View of plane wing from window during flight

> Experience > Our practices > Immigration

Immigration lawyers

Our lawyers know each country’s systems and speak the local language, helping you to navigate through what can be opaque processes. Whether you are an employer hiring international talent, or an individual moving to a new country, we offer practical support.

Wherever in the world you wish to live, work or employ people, our highly effective team of immigration lawyers can help.

Withers is an international law firm with immigration lawyers located across offices, including strong capabilities in the USA, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and Italy. Our multilingual team of immigration solicitors has decades of experience, and our team members have helped shape immigration law in their respective countries.

Whether you are a business or an individual, our immigration solicitors will carefully listen to your needs and concerns, advising on the most effective means of achieving those objectives. We understand that immigration law is a complicated topic and have attempted to simplify the subject here by answering some of the queries you may have.

Of course, if you want more information on immigration rules and legislation and how our team of experienced lawyers can assist you, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we'll do everything in our power to help. You may wish to enlist the services of an immigration attorney to guide you through any number of scenarios. For example, you may be representing a company seeking to hire foreign employees, someone hoping to attain citizenship overseas or be part of a family that has been separated and wishes to be reunited.

Our immigration attorneys can help both businesses and individuals with the following:
  • Visas
  • Passports
  • Expatriation
  • Residency and green cards
  • Global mobility

Whatever your needs, you can rest assured that our highly qualified team is perfectly positioned to guide you towards a satisfactory resolution.

How do I find a good immigration lawyer?

You can benefit from the skills and experience of a Withers immigration solicitor by getting in touch with one of our many offices around the world. We have a presence in numerous locations across Asia Pacific, Europe and North America – from Hong Kong, Singapore, London and Milan to Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.

You can be confident that you're affiliating with a firm boasting unrivalled experience and a wealth of knowledge. That is certainly true of our immigration lawyers, who will listen carefully to your situation and provide sound advice on the best course of action. Simply get in touch with the office closest to you and discover why Withers is the world's premier law firm in providing immigration-related advice.

What can an immigration lawyer do?

Our immigration attorneys work across all categories of the Points Based System and will deliver expert guidance to all our clients, whether they are applying for work visas, study visas or visas for dependents.

Our attorneys will take instructions and provide expert immigration advice, which can be given in person, over the phone or in writing. Our lawyers will devise a strategy, keep you informed of any relevant timeframes as well as request and analyse the documents needed to support your application.

As forward-thinking immigration attorneys, we take pride in our ability to develop creative solutions to exceptional cases and work closely together with lawyers in other teams to 'stress-test' applications before submitting. In the rare instances where an application is not accepted, we will appeal the matter in court.

And due to Withers' global presence, our team has a wealth of experience dealing with immigration law across many jurisdictions, navigating the various complexities in an assortment of countries.

Besides immigration advice, what other services can Withers provide?

Should your immigration or expatriation be part of a broader set of needs, we can call on our colleagues in related fields such as:
  • Employment
  • Banking and finance
  • Corporate
  • Real estate
  • Tax
  • Trusts and estate planning

Why should I choose Withers' immigration lawyers?

There are many reasons why choosing Withers means you are partnering with the best immigration law firm in the business. Here are just a few of them:
  • Experience: Founded in 1896, we have been providing sound legal guidance to our clients for over 125 years, and our immigration advice has played a huge role in that offering.
  • Global reach: We have offices around the world, from San Francisco to Singapore, meaning we are fully versed in immigration law across many territories.
  • Responsibility: We're firm believers in the importance of our business being a meaningful part of the communities in which we operate, which is why our corporate social responsibility encompasses environmental sustainability, charitable giving and pro bono initiatives.
  • Recognition: The hard work of our immigration lawyers and other teams has been acknowledged with numerous awards, including being recognized as among The Times Best Law Firms 2022; one of the Chambers UK top-ranked firms for 2022; and named as one of Singapore's best law firms in a survey published by The Straits Times and Statista in 2022.
  • Expertise: We have advised over 25% of Forbes 400 List of the Wealthiest Americans; 66% of The Sunday Times Top 100 Rich List; and more than 35% of the Hong Kong Forbes Rich List and 52% of the Singapore Forbes Rich List. Our extensive portfolio of international clients includes Cancer Research UK, Charlotte Tilbury and Soundcloud, among others, so you can be confident you're partnering with a firm boasting vast experience of dealing with high-profile cases across all sectors.

Seek the advice of a Withers immigration lawyer today

Our immigration lawyers stay true to the Withers philosophy of providing an expert, professional service to all businesses and individuals that seek our guidance. If you require advice on immigration law or need the help of an immigration attorney, we're here for you. Simply get in touch with us at your convenience and we'll do everything in our power to guide you in the right direction.

