Practice area: Relocation

Relocation

Two men stand talking and smiling in a modern office, with computers and colleagues working in the background, surrounded by green plants and bright lighting.

Setting up life in a new country is an exciting life event whether it be a short-term move for work or a more permanent relocation with the whole family. There are many things to consider when embarking on a move including the practical realities of visa applications, finding somewhere to live and having access to funds. With so much to manage, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Moving to the UK

If you are planning on making the UK your home, we are here to guide you through the process and to advise you on how to make the move as seamless as possible. From cross-border tax, immigration and buying property we can put together an integrated team of specialists to advise you on all aspects of your move. We can also connect you with trusted advisors such as property agents, education consultants and banks to deal with all aspects of your relocation.

Internationally mobile families

Beyond the UK, we also advise globally mobile individuals and families on their options for relocating or spending time in different jurisdictions around the world, providing a comparison of the tax and legal consequences. Co-ordination of advice between the relevant jurisdictions is crucial; timely advice prior to a move will ensure appropriate planning can be put in place. Making a move on a fully informed basis will ensure family estate planning is updated and structured effectively for the long-term.

Part of a bridge in London

Moving to the UK

Moving to the UK is an exciting life event whether it be a short-term move for work to explore business prospects or a more permanent relocation with the whole family; the UK offers an eclectic range of options to live, work and learn.

Moving to the UK

Amy Sarraff

  • 26 November 2024
Amy Sarraff

Amy has over 13 years of experience specializing in UK Immigration and Nationality law. She advises and represents private clients, specifically high net worth individuals and family offices on all areas  of the UK’s immigration system, EU Settlement Scheme, and applications for settlement, British citizenship and complex passport applications. Amy provides strategic planning for individual’s and their family’s relocation to the UK, often crafted around complex issues, whilst keeping the client’s long-term goals in mind. 

She also assists companies, from start-ups to multinational corporations, with obtaining Sponsor Licences and sponsoring migrants for their business, as well as advising on compliance, audits and illegal working. She has a particular focus on the financial and professional services sectors.

With family roots in Egypt and as an Egyptian Arabic speaker, Amy has particular experience of working with clients from the Middle East and North Africa region. 

Amy has a dual role and also works as a Knowledge Lawyer, supporting the UK Immigration Team. She is responsible for keeping the UK Immigration Team up to date, coordinating training, ensuring know-how is shared and promoting the practise.

She was initially called to the Bar of England and Wales and is a Member of Middle Temple. Amy completed her pupilage at the Attorney General’s chambers in Trinidad and Tobago and cross-qualified as a Solicitor in the UK in 2010. She has worked in the Middle East as Inhouse Counsel in an international advertising agency and has worked for the big four and many city law firms. Amy has also volunteered as a Magistrate.

Eunice Agus

  • 8 November 2024
Eunice Agus

Eunice is an Associate in our Immigration team.

With over nine years of experience in providing immigration services to high net worth individuals and businesses, Eunice has in‑depth expertise in all aspects of UK immigration and nationality law. Eunice navigates Home Office systems meticulously, ensuring the practical needs of her clients are met as efficiently as possible.

Ana Nicorici

  • 8 November 2024

Ana is a Senior Associate in our Immigration team, specialising in all aspects of UK Immigration and Nationality law. With over 13 years of experience in this field, she provides both private individuals and multinational companies practical and tailored advice.

With personal experience of going through the UK relocation process, she understands the importance of guiding her clients through the process as clearly and simply as possible. Ana advises high net worth individuals and their families with planning their move to the UK all the way through to naturalising as British citizens. She provides strategic planning for applicants’ relocation to the UK, crafted around the client’s long-term goals. 

With particular expertise in advising EU citizens and their family members on their rights in the UK, post Brexit she has successfully obtained status for clients with complex personal circumstances and late applications submitted on a discretionary basis. She also regularly advises on complex British nationality applications and has an in-depth knowledge of assisting British nationals with their spouses’ and children’s UK visas.  

Ana assists companies, from start-ups to multinational corporations, with obtaining Sponsor Licences and sponsoring migrants for their business, as well as advising on compliance and audits. 

Over the years, Ana has been recognised as a specialist by several Eastern European diasporas and has been a point of contact for their UK Immigration queries. Ana is fluent in Russian and Romanian. She is proud to have supported these communities through pro-bono work and was one of the first immigration specialists to help Ukrainian refugees wishing to come to the UK.  

