LGBT+ immigration

At Bates Wells we see it as vital to act as an LGBT+ ally, and we demonstrate this through our work by providing full-service, compassionate advice to the LGBT+ community.

Our approachable lawyers provide practical information to help you overcome hurdles in the UK immigration system.

We’re also passionate about identifying the parts of the UK’s immigration processes which need reform to enable our transgender clients to document their lives correctly.

How we help
  • We advise on the full range of visa and permit applications to be made by transnational couples, whether they are married, in civil partnerships, or unmarried
  • We advise on issues in relation to the documentation of gender identity on passports and permits
  • We advise in the context of relationship breakdown, and domestic abuse
  • We advise those who find themselves in difficulty having entered marriages or civil partnerships “of convenience”
  • We advise LGBT+ individuals in relation to refugee status, refugee family reunion and indefinite leave to remain applications
  • We liaise with trusted family and other lawyers as needed
Meet our team
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Update to Minister of Religion and Religious Worker categories

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US administration causes considerable uncertainty for intended parents

At the end of June, the US Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump’s first Executive Order attempting to end birthright citizenship was unconstitutional. Less than six weeks later, he had issued two further Executive Orders. One of these seeks to effectively prevent birthright citizenship for children whose parents “engage in a commercial transaction with a …
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Court of Appeal provides helpful reminder on the interplay between family and immigration proceedings

Background The case Jakir Ahmed v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWCA Civ 509 involved a father who had applied for a Family Court Order permitting contact with his British daughter, shortly before applying for permission to stay in the UK on the basis of that relationship. Success in such an application …
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Employer FAQs: expanded Right to Work (RtW) checks and extended illegal working civil penalty liability

With the expansion of Right to Work requirements and record levels of Home Office enforcement, immigration compliance must be a priority for employers. This FAQ has been designed to answer common questions, help organisations navigate the evolving rules and ensure their Right to Work processes remain compliant and fit for purpose. Jump to: General 1. …
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Migration transparency data shows enforcement is rising: why Right to Work compliance must be a priority

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