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| Nilmini Roelens |
For decades, the United Kingdom has remained a key destination for Sri Lankans seeking professional advancement, international exposure and globally recognised qualifications. Despite growing perceptions that the UK has become less welcoming to migrants, the reality is more nuanced. While illegal migration is being tackled more firmly, the UK continues to actively seek skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and genuine students to fill post Brexit labour gaps and strengthen its economy. Against this backdrop, a timely seminar titled Ways to Work in the UK will take place on Sunday 8 February 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo. The session will be led by UK based immigration solicitor Nilmini Roelens, whose legal career spans more than three decades. Designed to explain complex immigration rules in clear and practical terms, the seminar aims to equip individuals and businesses with accurate information, dispel common myths and help Sri Lankans make informed decisions about working, studying or setting up business in the UK.
Q Why are you doing this seminar?
The UK remains a magnet for Sri Lankans who wish to work overseas, particularly in Western Europe. While we do not encourage a brain drain out of Sri Lanka, we firmly believe that talented Sri Lankans who wish to gain valuable overseas experience should be supported to do so in a structured and lawful manner. This approach aligns well with the Sri Lankan government’s objective of encouraging foreign remittances, while also meeting the UK government’s need to attract the best and the brightest to address skills shortages. We also hope that greater professional mobility will strengthen bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and the UK. I am a member of the Sri Lanka UK Chamber of Commerce, which together with the Sri Lankan High Commission in London works to support and deepen trade links between the two countries. When professionals move between markets, they bring with them expertise, networks and best practice standards that benefit both economies. There is a common perception that the UK has become much tougher on migration. While this is partly true, the strictness applies mainly to illegal migration. As a result of Brexit, the UK faces significant skills gaps, and the government is keen to address these through high end, lawful migration, while simultaneously investing in upskilling its domestic workforce.
Q What will you cover during your session?
We will explain the various visa categories available under the UK Immigration Rules for individuals who wish to work, invest or set up in business in the UK. Importantly, this will be done in plain language, without legal jargon, and supported by practical, worked example scenarios that will resonate with the audience. The aim is not simply to list visa routes, but to help people understand which options may realistically apply to them based on their qualifications, experience and objectives. Following the presentation, we will offer very brief individual consultations for delegates who have immediate questions.
For those who require more detailed guidance, we will also arrange one hour in depth consultations conducted on Zoom for an agreed professional fee. We strongly recommend that anyone wishing to pursue a personalised consultation brings a copy of their CV, as this allows us to provide more tailored and meaningful advice.
Q Who would find this seminar most beneficial?
The UK is the second largest export market for Sri Lanka, and stronger bilateral trade is in the interests of both countries. Sri Lankans can also benefit enormously from exposure to the UK’s professional standards, regulatory frameworks and best practices, which can then be transferred back to organisations and industries in Sri Lanka. This seminar is therefore ideally suited to skilled and highly skilled individuals who are considering migrating to the UK, whether on a temporary basis or with a view to long term settlement. Professionals in fields such as technology, healthcare, engineering, finance, academia and creative industries may find particular relevance. Equally, Sri Lankan business organisations that are considering expanding operations to the UK, or exploring opportunities to establish a commercial presence there, will find this session valuable. We will examine visa pathways such as the Global Business Mobility routes, which are designed specifically to support enterprises and international trade. Throughout the session, we will highlight the main options available to both individuals and commercial entities, allowing participants to assess where they may fit within the UK immigration framework.
Q How do you book a place for this event?
Advance booking is essential, as places are limited. The cost has been deliberately kept accessible at Rs. 8,000, and we believe it represents excellent value given the depth and quality of insight being shared. To reserve a seat, participants should email: info@roelens.uk with the subject line ‘Ways to work in the UK.’ We will then confirm registration and provide bank details to secure a guaranteed seat. This is the best way to ensure attendance. Those who have reserved in advance may also be able to pay in cash at the venue on the day, subject to availability.
Q Does the UK discourage foreign students?
