• Bar Training Course, Cardiff University (Very Competent)
• BTC LL.M, Cardiff University (Distinction) 
• Bachelor of Laws with a Professional Placement Year (Hons), Cardiff University (First Class)

• Cardiff University Master’s Excellence Scholarship (2021) 
• Cardiff University Bar Training Course Scholarship (2021)

Taya has a broad practice covering both business and personal immigration matters.

Business Immigration

Taya has worked extensively on a wide range of business immigration matters. She works with businesses and other organisations, helping them obtain Sponsor Licences, including individuals interested in “self-sponsorship”. Taya also has experience in compliance matters. She helps clients with applications under the Global Talent, Skilled Worker, Representative of an Overseas Business, Innovator Founder routes and other work/business-related immigration routes. She has challenged decisions through Administrative Reviews. Taya has a particular interest in those working in the fields of arts and culture, previously successfully assisting individuals applying in these fields. 

Personal Immigration

In personal immigration, Taya works on matters focusing on human rights, asylum and nationality. She has a particular interest in deportation and removals and has successfully assisted clients in getting their removal directions cancelled. Taya also frequently works on Appendix FM cases covering Spouse, Unmarried Partner, Fiancé(e), and Adult Dependant Relative applications, helping families reunite and continue to live together in the UK. She has prepared Settled Status applications under Appendix EU and applications for children wishing to be registered as British citizens and other citizenship applications. She has also worked on Visitor visa applications and Judicial Reviews. 

Taya is involved with Chambers’ pro bono scheme, appearing at hearings in front of the First-tier Tribunal on behalf of Bail for Immigration Detainees. She has also worked on a number of appeals, including Article 8 ECHR appeals concerning the right to respect for private and family life and Adult Dependant Relative appeals and accepts instructions from both solicitors and individuals directly in relation to appeals.

Before joining Richmond Chambers, Taya volunteered and led a society which welcomed refugees and asylum seekers into Welsh communities. She was responsible for organising English Conversation Classes, leading and supporting volunteers and those participating in the classes, campaigning, fundraising and organising educational events for the public. She also worked as a paralegal in an Employment law firm helping with cases particularly focused on discrimination and unfair dismissal.

Taya was also a volunteer with Cardiff University’s Innocence Project, which re-investigates cases where individuals may have been wrongfully convicted. During her time with the Innocence Project, Taya also provided research support for Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association’s Appeals Project, an organisation working to change the law relating to Joint Enterprise.

Shona (~C2 fluent)

“High quality and Professional service as usual! This is my third time to use Richmond Chambers legal assistance for our family immigration matters. Both Gillian and Taya are amazing and paid close attention to details when preparing the application. Taya’s work on organizing the supporting documents for the application was exceptional! you can rest assured that you are in safe hands with Richmond Chambers team.”

Marwan Johar – family immigration

“Our experience was Taya Sayekaya was fantastic from start to finish. We initially began applying for an unmarried partner visa, but eventually swapped to a married partner visa due to some lucky timing. Our biggest concern being that we had no cohabitation prior to the application. Even when going down the unmarried route, Taya was incredibly knowledgeable, and able to seek answers to more complicated parts of the application very quickly. Her attention to detail was truly impressive, every piece of evidence was thoroughly scrutinised. We also required divorce documentation from Brazil that added to the complications, and Taya was able to guide us the whole way. Her responses were fast and clear, with ample guidance, which at all times made us feel as though we were working with somebody who would leave no stone unturned, and ultimately helped calm our nerves as much as possible. I would absolutely recommend Taya to anybody who needs help with partnership visas, and we will without a doubt look to work with her again if and when the time comes.”

Robbie McKinstry – partner visa application

“We worked with Richmond Chambers, contracting Taya Sayekaya to handle our case as I sought to switch from a work visa to a partnership visa. Taya was timely, professional, and offered great guidance through the process. She advised us how to complete the application and how to compile the best set of evidence for the Home Office to review. She also explained how to manage the process as we would be submitting the application ourselves and was available for questions along the way.

Working with Taya really made a complicated process straightforward and we were able to get my application approved with a very fast turnaround. I would absolutely recommend Richmond Chambers and Taya specifically for help on immigration needs.”

Marshall Fleming – switch from work visa to partnership visa