OTS Solicitors

29/05/2026

27/05/2026

One thing we see far too often in immigration law is couples assuming that once the wedding is over, the hard part is done.

In reality, for many international couples, the next stage can be even more stressful.

We regularly speak to people in the UK on a Fiancé Visa who are worried about:

• timing their Spouse Visa application correctly
• getting the paperwork right
• proving their relationship properly
• avoiding gaps in immigration status
• and simply not wanting to make a mistake that could affect their future together

What many people don’t realise is that a Fiancé Visa is only temporary. If you want to remain in the UK after marriage, you normally need to switch to a Spouse Visa before the Fiancé Visa expires.

These applications are not just “forms”. They are people’s lives, homes, marriages, careers, and future plans.

That’s why good preparation matters.

We’ve put together a practical article explaining the process, common issues, and important timing considerations when switching from a UK Fiancé Visa to a Spouse Visa.

Read here:
https://www.otssolicitors.co.uk/news/switching-to-a-uk-spouse-visa-from-a-fiance-visa/

In Brief The UK Fiancé Visa allows engaged partners of British citizens or settled persons to enter the UK for six months to get married. If the couple want to...

27/05/2026

Financial abuse in relationships is often hidden in plain sight.

Many people do not realise that controlling access to money, forcing financial dependency, monitoring spending, or restricting someone’s ability to work can amount to relationship financial abuse.

At OTS Solicitors, we regularly advise individuals experiencing coercive and controlling behaviour within relationships and marriages. Financial abuse can have devastating long-term consequences, particularly where one partner is left without access to savings, income, housing, or financial independence.

Examples can include:
✔️ Controlling bank accounts or wages
✔️ Preventing a partner from working
✔️ Building debt in another person’s name
✔️ Using financial pressure to manipulate or intimidate
✔️ Refusing access to joint funds

Understanding the warning signs is critical.

If you believe you may be experiencing financial abuse, obtaining early legal advice can help protect your rights and financial position.

Read the full article here:

In Brief Financial abuse is a hidden and misunderstood form of domestic abuse. Whilst it does not leave bruises or physical scars, it can trap you in an unhappy relationship...

27/05/2026

Sponsor Licence compliance is no longer just an administrative issue, it is a critical business risk.

We recently acted for a fast-growing fintech company specialising in SME credit risk analysis after their Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) request was refused by the Home Office.

Following a detailed review, our team identified several key compliance concerns, including:

✔️ Genuine vacancy evidential issues
✔️ Salary and working hours inconsistencies on the live CoS
✔️ English language requirement risks
✔️ Potential refusal triggers before the visa application stage

We implemented a revised immigration strategy, strengthened the sponsor evidence, corrected compliance issues proactively, and secured approval of the CoS following the initial refusal.

The Skilled Worker visa application has now been submitted.

This case highlights an important point for UK businesses:
Sponsor Licence compliance is not just about obtaining a licence, it requires ongoing monitoring, accurate reporting, and strategic legal oversight.

For high-growth sectors such as fintech, recruitment delays or visa refusals can significantly impact operational growth.

Read the full case study here:

Expert support on Sponsor Licence compliance, CoS refusals and Skilled Worker visas for a fintech company, securing approval after initial rejection.

19/05/2026

Thinking of moving your business to the UK? You may already be making a costly mistake.

Many entrepreneurs apply for the wrong visa route without realising it. The result is wasted time, unnecessary expense, and in some cases refusal.

The UK no longer offers a traditional Entrepreneur or Investor visa. Instead, business owners and founders must navigate a range of options such as the Innovator Founder visa, Global Talent visa, Expansion Worker route, and self sponsorship.

Each route has very different requirements. Choosing the wrong one can delay your plans significantly.

We have created a clear and practical guide to help you understand:

➡️ Which visa suits your business
➡️ How to align your plans with UK immigration rules
➡️ The fastest routes to settlement

If you are serious about expanding or relocating to the UK, this is essential reading.

Read the full guide here
https://www.otssolicitors.co.uk/news/uk-business-visa-guide-for-entrepreneurs-and-business-owners-best-routes-to-move-to-the-uk-in-2026/

26/04/2026

🚨 EU Settlement Scheme update April 2026, your immigration status could be at risk.

The Home Office has introduced major changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), affecting how individuals move from pre-settled status to settled status — and who may lose their status altogether.

A key development is the automatic conversion to settled status, based on a new 30-month UK residence rule within a 60-month period. For many, this removes the need to apply manually.

However, there is a critical warning:

⚠️ From April 2026, the Home Office will begin removing pre-settled status from individuals who have spent extended periods outside the UK.

Decisions will be based on:
✔ Tax records
✔ Benefit history
✔ Travel data

Importantly, cases must be assessed proportionately, considering personal circumstances such as health, family ties, and reasons for absence.

This creates both opportunity and risk:
– You may now qualify for settled status sooner than expected
– Or you could lose your status if your UK residence is insufficient

👉 If you hold pre-settled status, now is the time to review your position and act.

Read the full article here:
https://www.otssolicitors.co.uk/news/eu-settlement-scheme-update-april-2026-new-rules-on-settled-status-pre-settled-status-and-uk-absences/

26/04/2026

Hiring overseas staff but worried about sponsorship licence compliance or delays?

You’re not alone, for many UK businesses, the real challenge isn’t hiring from abroad, it’s managing the licence properly.

For growing organisations, overseas hiring is essential, but without the right structure, it can lead to delays, compliance risks, and missed opportunities.

