4th December 2025
Date
Interviewee
Lily Malekyazdi
Lily Malekyazdi, Founder of LMY Global: Redefining Immigration Law Through Service and Authenticity
When Lily Malekyazdi tells people she's an immigration lawyer at networking events in London, she braces for the jokes. "Oh, you're helping the boats come over," they say. "Our country's getting ruined."
It's exhausting, she admits, but it's also fuel for her mission. Because what most people don't understand is exactly what Lily knows from a decade in the field: immigrants aren't taking from the UK economy. They're pouring billions into it through visa fees, tax contributions, and the National Immigration Health Surcharge. The UK has some of the highest visa fees in the world, and companies are now finding it more cost-effective to send employees to Germany or the Netherlands than to navigate Britain's expensive immigration system.
This disconnect between perception and reality is just one of the challenges Lily navigates as the founder of LMY Global, a boutique immigration firm she launched after years at some of the industry's most prestigious names.
Lily Malekyazdi's Foundation: Learning Compassion and Resilience in Legal Aid
Lily's journey into immigration law began in one of its most demanding corners: legal aid work on asylum and deportation cases in the UK. Fresh out of law school, she found herself helping people who had lost everything.
"It was essentially helping the most vulnerable type of people in immigration, those who had lost everything," Lily reflects. "I always say if you can do asylum and deportation work, you can do any aspect of immigration because it really teaches you compassion and resilience."
That foundation proved invaluable. While many lawyers specialise in either humanitarian or business immigration, Lily's early exposure to the human cost of failed applications gave her a perspective that would later define her approach to corporate and private client work.
From BAL to Deloitte: The Education of an Immigration Attorney
Lily's career trajectory took her to Barry Appleman Leiden (BAL), a U.S. immigration firm where she discovered what exceptional service looked like. "It was one of my favorite firms I worked for," she recalls. The relatively small London branch provided an intimate environment focused on delivering outstanding client experiences.
Then came the acquisition. BAL merged with Deloitte, and suddenly Lily found herself in a completely different environment: central London, massive teams, intersections with tax and social mobility practices. "You pick up on all these things and you get the opportunity to work with some incredible clients that you may not get the opportunity to if you were in a smaller firm," she says.
But something was crystallizing in her mind. After about 10 years in immigration law, working her way to partner level, Lily realised her personality thrived on service and personal connection. "It wasn't just about doing the work, but it was talking to people and meeting people from different backgrounds, from HR to global mobility to the employees themselves, building those personal relationships with people. It's just what I love the most."
The Leap: Building LMY Global from Scratch
The decision to leave corporate after ten years and start from scratch was anything but easy. Lily was anxious, genuinely anxious. There was no roadmap this time. No structure, no predictable ladder. Not like corporate life, where consistent hard work eventually moves you to the next level.
"I went into it thinking, what is it that I'm going to do? How am I going to do this all by myself?" she remembers. But instead of sitting alone with her anxiety, she took action. She spoke to people in the industry, people who had gone in-house, professionals in relocation and wealth management, entrepreneurs who had failed, and those who had succeeded across various industries.
"It was so interesting to hear everyone's experiences and their advice and I took from it what I needed that day and then moved on to the next day."
Her vision for LMY Global was clear: deliver white-glove service that larger firms couldn't match. "I wanted to provide incredible service where clients can get me on WhatsApp when they needed. We don't just log off at 5 o'clock on a Friday. We work over the weekends. We're really dedicated to providing an incredible service so clients feel handheld throughout the entire journey."
Because immigration is only one part of relocation. When someone moves countries with a family, leaving everyone else behind, dealing with boxes and belongings and entire life transitions, Lily wanted to make the immigration aspect as smooth and personal as possible.
Lily Malekyazdi's Growth Strategy: Mastering LinkedIn and Personal Branding
Without a website or advertising budget initially, Lily had to be strategic. She turned to LinkedIn, growing her following from around 1,000 to over 7,000 through trial and error.
The revelation? People didn't engage much with her immigration content, but they resonated deeply with her journey as a female founder building a business. "I started integrating the two because what I do is immigration and you want that to result in clients."
Her content strategy became systematic: three posts per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), each serving a different purpose. One strong immigration post with global insights. One highlighting female leadership. One engaging directly with her audience about LinkedIn growth or entrepreneurship.
The method works. During the week, when she's networking and meeting people, she takes photos of moments and interactions. On Sundays, she reviews those photos, writes her posts, refines them until they'll hold attention beyond five seconds, and schedules them for the week.
"I get random calls saying, 'I have a CEO, I have an executive, I don't want to give the work to the day-to-day immigration firm that we use. We’re happy to pay more and give them the white glove experience they need.'"
The snowball effect kicked in. Do one or two applications exceptionally well, help clients in ways they didn't think possible, and they tell others. It enabled growth without traditional advertising.
The UK Immigration Landscape: Navigating Politics and Policy
Lily's perspective on the current UK immigration environment is informed by her front-line position. The country still relies on immigration to fill skill gaps and attract global talent, but politically, the tone has become much tougher.
Recent changes have tightened various routes: higher skill levels for work permits, proposals for increased English language requirements, stronger emphasis on integration. The Labour government is trying to appeal to an electorate that has shifted rightward, making immigration a sensitive, even taboo topic not just in the UK but throughout Europe. "We're seeing much heavier scrutiny, much more complex cases, and nothing is as straightforward as it was back in the day."
The consequences are real. Visa fees have become so expensive that companies now find it more cost-effective to send employees to Germany or elsewhere in Europe. When individuals come to the UK, they often bring spouses and children, all of which adds up. There are skills charges, Immigration Health Surcharges that fund the NHS, visa fees, and numerous other costs before employees even start work and begin paying income and national insurance taxes.
"I sort of wish that the government themselves would change the narrative and really give people the perspective of what immigrants contribute to this country," Lily says.
Brexit's Lasting Impact on UK Immigration
Asked about Brexit’s long-term effects, Lily offers a candid assessment: “In my view, it is one of the most damaging decisions the UK has made in recent history. We are already seeing the consequences, and they are significant.”
The immigration consequences are substantial. Companies that once moved European employees freely now face the same sponsorship costs and compliance burdens as they do when hiring from the U.S., Japan or Australia. The end of free movement has reshaped mobility entirely. British nationals now face long immigration queues at European airports, and processes that were once simple, such as moving to a European country, now trigger far more complex immigration considerations.
The talent flow has shifted as a result. European professionals who once saw the UK as an easy destination now look elsewhere. British nationals with strong earning potential are relocating to the Middle East. Others are choosing Milan, Dubai, or Singapore for more straightforward residency options. At the same time, the UK is seeing an influx of Americans who view London as a strategic base in Europe.
The UK immigration landscape is moving quickly, and the long-term effects of this shift are still unfolding.
Lily Malekyazdi on AI in Immigration: The Balance Between Efficiency and Empathy
As someone who describes herself as forward-thinking, with a modern website and a strategic approach to technology, Lily has nuanced views on artificial intelligence in immigration law.
"Technology has undeniably changed the way that we've all worked," she acknowledges. "AI tools and immigration digital portals make things faster, more accessible." She even uses AI as what she calls her business partner, bouncing ideas off it from the very beginning of launching LMY Global, using it for different perspectives and strategic thinking.
But there are limits. "I don't feel that algorithms can assess credibility or nuance," Lily insists. "The actual legal thinking, the judgment, the empathy, I feel like it still has to come from humans. Immigration is ultimately about trust and precision, and I don't feel like it's always something that you can automate."
She believes that AI is most effective in straightforward immigration cases. When an application meets every requirement, with salary, skill and English language levels well above the minimum thresholds, there is little need for a five working day or eight week wait. AI systems could process these cleanly and efficiently, allowing caseworkers to dedicate their time to the complex matters that genuinely require human judgment.
From a business perspective, AI has been "incredible." She uses it for document review, research, and strategic planning, but never as a replacement for the human touch that defines her firm's service model.
There's irony in AI-driven customer service, though. "I get frustrated when I call companies that I need answers from and I'm stuck on a call with a robot," she admits. "I need answers as soon as possible. It drives me crazy."
Advice for Aspiring Immigration Entrepreneurs
For lawyers in larger firms contemplating the leap to entrepreneurship, Lily's advice is clear: "Get to know yourself first before you do something like this."
She went from a partner-level salary to starting from absolute scratch, alone. "You have to really understand who you are as a person and what your strengths are and what your weaknesses are and be okay with both of those."
Lily knew her strengths. She excels when she is outward facing, meeting people, building trust and leading with personality. Business development came naturally. She also understood her weaknesses and approached them with strategy rather than pressure. “I cannot do everything myself, so I need to think carefully about how to move forward and build the right support around me.”
The reality check is important. Yes, having your own firm means picking your hours and working abroad, but "you also have to be practical in realizing that you are one person." Work on your strengths and weaknesses, understand yourself better, and if it's the right fit, go for it.
"The only thing people should fear is fear itself. A lot of people spend their whole life wanting to do something without actually doing it."
Practical Guidance for Immigrants Coming to the UK
For individuals beginning their immigration journey to the United Kingdom, Lily stresses the importance of preparation and awareness. She encourages clients to keep a clear record of their time in and out of the country and to understand how this will affect future applications.
“Track your days from the moment you arrive in the UK,” she advises. “Monitor your absences carefully and understand the steps that come next.” She explains that applicants should not wait until the end of a three year visa for their employer to raise the renewal process. Instead, they should familiarise themselves with the requirements for extension, permanent residency and the implications for accompanying family members. Travel should be tracked for both immigration and tax purposes, ensuring that individuals remain compliant and informed at every stage.
Beyond the practicalities, Lily also recognises the emotional side of relocating. “Enjoy the UK. It’s an incredible place.” People often have strong views, whether positive or critical, but London is unique. “London, where I have lived my entire life, is one of the most multicultural cities in the world in my view, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It is what makes us so great. It is a truly exceptional city.”
The Future of Immigration Law: Human Service in a Digital Age
What emerges from Lily's story is a vision for immigration law that embraces technology without losing humanity. She leverages LinkedIn algorithms, uses AI for strategic thinking, and appreciates digital efficiencies, but her firm's foundation remains personal relationships and exceptional service.
In an industry increasingly dominated by volume-focused large firms or impersonal digital platforms, LMY Global represents a different model: boutique, accessible, responsive beyond standard business hours, and built on the principle that immigration is fundamentally about people's lives and futures.
The challenges are real. UK immigration policy is tightening. Political rhetoric often misrepresents immigrants' contributions. Brexit has created lasting complications. But for those who need guidance through this complexity, Lily offers both expertise and empathy grounded in her earliest days working with asylum seekers who had lost everything.
"If you can do asylum and deportation work, you can do any aspect of immigration because it really teaches you compassion and resilience."
That compassion, combined with strategic thinking, technological savvy, and an authentic personal brand, has created something unique in the London immigration market. Whether she's posting on LinkedIn at 7 a.m. on a Monday, taking a call on WhatsApp over the weekend, or educating networkers about what immigrants actually contribute to the economy, Lily Malekyazdi is redefining what immigration service can look like.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, her message is clear: understand yourself, embrace your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses, and don't let fear prevent action. For immigrants navigating the UK system, her guidance combines practical tracking with emotional reassurance. And for the immigration industry itself, LMY Global demonstrates that there's space and demand for a human-first approach in an increasingly automated world.
About LMY Global: Founded by Lily Malekyazdi, LMY Global is a boutique UK immigration firm specializing in business and private immigration with a focus on white-glove, personalized service for professionals, companies, and families navigating complex UK visa processes.
Connect with Lily Malekyazdi: Find Lily on LinkedIn, where she shares insights on immigration law, entrepreneurship, and female leadership in professional services.
Connect with Lily Malekyazdi
