Vanessa Ganguin
UK Guide 2025
Band 2 : Immigration: Business
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
0207 033 9527Share profile
Band 2
About
Provided by Vanessa Ganguin
Practice Areas
Vanessa Ganguin has decades of expertise across business and personal immigration and offers a full-spectrum service of advice across all aspects of UK immigration law.
Business Immigration:
Vanessa Ganguin advises and trains on all aspects of Sponsor Licences and compliance.
She provides expert advice on work visas such as the Skilled Worker visa, Global Talent visa, Innovator Founder visa, Scale-up visa, International Sportsperson visa, Health and Care Worker visa, Religious Worker visa and Graduate visa.
Vanessa advises on Global Business Mobility visa routes such as the Senior or specialist worker to meet specific business needs; Graduate trainee; Secondment worker to UK firms; Service suppliers to the UK in line with UK trade agreements; UK expansion worker.
She also provides expert advice on temporary work visas such as Creative Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, Charity Worker and International Agreement, as well as servicing legacy visas (such as those already on the Start-up or Investor visa).
Personal Immigration:
Vanessa Ganguin advises on all aspects of family visas (partners, spouses, children, adult dependants); EEA nationals and family (including late EUSS applications); British citizenship and naturalisation; visitor visas; British National (Overseas) visas; Ancestry; Long Residence and Human Rights, as well as routes to settlement. She has worked on immigration appeals at every level too.
Career
With three decades of specialist experience in UK immigration, Vanessa Ganguin is one of the most highly regarded experts in UK immigration law.
She is recommended by Chambers & Partners UK, Chambers High Net Worth Guide, The Times Best Law Firms, Best Lawyers, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal as a leading individual and thought leader in commercial immigration.
“Vanessa has a wealth of connections at the Home Office and frequently liaises with them in relation to the development of immigration policy,” according to Who’s Who Legal, and she has “a particular flair for appeals at all levels and challenging refusals.”
The Legal 500 places Vanessa in The Hall of Fame and commends her “acting for US corporate clients looking to establish a presence in the UK.”
Vanessa’s clients span various industries and sectors – such as fintech, manufacturing, the entertainment industries and the arts.
Her friendly service and commercial nous mean many firms rely on Vanessa’s advice throughout their journey from start-ups to household brands, as well as for the immigration implications of TUPE transfers, mergers and acquisitions.
She has also made a name for herself advising individuals from global talent and high net worth clients to partners, family members and those at the wrong end of Home Office decisions.
Many of her referrals come from other legal practices, reflecting how highly she is regarded as a safe pair of hands.
Attracted to the compassionate side of the legal profession, Vanessa was admitted to the roll of solicitors in 2000 and led hundreds of human rights and asylum appeals in her early career in immigration, before establishing a human rights and appeals team in a leading City practice.
Vanessa co-founded boutique immigration specialists Ganguin Samartin in 2015, before going on to set up Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law.
She regularly writes articles on hot immigration topics for a wide variety of publications.
As Managing Partner of the firm, Vanessa’s breadth of experience and passion for her field ensures the highest level of service to all of her clients, from corporate to private, with her very hands-on, responsive and friendly ethos.
