu preparing and filing my case.
He has been prompt and available to answer all my calls, emails and queries throughout the whole application process. he was keen at explaining all the steps and requirements form the very start.
what is even more fascinatiing is that my visa application was approved the very day I enroled my biometrics. I could not be more pleased.
For the second time now , I am delighted to have taken my case to Hans at OTS solicitors.
Thanks for all the hard work, your high rating is well deserved.
My partner and I used OTS for our PBS Dependent visa which was successful. Vishal was the main allocated solicitor handling our case with assistance from Toby. Our initial meeting with Vishal was very good and informative, he studied my Immigration history which was not very simple and provided us with the route forward. The only disappointment we had through the entire period of this was some lack of prompt responses from Vishal and some gaps in the information provided. We found ourselves continuously needing more information to do with supporting our application which could have clearly been defined earlier specially due to supporting documents required. We found ourselves digging things out eventually ourselves and just checking information with Vishal for confirmation. We did manage to submit on time based on the deadline we had in mind which eventually kept us satisfied. It is very much worth noting that Toby was of an extreme help to us specially at the end in critical times close to our submission. Toby was extremely prompt and detailed in his responses and we found him of huge help. We thank them for helping us in submitting our application and finally get my visa. I for sure recommend OTS Solicitors as a firm but it is worth noting that one must always do much of the work through independent research into their own case and then discuss it with the allocated solicitor as this will surely help in putting together a stronger application.
This is the second time I chose OTS Solicitors for helping me with my visas processes. This time I renewed my wife's and got my daughter's visa. As always, their services were admirable. For all the process, Sonum Behar was in charge, always was on top of everything and open to help. I appreciate a lot her support and professionalism. Thanks so much!
It was a pleasure to work with Hans and all the team, who assisted me through my application for Tier 2 visa. Hans was knowledgeable, professional and went step by step with me, explaining everything and answering all my questions.
Everything was clear and fast, my application was successful.
I would strongly recommend OTS Solicitors.
Hello Everyone,
I must say NO comparison with Saida Ahmed. Saida Ahmed is the only one in whole UK who takes any Immigration cases into success. I cannot describe Saida Ahmed's work into words. She deserves every Immigration case. Any kind of cases that comes to her, she can sort it out with success. I strongly recommend Saida for your Immigration case. She has massive knowledge and she never quits until she gives you success, she always answers your calls and messages even you feel tired of asking questions but she doesn't stop answering any of your enquires in a lovely, polite and brilliant way. She takes your case as her own and always achieves success.
My type of application was U.K Tier 1 entrepreneur.
Well, what a long and incredible journey we had and in the end, my case was successful. Only with the help of Saida Ahmed. All credits go to her.
Teni worked closely with us to ensure the best strategy was used for our Sponsorship Licence and Tier 2 Visa to be applied for. She too what was an overly complicated task and made us feel very comfortable and at ease. I was very impressed with the team and thank you all again for helping us with the licence application. I highly recommend you to many businesses that i work with that may require your assistance. Thank you
I had the pleasure of working with Teni Shahiean recently on my case. Her and Hans did a phenomenal job due to their experience and exceptional knowledge in EEA Law, They were able to get me a result in my case very fast. Highly recommend
Thanks to Teni, ad all her hard work our application was granted successfully. From day one she was very active and worked with us to get all the documents together. Thank you very much! We really appreciated you and may God bless you for the good work you have done! We got the result we needed and we will not think twice about recommend you to people for a job well done! Thank you again once more!!!
Thank you so much for representing us in our entry clearance application. My wife and I were impressed by your attention to detail and your proactive approach to the work. It was a pleasure working with you and your colleagues. I'd definitely recommend you to my friends and I would come back if I have any Immigration issue.
Thanks to you and your team my husband and I can continue living our lives together in the UK and developing our family life. Our worst day was receiving the refusal of my visa application, but thanks to Teni we were given a second chance and the Immigration judge believed us. Thank you for all your hard work, we are forever grateful.
