Tom is a specialist in immigration law advising on the full range of immigration issues, with a particular focus on advising educational institutions and employers across all sectors.
Tom advises employers and education providers on their duties as licensed sponsors of both workers and students. That support includes assistance with sponsor licence applications, sponsorship by employers, universities and independent schools under the Worker and Student immigration categories, and visa and leave to remain applications under all immigration categories. He also delivers training on immigration issues (such as compliance with sponsorship duties and how to carry out compliant 'Right to Work' checks) and assists clients with mock sponsor licence inspections and audits of their immigration records. He can also assist you with the development of immigration strategies and policies, such as issuing invitation letters to visiting workers and students from overseas, and ensuring a pragmatic approach to immigration compliance.
In addition to his experience dealing with business immigration issues, Tom also advises high net worth and other individuals on applications under all immigration categories, including Innovator Founder, Global Talent, family members of British citizens and settled persons, the EU Settlement Scheme and the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route, as well as questions of British citizenship.
Tom has a degree in Business Studies and before training as a lawyer worked in human resources. He often draws on that experience applying it to his 20+ years' experience in Immigration Law to provide practical, commercially focused advice. He can guide you through the complexities and practicalities of the immigration system and prevention of illegal working legislation.
Tom is based in our Birmingham office but can support you nationally.
Tom Brett Young is extremely responsive, which is an asset in the industry that I work in. He works very well with us to meet our demands. They are proactive often offering guidance on recent changes in the law.
What others say
"He is knowledgeable, understanding and relatable, works well with the teams and has a practical and sensible approach to the work involved." - Chambers & Partners 2024
"Tom is always available when needed. Excellent advice is consistently given." - Chambers & Partners 2024
"Tom Brett Young of VWV earns plaudits from one source as 'a tremendous practitioner, excellent trainer and one of the most approachable lawyers I know.'" - Who's Who Legal - Corporate Immigration 2020
"I like him, he is very proactive, he is approachable and gets things done in an efficient way," says one peer, and another adds that he
"really knows his stuff and is very good on law - he knows the rules inside and out." - Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2020
What you might like to know
Tom is an active member of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) and has co-convened its Economic Migration Working Group since 2014. He is regularly invited to speak at conferences and seminars in the UK and overseas, and delivers training on business immigration to clients, fellow immigration practitioners and lawyers practising in other disciplines.
Tom is a member of the Thomson Reuters Practical Law Immigration Consultation Board advising Practical Law on their immigration content. He is also a contributor to the LexisPSL Immigration module and has written articles for various other publications on a range of immigration and nationality topics.
Tom spends his spare time trying to shave another few seconds from his personal best time at the local ParkRun and enjoying the highs and lows of supporting Crystal Palace.
Other teams Tom works with
Tom also works alongside our Employment, Regulatory Compliance, Corporate, Commercial, Charities and, Private Client teams.
