At A Y & J Solicitors, our mission is to help individuals and businesses navigate complex UK immigration processes with trust, care, and excellence. We are committed to delivering life-changing outcomes, whether it’s securing visas, achieving settlement, or supporting businesses in meeting compliance standards. Recognised in The Legal 500 as one of the UK’s best law firms and featured in leading media platforms such as The Financial Express, News Bulletin, Birmingham Live, Mint, People Management, and many more, our expertise and dedication have earned us over 1,200 glowing client reviews on Google and Trustpilot. Our success is built on core values that guide everything we do. We believe in a growth mindset, constantly learning, progressing, and pushing boundaries to provide unmatched support. We go the extra mile, delivering exceptional results and exceeding expectations for both clients and team members. Most importantly, we genuinely care—approaching every case with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to delivering real value and quality outcomes. We specialise in personal and business immigration, from helping individuals secure visitor visas, spouse settlements, and appeals to assisting businesses with Sponsor Licences, employee relocations, and compliance audits. At A Y & J Solicitors, our team thrives in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment where contributions are celebrated, ambitions are realised, and career aspirations are encouraged. With recognition, expertise, and a proven track record, we are here to make immigration simpler, faster, and achievable for individuals and businesses alike.
External link for A Y & J Solicitors
Holborn Gate, 330 High Holborn
London, England WC1V 7QT, GB
UK-India trade talks resume. These talks could create new opportunities in the future. If you’re planning to move to the UK or need immigration advice, let’s chat.
NEWS: Talks relaunch today on UK-India trade deal with -Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds MP meeting with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi -Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson in financial capital Mumbai then tech hub Bengaluru to push to attract investment More: https://lnkd.in/eCx9gZzn
Here's how the revocation of a UK-based tech company's sponsor licence led to the sudden loss of its top talent and a damaging PR nightmare… The company had sponsored a senior Technical Engineer to spearhead a critical project. However, during a surprise Home Office audit, their Sponsor Licence was revoked due to non-compliance. What happened next? The Engineer's visa was invalidated, forcing them to leave the UK within 60 days. The abrupt departure stalled key projects, delaying product launches. Other employees began to fear job instability, leading to four senior developers resigning within two months. Glassdoor reviews flooded in—56 negative posts in two weeks, citing poor management and job insecurity. The result? A domino effect of project delays, reputational damage, and increased recruitment costs to rebuild the team. Nobody cares until the problem happens. Here's how to prevent it:
We’re beyond thrilled to announce that A Y & J Solicitors has been ranked #19 in the Elite Business 100 list for 2025! 🎉 This recognition is a testament to our dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to providing top-tier legal support for businesses and individuals navigating UK immigration. A huge thanks to our incredible team, clients, and partners; this achievement wouldn’t have been possible without you! 🙌 We’re proud to be among the top SME businesses in the UK and will continue to strive for excellence. Here’s to more milestones ahead!
