If you’re dealing with a UK visa, settlement, or citizenship application, choosing the right legal help can make the difference between a smooth approval and months of delays (or a refusal you then have to fight). But “immigration lawyer” is a broad label, and not everyone offering immigration help is the right fit for your case.
This guide walks you through what to look for, what to avoid, and the best questions to ask before you instruct anyone.
1) Start with the basics: are they properly regulated?
Before you talk about strategy, check they’re authorised to give immigration advice.
In the UK, immigration advice is regulated. Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and immigration advisers can also be regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA, formerly OISC). A genuine professional won’t be awkward about this — they’ll point you to their registration details and explain what it means.
Questions to ask:
- Are you regulated by the SRA or the IAA, and where can I verify that?
- What is the firm’s SRA number (if a solicitor’s firm)?
- If you’re an adviser, what IAA level are you registered at, and does it cover my type of case?
If you want to sense-check a firm quickly, look at their “who we are” and compliance information. For example, Garth Coates Solicitors states it is authorised and regulated by the SRA, and you can also see the firm’s background on their About the Firm page.
2) Make sure they actually do your type of immigration work (not “a bit of everything”)
Immigration is not one-size-fits-all. A lawyer who mainly handles business sponsorship isn’t automatically the best person for a complex family life case, and someone who does straightforward applications all day might not be the right fit if you’re heading towards an appeal.
Questions to ask:
- How often do you handle cases like mine (not “similar”, but genuinely the same route/problem)?
- What are the common reasons people get refused in this category?
- What evidence tends to matter most, in practice, for this route?
3) Ask who will actually do the work (and how you’ll communicate)
Some firms are brilliant at marketing but light on delivery. You want to know whether your case will be handled by a qualified solicitor, a senior caseworker, or passed around a team.
A trustworthy firm will be transparent about the people behind it — for example, you can view Meet the Team and even see individual profiles like William Garth Coates.
Questions to ask:
- Who is my day-to-day contact?
- Who signs off the legal work?
- How quickly do you typically respond to emails/calls?
- Will you review everything before submission, or do you outsource any part?
4) Get clarity on costs (and make sure you understand the government fees too)
Legal fees are only part of the picture. UK immigration applications can involve significant Home Office costs, and some routes also require the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
As of the current published guidance, the IHS is £1,035 per year for most applicants (with lower rates for students, Youth Mobility, and under-18s).
Home Office application fees also vary widely by route and length — and they can change, so you want a firm that checks the latest tables rather than guessing.
Questions to ask:
- What are your legal fees, and what exactly do they include?
- What are the Home Office fees and IHS likely to be for my case?
- Are there extra charges if the Home Office asks for more documents?
- Do you charge for emails/calls, or is communication included?
A good lawyer will explain fees in plain English and help you avoid budget surprises — particularly if your case needs extra work (for example, a refusal challenge via UK Visa Refusals rather than a fresh application).
5) Listen to how they talk about “success” and timelines
Be careful with anyone promising guaranteed outcomes. Immigration decisions are made by the Home Office (and sometimes tribunals), not by your lawyer.
What you can expect is:
- A realistic view of your chances
- A clear plan to reduce risk
- A timeline that explains what can speed things up or slow them down
Questions to ask:
- What are the main risks in my case, and how would you deal with them?
- What’s the realistic timeline, including possible delays?
- If we get a refusal, what are the next steps — administrative review, appeal, or judicial review?
If the answer is vague, overly confident, or avoids talking about risk, treat that as a red flag. A specialist firm that handles challenges (like Appeals and Judicial Review) should be comfortable discussing worst-case scenarios, not just best-case outcomes.
6) Test how thorough they are: do they ask you the right questions?
A proper initial assessment should feel like a structured fact-find, not a quick sales chat. You should be asked about:
- Your immigration history (including refusals/curtailments)
- Deadlines
- Any issues around documents, finances, or credibility
- Your long-term plan (work, family, settlement, citizenship)
Questions to ask:
- What information do you need from me to advise properly?
- What documents should I start gathering now?
- What mistakes do you see people make in cases like mine?
If you’re looking at business routes, the lawyer should also probe the commercial side. For example, with Self-Sponsorship or sponsorship-style planning, you want someone who understands the compliance realities, not just the theory.
7) Red flags to watch for
Here are signs you should pause before instructing someone:
- They won’t clearly explain regulation or won’t share registration details (SRA/IAA).
- They promise a guaranteed result.
- They quote a price without understanding your history or documents.
- They push you to submit quickly without checking evidence.
- They suggest “creative” workarounds that sound like deception (this can lead to refusal and long-term problems).
- They’re vague about who will handle your case.
8) A simple checklist you can use on your first call
When you finish your first conversation, you should be able to answer “yes” to most of these:
- I’ve verified they’re properly regulated.
- They regularly handle my type of case.
- They explained the plan in a way I understand.
- They were honest about risks and weak points.
- I know who is responsible for the work and how we’ll communicate.
- I have a clear fee quote (legal fees + likely Home Office fees/IHS in £).
Ready to speak to an immigration solicitor?
If you want advice from a specialist UK immigration team, you can start here: UK immigration lawyers. And if you’d like to talk through your situation and get a clear next step, use the Contact page to book a consultation.
Ready to move forward with your UK immigration plans? Garth Coates Solicitors can guide you at every step — from eligibility checks and document preparation to submission and follow-up. If you’re launching a business, our uk start up visa team can help you build a strong application. Need support with work routes? Speak to a trusted skilled worker visa solicitor today. We also advise on the uk self sponsorship visa for entrepreneurs seeking more control. Studying in the UK? Our student visa solicitors are here to help — contact us now for tailored advice.
