Helen Smith
Solicitor
Helen’s specialties stem from a wealth of experience in the immigration law sector, having previously practised in three of London's leading immigration firms over the past 15+ years. Her expertise includes work-based applications, Global Talent applications, sponsor licence issues, Indefinite Leave to Remain and nationality, spousal applications and EEA matters. Helen's clients include investors, business owners and entrepreneurs, private individuals and corporates. Her experience also includes immigration appeals, human rights based and discretionary applications and assisting multinational corporates with their global mobility programmes. Helen trained as a solicitor with City firm, Berwin Leighton Paisner, qualifying in March 2003. She started her immigration law career with Wesley Gryk Solicitors, dealing largely with personal immigration matters, moving on to a position with Kingsley Napley LLP where her client base was a mix of corporate and private clients. Helen was also a Senior Associate with Fragomen LLP where she specialised in business immigration for global corporates. In 2015 Helen set up the immigration department at North Star Law in London. Helen was recommended in the 2014 edition of the Legal 500 for business immigration and has provided ILPA training on Tier 5. She has also had several articles and blogs published and regularly provides training to clients.
Helen launched her own firm (Helen Smith Immigration) in 2020, focused on providing personalised solutions to UK immigration matters to enable sustainable growth and stability for both corporate and private clients.
Practice Area
Panel
- Contributing Author
7 Contributions by Helen Smith
PRACTICE NOTES
UK Global Talent visa: Stage 1 endorsement criteria and evidence (Tech Nation, UKRI, national academies, Arts Council), fast-track routes, review/judicial review, and common pitfalls
Overview
The Global Talent route is intended to draw established leaders in their field across specified disciplines, together with those who demonstrate the potential to become leaders. The disciplines include:
arts and culture (including architecture, fashion design, and film and television)
digital technology
science, engineering, humanities and medicine
From 1 July 2026, the route will be expanded to incorporate a standalone design pathway encompassing additional design roles. It is now set out in the Immigration Rules as Appendix Global Talent, which came into force on 1 December 2020 and was introduced by the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 813. Previously, it was contained in Appendix W of the Immigration Rules, and it largely replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) route, which was closed to new applicants and to those extending their stay from 20 February 2020.
Individuals holding permission as Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) migrants must now apply for settlement under the Global Talent route when eligible. Applicants wishing to extend their permission must switch to the Global Talent route before their current permission expires. For those who are eligible to apply, it is a highly attractive and...
Immigration
PRACTICE NOTES
UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Global Talent: Stage 2 applications, extensions, dependants and settlement—points, earnings, switching and validity
The Global Talent route
The Global Talent route aims to bring in leading figures in specified fields, as well as individuals showing the promise to become leaders. The covered fields include:
arts and culture (such as architecture, fashion design, and film and television)
digital technology
science, engineering, humanities and medicine
This route sits within the Immigration Rules at Appendix Global Talent, which took effect on 1 December 2020, following the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 813. Before this, it appeared in Appendix W and, for the most part, succeeded the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) route, which stopped accepting new applications and extensions from 20 February 2020.
Holders of permission under Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) must pursue settlement via the Global Talent route when they meet the eligibility criteria. Anyone wishing to prolong their permission is required to switch to the Global Talent route before their current leave expires.
The Practice Note: Global Talent: endorsement criteria addresses the Stage 1 application for securing an endorsement from an endorsing body (formerly referred to as a designated competent body under the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) route). This Practice Note looks at...
Immigration
PRACTICE NOTES
UK Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme: comprehensive practitioner guidance on eligibility, validity, residence, family and child issues, application procedure, switching/settlement options, asylum interplay, outside-the-Rules discretion and challenging refusals
This Practice Note centres on the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme, while also setting out background for Ukrainians seeking entry or already in the UK on a visa, alongside broader worries such as potential routes to settlement. It further outlines context on the Ukraine Scheme visa pathways overall. A central concern for advisers assisting people with leave under the Ukraine Scheme is the persistent uncertainty about what lies ahead. The government maintains there will be no route to settlement for Ukrainians, yet many will have put down roots in the UK, developing strong private lives after years of lawful residence. Meanwhile, it is not clear how long the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme will stay open. Should there be a judged durable shift in conditions in Ukraine, the position may alter...
Key resources at a glance
Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules, Appendix Ukraine Scheme
Application form - Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme online visa application
Home Office caseworker guidance - Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme caseworker guidance
Other Home Office guidance - UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals...
Immigration
PRECEDENTS
Representative of an Overseas Business (UK): settlement (ILR) employer letter template for sole and media representatives
For a sole representative
[ To be typed on letter-headed paper of overseas business including its name and logo ]
[ Insert address of employer ]
[ Insert Home Office address where application is being sent ]
[ Date ]
Dear [ insert organisation name ]
[ Insert name, date of birth and nationality of applicant as per passport ]
I confirm on behalf of [ insert full name of overseas business ] that [ insert name ] [ has been employed by [ insert full name of overseas business ] from [ insert date employment commenced with the overseas business ] to date OR was employed by [ insert full name of overseas business ] from [ insert date employment commenced with the overseas business ] to [ insert date employment ended with the overseas business ], and then by [ insert name of UK company ] from [ insert date employment commenced with the UK company ] to date ].
[ Insert name ] entered the UK as our sole UK representative on [ insert date ] under the position title of [ insert position title ]. This role is the most senior position within the UK business...
Immigration
PRECEDENTS
UK Representative of an Overseas Business: Extension Application—Evidence Checklist for Sole and Media Representatives and Dependants
A. Additional documents for main applicant
Provide proof of ongoing employment and that you can financially support yourself and any dependants in the UK. Submit payslips and bank statements for a three‑month or 12‑month span (see comment), showing a full pay breakdown, including salary and any commission, and evidence of your financial self‑sufficiency. The most recent item must be dated within 31 days of the application.
Payslips: either on company headed paper naming your employer, or printouts of online payslips.
Personal bank or building society statements: either on bank stationery; ad hoc statements on the bank’s letterhead (not mini‑statements from Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs)); or printouts of electronic statements.
All statements must include:
your name
account number
statement date
the financial institution’s name, contact details, and a branch code
all transactions for the period
Also provide proof of UK accommodation, for example a tenancy agreement or mortgage papers. Document formats may vary according to the country where your employment contract is held...
Immigration
PRECEDENTS
UK Representative of an Overseas Business: Extension Application—Overseas Employer Letter Template (Sole and Media Representatives)
For sole representatives
[ To be printed on the employer’s letterhead displaying its name and logo ]
[ Enter employer’s address ]
[ Enter the Home Office address to which the application is being sent ]
[ Enter date ]
Dear [ insert organisation name ]
[ Enter the applicant’s name, date of birth and nationality exactly as shown in the passport ]
I confirm, on behalf of [ insert full name of overseas business ], that [ insert name of applicant ] [ has been employed by [ insert full name of overseas business ] from [ insert date employment began overseas ] to the present OR was employed by [ insert full name of overseas business ] from [ insert date employment began with the overseas business ] to [ insert date employment ended with the overseas business ], and thereafter by [ insert name of UK company ] from [ insert date employment began with the UK company ] to the present ].
[ Insert name of applicant ] entered the UK as our sole UK representative on [ insert date ], with the position title of [ insert position title ]...
Immigration
PRECEDENTS
UK Representative of an Overseas Business: Settlement (ILR) Additional Documents Checklist, including Sole Representatives and Overseas Media Representatives
A. Additional documents for all main applicants
Evidence of your employment for the previous 12 months is required. This may comprise:
payslips
bank statements
Payslips must be either:
printed on the company-headed paper that shows the employer’s name, or
printouts of online payslips
Your bank statements must display a complete breakdown of your remuneration, covering salary deposits and any commission. Personal bank or building society statements must be either:
statements issued on bank stationery
ad hoc statements produced on the bank’s letterhead (excluding mini-statements from Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs)), or
printouts of electronic statements
Every statement must include:
your name
account number
date of the statement
the financial institution’s name, contact details and a branch code
any transactions over the period
The most recent document must be dated no more than 31 days before the application. Some of this information will also appear in a letter from your employer (see below). The presentation of documents may differ depending on the country in which your employment contract is held...
Immigration
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