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Immigration Guidelines: Fees and Work.

How are our fees calculated?

These fees are calculated as an average based off our experience of handling immigration matters, and the hourly rates associated. Please note that we do not normally offer fixed fees on immigration matters, however where we do, any fixed fee quotes will typically exceed the estimates below.

Where the work involved falls outside of the guidance set out, additional fees may be incurred at the hourly rate of the solicitor working on your matter. These additional fees will always be agreed with you.

Please note that our fee quotes below are for the main applicant only. Any fees for applications including dependants will vary, depending upon the complexity of the application.

We do not provide legal aid, pro bono or ‘no win no fee’ immigration services, nor do we currently offer advice on asylum cases, or humanitarian immigration matters.

What is not included in our fee estimates?

The following services are not included within the scope of our immigration offering:

  • Any work after the application has been submitted, aside from advising on the outcome of said application.
  • Advice on visa or immigration conditions attached to any immigration status in the UK (including visa).
  • Advice on any follow-up immigration applications, appeals, administrative reviews, reconsiderations, reviews, requests or any other steps that are required after an application is approved. This does not include areas where this work is required, such as ‘immigration appeals’ or ‘administrative reviews.’
  • Work that resides outside of our outlined immigration work/advice as agreed upon before instructing.
  • Work that is unrelated to UK immigration law, advice and services.
  • Visa application fees or other disbursements made payable to bodies such as the Home Office or UK Government.
  • Work carried out by external parties outside of our firm.
  • Instructing a third party, such as a barrister, another solicitor, advisors etc. This excludes us liasing with a barrister for work such as ‘immigration appeals.’
  • Translation and interpretation fees that are incurred, or which may be ancillary to the application.
  • Costs or disbursements we incur by acting on your behalf. This includes third party fees, non-standard postal fees, transport costs and charges for electronic transfer of funds.
  • For innovator and start up visas, please note that we cannot advise on the strength of your business case; this should be completed by your endorsing body.

 

Key stages of immigration applications.

The key stages of work and process for applications, aside from appeal areas, like ‘immigration appeals,’ are as follows:

  1. Assessing the eligiblity of the UK immigration application and advising on possible options; this includes a review of relevant documentation (a barrister can also perform this step)
  2. Assisting with the gathering of support information for the application
  3. Preparation of the application
  4. Attending or aiding in any pre-application matters, such as the Life in the UK Test for citizenship
  5. We, or the client, submits the application
  6. Waiting for a response from the Home Office
  7. Advising on the outcome of the application
  8. Collecting any new immigration status documents, such as biometric scans
  9. Receiving the residence permit or passport

Key stages of work for immigration reviews.

Our typical key stages of work and process for immigration appeals (other than judicial) are as follows:

  1. Assessing if there are grounds to bring an appeal or review against a decision made by the Home Office, whilst also advising on options and reviewing relevant documentation
  2. Preparing the grounds of appeal and application
  3. Presenting the appeal/application
  4. If appealing from the First-Tier Tribunal to the Upper Tribunal, we or a barrister preapre and present an application to the Upper Tribunal asking for permission to appeal
  5. Advising on the collecting of documentation to be used as evidence in the appeal
  6. Taking of witness statements
  7. Preparing the case (with or without a barrister) for the full hearing and advise on compliance in line with orders from the judge
  8. Attending your appeal with a barrister
  9. Advising on the outcome fo the appeal

Our typical key stages and process for reviews, reconsiderations and requests (other than judicial) are as follows:

  1. Assessing the grounds to submit a request and advising on options moving forward, alongside reviewing relevant documentation (a barrister can also perform this step)
  2. Preparing the review request
  3. Advising on collecting documentation to support the request
  4. Sending the request
  5. Advising on the outcome of the request

This list is non-exhaustive; as each matter is unique, we can only advise on your case once we know the specifics.

How long will the application take?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process an application.

There are a wide array of timeframes provided by the Home Office for many different application types. Applications can take between from 3 to 6 weeks, all the way up to 6 months depending on the type of application.

Once we have been provided with all the relevant information on the application, we can give you an estimate of when your application will be approved.

