FAQ
The Global Talent visa is for leaders — and potential leaders — in academia and research, arts and culture, and digital technology. You do not need a job offer or a sponsor: most applicants first obtain an endorsement confirming their talent or promise, and holders of certain prestigious prizes can apply directly. The route is flexible (you can be employed, self-employed or combine projects) and can lead to settlement in as little as 3 years. Sterling Law prepares endorsement and visa applications end-to-end — see our Global Talent visa service and our dedicated page for software engineers.
The Innovator Founder visa is for entrepreneurs who want to build an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK. You need an endorsement from an approved endorsing body for your business idea; there is no fixed minimum investment, but you must show your plans are credible and properly funded. The route can lead to settlement after 3 years. Our team helps shape the business plan, obtain endorsement and submit the application — details on the Innovator Founder visa page.
The Spouse/Partner visa allows the partner of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK to live and work here. You must prove a genuine and subsisting relationship, meet the financial requirement and an English language requirement, and have adequate accommodation. The route leads to settlement after 5 years. Sterling Law handles first applications, extensions and refusals — start with our Spouse & Partner visa service and the guide to the financial requirement.
The Skilled Worker visa is the main UK work route: you need a job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor, a Certificate of Sponsorship, and the role must meet skill and salary requirements. It can lead to settlement after 5 years, and family members can usually join you. We advise both employees and employers — see the Skilled Worker visa page.
In many cases, yes. Under the self-sponsorship model, you set up a UK company, the company obtains a sponsor licence, and it then sponsors you as a Skilled Worker. There is no separate «self-sponsorship visa» — it is a lawful combination of corporate and immigration steps, and it suits founders who want to run a real business in the UK. Sterling Law covers both sides: company set-up and the licence. Read more on our self-sponsorship page.
ILR (settlement) is usually available after 5 years of continuous lawful residence — or after 3 years on accelerated routes such as Global Talent or Innovator Founder. Most applicants must also pass the Life in the UK test, meet an English requirement and stay within the absence limits. We check eligibility, calculate qualifying residence and prepare the application — see Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Most adults naturalise as British citizens after holding ILR (or settled status) — usually for at least 12 months, unless you are married to a British citizen, in which case you may apply as soon as you have ILR. You must meet residence requirements, pass the Life in the UK test and be of good character. Details and our service: British citizenship by naturalisation.
Yes — asylum and human rights work is one of Sterling Law’s core strengths: the firm is ranked by The Legal 500 UK 2026 for immigration human rights, appeals and overstay work. We represent clients at every stage: preparing the claim, screening and substantive interviews, appeals before the Tribunal, and fresh submissions. See our asylum service and asylum appeals.
It depends on the route and the reasons for refusal: options include administrative review, an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (where a right of appeal exists), judicial review, or a properly prepared fresh application. Acting quickly matters — deadlines are short. Our team is ranked by The Legal 500 for appeals and overstay work and will advise on the strategy with the best prospects — see our immigration services.
A sponsor licence is Home Office permission for a UK business to employ workers from overseas on routes such as Skilled Worker. To get one, the company must prove it is genuine, appoint key personnel and have HR systems to meet sponsor compliance duties; after the licence is granted, those duties continue. Sterling Law prepares licence applications, builds compliance processes and defends licences against suspension or revocation — start at the Sponsor Licence page.
A settlement agreement is a legally binding contract between an employer and an employee that ends an employment relationship or dispute on agreed terms — usually a payment and an agreed reference in exchange for waiving employment claims. It is only binding if the employee has received independent legal advice on its terms. We review and negotiate settlement agreements for employees and prepare them for employers — see Settlement Agreements.
Yes: by law, a settlement agreement is not binding unless you have taken independent legal advice from a qualified adviser, such as a solicitor. In practice the employer usually contributes towards the cost of that advice, so for most employees the review costs little or nothing. Beyond the signature, a solicitor checks whether the terms — payment, notice, restrictions, references — can be improved before you commit. Details: Settlement Agreements at Sterling Law.
Our family team advises on divorce and separation, financial settlements, arrangements for children and cohabitation issues, including cases with an international element. We understand how sensitive these matters are and combine a careful, professional approach with clear advice at every stage. See divorce services and financial settlements.
Most of our work is charged on a time-spent basis, at hourly rates that depend on the seniority and experience of the lawyer handling your matter, and for many common matters we provide fee estimates in advance. VAT is added where applicable, and you will always know the basis of our charges before we start. Current rates and estimates are published on our fees page.
If you are not satisfied with how we have handled your complaint under our internal complaints procedure, you may refer it to the Legal Ombudsman, the independent body for complaints about legal services in England and Wales. Sterling Lawyers Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 630147), and you may also refer conduct concerns to the SRA. Please contact us in writing first — most concerns are resolved at this stage.
