Nicola is an experienced immigration lawyer who assists businesses within the technology, AI, biotech, and inward investment sectors on a range of immigration matters. She acts for large international corporates, smaller start-ups, and those looking to scale up and beyond. Having worked alongside various high-growth tech companies, she is well versed in the challenges facing them as they look to grow and secure investment, particularly when needing to hire from abroad. She often works with their overseas subsidiaries, as well as co-founders who are looking to raise funds, with international recruiting at the forefront.
Nicola has extensive experience in Business Immigration, particularly with the sponsor licence process, providing tactical advice for the recruitment of strategic hires. She provides a complete service, guiding the sponsor throughout, advising on hiring the right talent, providing advice on their immigration compliance duties, and assisting the visa applicant to apply for their visa.
Nicola can assist with the Defined and Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship process and acts as a Level 1 User and Representative for many of her clients, managing their sponsor licences for them.
Nicola has extensive experience with Skilled Worker Visa applications, guiding her clients through the ever-increasing complexities with these applications, as well as Global Mobility applications, working with overseas entities looking to transfer existing staff to the UK.
She also advises on Global Talent Applications, under Tech Nation, and consults for international companies who require strategic advice regarding international visitors to the UK.
Expertise
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
“Nicola Richards has been the perfect guide for a new company making its first hires, and some of those being non-UK nationals. Her detailed knowledge and friendly support made the potentially daunting task of becoming a sponsor and gaining work visas quite straightforward.”
“We’ve worked with Nicola Richards for a few years, and we feel she has always gone above and beyond for us. In particular, her efficiency, communication and knowledge is unmatched from any legal partner we’ve worked with in the past. Nicola is super responsive to any queries we have, not matter how big or small, and we feel a sense of comfort knowing that she offers sound advice.”
“Nicola Richards was a pleasure to work with. Her assessment of the process and likely outcome was 100% accurate. She went beyond the call of duty.”
“Nicola Richards is exceptional and has supported us for years. She's pragmatic, knows our business and industry well, and gives a great candidate experience – those she's helped bring over rave about how great she is. She's also happy to do the heavy lift where we need support, and is one of the most responsive lawyers I've ever worked with. I recommend Nicola to every tech company that ever asks me about immigration law.”
