Department profile
Bates Wells

Immigration: Business

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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Bates Wells

Rankings

About

Provided by Bates Wells

Our Business Immigration team offer a tailored and holistic approach to achieving solutions for our clients. Whether you’re from the UK or non-EEA, we make sure our clients are set up to be commercially active in the UK. Our work is rated by the independent directories as number one in this practice area, a position for which we have held for many years. 

Immigration law is constantly changing in line with political and economic factors, and we are always at the forefront of new changes through our contribution to Home Office debate and involvement with the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association. 

For more information, visit https://bateswells.co.uk/services/immigration/business-immigration/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Immigration: Business - UK-wide

Band 2

What the Team is Known For
Bates Wells has a wealth of experience providing bespoke solutions for the full range of business immigration matters, including Frontier Worker permit matters, Government Authorised Exchange visa applications and Brexit-related issues. The firm continues to advise multinational corporations and well-known domestic businesses, as well as charities and other non-profit organisations. It also works for senior employees on their immigration matters.
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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They don't simply provide legal advice in isolation but consider the operational, financial and strategic implications of their guidance.

    Immigration: Business respondentUK

  • 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: Business respondentUK

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

    Immigration: Business respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Chetal Patel
    Chetal Patel

    Chetal Patel

    Chetal Patel has a strong reputation in the market for her work in the charity and not-for-profit sector. She also acts for large domestic and international companies in need of assistance with visa sponsorship matters.

    • Her professional, yet approachable approach to all our work was admirable and her commitment to ensuring we delivered our targets was amazing.

      Immigration: Business respondentUK

    • Chetal has been instrumental in ensuring the success of the support we have received, consistently demonstrating exceptional expertise, professionalism and a deep understanding of the industry.

      Immigration: Business respondentUK

    • On complex matters, Chetal will always be consulted to ensure the best advice is provided.

      Immigration: Business respondentUK
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  • Smruti Jeyanandhan
    Smruti Jeyanandhan

    Smruti Jeyanandhan

    Smruti Jeyanandhan advises on business immigration law in the charity, technology and investment sectors. She also delivers immigration training to corporate clients.

    • We always feel that she covers above and beyond what is asked and presents information to us in an efficient manner, which aids our understanding of the legal constraints in terms of immigration.

      Immigration: Business respondentUK

    • Smruti is our trusted partner for all UKVI matters, providing knowledgeable guidance. She always responds to queries in simple terms that non-lawyers can relate to.

      Immigration: Business respondentUK

    • She has a breadth of knowledge in her area of work and communicates in a very professional way and in a timely manner.

      Immigration: Business respondentUK
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  • Aisha Choudhry
    Aisha Choudhry

    Aisha Choudhry

    Aisha Choudhry is a senior associate who advises clients from the creative and faith-based sectors, as well having specialist knowledge of the UK Expansion Worker visa category.

    • I am delighted to work with Aisha. She is deeply professional, very clear, informed and responsive to queries.

      Immigration: Business respondentUK

    • She is always on hand to support with case work at all levels of complexity and provides advice that is practical and well thought through.

      Immigration: Business respondentUK

    • She is incredibly responsive, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.

      Immigration: Business respondentUK
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  • Gill McKearney
    Gill McKearney

    Gill McKearney

    Gill McKearney has extensive expertise in all aspects of business immigration, including assisting with work visas, business visitors, compliance advice and strategy, European applications and Right to Work checks. Clients range in scale from individual entrepreneurs to large multinational corporations.

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  • Matthew James
    Matthew James

    Matthew James

    Matthew James is a senior associate in the Immigration Department at Bates Wells. He regularly advises clients on the full realm of business immigration matters, such as Global Talent, investor, entrepreneur and innovator applications.

    • I was impressed by his clarity and dedication to responding promptly with relevant advice.

      Immigration: Business respondentUK

    • Matt has supported us well and is knowledgeable and responsive.

      Immigration: Business respondentUK

    • Matt is highly competent, accessible and committed to meeting our needs. We are extremely pleased with Matt.

      Immigration: Business respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Bates Wells (5)

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