Ansar

Ansar Ansar is a law firm that helps migrants in London. Ansar was established in 2015 by Usman Sheikh. Usman is a solicitor who has been helping migrants since 2007.

He is accredited by the Law Society in immigration law. Usman trained as a solicitor at Linklaters. He has an LLM with Distinction in International Law from the University of London (SOAS) and a BA from the University of Cambridge (Trinity College). He speaks English, French, Italian, Russian and Urdu. He has published articles and spoken at academic conferences on immigration law.

17/06/2026

In our latest post for , we are turning to Article 34 of the Refugee Convention.

Under Article 34, States are required to facilitate the assimilation and naturalisation of refugees as much as possible. Assimilation is a cultural process – about becoming part of a society. Naturalisation is a legal process – recognising that refugees have become part of that society.

Helping a refugee to become part of British society involves many different things and many different people. A key part of this is creating a sense of stability for the refugee, so that they can plan their future in the UK, the country that has given them refuge.

For many refugees, naturalisation represents the culmination of their process of assimilation here. However, it is not always the best option. For some refugees, it may make it harder to bring their family to the UK. For others, it may remove protection against being returned to the country that they had fled.

We help refugees to become part of society in the UK by giving them a solid legal foundation here, enabling them to make informed and confident decisions about their future.

16/06/2026

To continue , we want to talk about the power of Article 33.

At the heart of the Refugee Convention is Article 33, a principle which underlines the purpose of the Convention – non-refoulement.

This is the fundamental protection afforded to refugees, as it ensures that no person is returned to a place where their life or freedom would be at risk due to their race, religion, nationality, particular social group or political opinion.

Importantly, this is part of an international legal instrument. It is not simply a matter of political discretion. This gives something invaluable to those seeking refuge: certainty.

Through our work, we have seen the real protection that Article 33 gives to refugees, enabling them to build their lives in the UK without fear of being sent back.

It is a legal principle with genuine impact.

15/06/2026

Throughout we will be posting about refugees and refugee law.

This year is particularly significant because the Refugee Convention - the fundamental international agreement underlying refugee law - is 75 years old!

To wish the Refugee Convention a happy birthday, we want to start by talking about the importance of Article 1.

Under Article 1(A), a person is considered a refugee if they are outside their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, particular social group or political opinion.

Refugee status therefore arises where a person's own State does not provide protection, so that there is a fundamental breakdown in the relationship between the State and that person. The country granting refuge steps in to provide that protection.

This article remains highly relevant, as much of modern refugee law continues to be grounded in it. This includes the development of claims based on gender and domestic violence, which have been interpreted within this existing framework.

In practice, this article is also crucial because it determines who qualifies for refugee status. This status gives people access to the rights and protections set out in the Refugee Convention.

This article is the cornerstone of the work that we do to help refugees.

20/05/2026

!!! Success Story: Spouse Visa

We are excited to share another win in our immigration practice 👇

Recently, we helped a US national secure her Spouse visa to help her move with her British husband to the UK.

We guided her through the complex and intricate financial requirements for the Spouse visa.

We helped her to understand how to meet the accommodation requirements for the visa.

With our thorough preparation and clear communication, we’re thrilled that her Spouse visa application was approved. This decision allows her to move with her husband to the UK to start her life here.

We are proud to have helped our client secure her visa!

18/05/2026

Certificate of Sponsorship Success Amid Increased Home Office Scrutiny

With the UK’s ongoing crackdown on work migration, we’re seeing far stricter reviews of sponsorship applications. This makes accuracy, evidence, and timely responses more critical than ever.

Recently, we supported our client, a care service provider, through a complex Certificate of Sponsorship request, and we’re pleased to share another successful outcome!

Our client submitted a request for a number of Certificates of Sponsorship to enable it to sponsor its staff members. This triggered a detailed Home Office review. The Home Office issued several follow‑up questions and required supporting evidence with a quick turnaround: it was a tight deadline with significant compliance implications.

We worked closely with our client to ensure all necessary documents were provided to comply with the Home Office’s queries. We also helped them to prepare a response to the Home Office that was accurate, clear, and concise. This allowed our client to submit a complete, compliant response within the required timeframe.

Our work on this matter was particularly crucial as the stakes involved were high: this process affected multiple members of staff.

