Key Contacts
Irfan Ali
Irfan has practised immigration law for over 10 years, with a particular focus on business immigration — advising organisations on sponsor licences, compliance, and work visas. His clients range from start-ups to established businesses with an international presence, alongside charities and education providers.
Irfan is regularly instructed on complex corporate and licence structures, advising on the immigration implications of corporate restructures, mergers, and changes in ownership — work that requires an understanding of how licence compliance intersects with wider corporate strategy. He led the design and development of a bespoke Sponsor Licence Platform, giving clients a clearer, more strategic view of licence oversight and compliance.
Beyond advisory work, Irfan also has extensive experience in naturalisation and personal immigration matters. He represents clients challenging adverse Home Office decisions — before the Immigration Tribunals, and in Administrative Review and Judicial Review proceedings.
Irfan was a Partner at the boutique immigration firm Carter Thomas and held the role of Legal Director at a large national firm.
Irfan has been featured as a Global Mobility Leader by The Global Mobility Lawyer and recognised in The Legal 500. He has presented at ILPA’s flagship Sponsor Licence Law Conference on licence downgrades, suspensions and revocations, and is a regular speaker for MBL Seminars, training corporate clients and practitioners alike.
His commentary on immigration matters has appeared in:
Treasury Today – Don't bank on your business visa
Citywealth – The global migration shake-up: why the wealthy are moving and where they're heading next
Free Movement – Regular commentator
Irfan holds a First Class (Honours) degree in law from the University of Sunderland, and completed his Legal Practice Course at Northumbria University.
Further information about Irfan is available on his Excello Law page.
Email: ali@riversideimmigration.co.uk
Nick Gore
Nick specialises in personal and business UK immigration law, advising businesses, educational institutions and high-net-worth individuals on complex immigration matters.
He has extensive experience advising on sponsor licence applications for organisations and worker applications across the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility and International Sportsperson routes. Nick also has expertise in challenging suspensions to sponsor licences, compliance audits for both Skilled Worker and Student licences, Global Talent applications, partner and fiancé visa applications, and Settlement and naturalisation applications.
Nick has been particularly noted for his skills in Global Talent matters, including for academics and digital entrepreneurs, and for the complex sponsor compliance work he has undertaken including for independent schools and universities.
Nick was a Partner at the boutique immigration firm Carter Thomas and held the role of Legal Director at a large national firm.
Nick has been featured in The Global Mobility Lawyer and recognised in The Legal 500. Nick is co-convenor of ILPA’s Yorkshire and North East Working Group, an editor for ILPA and has presented at the ILPA sponsorship conference. Previously, Nick volunteered for the EU Rights Clinic (pre-Brexit), Here for Good (which supported EU nationals post-Brexit), and the Ukrainian Advice Project UK.
His commentary on immigration matters has appeared in:
The Guardian – Families face being split up by UK plan to cut legal migration, lawyers say
The Telegraph – Immigration route opens up for top international models to work in Britain
Free Movement – Regular commentator
Further information about Nick is available on his Excello Law page, Law Society page and Solicitors Regulation Authority page.
Email: gore@riversideimmigration.co.uk
Testimonials
"Nick Gore, an expert on the Global Talent visa pathway." – Legal 500, 2025
"Nick Gore: Always a pleasure to work with. Very sincere, helpful and went out of his way to support." – Legal 500, 2025
"Nick Gore is extremely skilled and knowledgeable. His assistance was excellent and exceptional." – Legal 500, 2023
"I work primarily with Nick Gore… He has always been the epitome of calm reassurance offering practical advice and guidance on a variety of situations facing our company in the ever increasingly complex post-Brexit world. I would never hesitate to seek advice and the responses I receive are always helpful." – Legal 500, 2023
"Nick Gore deserves a standing ovation for all of his help with our organisation. He has a lovely demeanour, is easy to work with, and provides reassurance every step of the way. I fully recommend Nick." – Legal 500, 2022
"Nick Gore prepared my husband’s ILR application and we could not rate him more highly. He was simply exceptional. He clearly had watertight knowledge of the processes and requirements; was extremely thorough with supporting documentation; and gave prompt, helpful responses to our many questions. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him." – Legal 500, 2022
"Nick Gore has a lovely demeanour, is easy to work with and provides reassurance every step of the way." – Legal 500, 2021 Awards, Rising Star