Professional Memberships
Immigration Law Practitioners Association
Association of European Attorneys
Partners Immigration Network
Publications
What work immigration changes can we expect from Britain’s new Labour government? · Relocate Magazine · Jul 10, 2024
What do election pledges on immigration mean for UK firms? · Startups Magazine · Jun 27, 2024
An unhealthy obsession with immigration will cripple UK growth · Politics.co.uk · Jun 27, 2024
Migration Advisory Committee recommends UK retains the Graduate visa · Relocate Global Magazine · May 15, 2024
Business Immigration Challenges– Important tips for Startups and SMEs · Startups Magazine · May 7, 2024
Work immigration changes: What HR needs to know · HR Magazine · Apr 19, 2024
Guide to Spring Immigration Rules Statement of Changes · The HR Director · Apr 3, 2024
UK Immigration Changes for Employers, Workers and Family · HR Director · Jan 15, 2024
James Cleverly's Immigration Curbs for Workers and Families · HR Director · Jan 4, 2024
No Digital Nomads, But UK Visitor Visas Will Allow More Business Activities · HR Director · Dec 28, 2023
Net migration figures – what isn’t being said · Relocate Global Magazine · May 26, 2023
Innovator Founder visas–the new, improved route for entrepreneurs starting up businesses in the UK · Business Leader · May 5, 2023
Work immigration changes HR teams should be aware of in 2023 · HR Magazine · Apr 13, 2023
Budget work immigration concessions offer hope for skills shortages · Business Leader · Mar 17, 2023
Immigration changes: What employers need to know · Personnel Today · Mar 13, 2023
Young Professionals Scheme two-year visa opens for Indian applicants · Relocate Magazine · Feb 23, 2023
Good news for UK family visa applicants as priority visas and quicker waiting times resume · BritishAmerican Business · Jan 11, 2023
Priority service back for family visa applications saving months of waiting · Lexis PSL · Jan 10, 2023
US colleges over half the universities whose graduates qualify for UK’s High Potential Individual visa · BritishAmerican Business · Nov 2, 2022
Employers face a growing rift in government on hiring talent from abroad · HR Magazine · Oct 13, 2022
Reminder on UK Right To Work compliance · BritishAmerican Business · Oct 13, 2022
Hiring global talent is streamlined with the new Scale-up visa · Business Leader · Sep 12, 2022
Graduates of top US universities have lucked out with the UK's new High Potential Individual visas · Immigration Lawyers Toolbox · Jun 29, 2022
High Potential Individual visa: What HR needs to know · Personnel Today · Jun 8, 2022
US Universities Dominate the UK’s New High Potential Individual Visa for Top Graduates · British American Business · May 31, 2022
The Global Business Mobility visa will overhaul how firms move staff to the UK · Personnel Today · Apr 14, 2022
Scale-up visas: How employers can hire international · Personnel Today · Mar 16, 2022
Global Business Mobility visa promises a new solution for moving staff to the UK · Immigration Lawyers Toolbox · Feb 22, 2022
How would Jesus, Mary and Joseph fare if they sought refuge under the new Borders Bill? · The Independent · Dec 24, 2021
An asylum system that offers safe routes to the UK is the humane response to this 'crisis' · The House · Nov 30, 2021
The impact of Brexit’s immigration upheaval on the UK’s workforce · European American Chamber of Commerce · Aug 30, 2021
What are the key UK visa routes for global talent? · Immigration Lawyers Toolbox · Aug 30, 2021
What are the new immigration routes employers should be aware of? · HR Magazine · May 4, 2021
Home Office warns UK firms to prepare as most still unable to hire EU staff post-Brexit · The London Economic · Oct 10, 2020
How will the new Hong Kong visa work and who can apply for a path to UK citizenship? · The London Economic · Jul 23, 2020
The Government is out of step with the public over who unskilled workers are · The London Economic · May 20, 2020
My legal life: Vanessa Ganguin, Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law · The Law Gazette · Apr 20, 2020
Immigrant Health Surcharge hike will hamper NHS Coronavirus fight · The London Economic · Mar 11, 2020
Migration Advisory Committee signals ‘small growth’ UK post-Brexit immigration system · The London Economic · Jan 1, 2020
Will Brexit be an own goal for UK football teams attracting best talent? · The London Economic · Jan 1, 2020
The best news from the Labour Party conference was a vote for free movement · The London Economic · Sep 1, 2019
Stopping Freedom of Movement on October 31 is nuts · The London Economic · Aug 1, 2019
How to apply for settled status for EU nationals · The London Economic · Mar 1, 2019
Migration Advisory Committee favours “no preference” for EU workers · The London Economic · Sep 18, 2018
Are The Main Parties’ General Election Immigration Promises Credible? · The London Economic · Jun 7, 2017
Immigration: A hard bill to swallow · The Barrister · Dec 16, 2013
Eroding migrants' appeal rights will result in more judicial reviews · Solicitors Journal · Nov 1, 2013
The true cost of UK's new Immigration Bill · The Global Legal Post · Nov 1, 2013
Immigration lawyer warns of consequences of new Immigration Bill · New Law Journal · Oct 31, 2013
Controversial immigration rules are dividing opinion—and families · New Statesman · Aug 30, 2013
Reasons why immigration laws are destroying UK families · The London Economic · Aug 24, 2013
Chambers Review
UK
Vanessa Ganguin is especially knowledgeable in the handling of immigration matters for entertainment industry clients. Her work includes securing Creative Worker visas, as well as providing sponsor licence compliance advice.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Vanessa gets everything done exceptionally quickly and with an attention to detail and to our company's business needs."
