Our UK immigration lawyers are experienced in dealing with matters under the Points Based System as well as the Start-up, Innovator and Global Talent visas. With a track record in achieving successful outcomes, our immigration solicitors are on hand to help.

The Immigration Team is headed up by Shahjahan Ali who is a Partner and has specialised in immigration law for 11 years. He has helped hundreds of businesses and individuals in connection with applications to enter and remain in the UK as well as British citizenship, preventing illegal working and immigration appeals.

Shahjahan has particular expertise advising investors and entrepreneurs. He is adept at achieving successful outcomes in complex matters which is due to his thorough engagement with clients.

Our immigration solicitors dedicate themselves to ensuring their knowledge stays up to date, in order to provide the best service possible. We always make sure that junior solicitors and members of staff are supported and supervised appropriately to ensure that the quality of advice is not affected, regardless of who is working on a case.

Services for businesses

We advise businesses from a variety of sectors to help them attract and retain the best talent from around the world.

 Our services include assisting businesses with:

• Applying for a sponsorship licence
• Visa applications for their employees
• Sponsorship management
• Advising on compliance (including carrying out audits)
• Advising on right to work checks
• Challenging licence suspensions, downgrades and revocations

Services for individuals

We also assist individuals with visa applications under:

• Tier 1 (Investor)
• Global Talent
• Start-up
• Innovator
• Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
• Tier 2 (General)
• Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer)
• Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
• Tier 4 (General)
• Tier 5 (Temporary Worker)
• Spouse, civil partner and unmarried partner
• UK Ancestry
• Sole representative of an overseas business
• British citizenship

Contact us

If you would like to discuss your case with us, please contact Shahjahan Ali at shahjahan@dacbeachcroft.com.

The Immigration Team advises on business immigration and personal immigration matters. Our fees are calculated by reference to the hourly rate of the lawyer working on the case which are exclusive of VAT and disbursements.

The hourly rates of the Immigration Team are:

When working on an immigration matter, we provide a fee estimate at the start of the matter based on an estimate of the amount of time required by the lawyer to conclude the matter.

The amount of time required to be spent on an immigration matter varies depending on the nature of a client’s circumstances, the evidence required and the complexity of the case. Factors which make an immigration matter complex include where the applicant:

• does not meet a requirement of the Immigration Rules and we need to prepare novel or bespoke legal arguments on behalf of the applicant;
• has an adverse immigration history including where the applicant has previously been refused a visa;
• has breached immigration law;
• has a complex factual background; or
• has committed an offence(s).

Where a matter is complex our fee estimate will be higher than those set out below and a personalised quote will be provided taking into account the unique circumstances of a matter. Where this is the case, a personalised quote will be provided at the beginning of the matter.

Our fees do not include VAT or disbursements which are separate charges. VAT is charged at 20% of the fee for those who are liable to pay VAT. Disbursements are fees that a client pays which are separate to our fee but are required to be paid in connection with their particular matter. In immigration matters, the likely disbursements are:

• The visa application fee which is a fee payable to the Home Office and varies depending on the type of application, whether it is made from the UK or outside the UK and the nature of the case. There is no additional VAT payable on the visa application fee. For the latest Home Office visa application fees, please visit the Home Office website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table
• Immigration Health Surcharge of £400 (increasing to £627 from 27 October 2020) per year the visa is granted for e.g. the Immigration Health Surcharge for a three year visa will typically be £1,200 (£1,881 from 27 October 2020) unless an exemption applies. There is no additional VAT payable on the Immigration Health Surcharge.
• Visa appointment fee. The amount of the visa appointment fee varies depending on whether the application is made from within the UK or outside the UK and the particular visa appointment centre. VAT may be charged by the appointment centre depending on the country from which the application is made.
• Optional priority visa service fees. These vary depending on whether the application is made from within the UK or from outside the UK and the particular optional services purchased. VAT may be payable depending on the type of priority visa service and the country from which the application is made.
• Immigration Skills Charge. This is payable in connection with Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer) visa applications, although there are exceptions. There is no VAT payable on the Immigration Skills Charge.
• Barrister’s fee. Where an immigration barrister is required, we will obtain a fee quote before instructing them. There may be VAT payable on the fee depending on the barrister instructed.
• For immigration appeals, there is a Tribunal fee of £80 for first stage appeals determined on the papers and £140 where an oral hearing is requested. There is no VAT payable on the Tribunal fee.
• For Judicial Review applications, there is Court fee of £154 to lodge an application for permission to proceed with a Judicial Review claim in the Upper Tribunal. There is no VAT payable on the Court fee.

There may be further fees to pay in relation to appeals and Judicial Reviews depending on the nature of the case, the stage it is at and which court it is being heard in.

Fee estimates for businesses

We provide bespoke immigration advice for businesses on immigration matters including sponsor licencing, preventing illegal working, immigration audit, visa applications by workers and immigration training. Please contact us for a tailored quote.

Fee estimates for individuals

The fee estimates set out below for each particular visa application or immigration matter cover a range of situations and are intended to cover the majority of immigration cases. However, they do not cover complex or unique cases where the fees will be higher and a personalised quote will be provided.

Entry clearance and leave to remain visa applications

Indefinite leave to remain applications

British citizenship applications:

Immigration challenges

Personnel / Supervision

All immigration matters are supervised by a partner or other senior lawyer. Each client will be advised in writing at the start of a matter who is responsible for the day to day conduct of the matter and their supervisor, as well as their hourly charging rate.

Process

Free immigration helpline

Our immigration helpline offers a free 30 minute discussion with a member of our Immigration Team.

The helpline allows you to discuss your immigration matter with us and explore the issues involved before committing to a particular course of action.

By completing the form below, you will be able to access a free 30 minute telephone/video call to discuss your matter with a member of our Immigration Team. This is subject to the terms and conditions set out below.

Eligibility

The helpline is currently limited to the following organisations and individuals:

• Businesses
• Educational institutions
• Sports organisations
• Public sector bodies
• Religious organisations
• Charitable organisations
• Individuals applying under the Start-Up, Innovator, Global Talent, Tier 1 (Investor) or Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas
• Individuals applying for a Partner visa
• Individuals applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain
• Individuals applying for British citizenship

Areas of immigration law covered

The helpline currently only covers the areas of immigration law listed below:

• Sponsorship under the Points Based System
• Right to work
• EU Settlement Scheme
• Tier 1 (Investor) and Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
• Tier 2 visas
• Tier 5 visas
• Start-up visas
• Innovator visas
• Global Talent visas
• Partner visas
• Indefinite Leave to Remain
• British citizenship

Using the helpline

To book an appointment, you will need to complete and submit the form below. Once the form is received, a member of our team will contact you to book an appointment subject to a conflict check.

During the appointment, a member of our Immigration Team will be able to explore the issues involved with you and identify what advice is required. The initial appointment will not include substantive advice. The immigration helpline is limited to UK immigration law.