A huge weight was lifted off the shoulders of our client when the Home Office approved their request and granted them all of the Certificates of Sponsorship. We are proud of the time and effort put into this application, and relieved that our hard work paid off. This enables a number of care workers to seek to stay in the UK to continue their important work.

This is a great example of how focused compliance support can make all the difference with today’s heightened scrutiny.

11/05/2026

🔸 Case Highlight: Certificate of Sponsorship and Skilled Worker Visa Success 🔸

How does a company with a Sponsor Licence sponsor additional workers?

We worked with a London-based marketing company who had an existing Sponsor Licence and were looking to sponsor a Canadian national. They were unsure of the process and needed to understand how it would fit with their plans.

Our support was displayed by:
✅Explaining the process for sponsorship
✅Outlining the likely timeframe
✅Speeding up the process

When the company received approval from the Home Office, we helped with the second stage of the application - obtaining a Skilled Worker visa for their employee.

We supported the employee through the visa process, with strategic advice, empathy and composure.

👉 We were delighted when she received her Skilled Worker visa!

Are you an employer looking to sponsor a skilled foreign national, or a professional looking to obtain a visa to work in the UK? We have assisted in many successful applications. Contact us to discuss your case.

21/04/2026

🔹Case Highlight: Naturalisation Application Success🔹

We’re pleased to share another successful outcome for one of our clients.

Our client was a Russian citizen who had lived in the UK since 2013. She approached us for advice on her Naturalisation application. Like many people applying for Naturalisation, she was concerned about whether her absences from the UK were too high.

We helped her by providing both technical legal analysis of the rules on absences and practical strategic advice on what to do about them.

We are delighted to share that her Naturalisation application was successful.

If you need assistance with a UK nationality matter, we’re here to help.

20/04/2026

🔸Case Highlight: Skilled Worker Visa Success 🔸

We’re pleased to share a success story supporting a UK professional services firm with an urgent immigration need.

Our client wanted to sponsor a Ukrainian national, already in the UK under a Ukraine visa scheme. Her academic background and professional experience made her an excellent fit for the firm.

During the process, the Government introduced a change to the English language requirement, raising the standard from B1 to B2. This meant navigating new rules at short notice. We also had to work to a tight deadline due to this individual's travel commitments.

Given these pressures, our team undertook substantial preparation in a short timeframe and used our in depth knowledge of the Skilled Worker route to identify the quickest and most efficient way forward.

We are delighted that the Skilled Worker visa application was approved in under one day, enabling the firm to sponsor a valued individual and allowing her to meet her travel commitments without disruption.

If your organisation needs support securing a visa or navigating the UK immigration system, we’re here to guide you through the process.

16/04/2026

🔸 Case Highlight: Indefinite Leave to Remain Success🔸

We’re pleased to share a success story involving a client who has been contributing significantly to the UK’s academic and research landscape.

Our client, a Canadian national living in the UK on the Global Talent Visa route, has held several academic positions across the country.

Having lived here for several years, she wanted to settle here permanently by applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

We supported her by advising on how to effectively evidence her contribution within the UK, helping to demonstrate the impact she has made during her time here.

We’re delighted that her ILR application was approved, enabling her to plan her long‑term future in the UK and continue her valuable work.

If you need guidance on ILR or settling in the UK, we’re here to help you through the process.

15/04/2026

🔹 Case Highlight: Sponsor Licence Success for a UK Charity🔹

We’re pleased to share a success story in helping a UK charity secure the talent they needed to continue delivering their important work.

A UK-based charity approached us as they needed to retain their employee. She was an Indian national who had impressed the organisation with her expertise and dedication. Her visa was due to expire and retaining her was essential.

We guided the charity through the full sponsor licence application process, drawing on our extensive experience supporting similar organisations. We provided tailored advice, clear guidance on the timeframes and costs, and step by step support to ensure that the charity was well prepared.

Similarly, we supported the charity's employee through her visa application, as part of our end to end service.

We are delighted that both the sponsor licence application and the visa application were approved quickly — an excellent outcome that enables the charity to retain valuable expertise and continue fulfilling its mission with confidence.

At Ansar, we’re committed to helping charities and other organisations navigate the UK immigration system with clarity and assurance.

If your charity needs support with a sponsor licence or any other immigration matter, we’re here to help.

Address

81 Gunnersbury Lane
London
W38HQ

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ansar posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Ansar:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category