We understand that when it comes to securing your first visa, applying to extend your stay in the UK, obtaining British Citizenship or challenging a refusal decision it can be a very stressful time. We therefore aim to offer you a transparent fee structure from the outset to ensure there is one less thing for you to worry about.
Applications
How much will it cost?
Our costs will vary on a case to case basis but we will always seek to offer a fixed fee. Below you will find a list of the average range of costs for some of the areas which we cover:
- Applications for British Citizenship (Naturalisation and Registration): £800.00 – £2,000.00 + VAT
- Applications under the EEA Regulations (family permits, residence cards, permanent residence documentation): £1,500.00 – £2,500.00 + VAT
- Applications under the Points Based System
- Tier 1 (Entrepreneurs and Investors): £2,000.00 – £10,000.00 + VAT
- Tier 2(Skilled Workers): £1,500.00 – £3,000.00 + VAT
- Tier 4 and 5 (Students and temporary workers): £1,500.00 – £2,500.00 + VAT
- Applications by Family Members from outside the EEA (Partners, parents and children): £1,500.00 – £2,500.00 + VAT
- Deportation matters: £2,000.00 – £4,000.00 + VAT
- Other Applications (e.g. Long residence, visitors, adult dependents, ancestry visas): £1,500.00 – £3,000.00 + VAT
What will be included?
Our costs in relation to an immigration application will typically include:
- Meeting to discuss your circumstances and consider your options,
- Taking instructions,
- Advising on the relevant requirements for your application and assessing whether you are able to satisfy them,
- Providing a list of suggested documents to support your application,
- Considering and organising your documents,
- Preparing the relevant application form;
- Drafting detailed representations to support your application,
- Arranging the submission of your application depending on your chosen route,
- Corresponding with you with regard to any updates on your matter and discussing the outcome once received.
Factors likely to influence the costs of your application
- Volume of documents
- Any previous adverse immigration history
- Whether it is necessary to correspond with any third parties
Our costs are for individual applications and if any dependents are to be included then additional fees may be incurred.
Please note that our above mentioned fees do not include disbursements and the costs of challenging the decision in the event of a refusal.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Home Office application fees. We can handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. Below you will find a list of the main disbursements you are likely to incur:
- Home Office Application fees – Please refer to the following link to find the application fees specific to your case
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table - Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – The exact amount can be calculated using the following link:
https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk/checker/type - Biometric Enrolment fee – £19.20
Where applicable, some further costs that you may incur include; courier charges, expert report fees, interpreter’s fees, translation fees and travel costs.
How long will it take?
We will usually aim to submit your application within 1-2 weeks of receiving your instructions and all of the supporting documents required, however, if your matter is particularly urgent, we can discuss an expedited turn-around time which meets your needs.
The time it will take to process your application, once submitted, will vary depending on the application which you make. The Home Office guide processing times for each category of application can be found at the following link but you should note that these time frames are not guaranteed.
https://www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times
Appeals in the First-Tier Tribunal
If your application has been refused and you are given a right of appeal, there will be 2 key stages to consider.
Stage 1 – Lodging the appeal
Our Fees: We offer a fixed fee in the range of £500.00 to £1,000.00 + VAT to review the decision, draft grounds of appeal and prepare the appeal form to lodge with the First Tier Tribunal.
Disbursements: You will also be required to pay the court fee of £140.00 at this stage.
Stage 2 – Preparing for the appeal hearing
Our fees: We typically offer an average fee from £2,000.00 + VAT. This will be for attendances at our office, advising on the process, drafting witness statements and preparing the appeal bundles to file and serve respectively with the Tribunal and Home Office Presenting Officers Unit, as well as briefing counsel.
Factors likely to influence the cost of your appeal
- Volume of documents
- Number of witnesses
- Complexity and number of legal issues in question
- The language you speak
Disbursements:
- Counsel’s fees – Approximately £600.00 – £1,000.00 + VAT but the exact fee will depend on the level of experience of the chosen barrister and amount of work required
- Translation and interpretation costs – These will vary from case to case dependant on need or volume.
Any further challenge to the Upper Tribunal, or beyond, will involve additional costs which we will discuss with you if this becomes necessary.
Time Frames
If your application was made from within the UK you will have 14 days from the date the decision was sent to lodge your appeal. If the application was made outside of the UK it will be 28 days from the date the decision was sent.
Once the appeal has been lodged it will then be necessary to wait for the Tribunal to list the matter for a hearing. This is often anything from 6 to 18 months after lodging the appeal but can sometimes be quicker or longer depending on the availability of the Tribunal.