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:

• it allows for unrestricted self-Employment and Employment in the UK for you and your spouse/partner—with the exceptions that a Tier 1 (investor) migrant will not be eligible to work as a doctor or dentist in training (unless particular circumstances apply) or as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach)
• it provides an accelerated route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after two years for those who are willing to invest at least £10 million, or after three years for those who are willing to invest at least £5 million
• there is no English language requirement
• you can buy property and register your children in schools straight away

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.

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:

• are a genuine business, operating or trading lawfully in the UK
• are based in the UK
• hold the appropriate planning permission or Local Planning Authority consent for the type of business operated at the trading address
• are 'honest, dependable and reliable'
• do not represent a threat to Immigration control, and
• are willing and able to comply with the sponsor duties and responsibilities.

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:

• Monitoring and recording the Immigration status of migrant workers employed by the organisation and actively preventing the illegal Employment of migrants.
• Keeping up-to-date contact details for migrants employed by the organisation.
• Keeping appropriate and detailed records on any migrants employed by the organisation.
• Monitoring migrants employed by the organisation and reporting violations to the Home Office where appropriate.
• Maintaining appropriate hiring practices and ensuring that any migrants employed by the organisation are legally entitled and qualified to do their job.

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.

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:

• Acting as Key Contact and Level 1 User for your organisation.  The Key Contact is the person responsible for liaising with the Home Office when they require documentation, or require questions to be answered.  The Level 1 user manages the Home Office Sponsorship Management System, which collates the day to day activities and records of non-EEA nationals working for an organisation.
• Auditing your HR policies and procedures in preparation for applying for a Sponsorship Licence.  We will review your HR processes and ensure you have policies and procedures in place to fulfil your sponsorship obligations.  The five main areas in which sponsors need to show compliance are:

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.

• Issuing Certificates of Sponsorship on your behalf.
• Advising on advertising requirements if the position you need to fill is not on the Shortage Occupation List
• Ensuring that prospective employees are supported through their application process for a Tier 2 entry visa and preparing and submitting their applications.

Applying for a UK Sponsorship Licence

To be eligible for a UK Sponsorship Licence you must prove to the Home Office that:

• your organisation is genuine and operating or trading lawfully in the UK
• is based in Great Britain
• has the necessary planning permission or Local Planning Authority consent for the type of work you are doing
• is 'honest, dependable and reliable'
• is no threat to current Immigration control
• can and will comply with required sponsorship duties and responsibilities.

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:

1. whether it has effective human resources systems to be able to fulfil its sponsor duties
2. whether it or any of its associated persons have:
   1. been given a civil penalty for employing an illegal worker
   2. been given a civil penalty within the last five years under any of the legislative provisions listed in Appendix C other than in relation to illegal working
   3. have any unspent convictions for a relevant offence or any of the offences listed in Annex 7of the Points-Based System Sponsor Guidance (SG)

1. whether the organisation has a previous record of non-compliance or poor compliance with the duties of sponsorship or is employing any migrants (whether sponsored or not) who are in breach of their conditions of leave

1. whether it is able to offer 'genuine Employment' which meets the Tier 2 (General) criteria on skill level and appropriate salary rate

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.

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:

• you must be offered an ‘appropriate’ salary
• you must have the required knowledge of English
• you must have £945 in savings

Appropriate salary

To qualify for a UK work visa, your employer must offer you an appropriate salary.  The thresholds are as follows:

• the minimum salary threshold for all Tier 2 General employees is £20,800
• jobs that are exempt from the requirement to advertise through Jobcenter Plus require a minimum salary of £72,500
• jobs exempt from the resident labour market test must pay a minimum of £155,300
• Tier 2 ICT employees whose jobs qualify for Short Term Staff; Skills Transfer or Graduate Training category must pay at least £24,800
• Tier 2 ICT employees under Long Term Staff qualification, the minimum salary threshold is £41,500

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:

• passing an approved English language test with at least CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening
• having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD

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:

• your husband, wife or partner
• children under 18

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:

• a current passport or other valid travel identification
• a passport-sized colour photograph
• bank statements proving your savings
• evidence that you meet the English requirement
• your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

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.

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:

• Applications for a Sponsorship Licence
• Shortage occupations
• Tier 2 and 5 Sponsorship Applications
• Training on sponsorship obligations for HR, in-house counsel and compliance departments
• Drafting Employment contracts and dealing with employee disputes
• Preparation for Home Office visits and audits
• Day to day advice on business Immigration law best practice
• Inter-company transfers
• Lobbying the Home Office on your businesses or non-EEA employees behalf
• Prevention of illegal workers
• Indefinite Leave to Remain and minimum salary requirements

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:

• Apply for a Sponsorship Licence so you can issue Certificates of Sponsorship
• Ascertain whether or not the position you have available is listed on the Shortage Occupation list
• Advertise the job (if it does not appear on the Shortage Occupation List)
• Ensure that you provide the correct salary and conditions to the individual you recruit
• Have plans, policies and procedures in place to meet the UK Border Agency’s compliance requirements for sponsors
• You can read more in our step by step guides to obtaining a Sponsorship Licence and hiring non-EEA workers here :

-          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:

• Based on the information you provide us, detailed advice as to the UK Immigration laws that apply to your business requirements
• A clear, concise discussion with your Solicitor, outlining the strengths and weaknesses of your application
• Advice as to what documentation you will need to provide to support your application
• Assistance with filling in the relevant application forms
• Full follow-up with the UK Border Agency if there are any questions or problems with your application
• Your Immigration Solicitor will prepare strong, detailed legal representations setting out the legal framework to support your application 
• A full explanation of the compliance obligations pertaining to your sponsorship application

 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.