Tracy Evlogidis

  • 7 November 2024
Tracy Evlogidis

Listed in The Legal 500’s Hall of Fame for Immigration, Tracy is described as “the best lawyer on earth” and recognised as being “very patient, very well educated and knowledgeable”. With more than 25 years of experience, Tracy advises businesses and high net worth individuals on all aspects of UK immigration.

As Head of Immigration, Tracy leads a market-leading team advising on UK immigration and nationality law. She has particular expertise in providing strategic advice to businesses and senior executives, helping clients navigate issues including the EU Settlement Scheme, permanent residence, and complex citizenship and passport applications.

Tracy is known for her personal approach, helping clients navigate complex issues and administrative processes with care and attention. Combined with her extensive experience and well-established industry relationships, this has contributed to a strong track record in securing successful outcomes, including on residency and citizenship applications that require Home Office discretion. Her international network also enables her to coordinate the global immigration needs of her clients.

Tracy acts for high net worth individuals and senior leaders across a wide range of sectors, including finance, fintech, legal, luxury brands, fashion, sport, education, design and charities. She also has significant experience advising tech founders on immigration and visa-related matters.

Tracy’s corporate clients value her strategic advice on sponsor licence compliance, right to work audits, and evolving workforce trends, including digital nomad and hybrid working arrangements. She is actively involved in policy discussions affecting the immigration sector, working closely with the Home Office through her role as convener of the Business and Operational Forum and as a member of UKVI’s steering group.

Alfred Liu

  • 29 August 2024
Alfred Liu

Alfred is an international private wealth lawyer who advises multi-generational families, family offices and fiduciaries on a range of matters. These include cross-border estate, tax & succession planning, offshore trust & private foundation (re)structuring, and family and family office governance.

He has extensive experience designing bespoke wealth structures for families, often working with business founders and families on succession planning. He is Co-Chair of the Business Families Global Special Interest Group within STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and a member of the Family Firm Institute (FFI).

Known for his client-focused approach, Alfred provides practical advice on complex issues in a clear and accessible way. Described as ‘very hard working and reliable’ in The Legal 500 2024, he advises clients across the world on wealth preservation, succession and governance matters. He is also recognised as a Rising Star in The Legal 500 and included in Spear’s Tax & Trust Indices 2025.

Alfred has a particular focus on advising international families in Asia. With family roots in Hong Kong and conversational Cantonese capability, he brings a personal understanding of the cultural and generational considerations that often arise in succession planning and wealth preservation for clients in the region. This insight helps him advise families navigating the intersection of traditional values and modern commercial realities. He regularly travels to Asia to support clients and strengthen relationships across the region especially Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.

Since 2025, Alfred has co-led the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee alongside fellow Partner Maryam Oghanna. In this role, he helps support initiatives that contribute to an inclusive workplace where people are encouraged to thrive and be themselves.

Helen Marsh

  • 29 August 2024
Helen Marsh

Hailed as ‘exceptional’ by The Legal 500 2024, Helen is recognised as a Top Recommended Lawyer in Spear’s Property Advisers Index and Spear’s 500. She is also ranked among the leading practitioners in Chambers High Net Worth Guide, which notes that Helen ‘makes proactive suggestions and leads transactions in the best interest of everyone’.

As a Partner in the Residential Property team, Helen has extensive experience advising on high-value conveyancing, secured lending and landlord and tenant matters. She also has particular expertise in residential and mixed-use developments, advising on set-up, legal structuring and drafting, and guiding clients through the strategic sale of development schemes.

Helen acts for a broad range of clients, including developers, investors, banks, trust companies and private individuals. She frequently coordinates multidisciplinary teams across the firm to deliver seamless and joined-up advice.

Helen is known for her proactive and practical approach, working closely with clients to understand their objectives and help transactions progress smoothly and efficiently.

Charles Miéville

  • 29 August 2024
Charles Miéville

Ranked in Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2025, Charles is noted as being ‘highly regarded by clients and fellow lawyers in the industry’ and described by clients as ‘calm, collected and highly knowledgeable’ and ‘a very capable individual that clients can rely on and trust’. In The Legal 500, he is recognised for his work with private individuals on residential acquisitions and disposals. He is also recognised as a Top Recommended Lawyer in Spear’s 500 2026.

As a Partner in the Residential Property team, Charles specialises in the acquisition, disposal and financing of prime residential property, primarily in Central London. He advises a broad international client base, including many clients based in the Middle East and the United States, and helps them navigate the complexities of English property law. He also advises on Sharia-compliant financing arrangements.

Charles values long-term client relationships and advises on a wide range of matters beyond individual transactions. Clients also benefit from his extensive network of professional contacts, including interior designers, architects, project managers and school advisers.

