An entry-level immigration lawyer CV in the UK should show relevant experience and clear legal skills so employers see you can handle client matters early in your career. This guide explains what to include, how to format your CV, and how to highlight internships, clinics, and pro bono work that matter for UK immigration roles.
Building a Immigration Lawyer resume?
Skip the blank page. Start with a template built for this role, then tailor it for each job you apply to.
Tip: use the template as a starting point, then swap in your own numbers and project names.
Entry-level immigration lawyer CV: Personal Statement or Career Objective
Begin with a short Personal Statement that states your career goal and the most relevant qualifications. Focus on concrete items such as university or clinic placements, language ability, knowledge of UK immigration forms and tribunal procedures, and familiarity with UK law.
Avoid vague statements about loving the law.
Education and Professional Qualification
List your UK law degree (LLB) or non-UK degree, followed by any professional route you are undertaking (SQE route, CILEX, or Barrister/Solicitor training). Include graduation date (dd/mm/yyyy), and any UK professional body admissions (e.g.
Solicitors Regulation Authority or Bar), as well as immigration-specific modules or clinics where you trained in asylum or removal defence. If you studied at a Russell Group university or completed notable achievements, mention them.
Entry-level immigration lawyer CV: Relevant Experience and Internships
Organise experience by relevance rather than chronology when you have strong clinic or internship work. For each role, include organisation name, location, dates (dd/mm/yyyy), and 3-5 bullet points starting with action verbs.
Quantify impact where possible (e.g. number of clients advised, cases drafted, or hearings attended).
Entry-level immigration lawyer CV: Volunteering, Pro Bono, and Clinic Work
Pro bono and legal clinics are highly valued in the UK, so feature these prominently. Describe the types of cases (e.g. asylum, human rights, family-based immigration), specific forms prepared (e.g. asylum applications, human rights claims), and any court filings or interpreter coordination you handled.
Entry-level immigration lawyer CV: Skills and Keywords
Include a dedicated Skills section with both technical and transferable skills relevant to UK immigration practice: knowledge of Home Office processes, asylum and immigration appeals, knowledge of relevant legislation and case law (e.g. Immigration, Asylum, and Nationality Act; ECHR), client interviewing, advocacy, and case management systems (e.g. practice-management software, Westlaw UK/LexisNexis).
Also include languages and IT skills.
Entry-level immigration lawyer CV: Additional Information and Right to Work
Add a short section on additional information: right to work in the UK, National Insurance number, language proficiencies, and availability for interview. Mention if you are eligible to work in the UK for permanent roles, and note your preferred location.
Include a line about references available on request. Where possible, provide a UK address and contact details.
Formatting and Layout
Keep to two pages for early-career roles. Use a clean, professional font and consistent headings.
Use UK date format (DD/MM/YYYY). Arrange sections in a logical order: Personal Statement, Education, Experience, Volunteering/Pro Bono, Skills, Additional Information, and References.
Tailor each CV for the job, ensure all information is accurate, and check for UK spelling conventions (organisation, colour, centre, programme).
Additional Tips
- 1Write a concise, tailored cover letter that highlights two or three immigration experiences you want the employer to notice first. Use the cover letter to address gaps or visa timing, and to connect your background to the role.
- 2Prepare a one-page writing sample that reflects immigration law writing such as a case memo, brief excerpt, or client letter with redacted details. Keep it concise and include a brief context line at the top explaining the assignment.
- 3Maintain a master CV that lists all roles and achievements, then tailor and reorder items for each application so the CV is quick to tailor and accurate. This helps avoid omissions and preserves original wording you can reuse.