Costs information for individuals making immigration applications as per the SRA Transparency Rules

Introduction

This costs information is provided pursuant to the SRA Transparency Rules and the Price and Service Transparency guidance provided by the Law Society.

The Rules require us to provide costs information in relation to the preparation and submission of immigration applications. We do not provide advice or assistance on asylum matters.

The costs information we have provided is a guide and is not a binding quote for working on your matter. Once you instruct us, we will provide you with a fee estimate tailored to your matter.

The information provided does not amount to legal advice. We are have to provide you with information about likely third party costs, such as barristers’ fees. As changes are made by the third parties we are not responsible for any errors in this information, which we are providing to you based on our experience and as a guide only.

Who will work on application?

One or more of our immigration team will work on your application. The team’s contact details, experience and qualifications are available here.

Every member of our team is supervised by the Managing Director.

Our fees

We do not usually work under a conditional fee agreement or damages-based agreement but such arrangements may be available on request.

Fee Range- Average Standard Application

The prices set out at section 5 below are an estimate of the range of costs for a standard immigration application. A full estimate can be provided by contacting the adviser allocated to your matter.

The fee range for the various possible visa applications is due our solicitors and other advisers having different levels of experience .Typically, your adviser on a standard application will be an adviser, paralegal or solicitor with between two to ten years’ post qualification experience (or equivalent). All of our advisers are supervised by the Managing Director of the firm who has considerable expertise in making immigration applications on behalf of individuals.

What is involved in typical a “standard” application?

A standard application will typically involve one applicant:

• with no prior criminal or civil convictions;
• with no adverse immigration history (UK or worldwide);
• who can meet the eligibility criteria for the immigration route they are applying for;
• using a standard processing route (not priority or super priority);
• with an application bundle of no more than 100 pages.
• What is not a typical “standard” application?

You will be provided with an application specific estimate for your matter, despite whether your application is standard or non-standard.

A non-standard application may include any of the following. However, some of these items may also be relevant to standard applications, in which case they will be charged for as separate items in addition to the standard application fee range:

• Any work carried out, prior to beginning work on the application to determine the best route to apply for entry or leave to remain, or alternative routes;
• Advice given at the outset or throughout the matter as a result of the complexity of the matter, including but not limited to adverse immigration history, prior criminal convictions or any other possible bars to a successful application;
• Drafting or reviewing any additional documents which are required due to the complexity of the application;
  Instructing a barrister (Counsel);
• Liaising with the Home Office and overseas application centres on your behalf due to the complexity of the application or the need for urgent processing or chasing for an update or decision;
• The costs of any family member applying at the same time as you. These will be confirmed separately depending on the number of family members, and the complexity of their applications.

Will there be any additional charges in either a standard or non-standard application?

The costs information and any application-specific fee estimate is provided to you on the basis that:

the amount of communication (phone calls, emails etc) and other correspondence received from you or others involved in your application is not excessive;

• information is provided to us promptly and is complete and accurate;
• requested documents are provided to us in one set rather than seperately;
• requested documents are available within a reasonable period;
• Several changes to documents are not needed;
• third party organisations (such as accountants, banks, translators or employers) provide us with information and documentation in a timely and logical manner.

Where we consider that communication is excessive, we will endeavour to work with you to reduce the volume but where this is not possible, we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible of any additional fees or other costs that you are likely to incur.

Similarly, if information is not provided to us within a reasonable period of time, is incomplete or inaccurate, which results in us spending additional time on your application, we will advise you of any additional fees or other costs that you are likely to incur as a result.

Disbursements

Disbursements are expenses related to your application that are payable to us or to third parties, such as visa application fees, Barrister fees or translation fees. Sometimes we will handle payment of disbursements on your behalf. Alternatively, you may be asked to pay them direct.

Disbursements – standard applications

The relevant visa application costs (correct at the time of writing) set out below have been given as an indication of the standard application fee that you can expect to pay for the type of application you are making.