"She is highly knowledgeable, courteous and extremely approachable on all topics."
"I have always felt confidence in Vanessa's advice, capabilities and skills. Plus, it is always enjoyable to work with her."
"Vanessa gets everything done exceptionally quickly and with an attention to detail and to our company's business needs."
"She is highly knowledgeable, courteous and extremely approachable on all topics."
"I have always felt confidence in Vanessa's advice, capabilities and skills. Plus, it is always enjoyable to work with her."
Articles, highlights and press releases
48 items provided by Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law
Latest eligible universities to apply for UK’s High Potential Individual visa
The new list of elite universities that qualify their graduates for the United Kingdom’s High Potential Individual visa has been published.
Record number of employers have sponsor licences suspended or revoked
Over 1,000 Skilled Worker licences were suspended or revoked in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 117 in the same period last year – this is an unprecedented leap in enforcement action.
Vanessa Ganguin talks to HR Magazine on how employers can ensure migrant hires aren’t exploited
The number of migrant care workers who have reported being employed under exploitative contracts rose from 22 to 134 between 2021-2022 and 2023-2024.
Vanessa Ganguin talks to Personnel Today about “an unprecedented leap” in sponsor licence suspension
Huge rise in cancelled sponsor licences for overseas workers
Home Office asks Migration Advisory Committee to advise on IT and engineering jobs
The Home Secretary has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the “reliance on international recruitment” in the IT and engineering sectors, asking for a report in nine months “to allow time for sufficient stakeholder engagement to inform any conclusions.”
What Euro 24 taught us about football and global mobility
Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law Managing Partner Vanessa Ganguin on the UEFA Euro competition and the facts and figures behind football immigration.
What work immigration changes can we expect from Britain’s new Labour government?
The new UK government is set to overhaul business immigration Vanessa Ganguin writes in Relocate Global Magazine
UK immigration news: July ballot date announced for India Young Professionals Scheme
How to apply for the July 2024 India Young Professionals Scheme reciprocal cultural exchange
Vanessa Ganguin comments on the Reform Party’s immigration policies for HR Magazine
Vanessa Ganguin examines the impact on employers of Reform’s immigration policies for HR Magazine
Vanessa Ganguin examines the impact on employers of Reform’s immigration policies for HR Magazine
Vanessa Ganguin provides expert immigration commentary for employers in HR Magazine
An obsession with immigration will cripple UK growth - Vanessa Ganguin writes in Politics.co.uk
Vanessa Ganguin writes an expert opinion piece on UK immigration and the UK's general election for Politics.co.uk
Vanessa Ganguin and Philip Trott ranked in Best Lawyers UK 2025 for immigration
We are proud to be in the 2024 Best Law Firms again, ranked by Best Lawyers® based on peer reviews.
What do election pledges on immigration mean for UK businesses?
Vanessa Ganguin writes for Startups Magazine
Skilled worker sponsors face licence crackdown – Vanessa Ganguin talks to HR Magazine
Skilled worker sponsors face licence crackdown - Vanessa Ganguin explains what may be behind a recent spike in sponsor licence suspensions and revocations
Rishi Sunak’s visa plans will damage labour market say experts– Vanessa Ganguin talks to HR Magazine
Vanessa Ganguin comments in HR Magazine
Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law at SME XPO to discuss UK immigration options for SME’s and scale ups
Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law will have a stand at The Evening Standard SME XPO 2024 at ExCel London on Tuesday 23 April – Wednesday 24 April.