Track record

Immigration for adult dependant

Assisted a senior executive relocate to the UK his family which included an adult sibling with a learning disability who was fully dependant on him. The immigration rules do not provide for adult dependant relatives to join individuals in the UK under the Points Based System. We prepared detailed legal representations in support of the application and his dependant sibling was issued a visa to the UK outside the provision of immigration rules on a discretionary basis.

Preventing deportation of young adult

Represented a young adult before the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) and prevented his deportation from the UK on the basis that he had been registered as a British citizen whilst a minor. The fact that the decision to naturalize his parents had been invalidated due to their non-attendance at the citizenship ceremony, did not mean that the decision of the Home Office to register the client as a British citizen had also been invalidated.

Chilean US immigration

We helped the US-resident daughter of a successful Chilean entrepreneur through immigration issues and residency planning, supported tax and reporting efficient giving from her father, and provided cross border structuring advice.

Pre-immigration planning for Brazil-USA move

A Brazilian private equity fund executive requested advice on pre-immigration planning in connection with his relocation to the United States. We helped to coordinate the timing of his tax recognition from certain transactions to occur while he was still a Brazilian tax resident and others to be taxed after becoming a US tax resident. We also established different types of trust structures to protect assets from US estate tax, a foreign trust to defer income taxation on existing carried interests, and a traditional US estate planning trust for carried interests not yet paying out.

Colombian family's US passport surrender

Advised a Colombian family on the surrender of their US passports in order to come into compliance with their US tax and reporting obligations and thereby cease to be subject to US compliance in a highly tax efficient manner.

Major Brazilian real estate investor

Assisted a major Brazilian real estate investor to immigrate to the US, start a new business, acquire US real estate and reorganize his Brazilian and offshore investments. This involved obtaining a new passport and visas, international tax and corporate structuring, real estate advice and business planning.

Venezuelan family in relocation

Advised on the sale of assets in Venezuela and global residency, immigration and planning needs for a Venezuelan family needing to temporarily or permanently leave their country.

Amendment of Foreign Affairs Manual

Advocated on behalf of US citizenship renouncing persons and convinced the US Department of State to amend the Foreign Affairs Manual to allow renouncing citizens to retain their US passports while waiting for Department of State to issue the Certificate of Loss Nationality, and thereby permit these persons to continue to be able to travel to the US.

Employment visas and green cards

We routinely represent individuals of extraordinary ability in business, sciences and art in obtaining employment visas and green cards.

Global entertainment conglomerate

Assisted in the transfer of US employees to China for a global entertainment conglomerate.

Global entertainment conglomerate

Assisted in the transfer of US employees to China for a global entertainment conglomerate.

North Asian family

Assisting and advising this family based in Taiwan with extensive business interests and assets in multiple jurisdictions. Advice includes a multi-disciplinary team covering succession planning, immigration and cross-border investment.

Immigration for adult dependant

Assisted a senior executive relocate to the UK his family which included an adult sibling with a learning disability who was fully dependant on him. The immigration rules do not provide for adult dependant relatives to join individuals in the UK under the Points Based System. We prepared detailed legal representations in support of the application and his dependant sibling was issued a visa to the UK outside the provision of immigration rules on a discretionary basis.

Preventing deportation of young adult

Represented a young adult before the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum) and prevented his deportation from the UK on the basis that he had been registered as a British citizen whilst a minor. The fact that the decision to naturalize his parents had been invalidated due to their non-attendance at the citizenship ceremony, did not mean that the decision of the Home Office to register the client as a British citizen had also been invalidated.

The US-born son of a UK businessman

When he became engaged to a Swiss citizen, the son of a high-profile UK businessman asked us to help him obtain a British Passport and expatriate from the US. We were also asked to draft a prenuptial agreement. Timing was of the essence but as a global, full-service firm we created a team of immigration, family and private client lawyers to meet tight deadlines.

An international family

Withers represents many successful families who live and work in countries around the world. We are sometimes asked to advise on contracts for personal staff who travel with the family, in this particular case when there were immigration issues to address.

21 UK immigration judges

With a sterling reputation in the field of immigration, we were chosen to represent 21 part-time , fee-paid judges when they decided to challenge a judicial decision not to reappoint them to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal on new fixed-term renewable contracts.

Chilean US immigration

We helped the US-resident daughter of a successful Chilean entrepreneur through immigration issues and residency planning, supported tax and reporting efficient giving from her father, and provided cross border structuring advice.

Pre-immigration planning for Brazil-USA move

A Brazilian private equity fund executive requested advice on pre-immigration planning in connection with his relocation to the United States. We helped to coordinate the timing of his tax recognition from certain transactions to occur while he was still a Brazilian tax resident and others to be taxed after becoming a US tax resident. We also established different types of trust structures to protect assets from US estate tax, a foreign trust to defer income taxation on existing carried interests, and a traditional US estate planning trust for carried interests not yet paying out.

Colombian family's US passport surrender

Advised a Colombian family on the surrender of their US passports in order to come into compliance with their US tax and reporting obligations and thereby cease to be subject to US compliance in a highly tax efficient manner.

