After a long career as an archaeologist, Elles is active in European and Dutch immigration law since 2013. She specializes in family migration and labor migration.
Before she became an attorney-at-law, Elles was involved in several legal research projects of the University of Amsterdam and Amnesty International. She has published in professional journals on integration, migration detention, family reunification procedures, human rights of migrants without legal residence and economic integration of refugees.
As editorial secretary, she wrote regularly for Verblijfblog of the Free University. Elles also worked as a clerk at the Aliens Chamber of the Overijssel District Court.
In her practice, Elles mainly assists private individuals, especially in the field of family migration, civic integration issues, permanent residence, withdrawal of residence rights and the acquisition or loss of Dutch citizenship.
Elles also advises on employment-based immigration, especially in the creative sector: artists, musicians, dancers and self-employed persons.
Netherlands Bar registration
Elles Besselsen has registered the following principal legal practice areas in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas (rechtsgebiedenregister):
- Immigration law
Based on this registration, she is required to obtain ten training credits per calendar year in each registered principal legal practice area in accordance with the standards set by the Netherlands Bar.
Lawyers 4 Lawyers - Chair of focus group Europe
WRV - Dutch professional organization for immigration attorneys
