Anita de Atouguia

With over 25 years’ experience, Anita has specialised in immigration law since 2000, and works with organisations and individuals on all aspects of UK immigration law, including navigating complex UK immigration requirements. She advises employers across a wide range of sectors on securing the licences, sponsorship and visa permissions needed to recruit and retain international talent as well as their families. She also helps support businesses establishing or expanding their UK presence.

Anita is a leading specialist in both business and personal immigration. She provides clear, strategic advice to organisations navigating government policy changes, supports sponsor licence applications and compliance, and advises on complex immigration issues arising from corporate activity such as restructures and M&A projects, including those involving TUPE. Her expertise spans the Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility routes, where she offers practical, solution‑focused guidance tailored to commercial needs.

She also works closely with high‑net‑worth individuals, entrepreneurs and professionals on securing visas, settlement and British citizenship. Many of her matters require discretion, creativity and sound judgement, and she is trusted for her ability to deliver thoughtful, effective solutions in sensitive or high‑profile situations.

Anita joined Doyle Clayton in 2012 to establish the firm’s Immigration service, bringing experience from leading practices. Since then, she has built a team recognised for delivering high‑quality, holistic advice and a responsive, client‑focused service that helps businesses and individuals navigate the fast‑moving and complex Immigration Rules.

She supports clients with preventative compliance, including right‑to‑work processes, sponsorship duties and HR training, and helps organisations manage immigration risk proactively. Anita is trusted to guide clients through some of the most complex and time‑critical immigration challenges, providing practical, strategic solutions when they matter most.

Through our ELLINT network, Anita also works closely with co‑counsel to support the international movement of staff, including securing Schengen visas and coordinating multi‑jurisdictional immigration needs.

Anita is ranked Band 2 for Immigration: Business in the Chambers and Partners UK guide 2026 and is named as a Leading Partner by The Legal 500 in the same category.