Successful businesses rely on a unique set of ideas and people. We help our clients protect and develop those vital assets, unlocking possibilities for future success.
From iconic brands and leading multinationals to pioneering start-ups, we are proud to work with a huge range of inspiring clients, helping them to turning their ideas into reality and getting the best from - and for - their people.
Our people are not only exceptional at what they do, they also enjoy doing it and consistently give their best to a firm they’re proud to be part of. This stems from our firm culture and our ethos of bravery and kindness. That ethos runs through everything we do, from our approach to recruitment, business practices, and DEI activities to the day-to-day environment in our office and our relationships with clients.
With an internationally minded team of more than 700 working across key areas of law – plus strategic partnerships around the world – we’ve got both the combination and calibre of legal experts it takes to enable our clients’ businesses to thrive. Whether it is providing global employment law advice, managing a global IP portfolio or piecing together a multijurisdictional corporate transaction, we are able to have the right people, in the right place, at the right time.
About the team
Our Immigration group supports UK and multinational organisations with their business immigration needs, including how best to leverage the UKs immigration point based system across all available routes and ensure talent and recruitment needs are met as cost effectively as possible. Due to our Ius Laboris membership, we are well placed to provide global mobility support internationally and offer co-ordination services across EMEA and APAC.
We work with a range of multinationals, start-ups and High Net Worth Individuals from around the world with particular focus on technology, sports, the creative sectors and professional services sectors (in particular law firms and financial services).
Our experts advise on the full range of business immigration services:
- Sponsoring a skilled worker – advising business employees on routes from skilled worker visa, senior or specialist worker routes, graduate visa route, Sportsperson (Temporary Leave) route and the Creative route, Global Talent Visas and more.
- Sponsorship management - obtaining a sponsor licence, the ongoing management of holding a sponsor licence, renewal every 4 years and the necessary compliance throughout.
- Sponsorship compliance and prevention of illegal working - establishing processes and systems, dealing with Home Office visits, mock audits of right to work documents (overlap with employment here), staff training, hotline services and objections to fines.
- Personal immigration - applications for family members, indefinite leave to remain, British nationality and ancestry, asylum and human rights and family reunion (often for senior members of organisations and employees of our business clients.
- International work – global movement projects catalysed by mergers, sales or restructuring and international visa co-ordination.
- Global mobility – supporting employers with the relocation of employees for long term periods (covering employment, immigration and tax issues).
About the role
The overall objective is to provide fee-earning support to the immigration team, supporting associates and partners as requested on a day to day basis, with a view to ensuring that individual tasks are completed cost-effectively and at the appropriate level.
Key responsibilities
- Assisting with applications for the right to work in the UK under the Points Based System;
- Drafting checklists, application forms and cover letters;
- Checking that residence requirements are met to ensure compliance with immigration laws;
- Liaising with the UK Border Agency by e-mail or telephone to clarify and verify their requirements;
- Issuing COS for clients;
- Attending meetings with clients regarding their applications;
- Advising on and preparing UK visa applications for work and family reasons;
- Booking appointments with the Home Office and making payments of immigration charges and fees.
About you
Our ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- Excellent analytical and communication skills, as well as strong attention to detail.
- An ambitious, proactive, commercial, responsive attitude.
- A keen interest in developing your marketing and business development skills.
- Comfortable with taking responsibility for work output and dealing directly with clients
- A team player who is keen to support others to learn and who is keen to learn and develop their own skills
At Lewis Silkin our ethos is simple. We strive to do the best for our clients, our people and the communities in which we operate. We recognise that an inclusive workplace allows for all kinds of ideas and thoughts, a variety of points of view that can trigger discussions or deliver innovative results, and a wide range of versatile skills and expertise.
We are proud of the diversity within Lewis Silkin and of our culture that allows people to be themselves at work, ensuring we provide the best possible service to our clients. We are committed to supporting candidates throughout the recruitment process by supporting anyone who requires adjustments, in order to ensure they have the opportunity to perform at their best. All applicants will be considered equally and fairly. If you’d like to request any adjustments throughout the recruitment process, or would like to discuss flexible working patterns, please email the recruitment team in confidence (recruitment@lewissilkin.com).