He has strong relationships with both selling and buying agents and regularly visits properties to gain first-hand insight into the assets involved. This enables him to provide informed advice throughout a transaction and helps build effective working relationships with agents and other advisers involved in the process.

George Mitchell

  • 29 August 2024
George Mitchell

Recognised as a Recommended Tax Lawyer in the latest Spear’s Tax & Trust Indices, George advises internationally mobile individuals and families on their exposure to UK taxation and the development and implementation of cross-border estate plans.

As a Partner in the Private Client team, George draws on his early career experience as a corporate tax lawyer to provide practical advice on complex legal and tax matters. He has particular expertise in helping individuals and families structure their ownership interests in businesses and develop succession plans that reflect both personal and commercial objectives.

His familiarity with US tax rules and succession planning structures enables him to advise individuals, families and trustees with US connections on the interaction between the UK and US tax regimes. This often includes helping clients address cross-border planning issues and mitigate the risk of unintended tax consequences.

George’s clients include entrepreneurs, multinational business owners, executives, family offices and family trusts.

Since 2023, George has led Forsters’ Green Impact Group, helping to raise environmental awareness and engagement across the firm. Initiatives have included organising the annual River Lea clean-up, collaborating with the Working Parents and Carers Network on a spring art competition for children connected to the firm, and partnering with the HR team to support gardening activities at the firm’s former charity partner, the Marylebone Project, as part of its wellbeing programme.

Xavier Nicholas

  • 29 August 2024
Xavier Nicholas

Recognised as one of eprivateclient’s “50 Most Influential” private client professionals and one of Legal Week’s Private Client Global Elite, Xavier leads Forsters’ award-winning Private Client practice.

As Head of Private Client, Xavier advises individuals, families and trustees in the UK and internationally on personal taxation, trust and estate planning. He has particular expertise in the establishment, taxation and operation of cross-border asset-holding structures, including companies, partnerships, trusts, private trust companies and foundations.

Xavier is a trusted adviser to international families and has significant experience advising families, trustees and family offices with business interests. This includes advising on family charters, family constitutions and wider family governance arrangements.

For overseas clients, Xavier advises on pre-arrival tax planning for individuals relocating to the UK and succession planning for those with assets across multiple jurisdictions. He also frequently advises clients with US connections on the UK aspects of US-UK estate planning and the interaction between the UK and US tax regimes.

Kelly Noel-Smith

  • 29 August 2024
Kelly Noel-Smith

Described as an ‘exceptional lawyer’ by The Legal 500, Kelly is ranked in the latest Chambers High Net Worth Guide and Spear’s 500, which highlights her expertise in advising family offices on tax and trust matters.

Kelly has been a Partner in the Private Client team since 2009 and advises families and family offices on tax, governance and succession planning. She works closely with international families to understand their objectives and establish robust, flexible asset-holding structures that support wealth preservation, tax-efficient planning and succession arrangements.

Kelly also leads the Senior Executives Advisory team, which advises internationally mobile senior executives on the tax, employment and immigration issues that can arise when relocating to or from the UK.

Since 2020, Kelly has led the firm’s responsible business programme, helping to develop and embed initiatives across the firm. Under her leadership, the programme has continued to expand and has received recognition through a number of legal sector award shortlists. Kelly was also shortlisted for the Legal 500 Environmental/Sustainability Private Practice Champion of the Year award.

Jeremy Robertson

  • 29 August 2024
Jeremy Roberston

Noted in The Legal 500 2024 as ‘excellent, extremely approachable, knowledgeable and, importantly, likeable’, Jeremy is a Partner in the Private Client team. He has extensive experience advising UK and international clients on personal taxation, succession planning and family governance. He works closely with entrepreneurs, business owners, executives and their families on capital taxation, corporate and trust structuring, and the development and implementation of estate plans for both UK and non-UK resident individuals.

Jeremy is known for providing clear and concise advice, helping clients achieve their objectives in a tax-efficient manner.

He has particular expertise in the structuring options and tax implications associated with acquiring UK property. He regularly advises on UK and offshore tax planning, including the taxation of excluded property trusts and trust administration matters.

Jeremy also advises extensively on family office matters, supporting both established family offices and clients looking to create new family office structures. He has particular expertise in family governance, including the establishment of private trust company structures and the preparation of family charters and other governance documents.

Since 2022, Jeremy has co-led the firm’s Community and Charity Committee alongside Michael Armstrong. In this role, he supports a range of community engagement and fundraising initiatives across the firm.