For some application types, links have been given to the relevant Government/Home Office page so that you may check for updates. The visa application fees are set down by the Home Office. There may be concessions for nationals of certain countries (eg Turkey or Macedonia). These lower fees will be confirmed upon instruction, if applicable.

For applications where the Immigration Health Surcharge is payable, the cost of this charge per year of visa is confirmed below.

Other possible disbursements for standard applications include:

• Translation fees, which are usually payable per character and the cost is dependent upon the language being translated;
• English language test fees or UK NARIC comparability and English language proficiency statements, the cost of which varies depending on country of application and method you can use to demonstrate your English language skills. UK NARIC is the Home Office approved agency that deals with the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills;
• Tuberculosis test certificates for nationals of certain countries, the cost of which varies from country to country;
  Overseas criminal record certificates;
• Travel costs (for example to meet with you) including rail, air and taxi fares, mileage and parking. These will differ according to where you are based. We will always try to use the most cost-effective means of transport;
• Courier or similar delivery charges where speedy collection, delivery or service is required;
• Bulk photocopying charges (we are allowed to charge for photocopying charges which are not considered as “petty” and we may charge for over 100 sheets of photocopying at 25p per sheet plus VAT);

If your application is non-standard applications, higher visa fees will be payable for priority or super priority applications. These vary from country to country. Those costs are set out on either Teleperformance or VFS Global, depending on the country you are applying from.

What VAT is charged on disbursements?

The standard rate of UK VAT, which is currently 20%, is charged on all disbursements. There are exceptions which are set out below.

VAT is added on to our standard services such as travel and bulk photocopying costs. The only circumstances where we do not charge VAT (in relation to disbursements) are where:-

• We are billing an EU registered company and we are able to quote their VAT number on the face of our invoice. If we are billing an individual who resides in the EU we have to charge VAT as they will not be a VAT registered entity;
• We are billing an individual or a company that is outside of the EU which falls outside the scope for UK VAT;
• We can classify a cost as a “disbursement” and we are not recovering VAT on the purchase invoice such as Home Office visa application fees.

Individual Immigration Application covered by the SRA Transparency Rules

The length of time it will take us to work on and lodge your visa application, is set out below. This is an indication only. We can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information about your specific application and circumstances.

The published processing times for each application, set out below, are provided by the Home Office/UK Government and are estimates only, correct at the time of writing. We have no control over these timescales and applications can be subject to delay based on various factors including the Home Office’s case volume; the complexity of the application; the need for more information; internal Home Office changes or the need to interview you. This list is not exhaustive.

The processing time may be quicker if you use a priority or super priority service, if applicable.

(1) Applying to become a British citizen, through naturalisation or registration

(a) Average cost: £850.00 – £1,500 plus VAT and disbursements (lower end of estimate is likely for naturalisation applications and the higher end for registrations)

(b) Likely disbursements: the cost of a British citizenship application or registration depends on the route to citizenship. A list of the application fees and the citizenship ceremony fee is available at the www.gov.uk website.

(c) Other costs as required as set out in section 4

(d) Key stages and likely timescales:

Stage 1

Likely timescale for stage 1 – between 2 to 6 weeks from instructions.

• Taking instructions
• Providing advice
• Checking the application form
• Checking the supporting documentation
• Advising on changes required and drafting cover letter, if required

Stage 2

Likely timescale for stage 2 – the current published processing time is up to six months

• Consideration of your application by the Home Office

Stage 3

Likely timescale for stage 3 – up to 1 week

• Checking citizenship has been granted correctly and advising on terms and conditions and eligibility to apply for a British passport

(2) Proof of residence for EU nationals

(a) Average cost: £800 – £2,000 plus VAT and disbursements (lower end of fee estimate applies to non-Accession Worker applicants and the higher end for applicants who fall under other more complex work or other categories such as studying, self-sufficiency, self-employment etc. or who need to rely on a combination of qualifying categories including retained worker status issues)

(b) Likely disbursements: this can be found of the www.gov.uk website

(c) Other costs as required as set out in section 4

(d) Key stages and likely timescales:

Stage 1

Likely timescale for stage 1 – between 2 to 6 weeks

• Taking instructions and providing advice
• Checking the application form
• Checking the supporting documentation
• Advising on changes required to application and drafting cover letter to Home Office

Stage 2

Likely timescale for stage 2 – see www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

• Consideration of your application by the Home Office

Stage 3

Likely timescale for stage 3 –up to 1 week

• Checking application has been granted correctly and advising on terms and conditions of visa

(3) Proof of residence for family members of EU nationals

(a) Average cost: £1,000 – £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements (lower end if married, higher end if unmarried partner or newlyweds or for couple divorcing and applying for retained rights of residence). Additional documents will be required for newlyweds and unmarried partners such as co-habitation documentation and supporting documents to prove the relationship is durable, genuine and subsisting. Additional documentation required for divorcing couples includes proof of residence over the relevant three- year period, evidence of the EEA national spouse’s ID and economic activity, evidence of domestic violence or other compelling evidence, access rights/custody of children

(b) Likely disbursements: please see www.gov.uk

(c) Other costs as required as set out in section 4

(d) Key stages and likely timescales:

Stage 1

Likely timescale for stage 1 – between 2 to 6 weeks from instructions

• Taking instructions and providing advice
• Preparing a checklist
• Checking the application form
• Checking the supporting documentation
• Advising on changes required to application and drafting letter to Home Office

Stage 2

Likely timescale for stage 2 – see www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

• Consideration of your application by the Home Office

Stage 3

Likely timescale for stage 3 – no more than 1 week

• Checking application has been granted correctly and advising on terms and conditions of visa

(4) Working holiday visas

(a) Average cost: £850 – £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements

(b) Likely disbursements:

Visa application fee – see www.gov.uk
Immigration Health Surcharge fee – please see https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay for current rates
(c) Other costs as required as set out in section 4

(d) Key stages and likely timescales:

Stage 1

Likely timescale for stage 1 – between 2 to 4 weeks

• Taking instructions
• Providing advice
• Checking the application form
• Checking the supporting documentation
• Advising on changes required to application and drafting cover letter

Stage 2

Likely timescale for stage 2 – see www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

• Consideration of your application by the Home Office

(5) Visit visas (tourism/family visits)

(a) Average cost: £700 – £2,500 plus VAT and disbursements (higher end for third party sponsorship)

(b) Likely disbursements:

Visa application fee – please see www.gov.uk

In addition, the Immigration Skills Charge will be payable for any visitor visa over six months in length. This is £400 per year of visa

(c) Other costs as required as set out in section 4.

(d) Key stages and likely timescales:

Stage 1

Likely timescale for stage 1 – between 2 to 4 weeks

• Taking instructions
• Preparing a checklist
• Checking the application form
• Checking the supporting documentation
• Advising on changes required to application and drafting cover letter, if required

Stage 2

Likely timescale for stage 2 – see www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

• Consideration of your application by the Home Office

Stage 3

Likely timescale for stage 3 – no more than 1 week

• Checking application has been granted correctly and advising on terms and conditions of visa

(6) Family member of a British citizen visas

(a) Average cost: £900 – £3000 plus VAT and disbursements (lower end of fees estimate to assist with a Category A applicant (i.e. a British national sponsor in salaried employment) and higher end for more complex visa categories, such as where the financial evidence includes non-salaried employment, non-employment income, cash savings, Self-employed or Director route)

(b) Likely disbursements:

Visa application fee – please see gov.uk
Immigration Health Surcharge fee of £400 per year of visa

(c) Other costs as required as set out in section 4

(d) Key stages and likely timescales:

Stage 1

Likely timescale for stage 1 – between 3 to 12 weeks

• Taking instructions
• Providing advice
• Checking the application form
• Checking the supporting documentation
• Advising on changes required to the application and drafting cover letter, if required

Stage 2

Likely timescale for stage 2 – see www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