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:

• the global movement of employees to multiple jurisdictions, including access to local expertise on procedures, standards and timescales
• development of bespoke global networks to be operated via a single point of contact or through local contacts
• assistance with Schengen visas
• obtaining accommodation, factory and/or office space, plant equipment and vehicles
• tax implications in foreign jurisdictions
• prevention of illegal working/right to work compliance checks and best practice advice across all jurisdictions
• visa and security requirements for employees working in developing countries and conflict zones

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:

• a certificate of sponsorship reference number
• an ‘appropriate’ salary
• the employee must have £945 in savings - this is to prove they can support themselves and they must have had this in their bank account for 90 days before the visa application is made

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:

• Long-term Staff applicants - at least £41,500 or the ‘appropriate rate’ for the role (whichever is higher)
• Short-term Staff, Graduate Trainee or Skills Transfer applicants - at least £24,800 or the ‘appropriate rate’ (whichever is higher)
• staff already in the UK on a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa or work permit issued before 6^th April 2011 - at least the ‘appropriate rate.'

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:

• Based on the information you provide us, detailed advice as to the UK and/or international Immigration laws that apply to your business requirements
• A clear, concise discussion with your Solicitor, outlining the strengths and weaknesses of your application
• Advice as to what documentation you will need to provide to support your application
• Assistance with filling in the relevant application forms
• Full follow-up with the Home Office if there are any questions or problems with your application
• Your Immigration Solicitor will prepare strong, detailed legal representations setting out the legal framework to support your application 
• A full explanation of the compliance obligations pertaining to your intra-company transfer application

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 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:

• Applying for a Tier 4 Sponsorship Licence
• Regulatory changes to Tier 4 (Student) Visa eligibility and procedures
• Compliance obligations of educational institutes
• Negotiating with the Home Office and/or UKVI
• Lobbying for policy change
• Appealing Sponsor Licence suspensions, revocations and HTS refusals
• Staff training on Immigration matters
• Drafting internal and external policies, procedures and contracts
• Risk management and due diligence
• Preparation for Home Office visits

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:

• a genuine education provider that has acceptable educational quality standards, and is operating lawfully in the UK, complying with all appropriate rules and regulations;
• considered eligible and suitable to hold a Tier 4 licence; and
• capable of carrying out its duties as a sponsor.

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:

• authorising officer – a senior and competent person who is responsible for the actions of staff and representatives who use the sponsor management system (SMS)
• key contact – your main point of contact with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) about your institution’s application
• level 1 user – responsible for all day-to-day management of your licence using the SMS
• level 2 user – an SMS user with more restricted permissions than a level 1 user

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:

• Based on the information you provide us, detailed advice as to the UK Immigration laws that apply to your educational institution’s requirements
• A clear, concise discussion with your Solicitor, outlining the strengths and weaknesses of your application for a Tier 4 Sponsorship Licence
• Advice as to what documentation you will need to provide to support your application
• Assistance with filling in the relevant application forms
• Full follow-up with the UKVI  if there are any questions or problems with your application
• Your Immigration Solicitor will prepare strong, detailed legal representations setting out the legal framework to support your application 
• A full explanation of the compliance obligations pertaining to your Tier 4 sponsorship application

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.

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 23^rd December 2010 as part of the Coalition Government's drive to reduce net migration and was closed to new in-country applicants on 6^th April 2011, with the following exceptions:

• people who hold/last held leave under Tier 1 (General) may extend under the category
• people who hold/last held leave under the (Highly Skilled Migrant Programme) HSMP may switch into Tier 1 (General)
• people who hold/last held leave under the Writer, Composer or Artist category may switch into Tier 1(General), and
• people who hold/last held leave under the Self-Employed Lawyer concession may switch into Tier 1(General).

The Tier 1 (General) route was closed on 6^th 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 6^th April 2018.

The closure of ILR applications under the Tier 1 (General) category from 6^th April 2018 means that those who cannot satisfy the requirements for ILR on or before 5^th 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.

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:

• Place two adverts within acceptable publications or by acceptable methods.  For example, advertising in a national newspaper or trade journal, or using a recruitment agency.  With many jobs it will be mandatory to advertise the position online using the Jobcentre Plus Universal Jobmatch service.
• Advertise the position in two stages, with both stages being no less than seven days, so the total time the position is advertised for is 28 calendar days.
• Have an advertisement that contains the relevant information pertaining to the position, such as the job title, experience and qualifications required and salary.

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.