Rosie Schumm

  • 29 August 2024
Rosie Schumm

Described by the Legal 500 as ‘the ultimate family lawyer’, Rosie is a Partner in the Family team. She specialises in complex divorce, separation and children cases, often with an international dimension.

With a global network of contacts, Rosie’s international profile and expertise make her a ‘go to’ matrimonial lawyer for clients with a global footprint. Rosie is experienced in dealing with the impact of divorce and separation on international wealth, including offshore assets and trusts, family businesses, private equity, property portfolios and super prime assets. She regularly acts for clients who are in the public eye, working to ensure privacy and discretion throughout.

She works closely with Forsters’ Private Client and Disputes teams, advising on the use of cross-border nuptial agreements for succession planning. She also has expertise in dealing with same sex divorce, surrogacy and alternative conception work for all types of individuals and families, with a particular interest in children cases involving special needs.

Rosie cuts through the complexity of the law to provide clients with a clear and strategic way forward, while providing sensitive and empathetic support during what can be a very difficult time. She will take a direct, forceful and dynamic style when beneficial for her client. Her holistic approach includes providing access to a supportive team including therapists, private bankers, reputation advisors and security experts.

Emma Gillies

  • 29 August 2024
Emma Gillies

Described in Chambers UK 2024 as “exceptionally knowledgeable and extremely likeable”, Emma is a Partner in the Private Client team, specialising in personal tax and wealth planning matters.

Ranked in the latest Chambers High Net Worth Guide and recognised as Top Recommended in Spear’s 500, Emma advises high net worth clients on cross-border tax and estate planning, with a particular focus on American individuals and families with connections to the UK.

Emma has extensive expertise in the creation and use of trusts as a means of succession planning and preserving family wealth. She also advises on alternative wealth structures where trust planning is not appropriate.

She has deep knowledge of the UK’s residence rules, the residual impact of the former remittance basis regime, and the tax implications of acquiring UK property, including the range of available structuring options.

Emma leads a team that advises clients with US connections, including those relocating to the UK for the first time. Her familiarity with US personal tax and wealth planning strategies enables her to help clients and their advisers navigate the interaction between the US and UK regimes. Much of this work involves advising on the application of international treaties to mitigate the risk of double taxation.

Joe Beeston

  • 29 August 2024
Joe Beeston

With an appreciation that success isn’t about resolution alone, but also the journey towards achieving it, Joe is known for his commitment to developing client relationships built on trust, empathy and a deep understanding of their needs.

With more than 15 years’ experience, he is a trusted advisor to a diverse set of businesses and individuals. Joe is particularly known for his expertise in employment litigation, disciplinary investigations, corporate transactions and redundancies. He also advises clients on data protection matters and whistleblowing complaints. As a member of our Senior Executives Advisory team, he provides advice and support to internationally mobile senior executives on tax, employment and immigration. He co‑heads our Pro Bono Committee and is a member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Before joining Forsters in 2018, he was at Clifford Chance LLP, where he completed secondments at two global banks and a national retailer.

Joe understands the many varied reasons why clients need our support, and that the answers may not always be straightforward. Getting it right requires a balanced and measured approach, deep technical expertise, creativity and empathy. Joe brings all of that to his mandates, with clients often referencing his kindness and ability to always see a way through in a complex and changing world.

Since 2022, Joe has co‑led the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. Our lawyers regularly advise individuals and charities in need of legal support, and we have long‑standing relationships with various pro bono organisations and legal advice centres. Our initiatives are designed to benefit not only the recipients of our advice, but also our lawyers who can develop skills and competencies in new areas of law.

Dickon Ceadel

  • 29 August 2024
Dickon Ceadel

Ranked as an ‘Up‑and‑Coming’ Partner in Chambers UK and as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ in The Legal 500 UK, Dickon is highlighted for his ‘top client care skills as well as his brilliant legal knowledge’ and ‘intellectual firepower’.

Dickon has wide‑ranging experience of resolving ‘big money’ financial disputes on divorce and relationship breakdown. He specialises in preparing and negotiating both domestic and international pre‑ and post‑nuptial and cohabitation agreements. He is renowned for his knowledge of parental rights and obligations, and private child law matters, including child abduction, internal and international child relocation, and surrogacy. His cases often involve complex assets and multiple jurisdictions.

He ‘is very astute’ and ‘exudes reassurance’, providing first‑class support to clients. Dickon works hard to get to know people and to understand their priorities in order to achieve their desired outcome. He is known for taking a firm but fair, pragmatic and constructive approach to resolving issues. Having represented numerous high‑profile clients, he is acutely aware of the importance of discretion.

Dickon is a member of Forsters’ US/UK and sports law groups.