In some cases, there will be preliminary stages that we will have to advise on and assist with in an application. Some clients may need 2 to 3 weeks to apply, whilst others will need at least 2 months. Many of these cases are dependent on third party assistance, such as a translator or approved sponsor.

Other factors that affect the timeframe of an application include the client’s commitment and responsiveness to our needs or that of the Home Office.

Interpreters.

Fees for an interpreter can become costly very quickly. This may come to represent a large portion of the costs if required.

The fees for an interpreter will differ wildly based on their experience, qualifications, organisation, fees and much more. A typical hourly fee for interpreting into or from English is roughly between £30 to £70 per hour, which does not include any extra fees or disbursements, like travel costs.

The hours of work an interpreter will have to put in will vary from case to case. Complex cases will require the use of an interpreter more frequently, thus incurring more costs.

The client may bring in a friend, family member or figure from the community to help interpret for them. This can save on costs in the long run.

Immigration Fees.

Residence visa applications.

Service Simple (excl. VAT) Complex (excl. VAT) Highly Complex (excl. VAT)
British citizenship by naturalisation or registration £2,000 – £3,000 £3,001 – £4,750 £4,751 – £6,000
Indefinite leave to remain or settle in the UK £900 – £1,200 £3,501 – £5,000 £5,001 – £6,500
Settled status in the UK  (under the EU Settlement Scheme) £900 – £1,200 £1,201 – £1,600 £1,601 – £1,800
Pre-settled status in the UK (under the EU Settlement Scheme) £800 – £900 £901 – £1,200 £1,201 – £1,500
Permanent residence £2,500 – £3,500 £3,501 – £5,000 £5,001 – £6,500
EEA Family permits £2,000 – £3,000 £3,001 – £4,000 £4,001 – £5,000
Residence and returning residence cards/visas £2,500 – £3,500 £3,501 – £5,000 £5,001 – £6,500
Applications on the basis of long residence £3,500 – £4,500 £4,501 – £6,000 £6,001 – £7,500

Long-term work visas.

Service Simple (excl. VAT) Complex (excl. VAT) Highly Complex (excl. VAT)
Skilled Worker Visas £2,000 – £3,000 £3,001 – £4,250 £4,251 – £5,950
Intra-Company Transfer Visas £2,000 – £3,000 £3,001 – £4,250 £4,251 – £5,950
Tier 2 Minister of Religion Visas £1,950 – £2,950 £2,951 – £4,200 £4,201 – £5,900
International Sportsperson Visas £4,000 – £5,000 £5,001 – £6,250 £6,521 – £7,950
Health and Care Worker Visas £2,000 – £3,000 £3,001 – £4,250 £4,251 – £5,950

Short-term work visas.

Service Simple (excl. VAT) Complex (excl. VAT) Highly Complex (excl. VAT)
Temporary Work – Charity Worker Visas £500 – £800 £801 – £1,100 £1,101 – £1,400
Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visas £1,950 – £2,950 £2,951 – £4,250 £4,251 – £5,950
Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchance Visas £1,000 – £1,300 £1,301 – £1,600 £1,601 – £1,900
Temporary Work – International Agreement Visas £1,000 – £1,300 £1,301 – £1,600 £1,601 – £1,900
Temporary Work – Religious Worker Visas £1,000 – £1,300 £1,301 – £1,600 £1,601 – £1,900
Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker Visas £1,600 – £1,900 £1,901 – £2,100 £2,101 – £2,400

Family-related visas.

Service Simple (excl. VAT) Complex (excl. VAT) Highly Complex (excl. VAT)
Spouse, partner, fiance, fiancee or proposed civil partner to come with, join or remain with family UK £3,500 – £3,950 £3,951 – £4,500 £4,501 – £6,000
Dependent children, relative and family to come with, join or remain with family in the UK, including by children, parents and relatives who will provide long-term care £2,500 – £3,500 £3,501 – £4,500 £4,501 – £6,000

Business-related visas.