That’s where the right legal support makes the difference.

At OTS Solicitors, we don’t just help businesses obtain sponsorship licences, we help you use them efficiently and compliantly as a growth tool.

We support organisations to:
• Secure a sponsorship licence
• Stay compliant and avoid costly Home Office issues
• Streamline overseas hiring processes
• Scale teams with confidence

A sponsorship licence isn’t just a regulatory requirement, it’s a business-critical asset when managed correctly.

If you’re hiring from overseas or want to get more value from your existing licence, find out more here:
https://www.otssolicitors.co.uk/services/immigration/

We’re pleased to be recognised as a specialist provider on the UK Government’s Investment Support Directory:
https://www.business.gov.uk/invest-in-uk/investment-support-directory/find-a-specialist/specialist/10692139/

A sponsorship licence is not just a legal requirement, it’s a long-term business asset when structured correctly.

If your business is applying for a sponsorship licence or looking to get more from an existing one, speak directly with our Business Immigration team on 0203 959 9123 or [email protected]

OTS Solicitors is recognised as one of London's leading immigration law firms. Our award-winning immigration lawyers have the expertise to provide professional advice, assistance and representation from start to finish.

08/04/2026

⚠️ Landlords: Have you served a Section 21 or Section 8 notice before 1 May 2026?

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 comes into force on 1 May 2026, but if you have already served a valid Section 21 or Section 8 notice, the transitional rules mean your tenancy is treated differently.

Here's what you need to know:
✅ If a valid Section 21 or Section 8 notice was served before 1 May 2026, the tenancy does NOT automatically convert to a periodic tenancy on that date, it remains an assured shorthold tenancy
✅ To benefit from the transitional rules, you must apply to court for possession by 31 July 2026
✅ Any Section 21 or Section 8 notice served before 1 May 2026 will automatically expire on 31 July 2026 if a possession claim has not been made by that date
✅ If the notice expires without a possession claim, the tenancy converts to a periodic tenancy and the landlord must serve the government information sheet within one month
✅ If the court refuses a possession claim, the tenancy also converts to an assured periodic tenancy
✅ While the transitional rules apply, landlords can still pursue no-fault eviction under a valid Section 21 notice, but cannot use the new Renters' Rights Act possession grounds

The deadline of 31 July 2026 is fast approaching. If you have served notice and have not yet started possession proceedings, take legal advice immediately.

📍 City of London
📞 0203 959 9123

🌐 Read our full guide:

On 1 May 2026, most of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into force. As the Act overhauls landlord and tenant law, landlords, letting agents and tenants want to know...

08/04/2026

Has your Skilled Worker Visa recruit asked to delay their start date?

Once a Certificate of Sponsorship has been issued and a Skilled Worker Visa granted, most employers assume the hard work is done. But a delayed start date can quickly become a serious compliance issue, putting both the sponsor licence and the employee's visa at risk.

Key rules employers and HR teams must know:
✅ A Skilled Worker Visa applicant can only apply for entry clearance within 3 months of the start date on the Certificate of Sponsorship
✅ Once the visa is granted, the recruit must start work within 28 days of whichever is latest, the CoS start date, entry clearance date, or vignette valid-from date
✅ A delay of up to 28 days does not require Home Office notification, but dates must be carefully checked
✅ If the delay exceeds 28 days, the sponsor must report it to the Home Office within 10 working days via the Sponsor Management System
✅ Failure to report within 10 working days is a sponsor licence compliance breach, risking audit and investigation
✅ The Home Office will decide whether the visa can be maintained, reasons such as illness, bereavement or exit clearance delays are more likely to be accepted

If the delay is significant, ending the sponsorship and issuing a fresh Certificate of Sponsorship may be the most practical option.
At OTS Solicitors, our Sponsorship Licence team advises on all aspects of sponsor compliance and Work Visa management.

📍 City of London
📞 0203 959 9123

🌐 Read our full guide:

When UK employers recruit overseas workers on Skilled Worker Visas and agree start dates, the recruitment and sponsor licence compliance issues are thought to be over. All the worker needs...

08/04/2026

Is the cost of living affecting your divorce financial settlement?

Financial pressures are increasingly influencing how couples approach divorce negotiations, and not always in their best interests. The desire to reach a quick settlement to reduce legal costs can lead to accepting a deal that leaves you significantly worse off in the long run.

Watch out for these warning signs during settlement negotiations:
✅ Your ex refusing full financial disclosure or downplaying the value of assets
✅ Pressure to accept a quick deal without getting pensions or business assets properly valued
✅ Your ex transferring money or assets to family members or overseas
✅ Your ex using job insecurity or business problems to talk down the value of a settlement
✅ Existing court orders being challenged, such as requests to reduce child support or stop spousal maintenance

Cost-of-living pressures can also affect practical decisions such as whether to sell the family home, mortgage affordability when rehousing, and whether returning to work is realistic after time as a stay-at-home parent.

At OTS Solicitors, our Family Law team provides pragmatic, commercially focused advice, helping you reality test any settlement proposals and understand what you could be accepting or walking away from. We also advise on mediation, arbitration and financial court orders.

Our lawyers speak Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Spanish, Tamil, Tagalog and Urdu.

📍 City of London
📞 0203 959 9123

🌐 Read our full guide:

Since the introduction of no-fault divorce proceedings in England, couples do not need to tell their Divorce Solicitors why they are getting divorced. However, the reasons for separation are often...