SME and Startup immigration tips
SME and Startup immigration tips: Vanessa Ganguin writes in Startups Magazine
Migration Advisory Committee publishes review of UK's Graduate visa immigration route
Good news for universities and international students as Migration Advisory Committee recommends UK retains the Graduate visa
Vanessa Ganguin talks to UKTN about work immigration developments for the UK tech sector
Vanessa Ganguin discusses the work visa situation for the tech sector in UK Tech News
Employers face higher salaries for Skilled Worker visas. What other UK work visa options are there?
An overview of current UK work visa and sponsorship routes.
Which occupations are on the UK’s Immigration Salary List?
As part of changes aimed at reducing the level of legal migration to the UK, from 4 April 2024, the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is being replaced by an Immigration Salary List.
Statement of Changes in the UK’s Immigration Rules hikes salary thresholds – what firms need to know
The Statement of Changes in the UK’s Immigration Rules laid on 14 March will have serious consequences for employers from 4 April, as well as for British citizens and settled residents bringing partners to live with them in the UK from 11 April.
Business immigration rules changes are a ‘reckless act of national self-harm’
Business immigration rules changes are a ‘reckless act of national self-harm’ Vanessa Ganguin tells Personnel Today
Raising salary thresholds to sponsor Skilled Workers hits sectors with skills shortages
Raising salary thresholds to sponsor Skilled Workers hits sectors with skills shortages Vanessa Ganguin tells HR Magazine.
Guide to using an ETA to travel to the UK and how to apply for one
Britain's new Electronic Travel Authorisation is rolled out to more countries this month. How will it work and who needs to apply to visit the UK?
Review of shortage occupation immigration list asks Home Secretary to rethink removing 20% discount
Migration Advisory Committee asks Home Secretary to reconsider removing the 20% discount to going rate of pay for employers sponsoring skilled workers in shortage roles
How will UK measures to reduce immigration affect employers in 2024?
Most people don’t yet appreciate the full implications for UK businesses and workers of policies the government has implemented this year to reduce UK immigration.
Organisations which sponsor migrant workers will no longer need to renew their sponsor licence
If a sponsor licence expires on or after 6 April 2024, sponsors will not need to apply to renew it, saving time and money on UKVI renewal fees.
New UK right to work code of practice triples fines on February 13. How to protect firms
The Immigration (Employment of Adults Subject to Immigration Control) (Maximum Penalty) (Amendment) Order 2023 has now been approved by the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
An update on 2024’s UK immigration changes for employers, workers and family
Vanessa Ganguin summarises 2024 immigration rules changes for the HR Director.
Latest eligible universities to apply for UK’s High Potential Individual visa
The new list of elite universities that qualify their graduates for the United Kingdom’s High Potential Individual visa has been published.
Record number of employers have sponsor licences suspended or revoked
Over 1,000 Skilled Worker licences were suspended or revoked in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 117 in the same period last year – this is an unprecedented leap in enforcement action.
Vanessa Ganguin talks to HR Magazine on how employers can ensure migrant hires aren’t exploited
The number of migrant care workers who have reported being employed under exploitative contracts rose from 22 to 134 between 2021-2022 and 2023-2024.
Vanessa Ganguin talks to Personnel Today about “an unprecedented leap” in sponsor licence suspension
Huge rise in cancelled sponsor licences for overseas workers
Home Office asks Migration Advisory Committee to advise on IT and engineering jobs
The Home Secretary has commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review the “reliance on international recruitment” in the IT and engineering sectors, asking for a report in nine months “to allow time for sufficient stakeholder engagement to inform any conclusions.”
What Euro 24 taught us about football and global mobility
Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law Managing Partner Vanessa Ganguin on the UEFA Euro competition and the facts and figures behind football immigration.
What work immigration changes can we expect from Britain’s new Labour government?