Service Simple (excl. VAT) Complex (excl. VAT) Highly Complex (excl. VAT)
Innovator Visa £7,000 – £12,000 £12,001 – £12,600 £16,001 – £19,500
Global Talent Visa £5,000 – £6,500 £6,501 – £8,000 £8,001 – £9,500
Start-up Visa £7,000 – £12,000 £12,001 – £16,000 £16,001 – £19,500
Representative of an Overseas Business £7,000 – £12,000 £12,001 – £16,000 £16,001 – £19,500

Student and study visas.

Service Simple (excl. VAT) Complex (excl. VAT) Highly Complex (excl. VAT)
Short-term Study Visas £1,300 – £1,600 £1,601 – £1,900 £1,901 – £2,200
General Student Visas £1,600 – £1,900 £1,901 – £2,100 £2,101 – £2,400
Child Student Visas £2,500 – £3,000 £3,001 – £3,500 £3,501 – £4,000
Youth Mobility Scheme Visas £1,700 – £2,000 £2,001 – £2,400 £2,401 – £2,700

UK visitor visas.

Service Simple (excl. VAT) Complex (excl. VAT) Highly Complex (excl. VAT)
Standard Visitor Visas £1,300 – £1,600 £1,601 – £1,900 £1,901 – £2,200
Marriage Visitor Visas £1,600 – £1,900 £1,901 – £2,200 £2,101 – £2,500
Permitted Paid Engagement Visas £1,800 – £2,100 £2,101 – £2,400 £2,401 – £2,700
Parent of a Student Child Visas £1,300 – £1,600 £1,601 – £1,900 £1,901 – £2,200
Visiting the UK in a Chinese tour group (ADS licensed) £1,300 – £1,600 £1,601 – £1,900 £1,901 – £2,200
Visa to pass through the UK in transit £800 – £900 £901 – £1,000 £1,001 – £1,100

Other visa and immigration services.

Service Simple (excl. VAT) Complex (excl. VAT) Highly Complex (excl. VAT)
British National (Overseas) Visa – Hong Kong £3,500 – £4,500 £4,501 – £6,000 £6,001 – £7,500
Applying to become a British overseas territories citizen £1,950 – £3,000 £3,001 – £4,750 £4,751 – £6,000
Confirmation of British nationality status £1,250 – £1,600 £1,601 – £1,950 £1,951 – £2,300
Right of abode certificates of entitlement £1,250 – £1,600 £1,601 – £1,950 £1,951 – £2,300
Windrush Scheme applications £2,500 – £3,000 £3,001 – £4,750 £4,751 – £6,000
Domestic Worker in a Private Househould Visas £2,000 – £2,500 £2,501 – £3,000 £3,001 – £3,500
Turkish Businessperson Visas £2,950 – £4,500 £4,501 – £6,000 £6,001 – £7,500
Turkish Worker Visas £1,600 – £1,900 £1,901 – £2,100 £2,101 – £2,400
Returning Resident Visas £2,500 – £3,500 £3,501 – £5,000 £5,001 – £6,500
Ancestry Visas £1,950 – £3,000 £3,001 – £4,750 £4,751 – £6,000
Immigration appeals, including advice and representation – with a barrister who advises on merits, prepares key documents for the court and undertakes the advocacy at a hearing(s) and we liaise and work with the barrister relating to the same – at the First Tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal  in relation to appeals against Home Office immigration related decisions, but excluding asylum related appeals £5,500 – £7,000 £7,001 – £8,500 £8,501 – £10,000
Administrative reviews £2,500 – £3,500 £3,501 – £4,500 £4,501 – £5,500
Reconsiderations and review requests £1,950 – £3,000 £3,001 – £4,000 £4,001 – £5,000
Confirmation of the non-acquisition of British citizenship £1,600 – £1,900 £1,901 – £2,100 £2,101 – £2,400
Applications to renounce British citizenship or nationality £1,600 – £1,900 £1,901 – £2,100 £2,101 – £2,400
Exempt vignettes (i.e. diplomats) £800 – £900 £901 – £1,000 £1,001 – £1,100
Visa waiver, electronic visa waiver and registered travel £800 – £900 £901 – £1,000 £1,001 – £1,100
No time limit biometric residence permit applications £2,500 – £3,000 £3,001 – £3,500 £3,501 – £4,000
Applications to correct or replace immigration documents or for duplicates £1,600 – £1,900 ££1,901 – £2,100 £2,101 – £2,400
Frontier worker permit £800 – £900 £901 – £1,200 £1,201 – £1,500
Service providers from Switzerland visa £2,500 – £3,500 £3,501 – £4,500 £4,501 – £5,500
Visas in the event of seperation or divorce £2,500 – £3,500 £3,501 – £5,000 £5,001 – £6,500

