Immigration & Visa Solicitors
Moving to the UK, reuniting with family, or building your career here shouldn’t feel like navigating a maze. Immigration law changes frequently, deadlines are strict, and one mistake can derail your plans for months. Whether you’re applying for your first visa, sponsoring an employee, or working towards permanent residency, we provide the straightforward legal support you need to get it right.
Contact Us
Our immigration solicitors in Manchester, Sale, and Chester work with individuals, families, and businesses across the North West and throughout the UK. We cut through the complexity to give you clear advice on your options, realistic timelines, and the strongest possible application.
Call us on 0330 111 3131 or complete our online enquiry form to discuss your immigration matter.
Immigration Services We Provide
We handle the full range of UK immigration matters, from straightforward visa renewals to complex cases involving refusals or sponsor licence applications.
Family Immigration and Settlement
Family separation is difficult enough without immigration law making it harder. We help families reunite in the UK through spouse and partner visas, fiancé(e) visas, and child dependent visas. If you’re bringing family members to join you or applying for settlement, we guide you through income requirements, relationship evidence, and English language tests. We also assist with applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship, helping families build their permanent life in the UK. For those with UK ancestry or family connections, we advise on UK Ancestry visas and family visit visas to ensure temporary visits comply with immigration rules.
Work Visas and Employment-Based Immigration
The UK’s points-based immigration system means work visa applications require precise documentation and sponsor involvement. We support workers applying for Skilled Worker visas, Health and Care visas, and specialist visas for religious workers, international sportspeople, and high-potential graduates. For temporary assignments, we handle Global Business Mobility visas, expansion worker visas, secondment worker visas, and temporary worker visas, including seasonal workers and charity workers. We also assist domestic workers and youth mobility scheme participants in understanding their rights and pathways to extended stay.
Business Immigration and Sponsor Licences
Hiring international talent means getting your sponsor licence right from day one. We help businesses apply for and maintain sponsor licences, conduct right-to-work compliance audits, and manage the sponsorship process for skilled workers. Our solicitors act as Level 1 users on the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), handling certificate of sponsorship applications and compliance reporting. For companies expanding into the UK, we advise on Global Business Mobility routes and ensure your immigration processes align with employment law obligations. Regular compliance reviews reduce the risk of Home Office inspections finding issues that could threaten your licence.
Student and Graduate Immigration
Students and recent graduates face specific immigration challenges, from initial study visa applications to post-graduation work rights. We advise on student visa requirements, child student visas for younger learners, and the Graduate visa route that allows eligible students to work in the UK for up to three years after completing their degree. Understanding switching routes and maintaining compliant status throughout your studies protects your ability to work or settle in the UK later.
Visitor Visas and Short-Term Stay
Not every trip to the UK is straightforward under visitor rules. We advise on standard visitor visas, business visitor requirements, academic visitor provisions, and paid engagement visas for short-term work. If you’re travelling for medical treatment or specific events, we ensure your application reflects genuine visitor intentions while addressing any factors that might raise Home Office concerns about your plans to leave the UK as required.
Expert Immigration and Visa Solicitors Across the North West
Immigration decisions affect where you live, work, and build your future. We approach every case with that in mind, bringing together detailed knowledge of immigration rules with a practical understanding of what matters to the Home Office in your specific circumstances.
Clear Advice
We understand how details in applications can make the difference between approval and refusal. You get advice based on current Home Office guidance and recent case law. We’re upfront about timelines, likely outcomes, and any challenges your application might face.
Tailored Immigration Solutions
No two immigration cases are identical. Your work history, family circumstances, financial position, and immigration timeline all shape the right approach for your situation. We take time to understand your specific needs before recommending the most effective visa route or settlement strategy. Whether you’re a business needing urgent sponsor licence approval or a family working towards permanent residency, we develop solutions that fit your goals and comply with UK immigration law.
Support Throughout Your Immigration Journey
Immigration processes don’t always run smoothly. Applications face unexpected delays, Home Office caseworkers request additional evidence, and rules change mid-process. We’re here to handle those complications, respond to Home Office queries, and keep your application moving forward. We communicate in plain English, explaining technical requirements without legal jargon and keeping you informed at every stage.
Business Immigration Expertise
For employers, immigration compliance isn’t optional. We advise on sponsor licence applications and renewals, right-to-work procedures, and SMS management. We help HR teams understand when they can sponsor roles, how to handle right-to-work checks, and what to do when employees need visa extensions. Our employment and commercial teams work alongside immigration specialists to address legal aspects of managing international staff.
How the Immigration Process Works
The path from application to approval varies by visa type, but most immigration matters follow a similar pattern. Understanding each stage helps you prepare effectively and avoid delays.
- Initial Assessment and Strategy – We review your circumstances, eligibility for different visa routes, and any potential complications. This includes assessing whether you meet financial requirements, English language standards, and specific criteria for your chosen visa category. For businesses, we evaluate whether your organisation qualifies for a sponsor licence and review existing compliance processes. You leave this stage with a clear plan and realistic expectations about timelines and success prospects.
- Document Preparation and Application – Immigration applications succeed or fail on documentation. We help you gather the right evidence, from relationship proof and financial records to employer letters and qualification certificates. Each document must meet Home Office specifications for format, translation, and certification. We prepare your application forms, ensuring accuracy and completeness before submission. Businesses receive guidance on certificates of sponsorship, job role specifications, and sponsor duties.
- Submission and Home Office Processing – Once submitted, your application enters Home Office processing. Processing times vary depending on visa type and whether you apply from inside or outside the UK. Priority and super-priority services can accelerate decisions for eligible applications. We monitor your case status, respond to any Home Office queries for additional information, and advise if processing extends beyond expected timeframes. For sponsor licence applications, we manage all Home Office correspondence during the compliance assessment period.
- Outcome and Next Steps – Successful applications result in visa approval, typically via email decision and biometric residence permit collection. We advise on your visa conditions, any restrictions on work or study, and when to consider extensions or settlement applications. If your application is refused, we assess refusal reasons and advise whether to appeal, request administrative review, or submit a fresh application with stronger evidence. For businesses, licence approval means immediate access to sponsorship capabilities and ongoing compliance obligations we help you manage.
Why Choose Slater Heelis for Immigration Matters
Immigration law sits alongside our wider practice in employment, business, and dispute resolution. This combination means we understand how immigration issues intersect with employment contracts, business operations, and potential challenges requiring legal intervention.
We communicate clearly, respond promptly, and focus on results. Clients work with solicitors who understand North West businesses and communities while applying immigration expertise.
Our Manchester, Chester, and Sale offices serve clients throughout the region and across the UK. We combine local accessibility with immigration knowledge, whether you’re a startup hiring your first international employee or a family working through a complex settlement application.
Fees and Costs for Immigration Services
Immigration work typically involves fixed fees for defined services or hourly rates for ongoing advice. Initial consultations help us understand your needs and provide accurate cost estimates. We’re transparent about our fees, Home Office application costs, and any additional expenses like translation or document certification.
For businesses, sponsor licence applications and compliance support can be quoted on a fixed-fee basis. Individual visa applications vary in complexity, so we assess costs based on your specific circumstances. Contact us to discuss fees for your immigration matter.
Contact Us Today
Whether you’re starting a visa application, facing a refusal, or managing business immigration compliance, we provide the legal support you need.
Call us on 0330 111 3131, or complete our online contact form, and we’ll get back to you promptly.
