For AI companies, cybersecurity firms, and high-growth SaaS businesses, the ability to deploy specialised engineers and developers is the primary engine of growth. In a sector where a talent shortage can mean falling behind the innovation curve, speed and precision in immigration and employment are non-negotiable.
Whether you are a US tech unicorn expanding into the UK or a London-based AI lab scaling your dev team, our specialist lawyers provide a holistic solution. We understand that Tech & AI require a nuanced approach to Skilled Worker visas, Scale-up routes, and Global Talent applications that account for the specific coding languages, research backgrounds, and STEM credentials of your hires. We also provide tailored advice for tech entrepreneurs and senior executives on individual immigration options to ensure leadership is in place from day one.
As the Home Office increases its scrutiny of the tech sector, we ensure your Sponsor Licence is fortified against audits and your employment contracts are engineered to protect your most valuable asset: your Intellectual Property. Leveraging our “Global Reach” compliance toolkit—including bespoke HR dashboards and online initiation portals—we turn cross-border mobility into a competitive advantage for your scaling team.
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Legal 500
‘One of the most creative and enterprising UK immigration law boutiques, with a rich history of helping senior executives and high net worth individuals.’
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Legal 500
‘What we find with Magrath Sheldrick LLP is that they have a fantastic online tool called Global Reach. What also makes Magrath Sheldrick LLP unique is that you feel that you are getting a proper bespoke service, from the Senior Partners down. You are not just a number. The overall collaboration has been superb, I have found them very reactive as well as offering proactive advice too.’ - Legal 500
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Legal 500
‘I genuinely cannot fault them, they are a pleasure to work with. Their team have dealt with international cases as well as UK based and each Magrath Sheldrick LLP team member is a specialist in that country’s requirements. I have first hand experience with dealing with their international team of advisors, they have been superb. Magraths have proved to me they are consistent with their service and advice which has been exceptional.’
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Legal 500
"The firm has a wealth of experience and is very highly regarded"
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Chambers and Partners
"Savvy and helpful advisers"
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Legal 500
"High-quality service and a partner led approach continue to make Magrath Sheldrick LLP a favourite firm for investment banks, entertainers and fortune 500 companies"
Skilled Worker & Scale-up Visas for Engineers
Scale with confidence. We provide full management for Skilled Worker & Scale-Up visas, from securing Sponsor Licences to assigning CoS. We specialise in high-growth routes, including Scale-up and Global Talent visas, ensuring your international AI and tech specialists meet all eligibility criteria.
Sponsor Licence Compliance
Protect your ability to hire from overseas. Magrath Sheldrick’s Compliance & Audit services keep your tech firm audit-ready, managing record-keeping and SMS updates. Our team provides expert training on Right to Work checks and sponsorship duties to help you avoid sanctions and maintain your A-rating.
UK Expansion Support for Overseas Tech Companies
Establish your UK footprint with ease. We manage the end-to-end process for Global Business Mobility and Innovator Founder routes, assisting with key staff transfers and the strategic setup of your UK operations.
Employment Contracts for Scaling Teams
Protect your code and your culture. We draft bespoke contracts for tech hires that include robust IP protections, non-compete clauses, and founder-friendly terms, ensuring your legal foundation is as scalable as your software.
Our Tech & AI sector specialist lawyers
Experienced. Multicultural. Multilingual.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can our AI company secure developers quickly in a competitive market?
While standard UKVI processing takes three to eight weeks, tech firms can utilise priority (5 days) or super-priority (24 hours) services. For critical hires like Lead Data Scientists or DevOps Engineers, we manage these expedited routes to ensure you don’t lose talent to international competitors due to visa delays.
What are the specific salary and skill requirements for software engineers to qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa?
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, the role must be at least RQF Level 3. Most engineering roles far exceed this. For a DevOps engineer, the salary must meet the going rate or the £38,700 threshold. However, “New Entrants” (often those under 26 or switching from student visas) or those with a STEM PhD relevant to the role may qualify for lower salary thresholds, which we can help you calculate.
How do we protect our Intellectual Property (IP) when hiring internationally?
A standard “handshake” agreement is insufficient for AI and Tech. We draft contracts that specifically include Intellectual Property provisions and Confidentiality clauses. This ensures that any code, algorithms, or trade secrets developed by your engineers remain the exclusive property of your business, even after the employee moves on.
What are our reporting duties if our developers work remotely?
As a Sponsor Licence holder, you must track and monitor “work location”. If a sponsored developer moves to a fully remote setup or changes their primary office location, this must typically be reported via the SMS within 10 working days. Failure to maintain accurate records of absenteeism or location changes can result in draconian sanctions, including licence revocation.
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