Stephen Hall

Stephen is a dual qualified lawyer in the UK and Ireland, focusing on a full range of immigration matters for corporate clients. He handles complex private client cases including, Global Talent Visas, Innovator Founder Visas and British nationality applications.

Stephen is heavily involved in lobbying on behalf of his clients with excellent contacts at the Home Office and Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to resolve issues quickly and effectively for important sectors such as Defence, Clean Energy, Digital & Tech and Creatives Industries in the government’s ongoing Industrial Strategy.

Stephen understands that organisations are increasingly more international, requiring a diverse and mobile workforce. In order to attract and retain global talent, it is important to seek expert advice to ensure you get things right. Stephen advises businesses on growing domestically and internationally, by assisting with the recruitment and retention of the brightest and best global talent. His straightforward advice and streamlined processes enable us to guide individuals through the complexities of the visa process, with minimal disruption to their daily working life.

The decision to relocate to the UK is not just about getting the law correct, it is a huge personal step for many international families. One of the main reasons for international assignments failing is family objectives not being considered. Stephen focuses on providing practical advice to partners and children accompanying new employees, to ensure personal needs, schooling, holidays and accommodation are factored into the visa process.

What people say about Stephen

“You made this process extremely stress-free for all concerned. Excellent service”

Large Defence client

“Broad technical knowledge, providing client-focused, practical and straightforward advice”

The Legal 500

Areas of expertise

• Assisting clients obtain Sponsor Licences, TUPE and restructuring advice.
• Compliance support – as the Home Office places the compliance responsibility on employers, Stephen is particularly strong on preparing clients for any Home Office compliance visits.
• Short Term Business visas - not always necessary to obtain work visas, short-term business trips and international commuting may suit the business best.
• Settlement and Citizenship - advise on obtaining settlement, naturalisation and British passports.
• Sports visas – Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) and sports visitor applications. Also assist with Governing Body Endorsements.
• Tier 5 Internship visas - advise on the most appropriate visa options for individuals coming to undertake paid and unpaid internships/work placements in the UK.
• European applications - assist EU nationals and their family members, apply for residence documents, settled status and pre-settled status.

Recent work

• Advised on a £2 billion defence joint venture between international governments and large global defence companies to bring together the parties to work in the UK and stay compliant with immigration rules.
• Advised a Premier League Football team on their restructure and Sponsor Licence duties.
• Successfully represented a global IT company in resolving a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence revocation, ensuring the licence was reinstated at the early stages of the Judicial Review process.
• Undertook a full audit of HR systems and processes for a large Indian IT company providing a detailed report and recommendations for best practice immigration compliance.
• Advised a German-based pharmaceutical company on their immigration obligations following an acquisition of an Oxford-based laboratory and its workforce.
• Assisted a Brazilian international footballer obtain visas for his family while playing for a Premier League team.
• Advised a Russian film company bringing 10 post production film editors to work in the UK on creative visas.
• Assisted a Chinese tech start-up company obtain to obtain an Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence.
• Assisted the head of a large cybersecurity firm obtain British citizenship for himself and his family.
• Advised a US private equity fund on visas for summer internships taking place in the UK Coordinating training plans and advising on National Minimum Wage packages.
• Advised a multinational media company on the U.K. visa requirements for a mixed martial arts sporting event at Wembley Arena. Assisted both the fighters and on-air talent entering the U.K.