We spoke to our Senior Regional Immigration Coordinator Joanna Sogeke about her experience working for Crown Relocations.
How long have you been with Crown? Can you tell us more about your role?
I have worked for Crown as a Senior Immigration Coordinator covering the EMEA region since 2019. My main area of expertise is immigration to the UK. I also cover immigration coordination to Ireland and Poland.
Tell us a bit more about your experience in the immigration and relocations field?
My journey with UK immigration started over 15 years ago, so it’s a sector I have been involved in for a long time! I also worked as a caseworker for an international recruitment company offering immigration services as well as a boutique immigration law firm – just before joining Crown. This enabled me to gain experience in private as well as corporate immigration. Starting as a migrant in the UK myself, immigration is very close and personal to me.
What’s the most common mistake clients make when it comes to immigration?
It is the perception they have about the immigration process, expecting it to be a formality. For that reason, people often act with over-confidence.
In reality, the immigration process should not be underestimated because immigration law is far from straightforward. A simple Google search of rules and regulations is not enough! Visa applications often prove to be lengthy and complex, so having a passport on its own is not enough
What would be your number one tip for anyone preparing to live and work abroad?
Research thoroughly and leave plenty of time for logistics, especially the immigration process. However, our purpose at Crown is to make life simpler to live, work and do business anywhere is in the world! So, the best advice is to let us help you!
How difficult is it to keep up to date with immigration regulations and often do new updates come through?
There’s a lot going on in the world and it is not always easy to keep up with changes to immigration regulations - but that’s what we must do at Crown! It’s of the upmost importance for any immigration practitioner.
Sometimes there may be just minor changes to the rule – small tweaks to the procedural requirements - which lurk in the weeds of released statements They are never laid out plainly and you must look closely for them. Then there are more major updates, such as those which came with the coronavirus pandemic. As an example, we had seven statements of changes to UK immigration rules in 2020 and five in 2021 – and let’s not forget Brexit, which contributed to the biggest overhaul of the UK Immigration laws in more than 40 years. This is exactly why it helps have an expert guiding you.
Tell us all about the Crown immigration consultancy offering. What is the advantage of using the consultation service ahead of starting the visa process?
The big advantage of using our consultation service is that Crown can conduct a thorough assessment of the case for you, determine eligibility and advice on options.
We can provide recommendations on how to proceed, advise on the documentation required and how to manage the application process. We can also provide guidance on the length of the process and raise any red flags right from the outset. These are the aspects that clients find most valuable, allowing them to plan effectively. You find out more about our immigration consultation service here.
