Zoe Bantleman

Legal Director, Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association

Zoe is the Legal Director of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA).

She was previously a barrister at Richmond Chambers, where her practice covered a wide spectrum of advisory work, drafting, and advocacy across UK immigration, nationality, asylum and human rights law. She gained extensive experience in preparing complex private and family life applications and in all aspects of immigration for businesses and skilled individuals under the Immigration Rules. She regularly challenged decisions by preparing appeals for human rights and asylum claims and applications for administrative and judicial review.

Before qualifying, Zoe volunteered at Notre Dame Refugee Centre, and conducted pro bono research for LSE Centre for Women, Peace, and Security and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.

She frequently writes about changes to the UK’s immigration law system and provides commentary on key cases. She is an editorial board member of the Journal of Immigration, Asylum & Nationality Law and has been a tutor for ILPA.

Contributed to

5

Applying under the Innovator route

Practice notes

The Innovator route permits individuals endorsed by a Home Office-approved endorsing body to set up a business in the UK. This Practice Note outlines the eligibility requirements for making an application under the route, including the financial and English language requirements. It also looks at the suitability and validity requirements, period and conditions of permission, dependants, and applications for settlement.

Immigration

Applying under the Start-up route

Practice notes

The Start-up route permits individuals with an endorsement issued before 13 April 2023 from a Home Office-approved endorsing body to establish and set up a business in the UK for the first time. This Practice Note outlines the eligibility requirements for making an application under the route, including the financial and English language requirements. It also looks at the suitability and validity requirements, period and conditions of permission, dependants, and switching to the Innovator route.

Immigration

Visitor (standard): avoiding common pitfalls

Practice notes

This Practice Note highlights some common pitfalls associated with applications under the standard visitor immigration category that may lead to additional scrutiny of an application and/or its refusal. These often involve issues that may cast doubt on an applicant's credibility as a genuine visitor.

Immigration

Visitor: eligibility

Practice notes

This Practice Note outlines the eligibility requirements for individuals applying to come to the UK under the Visitor immigration route, including those undertaking permitted paid engagements (PPE). It looks at the eligibility criteria, suitability and requirements, period and conditions of permission and any provisions for dependants.

Immigration

Visitors: prohibited and permitted activities

Practice notes

This Practice Note outlines the prohibited and permitted activities for those applying to enter the UK under the visitor immigration route. It includes information on prohibited activities, which focus on certain types of work and self employment and also outlines the permitted activities of tourism and leisure, volunteering, training, study, medical treatment and permitted paid engagements.

Immigration