Immigration

The laws on immigration are complex and constantly changing. We’re here to demystify things – as your ally, not just your advisor.

We never forget that behind every immigration decision there’s a living, breathing person whose future hangs in the balance.

Immigration law now impacts upon people’s lives at many levels; their relationships, their work, their home, their finances, even their ability to drive. That’s why, as we untangle the most complex cases, our advice also looks at the bigger picture: for you, your family or your company.

It’s an approach that works. Chambers and the Legal 500 rank us as one of the best immigration teams in the UK – for helping families and businesses alike.

How we help

We’re also the only immigration team in the country that is part of a purpose-driven law firm that uses law as a force for good and this is reflected in our recent work in calling the government to offer support and assurances to NGOs working to help their people on the ground in Afghanistan and joining the legal profession’s efforts to help Ukrainian citizens fleeing the warzone.

 

We’re a full service firm, which means we can handle problems many other immigration firms can’t. And by calling on our own lawyers in other practice areas, we usually avoid getting outside opinions – saving you time and money.

Click here to learn more about our pricing for immigration applications.

Explore

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

The latest Home Office migration transparency data provides a clear message for UK employers: immigration compliance remains firmly under the spotlight. Recent statistics show a substantial increase in illegal working enforcement activity, with record levels of workplace visits, arrests and civil penalties being issued across a range of sectors. For employers, these figures are more …
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Right to Work checks are changing – is your organisation ready? Download our checklist

From 1 October 2026, the Right to Work (RtW) regime expands beyond traditional employment to include worker contracts, individual sub contractors, and online matching services. This critical shift means civil penalties of up to £60,000 per illegal worker may extend beyond the direct employer and, in some circumstances, up the supply chain. The new provisions …
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“Bates Wells’ client service is highly positive. Their team is professional, responsive and attentive to client needs. They handle administrative tasks efficiently, ensuring a smooth process.”

Immigration, Chambers 2026

“The different members of the team specialise in different areas, even within the niche area of immigration, meaning the level of expertise is second to none.”

Immigration, Chambers 2026

“Bates Wells is phenomenal in exploring and exhausting all options regarding immigration matters on sometimes very complex cases.”

Immigration, Chambers 2026

“We have worked with them on various immigration matters across the team and have always been very impressed with the depth and breadth of their knowledge and expertise.”

Immigration, Chambers 2026

“I have worked with Bates Wells for just under a decade now, and the attention to detail and awareness of a client’s needs is second to none. The immigration practice takes full care and consideration for you and your potential employees and is honestly fantastic.”

Immigration, Legal 500 2026

“Bates Wells justly deserves its reputation as one of the top firms in the immigration sector. They represent clients in the whole range of immigration matters. That they always do so to the best of their ability is demonstrated in their exceptionally high success rate. The team are very much high fliers, but that does not detract from their approachability and drive to meet their clients’ specific needs in every case.”

Immigration, Legal 500 2026

“The individuals we work with stand out due to their exceptional expertise, professionalism, and approachable nature. They combine deep technical knowledge with a pragmatic understanding of our business needs, which allows them to deliver advice that is not only legally sound but also commercially practical. Their ability to distil complex legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance is invaluable and sets them apart from competitors.”

Immigration, Legal 500 2026

“The Bates Wells immigration practice has deep knowledge, experience and connections. They are responsive, timely, professional and easy to deal with. There is diversity on the team, and the tools they use are helpful.”

Immigration, Legal 500 2026

Bates Wells was instrumental for our charity in obtaining the sponsorship licence… They displayed a high level of expertise and professionalism. The licence will be able to help us expand the people are able to employ and our organisation more generally. We are grateful for their support and encourage other charities to use them.

Founder and Director, Afghanistan & Central Asian Association

“The team at Bates Wells is phenomenal.”

Immigration, Chambers 2024

“Our complex queries have been responded to with speed and in depth.”

Immigration, Chambers 2024

“The team have been very persistent and proactive, while maintaining a sense of humour, which was very helpful. It’s been a pleasure to work with Bates Wells.”

Immigration, Chambers 2024
Meet our team