Category Breakdown.

Relatively Simple

What does this mean?

  • Your matter presents no legal/practical complexities
  • You clearly meet the Immigration Rules and requirements
  • Clear instructions are given at all stages of your matter
  • Up to five supporting pieces of evidence or documentation are needed to assess your application
  • We will need to repeat a request for information on one occasion
  • Only documentation we request is provided for us to review
  • Your matter proceeds normally, within an expected timeframe and there are no unexpected changes or developments that will affect the fees

What does this service include?

  • Liasing with you up to ten times for up to three hours total including phone calls, meetings, exchanging correspondence, discussing your circumstances and confirming what your correct course of action forward may be.
  • Providing advice on requirements of Immigration Rules and if you meet the criteria
  • We prepare and submit an application on your behalf (unless laws prohibit us to do so)
  • Careful consideration of evidence and documents provided by you
  • Advising on you obtaining a missing item of documentation
  • Advising on predicted timelines and outcome of the case

 

Complex

What does this mean?

  • The matter presents up to three legal/practical complexities
  • You do not clearly meet the Immigrations Rules and requirements
  • Clear instructions are not given on up to six occassions during your matter
  • Between six to eight pieces of evidence or documentation are needed to assess your application
  • We will need to repeat requests for information on two occasions
  • Between one to six items of documentation we did not request are provided to us for review
  • Your matter does not proceed normally, takes longer than expected and/or is met with unexpected changes or developments that will affect the fees

What does this service include?

  • Liasing with you between 11 to 20 times for more than three hours and up to four hours total including phone calls, meetings, exchanging correspondence, discussing your circumstances and confirming what your correct course of action forward may be.
  • Providing advice on requirements of Immigration Rules and if you meet the criteria
  • We prepare and submit a long and complex application on your behalf (unless laws prohibit us to do so)
  • Careful consideration of evidence and documents provided by you, which takes more than three hours and up to four (assuming reviewal of between six to ten items)
  • Advising on you obtaining two items of missing documentation
  • Advising on predicted timelines and outcome of the case

 

Highly Complex

What does this mean?

  • The matter presents between four to five legal/practical complexities
  • You do not clearly meet the Immigrations Rules and requirements; complex legal arguments will be required to argue your case
  • Clear instructions are not given six to eight occassions during your matter
  • Between nine to eleven pieces of evidence or documentation are needed to assess your application
  • We will need to repeat requests for information on three to four occasions
  • Between seven to nine items of documentation we did not request are provided to us for review
  • Your matter proceeds in a very unusual way, takes much longer than expected and/or is met with three or four unexpected changes or developments that will affect the fees

What does this service include?

  • Liasing with you between 21 to 30 times for more than four hours and up to six hours total including phone calls, meetings, exchanging correspondence, discussing your circumstances and confirming what your correct course of action forward may be.
  • Providing advice on requirements of Immigration Rules and if you meet the criteria
  • We prepare and submit a very long and complex application on your behalf (unless laws prohibit us to do so)
  • If two eligiblity criterion are not met and/or your matter is met with two to three complexities, we advise on how to move forward and overcome the issues, which takes between five to six hours
  • Careful consideration of evidence and documents provided by you, which takes more than four hours and up to six (assuming reviewal of between 11 to 14 items)
  • Advising on you obtaining three or four items of missing documentation
  • Advising on predicted timelines and outcome of the case
  • Advising on Home Office interview if neccessary; preparation for this can be between five to ten hours work if we attend