International Immigration Lawyers for Chinese Businesses and Individuals

What Our International Immigration Lawyers Do

International immigration lawyers and consultants provide a broad spectrum of services designed to navigate the complex migration laws for both corporate clients and individuals. These services generally fall into the categories of business immigration (including global mobility and work visas) and individual and family immigration (covering study, residency, and citizenship).

Business Immigration (Business Visits, Global Mobility Visas, Work Visas)

Our international immigration experts support corporations in effectively moving key personnel globally and maintaining legal compliance, ensuring a seamless transition for employees across different jurisdictions. We provide tailored solutions that address the unique challenges of international mobility, helping businesses navigate complex immigration processes efficiently.

Work Visas and Global Mobility

Our services include providing support for securing authorisation for employees from China to work legally in foreign jurisdictions, covering both short-term assignments and long-term residency.

• Work Authorisation: Support is provided for all areas of corporate immigration, from short-term to long-term work authorisation
• Comprehensive Management: Our law firms offer comprehensive global immigration management, including guidance and pre-planning of new assignments, completion of all in-country requirements, and ongoing compliance monitoring
• UK Work Visas: Our lawyers handle various UK work authorisations, including the Skilled Worker Visa, Health and Care Worker Visa, and Temporary Worker Visas such as the Religious Worker or Seasonal Worker visas
• Global Business Mobility: We offer support for global business mobility routes, such as the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, Expansion Worker Visa, Graduate Trainee Visa, and Secondment Worker Visa
• Compliance and Advisory Services: Our immigration practice offers an extensive suite of advisory services and compliance strategies. This includes developing and implementing immigration policies, sponsor compliance, education and training, audit support (including mock audits), and managing immigration complexities involved in corporate restructuring and mergers and acquisitions

Business Visits and Travellers

Immigration services are critical for managing business travellers to ensure compliance with immigration law for non-work business activities, helping organisations mitigate risks associated with non-compliance. These services play a vital role in facilitating smooth international operations while adhering to regulations across different jurisdictions.

• Business Traveller Management: IAS services include personalised assessment of activities and destination for visa compliance, obtaining the proper visas, and tracking the number and length of stays for legal compliance
• Activities Covered: Business visas typically apply to activities such as business meetings, seminars, conferences, trade shows, limited sales activities, and contract negotiations
• Sponsor Licence: We can support businesses with sponsor licence applications for moving or hiring foreign workers

If you require immigration support for your business in China, get in touch with one of our specialist IAS advisors today by calling us on +44 (0)333 414 9244, or you can also get in touch with us online.

Individual and Family Immigration (Study, Work, Residency, Citizenship)

Our expert international immigration lawyers support individuals and accompanying family members throughout their immigration journey, offering services from short-term visas to permanent residency and citizenship, ensuring a smooth transition and compliance with immigration regulations.

• Family-Based Support: IAS services cover family-based immigration and provide support for accompanying family members of company employees
• Dependent and Family Visas: This includes obtaining visas and permits for family dependents. We can support you with Spouse Visas, Fiance/Partner Visas, Dependent Child Visas, and Family Reunion applications
• Relocation Services: For individuals relocating, our lawyers provide concierge support, which can include overseeing moving personal possessions, finding a new home, and booking travel

Study, Residency, and Citizenship

Our comprehensive immigration services encompass study, residency, and citizenship, providing tailored support for individuals navigating the complexities of various visa and residency options.

• Study Visas: Our lawyers assist with applications for student visas and permits, including visas for children and graduates, as well as support with student residency permits
• Residency: We provide support for temporary residency to permanent residency applications globally
• Citizenship and Nationality: IAS handles citizenship applications and passports, and offers guidance on eligibility for citizenship routes including citizenship by birth, descent, marriage, and naturalisation

Additional Support Services

IAS also has extensive expert experience with supporting clients with:

• Legal Processes: Our immigration lawyers provide personalised advice on applications and support through specific administrative processes, such as renewals, amendments, replacements, and de-registration of permits
• Appeals and Reviews: If an application is denied, we can advise on next steps, including support for visa appeals, administrative review, and judicial review
• Other specialised areas: Human rights, asylum (including fresh claims), and assisting with China immigration exit immigration formalities

Emigrating with family can be an overwhelming process. That’s why IAS is here. We can ensure that every item of your application is properly documented, compliant and ready for submission. For support with your international move from China, get in touch with our lawyers today by calling +44 (0)333 414 9244, or contacting us online.

Countries We Cover

Our globally located IAS firms and consultants utilise our extensive global networks to provide you with specialised regional immigration expertise. We can support Chinese nationals moving around the world and have particular regional expertise in the following countries:

• United Kingdom
• United States
• Canada
• Ireland
• Spain
• Germany
• Portugal

We also have extensive experience working with nationals immigrating to and from the following countries:

• South Africa
• Nigeria
• France
• Switzerland
• Italy
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Croatia

Our consultants are well-versed in the unique immigration policies and processes of each region, ensuring tailored support for individuals and businesses alike, facilitating smoother transitions and compliance with local regulations.

