PwC launches immigration capability

Accountancy giant PricewaterhouseCoopers and its tied law firm Landwell are launching a multidisciplinary practice group to focus on immigration work.

The new group will be named Global Visa Solutions and will include 100 lawyers and non-lawyers in at least 60 countries. The idea is to provide international immigration advice and obtain visas and work permits for clients. The group will also offer tax, social security and employment advice.

London head of immigration at Landwell Julia Smye-Rumsby will head the practice for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Sydney partner Brendan Ryan will be responsible for the Asia Pacific, and Mexico City partner Patricia Hernandez will look after the Americas.

Smye-Rumsby already acts for multinational clients such as Ford Motor Company. Last year she led a team dealing with Hewlett Packard's spinoff Agilent, concerned with the immigration aspects of 300 employees in 10 European countries.