• Consideration of your application by the Home Office

Stage 3

Likely timescale for stage 3 – up to 1 week

• Checking application has been granted correctly and advising on terms and conditions of visa

(7) Exceptional Talent visas

(e) Average cost: £1000 – £3,000 plus VAT and disbursements

(f) Likely disbursements:

Endorsement Fee and Visa application fee – please see www.gov.uk
Immigration Health Surcharge fee of £400 per year of visa
(g) Other costs as required as set out in section 4

(h) Key stages and likely timescales:

Stage 1

Likely timescale for stage 1 – between 8 to 12 weeks
Applying to Home Office for an endorsement from one of the designated bodies in digital technology, the arts, humanities, engineering or science. Work includes:

• Taking instructions
• Providing advice
• Checking application form (stage 1 and 2)
• Checking the supporting documentation
• Advising on changes required to application and drafting cover letter, if required

Stage 2

Should your endorsement be successful, the next step is to submit a visa application. Next steps include:

• Checking the stage 2 visa application form
• Checking the supporting documentation
• Advising on changes required to application and drafting cover letter, if required

Stage 3

Likely timescale for stage 3 – see www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

• Consideration of your application by the Home Office

Stage 4

Likely timescale for stage 4 –up to 1 week

• Checking application has been granted correctly and advising on terms and conditions of visa

(8) Ancestry visas

(a) Average cost: £1,500 – £3,000 plus VAT and disbursements

(b) Likely disbursements:

• Visa application fee – please see gov.uk
• Immigration Health Surcharge fee of £400 per year of visa

(c) Other costs as required as set out in section 4

(d) Key stages and likely timescales:

Stage 1

Likely timescale for stage 1 – between 3 to 9 weeks

• Taking instructions
• Providing advice
• Checking the application form
• Checking the supporting documentation
• Advising on changes required to application and drafting letter, if required

Stage 2

Likely timescale for stage 2 – see www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

Consideration of your application by the Home Office

Stage 3

Likely timescale for stage 3 – up to 1 week

• Checking application has been granted correctly and advising on terms and conditions of visa

(9) Indefinite leave to remain applications:

(i) 5 year route

(a) Average cost: £1,500 – £3,000 plus VAT and disbursements

(b) Likely disbursements: see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table

(c) Other costs as required as set out in section 4

(d) Key stages and likely timescales:

Stage 1

Likely timescale for stage 1 – between 3 to 6 weeks

• Taking instructions
• Providing advice
• Checking the application form
• Checking the supporting documentation
• Advising on changes required to application and drafting letter, if required

Stage 2

Likely timescale for stage 2 – see www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

• Consideration of your application by the Home Office

Stage 3

Likely timescale for stage 3 –up to 1 week

• Checking application has been granted correctly and advising on terms and conditions of visa

ii)10 year route

(a) Average cost: £2,500 – £5,000 plus VAT and disbursements (dependent on complexity of case and immigration history)

(b) Likely disbursements: please see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table

(c) Other costs as required as set out in section 4

(d) Key stages and likely timescales:

Stage 1

Likely timescale for stage 1 – between 4 to 9 weeks

• Taking instructions
• Providing advice
• Checking the application form
• Checking the supporting documentation
• Advising on changes required to application and drafting cover letter, if required

Stage 2

Likely timescale for stage 2 – see www.gov.uk/visa-processing-times

• Consideration of your application by the Home Office

Stage 3

Likely timescale for stage 3 –up to 1 week

• Checking application has been granted correctly and advising on terms and conditions of visa

What VAT is charged on our fees?

The standard rate of UK VAT, which is currently 20%, is charged on our fees. The only circumstances where we do not charge VAT (in relation to fees) are where:-

We are billing an EU registered company and we are able to quote their VAT number on the face of our invoice. If we are billing an individual who resides in the EU we have to charge VAT as they will not be a VAT registered entity;
We are billing an individual residing in a country that is outside of the EU which falls outside the scope for UK VAT.