Visa Routes We Cover

IAS covers the full range of visa and permit routes required for global mobility, from short-term business trips and academic study to permanent residency and citizenship.

Work Visas

Work visas, also known as employment-based immigration permits, are essential authorisations that allow individuals to legally enter and work in a foreign country. These visas are crucial for employers seeking to hire or move international talent, as they facilitate the hiring of skilled professionals, managers, and other workers who may not be local citizens.

The process of obtaining a work visa can be complex, often requiring compliance with specific regulations and documentation and sponsorship certificates. Immigration experts like IAS provide invaluable support throughout this process, ensuring that both individuals and organisations navigate the legal requirements effectively. They assist with everything from initial applications to renewals and compliance, helping to secure the necessary permits for various employment scenarios.

IAS covers a range of work authorisations from short-term to long-term for professionals, managers, and skilled workers globally. Our team can assist with work visas in various countries, including:

• United Kingdom: Application support for visas such as:
  • Skilled Worker Visa
  • Health and Care Worker Visa
  • Global Talent Visa
  • Minister of Religion Visa
  • Temporary Worker Visas (e.g., Religious Worker, Seasonal Worker)
  • Global Business Mobility routes (e.g., Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, Expansion Worker Visa, Graduate Trainee Visa, Secondment Worker Visa)
• United States: Support for employment-based immigration and temporary work visas for managers, executives, professionals, and skilled workers
• Canada: Comprehensive assistance with securing PR, work visas, and study visas, along with pathways to citizenship
• Ireland: Support for applications for Irish Stamp Work Visas, business visas, and residency for individuals and businesses relocating to Ireland
• Spain: Guidance for residency and citizenship applications, as well as short and long-term work visas for individuals and businesses moving to Spain
• South Africa: Specialisation in work visas, including the corporate visa, with assistance for both businesses and individuals in meeting relocation and entry requirements
• Global Support: Our services extend to various countries, ensuring compliance with immigration regulations and providing comprehensive guidance for employee relocation, ongoing compliance monitoring, and tailored solutions to meet specific needs

Business Visas and Global Mobility

Global business mobility support ensures compliance across international jurisdictions, enabling corporate clients to recruit and efficiently move a globally mobile workforce. Our immigration experts offer services both inbound and outbound to over 190 countries for Chinese businesses looking to expand or move their workforce globally.

We provide:

• Support with company set up in a new country
• Support with business and start-up visas
• Extensive advisory services and immigration compliance strategies
• Help with developing and implementing immigration policies
• Education and training on sponsor compliance, and offer audit support (including mock audits)
• Management of immigration requirements during corporate restructuring and mergers and acquisitions
• Assistance with business set-up and compliance when establishing an overseas presence
• Advice on providing ongoing application management, supporting both initial applications and employee visa renewals, helping organisations avoid costly delays or rejections

Family Visas

At IAS, we support businesses with family-based immigration, ensuring that accompanying family members of employees can relocate legally. Our comprehensive services include:

• Personalised advice on suitable immigration routes
• Ongoing support throughout the application process
• Assistance with residency and citizenship applications

Our country-specific support includes:

• UK: Assistance with family visas, including spouse, fiancé/partner, bereaved partner, and dependent visas, as well as family reunion applications
• USA: Support for general family visas and all aspects of family-based immigration, including residency applications for relatives
• Canada: Comprehensive guidance for securing family visas and navigating the immigration system toward permanent residency (PR) and citizenship
• Ireland: Support for Irish family visa applications and assistance with securing residency, business visas, and study visas
• Spain: Guidance for family visa applications, residency and citizenship support, and assistance with work and study visas
• Portugal: Streamlined support for family applications and guidance on obtaining residency and citizenship, as well as work and study visas

In addition, we help employers develop clear mobility strategies that account for the needs of spouses, partners, children, and dependants, ensuring seamless international assignments.

At IAS, we focus on the unique needs of families relocating internationally, ensuring every member receives the right level of support. Our team assists with gathering family evidence, managing timelines around schooling and childcare, and providing clear guidance on how each visa category affects partners, children, and dependants. We work to minimise disruption during major family transitions, offering compassionate case management, regular updates, and long-term planning so families can settle, integrate, and build secure futures in their new home together.

Study Visas

At IAS, we provide specialised support for clients seeking educational opportunities abroad, assisting with the necessary visas and permits for their studies. We provide:

• Assistance with various study routes, including:
  • Student visas
  • Child student visas
  • Graduate visas
  • Student dependent visas for accompanying family members
• Guidance for individuals and corporations in obtaining necessary student visas and permits
• Support throughout the visa application process to ensure compliance
• Personalised advice on the most suitable immigration routes for educational plans
• Ongoing assistance to minimise delays or rejections in the application process
• Help with securing residency and citizenship applications as needed

We also offer comprehensive preparation for documentation, interviews, and evidence submission to strengthen each application. Our team works closely with students, parents, and institutions to streamline timelines, clarify requirements, and anticipate potential issues, ensuring a smooth transition into international education and long-term academic or professional pathways.

Entrepreneur Visas

Our experts in immigration law support individuals looking to invest, start, or manage a business overseas. IAS helps with entrepreneur visas in various ways:

• Entrepreneur and Start Up Visas: Support for experienced business people setting up innovative businesses abroad
• Digital Nomad Visa: We can support you with the increasingly popular digital nomad visas
• General Business Immigration Support: We cover corporate and work visas and business immigration licenses
• Business Set-up & Compliance: This guidance is offered as part of corporate relocation services
• Training for Professionals: We can support training and courses for professionals

Our specialists provide tailored market-entry insights, helping entrepreneurs evaluate strategic opportunities, understand regulatory landscapes, and prepare the documentation required for successful expansion. IAS offers end-to-end guidance, ensuring your business launch or relocation proceeds smoothly while minimising risks and maximising long-term global growth potential.

If you are an entrepreneur from China seeking support with starting or expanding your business in a new country, our team can help. To speak to an expert business immigration attorney today, contact us by calling +44 (0)333 414 9244, or you can get in touch online.

Residency Applications

Our residency services range from temporary stay extensions to securing permanent resident status and nationality. We also support with real-estate purchasing.

Additionally, our dedicated team provides personalised strategic guidance at every stage of your immigration journey, ensuring that documentation, eligibility assessments, and long-term planning are handled with precision and care, helping clients navigate complex global mobility and residency challenges with confidence and clarity.

• UK: Our experts assist with indefinite leave to remain (ILR), covering requirements and the spouse visa to ILR pathway
• USA: We handle residency applications in the United States and specialise in complex matters such as expatriation and the abandonment of lawful permanent resident status, as well as obtaining U.S. re-entry permits
• Canada: Assistance is provided for securing Canadian Permanent Residency (PR)
• Ireland: We help clients moving to Ireland secure Irish residency. This support includes assistance with Irish work, study and business visas, as well as obtaining necessary Irish immigration stamps
• Spain: We offer comprehensive support for individuals and businesses regarding residency and citizenship matters. We also handle applications for Spanish work visas, family visas, and short-term visas
• Portugal: Support is available for residency matters, including guidance on obtaining citizenship. We also handle family applications, work visas, and study applications in Portugal
• Citizenship: Our global support includes British citizenship by marriage, birth, or descent, and acquisition of US citizenship

How Can IAS Help?

Choosing IAS’ international immigration lawyers means partnering with a globally experienced team dedicated to achieving positive immigration outcomes, with deep cultural expertise in key regions like China.

We deliver confidence through our scale and history of success:

• Processed Over 25,000 Visas: Our legal team has secured over 25,000 approved applications. This demonstrates our extensive experience in handling a high volume of global immigration matters
• Global Team: We draw on a team of over 90 immigration lawyers across 14 offices and cover 24 countries directly
• Comprehensive Support: We provide end-to-end support for both corporate clients and individuals, covering every aspect of the relocation journey
• Full Visa Support: We handle all types of applications, including family visas, corporate and work visas, Study Visas, residence permits, and citizenship applications. We provide ongoing support throughout the visa application process to ensure potential issues are dealt with efficiently
• Full Relocation Support: We offer concierge support to lessen the challenges of starting a new life overseas. This bespoke service can include overseeing moving personal possessions, finding a new home, booking travel, arranging healthcare, and school search assistance

Expertise in China and Chinese-Speaking Capability

Choosing IAS’s international immigration lawyers means partnering with a globally experienced team dedicated to achieving positive immigration outcomes, with deep cultural expertise in key regions like China.

We deliver confidence through our scale and history of success:

• Processed Over 25,000 Visas: Our legal team has secured over 25,000 approved applications, showcasing our extensive experience in handling a high volume of global immigration matters
• Global Team: We have over 90 immigration lawyers across 14 offices, covering 24 countries directly
• Comprehensive Support: We provide end-to-end assistance for corporate clients and individuals throughout the relocation journey
• Full Visa Support: We manage all application types, including family visas, corporate and work visas, study visas, residence permits, and citizenship applications, offering ongoing support to address potential issues efficiently
• Full Relocation Support: Our concierge service helps ease the challenges of starting a new life overseas, including overseeing the moving of personal possessions, finding housing, booking travel, arranging healthcare, and assisting with school searches

We Care About the Outcome

Our mission is to achieve positive results while minimising client stress. IAS is dedicated to providing exceptional support to help clients achieve their immigration aims, focusing on successful outcomes. With our experienced lawyers, clients benefit from years of expertise and the ability to understand the nuances needed to ensure applications are successful, reducing the risk of delays or rejections.

Our international immigration lawyers at IAS act as navigators and advocates, managing the paperwork and legal nuances required for global mobility. Working with IAS provides the advantage of a powerful global network and vast processing capacity combined with localised expertise – especially strong in the East Asian region – needed to navigate the world’s most complex jurisdictions.

To speak with one of our advisors today, get in touch online or call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244. We are here to help.