Immigration
Our high-quality service helps you to navigate the immigration system to achieve your objectives quickly and painlessly.

“Shepherd and Wedderburn are an essential firm for complex immigration matters; they are highly experienced and knowledgeable.”

Chambers (2025)

Our immigration team is led by John Vassiliou, an experienced UK immigration and nationality lawyer who is recognised as a leader in his field and is accredited as a specialist by the Law Society of Scotland.

The team provides a high-quality, responsive and helpful service for organisations and individuals across a wide range of areas.

Business immigration

Home Office rules and guidance documents for sponsoring employers are hundreds of pages long. We take the pressure off your HR department by guiding you through the visa sponsorship system for international workers, and advising on your obligations to check people’s right to work.

Personal immigration and citizenship

With so many visa options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Whether you are looking for initial strategic immigration advice or full support to prepare and submit an application, we will take away the stress.

We are also highly experienced in helping clients secure British citizenship. We pride ourselves in our fast turnaround times to ensure that our clients can achieve their goals without delay.

Take a look around this section of the website for more information on our services, and details of specific visa types. You’ll also find some helpful FAQs.

Click here to view information required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Transparency Rules and the Law Society of Scotland Price Transparency Guidance in relation to certain Immigration Services for Private Individuals.

We have expertise in all areas of immigration law, including:

Meet our key contacts

John Vassiliou

Director and Head of Immigration

Meet our full team

Jack Freeland

Associate

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John Vassiliou

Director and Head of Immigration

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Related articles and insights: Immigration

28 October 2025

Hospitality sponsorship remains viable for existing Skilled Workers

Contributor: Jack Freeland

While the 22 July Skilled Worker visa changes have dramatically restricted visa sponsorship in hospitality, there remains a significant pool of eligible workers that employers can still sponsor in hospitality roles.

22 July 2025

Immigration changes to Skilled Worker sponsorship affecting the hospitality sector from 22 July 2025

Contributors:
Jack Freeland, John Vassiliou

The UK government has rolled out the first batch of work visa restrictions announced in its May Immigration White Paper. Several changes to the Skilled Worker route were implemented on 22 July, all of which will affect the hospitality sector.

22 July 2025

Significant restrictions to Skilled Worker sponsorship from 22 July 2025

Contributors:
Jack Freeland, John Vassiliou

The UK government has rolled out the first batch of Skilled Worked sponsorship visa restrictions announced in its latest Immigration White Paper.

12 May 2025

New immigration White Paper: What to expect

Contributor: John Vassiliou

The government’s latest White Paper on immigration details key changes to sponsorship of foreign workers. This article spotlights the main changes and what businesses and individuals should do now to prepare.

19 March 2025

New changes to the Skilled Worker visa route

Contributor: Jack Freeland

The Home Office has introduced changes to the Skilled Worker route, effective from 9 April 2025. Jack Freeland, Associate in our immigration team, outlines the key changes below.