The new UK government is set to overhaul business immigration Vanessa Ganguin writes in Relocate Global Magazine
UK immigration news: July ballot date announced for India Young Professionals Scheme
How to apply for the July 2024 India Young Professionals Scheme reciprocal cultural exchange
Vanessa Ganguin comments on the Reform Party’s immigration policies for HR Magazine
Vanessa Ganguin examines the impact on employers of Reform’s immigration policies for HR Magazine
Vanessa Ganguin examines the impact on employers of Reform’s immigration policies for HR Magazine
Vanessa Ganguin provides expert immigration commentary for employers in HR Magazine
An obsession with immigration will cripple UK growth - Vanessa Ganguin writes in Politics.co.uk
Vanessa Ganguin writes an expert opinion piece on UK immigration and the UK's general election for Politics.co.uk
Vanessa Ganguin and Philip Trott ranked in Best Lawyers UK 2025 for immigration
We are proud to be in the 2024 Best Law Firms again, ranked by Best Lawyers® based on peer reviews.
What do election pledges on immigration mean for UK businesses?
Vanessa Ganguin writes for Startups Magazine
Skilled worker sponsors face licence crackdown – Vanessa Ganguin talks to HR Magazine
Skilled worker sponsors face licence crackdown - Vanessa Ganguin explains what may be behind a recent spike in sponsor licence suspensions and revocations
Rishi Sunak’s visa plans will damage labour market say experts– Vanessa Ganguin talks to HR Magazine
Vanessa Ganguin comments in HR Magazine
Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law at SME XPO to discuss UK immigration options for SME’s and scale ups
Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law will have a stand at The Evening Standard SME XPO 2024 at ExCel London on Tuesday 23 April – Wednesday 24 April.
SME and Startup immigration tips
SME and Startup immigration tips: Vanessa Ganguin writes in Startups Magazine
Migration Advisory Committee publishes review of UK's Graduate visa immigration route
Good news for universities and international students as Migration Advisory Committee recommends UK retains the Graduate visa
Vanessa Ganguin talks to UKTN about work immigration developments for the UK tech sector
Vanessa Ganguin discusses the work visa situation for the tech sector in UK Tech News
Employers face higher salaries for Skilled Worker visas. What other UK work visa options are there?
An overview of current UK work visa and sponsorship routes.
Which occupations are on the UK’s Immigration Salary List?
As part of changes aimed at reducing the level of legal migration to the UK, from 4 April 2024, the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) is being replaced by an Immigration Salary List.
Statement of Changes in the UK’s Immigration Rules hikes salary thresholds – what firms need to know
The Statement of Changes in the UK’s Immigration Rules laid on 14 March will have serious consequences for employers from 4 April, as well as for British citizens and settled residents bringing partners to live with them in the UK from 11 April.
Business immigration rules changes are a ‘reckless act of national self-harm’
Business immigration rules changes are a ‘reckless act of national self-harm’ Vanessa Ganguin tells Personnel Today
Raising salary thresholds to sponsor Skilled Workers hits sectors with skills shortages
Raising salary thresholds to sponsor Skilled Workers hits sectors with skills shortages Vanessa Ganguin tells HR Magazine.
Guide to using an ETA to travel to the UK and how to apply for one
Britain's new Electronic Travel Authorisation is rolled out to more countries this month. How will it work and who needs to apply to visit the UK?
Review of shortage occupation immigration list asks Home Secretary to rethink removing 20% discount
Migration Advisory Committee asks Home Secretary to reconsider removing the 20% discount to going rate of pay for employers sponsoring skilled workers in shortage roles
How will UK measures to reduce immigration affect employers in 2024?
Most people don’t yet appreciate the full implications for UK businesses and workers of policies the government has implemented this year to reduce UK immigration.
Organisations which sponsor migrant workers will no longer need to renew their sponsor licence
If a sponsor licence expires on or after 6 April 2024, sponsors will not need to apply to renew it, saving time and money on UKVI renewal fees.
New UK right to work code of practice triples fines on February 13. How to protect firms
The Immigration (Employment of Adults Subject to Immigration Control) (Maximum Penalty) (Amendment) Order 2023 has now been approved by the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
An update on 2024’s UK immigration changes for employers, workers and family
Vanessa Ganguin summarises 2024 immigration rules changes for the HR Director.