No, it does not. British universities rely significantly on international student fees, and legal migrants who bring high level skills and academic potential are very much welcomed. Students seeking to pursue postgraduate studies at reputable UK universities continue to be strongly encouraged. That said, international student fees are high, and universities expect students to be financially prepared. What the UK government is trying to discourage is the practice of students enrolling without adequate financial resources and hoping to cover tuition and living costs primarily through part time work.
This approach is particularly risky for undergraduate students. Some parents make enormous financial sacrifices to fund the first year of tuition and meet the maintenance requirement, often on the assumption that their children will work part time to support themselves thereafter. Unfortunately, many visa agents promote this idea without fully explaining the risks. Accommodation and living costs in the UK are extremely high. Students who struggle financially often end up working excessive hours in low paid jobs, sometimes well beyond the permitted 20 hours per week during term time. As a result, they miss lectures, fail to complete coursework and fall behind academically.
This frequently ends in distress when universities refuse to issue a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. The student is left stranded, and families may suffer devastating financial losses. If paying international student fees is a struggle, relying on part time work to bridge the gap is not a viable strategy. We strongly advise families to seek guidance from qualified and regulated lawyers rather than unregulated agents. Many people have had poor experiences with agents who promoted schemes such as the care worker route without proper safeguards, leaving applicants trapped in debt and uncertainty. Parents who cannot afford UK tuition fees should also consider transnational education options. According to the British High Commission in Colombo, around 40,000 Sri Lankan undergraduates are currently studying for British degrees in Sri Lanka through recognised transnational programmes.
Q What is your own professional background?
I have practised exclusively in UK immigration law since 1990. I grew up in the UK but speak a reasonable level of Sinhala. My first degree is from the University of Leicester, and I also hold a Diploma in French Legal Studies from the University of Strasbourg. I speak fluent French and hold an LLM in European Law from King’s College London. I attended Law College at Lancaster Gate in London and qualified as a solicitor in England in 1991. Over the years, I have focused particularly on business and professional immigration, advising individuals and organisations from across the world.
Q Where can readers find out more about your firm?
Details of our work are available at: www.roelens.uk We are based in Oxford at the Oxford Science Park and provide the full range of UK immigration and nationality services, with a strong emphasis on business immigration. Information about the seminar is also available on our events page. We have a qualified and experienced team, and we are currently looking to train a capable law graduate who could work remotely with us from Sri Lanka. Interested candidates should send a letter of motivation and their CV to: nroelens@roelens.uk
Q What interests you personally about Sri Lanka?
I was born in Sri Lanka and attended Musaeus College as a young child before moving to the UK in 1974. I have always felt a strong connection to my homeland and a desire to contribute in a meaningful way. Recently, I helped establish a social enterprise in the UK aimed at supporting rural Sri Lanka.
Q Can you tell us more about this initiative?
The organisation is called Solar Village SDG CIC. It is a community interest company with the charitable objective of promoting renewable energy, particularly solar power, while supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Professor I.M. Dharmadasa, a leading solar energy expert, serves as chairman, and I am the chief executive. We connected through the Association of Professional Sri Lankans in the UK and sought to accelerate the Solar Village concept that Professor Dharmadasa pioneered in Sri Lanka nearly three decades ago. Established in November 2024, Solar Village SDG CIC is entirely volunteer led. Our team includes a media director, Saroj Pathirana, a former BBC journalist, as well as experts in agriculture, engineering, education and the arts. We are currently working on several projects across Sri Lanka, including in Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Handungamuwa and Batticaloa.
Through partnerships with rural schools, we aim to enhance access to technology, improve educational outcomes and support local livelihoods. We also receive tremendous support from UK based organisations involved in climate action, such as One Planet Abingdon and Abingdon Carbon Cutters. More information is available at: http://www.solarvillagesdg.org
Q How do you balance your legal practice with community work?
It is not easy. I compartmentalise my time by focusing on my legal work during the day and devoting evenings and weekends to community initiatives. It leaves little room for rest, but my children are grown up now, and this allows me to give back to Sri Lanka in a way that feels meaningful and purposeful.
Date: Sunday, 8th February 2026
Time: 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Venue: Tulip Room, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Colombo