🏆 Celebrating Our Stars at A Y & J Solicitors! 🎉 Great teams are built on dedication, excellence, trust and a shared commitment to our values—Care, Going the Extra Mile, and Growth Mindset. This month, we proudly recognise three outstanding individuals who embody these principles: Ikra Ahmed – Care Ikra consistently supports clients and colleagues, ensuring everyone’s needs are met with care and precision. Her commitment to delivering the highest standards makes her an invaluable asset to the team. Luke Meaney – Going the Extra Mile Luke’s relentless drive and determination make a significant impact. His ability to nurture opportunities, chase results, and mentor new team members shows his commitment to excellence. Song Yun Eng – Growth Mindset Song has hit the ground running! Within a month, he has mastered processes and contributed valuable insights to enhance workflows. His eagerness to learn and adapt makes him a future top performer. Congratulations to Ikra Ahmed, Luke, and Song for their incredible contributions! 🎉 Your dedication, resilience, and commitment to growth are truly inspiring. Let’s celebrate their success! 👏
The UK sponsorship system is changing, and sponsors need to be prepared. The new "Sponsor UK" interface is being piloted, and here’s what we know so far: -No more bulk CoS applications – each request is reviewed individually -Increased Home Office control over sponsorship approvals -New Sponsor UK account replacing the old SMS system -More scrutiny on applications before a visa is even submitted This means longer processing times & more admin work for more prominent sponsors. Get the full breakdown in our latest newsletter:
Old Sponsor Licence Game vs. The New Reality The Old Game of Sponsorship- Companies used to think that they were set for life once they got a sponsor licence. There were no end dates, no worries. It was thought to be valid indefinitely unless revoked. What's the New game? If you're on the Scale-up or UK Expansion Worker routes, your licence now has a maximum limit of four years. After that, it's gone. The Home Office has clarified that staying compliant means more than just applying once and forgetting about it. Here's the ugly truth: Most companies still treat their sponsor licence as a 'set and forget' tool. But the new rules mean you need to adapt or face losing your licence. If you're on the UK Expansion Worker route, you need to set up a trading presence in the UK within 2 years and add another licence route to show your commitment to growth. The old sponsorship model is dead. Here's how to understand the new regime: -Understand that your sponsor licence is only for a while if you're on certain routes. -Keep meeting all compliance requirements, especially if you're on a time-limited licence. -Be proactive: establish your UK presence and expand the routes under your licence. Failure to adapt could mean losing your ability to sponsor workers, impacting your business growth and plans. Are you still following the old rules? It's time to get ahead of the game and ensure the security of your licence.
UK Immigration & AI: A Game-Changer? The UK wants to become an AI superpower, but will immigration rules keep up? The AI Opportunities Action Plan presented in the Parliament suggests attracting top AI talent through enhanced visa routes. What is the government's response? Cautious at best. Will the UK truly open its doors to top AI talent? Read the full breakdown here:
From 31 December 2024, sponsors can no longer pass certain costs to Sponsored Workers. The Home Office has updated the rules, and non-compliance could lead to licence revocation. What Costs Are Now the Sponsor’s Responsibility? If you’re sponsoring a worker from 31 December 2024 onwards, you cannot ask them to pay for: -Sponsor Licence application fee -Pre-Licence Priority service fee -Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee (currently £239, proposed to be increased to £525) -CoS priority processing (£200 for expedited quota requests) Passing these costs to your sponsored workers directly or through claw back agreements is a serious breach of sponsor duties. What Happens If You Violate This Rule? If the Home Office finds that a sponsor has attempted to recover these costs, they will normally revoke the sponsor licence. What Should Employers Do? -Ensure your recruitment and sponsorship policies comply with the latest Home Office rules. -Seek expert legal advice to avoid costly mistakes. Need help navigating these changes? We are happy to help!
Why Are UK Companies Choosing US Talent Extensions Over New Hires? UK businesses are shifting focus. Instead of hiring new foreign employees, they’re investing in the talent they already have. In Q2 2024 alone, over 1,000 US professionals extended their Tier 2 visas. This is a sign that companies prefer to keep experienced skilled workers. Why? Job Security + Proven Talent: The risks of hiring a new professional often outweigh the benefits of retaining a known, high-performing professional. Cost Efficiency: Visa extensions are faster and more cost-effective than recruiting and onboarding new employees. Faster Impact: Experienced employees can make an immediate impact without the learning curve that new hires face. As businesses prefer remote work and global talent pools, retaining foreign professionals has become a key strategy for long-term success. Have you noticed companies retaining talent instead of hiring new staff? What are your thoughts? Comment below!
New Restrictions on Sponsor Licence & CoS Costs! The Home Office has introduced strict new rules preventing businesses from passing on the costs of Sponsor Licence and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to sponsored workers. Understand the new rules, their impact, and how to stay compliant. Read our latest newsletter now!