Marta Mendiondo
Head of Immigration
London
T +44 (0) 20 7759 1395
martamendiondo@inceco.com
Department Employment, pensions & immigration, Immigration Education (University) University of the Basque Country (Spain): OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) Level 1 Languages Italian, Spanish, English
Marta has 15 years’ experience in immigration and nationality law, having previously worked as a visa and passport officer for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office in the British Embassies in Moscow, Rome and Madrid. She has worked in the private sector for eight years, assisting both companies and individuals, with a special focus on Spanish and Latin American clients.
Para acceder a la version en español, haz click aquí.
Marta is able to advise on all aspects of UK immigration law. The majority of her recent work has revolved around post-Brexit migration routes for EEA nationals, companies seeking to obtain licences to sponsor foreign nationals, Investors, Skilled workers, Global Talent, and Family visas.
Marta deals principally with applications made via European Union law and the EU Settlement Scheme, family-based applications via domestic immigration law, Investors, Sponsor Licences and Skilled Workers, Students matters, and applications for British Citizenship via naturalisation and registration. She speaks Spanish and Italian. Prior to joining Ince, she was registered with the OISC.
Quote
"I try to make the process as simple as possible for the clients, starting with an honest assessment of their options. I make myself available every step of the way, and take away the worry and stress of dealing directly with the Home Office."
Professional Associations & Memberships
Member of ILPA
My matter highlights
Assisted a domestic worker in obtaining leave to remain in the UK with her employer, based on her right to a private and family life, and due to compelling circumstances. She had no family of her own in the UK, and had only lived in the country a few months prior to the application.
Assisted the former family member of an EEA in correcting an erroneous decision by the Home Office, securing his immediate settlement under the EEA rules instead of the much more expensive and demanding ten-year private life route, and subsequently obtaining British Citizenship in the space of six months.
Overturned a ten year travel ban for a client who had been refused four visit visas and been accused of deception in her previous applications, securing her the possibility of returning to the UK as a visitor with her UK born daughter.
Successfully argued why the Home Office should waive a mandatory tuberculosis screening test for a client who had omitted it when applying for a spouse visa, avoiding a refusal and facilitating immediate travel to the UK for the family to be reunited and for their baby to be born in the UK soon after.
Numerous successful complex nationality and visa applications, with thorough knowledge of the ever-changing Home Office requirements and submission processes.
Marta has successfully secured UK residency rights for many EEA clients whose eligibility was in question by the Home Office, as they were relying on periods of historical residence as far back as the 1990s, successfully arguing cases for the main applicants and their dependant children.
My testimonials and accolades
My recent publications
Insights / Way forward for permanent resident card holders missing EUSS deadline
29-03-2023 /
Most of us remember the former Home Secretary Amber Rudd famously stating that the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application would be as easy as setting up an online account at LK Bennett. Reality has told us otherwise. More than six million applications later, what was meant to be a simple process for all European Economic Area (EEA) citizens has inevitably unveiled more complex scenarios, some of them which were not envisaged when drafting the new rules under Appendix EU.
Insights / EU Settlement Scheme: Welcome changes, but improvements still needed
09-02-2023 /
From late 2018, most EEA citizens and their family members have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to retain their residency rights in the UK. The scheme offers a relatively flexible and approachable, simplified process to obtaining a UK visa, with generally quick results, though there are shortcomings in communications within the scheme.
Insights / Student visas for the UK, an easy process? Only sometimes.
20-01-2023 /
At Ince, we have assisted numerous European applicants in obtaining visas to study in the UK after Brexit. These are normally fast, straightforward applications, however, some occasional problems can arise later on if the student starts on the wrong path.
News / UK student visas; an easy process? Only sometimes (Spanish)
20-01-2023 /
This article explains the potential pitfalls of a student visa application, even if the process is seemingly straightforward. We have corrected many mistakes made by applicants and their parents, particularly for EEA students, who are not aware of the Home Office timings, requirements and process.
News / Ince Senior Immigration Consultant Marta Mendiondo speaks to ABC on the EU Settlement Scheme deadline
02-07-2021 /
Our Senior Immigration Consultant, Marta Mendiondo, spoke to ABC, one of Spain’s biggest selling newspapers, regarding the deadline of the EU Settlement Scheme.
News / EU Settlement Scheme: New guidance for excess absences and paper forms available to download online
16-06-2021 /
The Home Office has changed its approach to excess absences and will now admit periods exceeding 12 months for Covid-related reasons.
Insights / Brexit : Workers moving from EU countries must now get a visa
08-12-2020 /
The Tier 2 visa is replaced by the Skilled Worker visa but pubs, hotels and care homes, still reeling from Covid, could now struggle to fill vacancies.
Insights / Applying for the EU settlement scheme: the countdown has begun
21-10-2020 /
We are now in the final phase of the post-Brexit transitional period. From an immigration perspective, this means EEA citizens only have three months to establish their residence in order to be able to live and work in the UK.
News / EU Update – Settled and Pre-Settled Immigration Status in the UK
02-06-2020 /
The current COVID crisis is at the centre of most Home Office communications at the moment. At this time of uncertainty it is important that EEA citizens and their family members are aware that it is still mandatory to apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme to retain the legal right to live and work in the UK. There have been no changes to the scheme’s deadline, which closes on 30 June 2021. Every EEA citizen, except Irish nationals, must apply to retain the right to reside in the UK, unless they already hold British citizenship.
News / Visas extended for those currently unable to return home due to COVID-19
25-03-2020 /
Visa nationals who cannot return home due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to extend their visa. Unlike the Home Office previous guidance applicable to Chinese nationals, visa holders must contact the Home Office to have their leave extended.
News / Immigration Guidance for Individuals affected by Coronavirus travel restrictions
03-03-2020 /
Where can I find the most up-to-date immigration information about COVID-19? The Home Office has released guidance on immigration provisions for individuals affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus. It covers both Chinese nationals in the UK with a visa nearing its expiry, and non-Chinese, non EEA nationals normally resident in China who are currently in the UK, and British citizens currently residing in China. There is a dedicated coronavirus immigration helpline which can be contacted on 0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or by email: CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk.
Insights / Brexit: what next for EEA workers?
01-02-2020 /
The UK has finally left the EU and the Government plans to have a deal in place by the end of 2020. What does this mean for EEA workers already in the UK and what will happen next?
Insights / Ince Brexit Q&A Series
12-12-2019 /
The UK’s decision to leave the European Union continues to create a complex and unprecedented level of uncertainty in the UK, the EU and beyond. It brings significant regulatory, financial and operational implications to individuals and businesses of all sizes.
Insights / Brexit Q&A: Immigration
12-12-2019 /
With the departure of the UK from the EU, the end of free movement will bring substantial changes to the immigration landscape in the UK. All EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK have to apply for status under the EU settlement scheme to retain their current rights.
Insights / Brexit and UK Immigration Considerations Going Forward
03-12-2019 /
At a recent event, Alan Platt and Marta Mendiondo discussed the requirements for EEA citizens to secure their rights in the UK after Brexit. They also gave some insight into the new immigration routes available after the UK’s departure from the EU.
News / The end of free movement for European Economic Area (EEA) citizens already living in the UK – what does it mean for you and what are the latest developments?
25-09-2019 /
The UK Government has recently announced guidance around the end of free movement for European Economic Area (EEA) citizens already living in the UK, or arriving after the date of Brexit. Based on the UK leaving the EU on 31st October with no deal, we have provided information and recommendations for EEA citizens who need to retain their right to live and work in the UK.