Major Brazilian real estate investor

Assisted a major Brazilian real estate investor to immigrate to the US, start a new business, acquire US real estate and reorganize his Brazilian and offshore investments. This involved obtaining a new passport and visas, international tax and corporate structuring, real estate advice and business planning.

Amendment of Foreign Affairs Manual

Advocated on behalf of US citizenship renouncing persons and convinced the US Department of State to amend the Foreign Affairs Manual to allow renouncing citizens to retain their US passports while waiting for Department of State to issue the Certificate of Loss Nationality, and thereby permit these persons to continue to be able to travel to the US.

Global entertainment conglomerate

Assisted in the transfer of US employees to China for a global entertainment conglomerate.

Healthcare system immigration program

Consolidated and took lead in managing immigration program for one of America’s largest healthcare systems.

Moving a fashion design business to the US

Represented a Canadian native and prominent fashion designer in immigrating to the United States. We helped the designer create her entrepreneurial business structure and supported her brand through multi-jurisdictional intellectual property advice to protect the trademark and key designs. We continue to provide employment and commercial advice as the business grows.

The US-born son of a UK businessman

When he became engaged to a Swiss citizen, the son of a high-profile UK businessman asked us to help him obtain a British Passport and expatriate from the US. We were also asked to draft a prenuptial agreement. Timing was of the essence but as a global, full-service firm we created a team of immigration, family and private client lawyers to meet tight deadlines.

Chilean US immigration

We helped the US-resident daughter of a successful Chilean entrepreneur through immigration issues and residency planning, supported tax and reporting efficient giving from her father, and provided cross border structuring advice.

Pre-immigration planning for Brazil-USA move

A Brazilian private equity fund executive requested advice on pre-immigration planning in connection with his relocation to the United States. We helped to coordinate the timing of his tax recognition from certain transactions to occur while he was still a Brazilian tax resident and others to be taxed after becoming a US tax resident. We also established different types of trust structures to protect assets from US estate tax, a foreign trust to defer income taxation on existing carried interests, and a traditional US estate planning trust for carried interests not yet paying out.

Colombian family's US passport surrender

Advised a Colombian family on the surrender of their US passports in order to come into compliance with their US tax and reporting obligations and thereby cease to be subject to US compliance in a highly tax efficient manner.

Major Brazilian real estate investor

Assisted a major Brazilian real estate investor to immigrate to the US, start a new business, acquire US real estate and reorganize his Brazilian and offshore investments. This involved obtaining a new passport and visas, international tax and corporate structuring, real estate advice and business planning.

Venezuelan family in relocation

Advised on the sale of assets in Venezuela and global residency, immigration and planning needs for a Venezuelan family needing to temporarily or permanently leave their country.

Our team

Nicolette Bostock

Nicolette Bostock

Partner | London

Nicolette Bostock

Partner | London

Immigration

Giulia Cipollini

Giulia Cipollini

Partner | Milan

Giulia Cipollini

Partner | Milan

Private client and tax

Theda Fisher

Theda Fisher

Partner | New York

Theda Fisher

Partner | New York

Immigration

Reaz H. Jafri

Reaz H. Jafri

Of Counsel | New York

Reaz H. Jafri

Of Counsel | New York

Immigration

Connie Yik Kong

Connie Yik Kong

Partner | Singapore

Connie Yik Kong

Partner | Singapore

Private client and tax

Alex Chung

Alex Chung

Partner | Hong Kong

Alex Chung

Partner | Hong Kong

Private Client

Chiara Gronchi

Chiara Gronchi

Senior Associate | Milan

Chiara Gronchi

Senior Associate | Milan

Private client and tax

Beth Hadden

Beth Hadden

Associate | London

Beth Hadden

Associate | London

Immigration

Insight

Abolishing the UK non-dom regime – what are your options in the UK and globally?


The decision from the current UK government to abolish the existing regime and promises made by the opposition to do the same has left many of you with questions and uncertainty. What does the future hold and what actions can you take now? 
Non-dom resources

Join the club

We have lots more news and information that you'll find informative and useful. Let us know what you're interested in and we'll keep you up to date on the issues that matter to you.

Sign up here

Typical clients and industries include

Family of three generations having picnic in a park

Families and family offices

Families call on us when they want a firm that understands their needs – whether they are looking to pass down wealth, set up and run a family office, or make their mark through philanthropy. Find Out More
Business man looking down at notebook by office window

Founders

From advising on tax or global expansion, helping company founders realise their vision is an important aspect of our work. Find Out More
Successful woman looking out of a car window

High net worth individuals

With complex interests that often span several jurisdictions, highly successful people need seamless advice. With a full-service offering across our offices around the world, we provide just that. Find Out More

How else can we help?

We offer a full range of services to individuals and businesses.  Find out how we can help you solve challenges or maximize opportunities.

Find out more

Get in touch

Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.

Get in touch