Services for UK businesses

They know the market very well and they have the right connections within businesses. From an immigration perspective, they're superb.

Chambers UK
Business Immigration

The Penningtons Manches Cooper immigration team is widely regarded as a solid, supportive bridge between businesses and the Home Office providing sound advice and cutting-edge solutions to UK businesses.

The business immigration team's main focus is to assist UK businesses to recruit appropriately skilled workers from outside the European Economic Areas (EEA) and to ensure that they comply with immigration rules and guidance. We have particular expertise of sponsorship licence applications for Tier 2 and Tier 5 visas for businesses to recruit non-EEA skilled workers.

Penningtons Manches Cooper immigration team is widely regarded as a collaborative friendly team that delivers innovative solutions and guidance to its clients. We take time to understand our clients’ business and employment needs and provide them with clear and concise advice to reflect the commercial needs of their business.

Whether it be advising on Tier 2 general, intra company transfers, minister of religion and sportsperson routes or Tier 5 temporary workers routes - which includes Government- authorised exchange, creative and sporting, religious workers and charity workers - our business clients value us for our rapid response, high level of personal attention, proactive approach and  can do attitude.

Members of the team represent businesses on the Home Office’s operational forum and also provide external training to HR professionals. Through our audit, compliance and due diligence services we assist businesses to manage their immigration needs effectively and to comply with Home Office requirements.

Our team works closely with Penningtons Manches Cooper’s corporate, commercial, dispute resolution and employment practice groups across a range of industry sectors – particularly technology, retail, finance, sports and entertainment to provide a complete service to help your business thrive and grow.

We offer expert advice on:

  • Tier 2 and 5 sponsor licence applications
  • compliance audits, health checks, due diligence and preparation for Home Office visits
  • prevention of illegal working checks and advice on civil penalties
  • negotiating on sponsors’ behalf with the Home Office
  • providing day to day advice on Tier 2 compliance and best practice
  • advice on issuing certificates of sponsorship (CoS) through the sponsor management system (SMS) and the resident labour market test (RLMT)
  • assistance with Tier 2 and 5 leave to remain and entry clearance applications
  • business visitor guidance
  • EEA worker guidance
  • training and general advisory services for HR, senior management, legal counsel and board members
  • global mobility and intra-company transfer services
  • lobbying the Home Office

Recent work highlights

Home Office negotiations

Negotiating with the Home Office for the reinstatement of a sponsor licence for a global charity, enabling its senior staff members to continue their charity work around the world.


Development of a Tier 5 scheme

Working with our corporate team to develop an immigration Tier 5 scheme for a premier trade organisation.


Home Office liaison

Successfully liaising with the Home Office and persuading officials to grant a sponsor licence within two days with minimal disruption to the business.

Related expertise

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 419867.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP