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Julia Onslow-Cole
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- English
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Julia is recognised as a leading authority on worldwide immigration and global mobility. In her role as a Partner and Head of Government Advisory Services at Fragomen, Julia focuses on Global Government and Talent Mobility Strategies and leads the firm’s Global Consulting practice. In this capacity, Julia divides her time between London and the Middle East and advises governments, corporate clients and individuals on complex international migration solutions.
As a strategic government advisor, Julia is often called upon to provide counsel regarding significant strategic projects, including visa processing systems, residency legislation, communications and citizenship by investment programs. She worked closely with the UK government and businesses on Brexit, including serving on the Mayor of London’s Brexit Advisory Committee, providing strategic testimony at the European Parliament and representing businesses at the UK Prime Minister’s immigration stocktake meeting. Julia served as a formal advisor to the Home Office on business, investment and growth and served on the Advisory Board on Naturalisation and Integration. Julia is currently working on immigration policy projects in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Dubai and developing strategies to help attract key talent to the region.
Julia also serves as the Chair of the Board of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which represents more than 10,000 London businesses. She sits on the Board of the Dubai International Chamber, an appointment approved by HH Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai. Julia is also a Board Member of the Permits Foundation and Chair of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute Charitable Trust.
Education
- Harvard Business School, Leading Professional Services Firms course, 2007
- SOAS University of London, Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Comparative Law, 1981
More from Julia
Awards
Listed in Spear’s 500, 2026
Named in The Law Society’s Pro Bono Recognition List of England and Wales, 2025 to 2026
Listed in Chambers UK High Net Worth (HNW) Individuals, 2025.
Shortlisted, FT Innovative Lawyers Europe’s Innovative Practitioner, 2025
Named to Citywealth’s Top Immigration Lawyers, 2025
Named in Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom, 2020 to 2025
Named a Thought Leader: Corporate Immigration, Lexology Index, 2024 to 2025
Named a Thought Leader: Corporate Immigration, Who’s Who Legal, 2019 to 2025
Listed in Who's Who Legal: Corporate Immigration, 2020 to 2023
Named 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for London immigration law in The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom™
Outstanding Contribution to Global Mobility Award, Forum for Expatriate Management, 2021
Listed in Benivo’s The Global Mobility Top 100, 2021
Listed in Best Lawyers, 2019
Professional accomplishments
Chair, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chair, International Bar Associations Human Rights Institute Charitable Trust
Board Member, Permits Foundation
Chair, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Former Board Member, Labor Mobility Partnerships (LaMP)
Former Board Member, Breaking Barriers
Stakeholder, Home Office EU Immigration Employer’s Representative Group
Former Member, Mayor of London’s Brexit Advisory Group
Board of Directors, Dubai International Chamber
Publications and lectures
Quoted, “Tens of thousands leave the Gulf for the UK, for now.” Citywealth, 15 April 2026.
Quoted, “Talent fault line: How modern risks are reshaping global mobility.” Global Mobility Lawyer, 9 February 2026.
Speaker, “Breakfast Session: Global mobility in a fractured world: Turning disruption into opportunity.” MENA Employment Summit 2025, Dubai, UAE, 27 November 2025.
Speaker, “Leading Through Transformation.” Fragomen Middle East & Africa Conference 2025 – Talent, Policy & Growth in Motion, Dubai, UAE, 12 November 2025.
Moderator, “Navigating the U.S. Immigration Landscape.” GME Live | EMEA, 6 November 2025.
Moderator, “Global Workforce Planning in 2025.” GME Live | EMEA, 6 November 2025.
Co-author, “Tariffs, Trade and Talent: A Strategic Immigration Update on Workforce Strategy.”, International Bar Association, 29 October 2025.
Speaker, “Adapting to Global Immigration Change at Speed.” GME TV | Leaders Live, Webinar, 16 October 2025.
Speaker, Global Mobility Executive Leaders Exchange, Dubai, UAE, 7 October 2025.
Featured, “Legal practitioners: one expert turns insurance policies into plain English.” Financial Times, 19 September 2025.
Speaker, “Geopolitical Trade Shifts and Workforce Strategy Impacts: A Strategic Immigration Update.” Fragomen, Webinar, 18 September 2025.
Contributor, “Episode 21 – From Chaos to Clarity: Rethinking Talent Management.” GME TV | Leaders LIVE!, 4 September 2025.
Speaker, “Powering UK-MENA Trade: The Role of Innovation, Infrastructure, and Gateway Hubs like Dubai.” 4th Arab British Economic Summit 2025, London, UK, 23 June 2025.
Weekly Guest on the Linkedin “Benivo Live Show” providing a global immigration update, March 2020 to present.
Moderator, “Borders and Ballots: How Recent Geopolitical Events Are Impacting Global Mobility.” GME Live | Americas, Jersey City, NJ, 17 June 2025.
Speaker, “Business Briefing: The Future of Global Labour Mobility.” BritishAmerican Business, London, UK, 3 June 2025.
Speaker, “Panel 3: Politics, Wealth, and UHNW Migration – Impact of elections, proposed wealth taxes, and cross-border movement.” Citywealth Wealth Management Forum 2025, London, UK, 13 May 2025.
Speaker, “Opening Keynote: A Fireside Chat with Elissar Farah Antonios.” People 1st MENA 2025, Dubai, UAE, 8 May 2025.
Speaker, “Understanding and Addressing New Immigration Challenges and Opportunities.” NetExpat and Fragomen, Webinar, 3 April 2025.
Quoted, “The Global Migration Shake-Up: Why the Wealthy Are Moving & Where They’re Heading Next.” Citywealth, 2 April 2025.
Speaker, “Global Trends Update.” CEDA 2025 Migration Update, Melbourne, Australia, 28 March 2025.
Interviewed, “UK Economic Outlook and Business Concerns.” BBC News, 26 March 2025.
Speaker, “Fragomen Roundtable featuring Permits Foundation and AmCham Costa Rica.” Fragomen, San Jose, Costa Rica, 13 March 2025.
Speaker, “Plenary session 1: The Creation of Market Appropriate Laws and Regulations.” International Bar Association Middle East Conference: Law firms and in-house legal departments working together, Dubai, UAE, 20 February 2025.
Speaker, “New U.S. Administration: Next Chapter of Global Semiconductor Policy.” Fragomen, Webinar, 20 February 2025.
Interviewed, “Navigating the Future of Immigration: A Deep Dive with Julia Onslow-Cole.” Legal Bridge, 7 February 2025.
Speaker, “Episode 16: The Impact of The New US Administration On Global Talent Mobility.” GME TV | Leaders LIVE!, Webinar, 6 February 2025.
Speaker, “Policy Shifts in the U.S.: What Immigration, Tariffs and Trade Mean for Global Business (Part II).” Fragomen, Webinar, 6 February 2025.
Quoted, “The Growing Focus on ‘Cultural Compliance’ to Bolster ‘Business Compliance’.” NetExpat, 12 January 2025.
Author, “Navigating geopolitical risk and the global impact of the US election.” People Management, 13 December 2024.
Contributor, “Green Borders: Policy Recommendations to Improve Talent Mobility.” International Organisation of Employers, 19 November 2024.
Speaker, “Policy Shifts in the U.S.: What Immigration, Tariffs, and Trade Mean for Global Business.” Fragomen, Webinar, 19 November 2024.
Panelist, “Opening Panel - Geopolitical Change: Navigating the Trends Impacting Talent Mobility in an Uncertain World.” Fragomen's Middle East & Africa Conference: Vision, Innovation, and Transformation, 12 November 2024.
Interviewed, “UAE Future Tech Talent 2024 Report.” United Arab Emirates Ministry of Economy, Integra Seven and du, Pages 17-18, 15 October 2024.
Speaker, “Emerging Issues and the Permits Foundation 2021 Survey”, Permits Foundation 20th Anniversary Conference, 9 December 2021.
Speaker, “Plenary Session.” International Bar Association Immigration Virtual Conference, 18 November 2021.
Chair, “Behind the Headlines: Afghanistan.” Breaking Barriers and UK for UNHCR, 9 November 2021.
Speaker, “Citizens of nowhere, and everywhere.” Spear’s Wealth Insight Forum 2021, 27 September 2021.
Speaker, “The Future of Immigration: Creating an Efficient Immigration Policy & Effective Border Control.” Public Policy Exchange, 21 September 2021.
Speaker, “GME Live: Distributed and Remote Workforce Strategy.” Global Mobility Executive, 30 June 2021.
Speaker, “2021 Immigration and Compliance: Challenges and Solutions.” AmCham Abu Dhabi, 15 June 2021.
Speaker, “Fostering Shared Humanity.” Horasis Global Meeting, 8 June 2021.
Speaker, “Advancing a New Policy Framework for Migration and Mobility.” WECAN: Mobility Across the Pond, 22 April 2021.
Speaker, “Global Immigration Trends.” New England Relocation Association’s “Wicked Good” Learning Series: Session 3, 19 November 2020.
Speaker, “C-19 Experiences & Future Planning.” NextExpat’s Mobility Best Practice Exchange, 2 July 2020.
Interviewed, “Fragomen Gains Immigration Expert, Brexit Adviser from PwC.” Law360, 14 Feb. 2019.
Interviewed, “Q&A: Fragomen Taps Big Four's PwC for Its Newest Partner.” The American Lawyer, 7 Feb. 2019.
Signatory of the ground-breaking London First/PwC Report on the impact of migrant workers in London and further report entitled ‘Global Britain’ covering Immigration options post Brexit released in November 2018
Julia’s insights
May 27, 2026 | Conference
April 23, 2026 | Conference
April 23, 2026 | Awards
