Immigration: Range of costs

All our fees that are quoted, include:

considering documentation
attendance with the client post instruction
taking instructions and providing advice
preparing and submitting the necessary application
advising you on timelines and the outcome of your application, with next steps as applicable.

VAT

Charging VAT in relation to immigration matters can be complex as it may depend on where you, (the client) lives and what immigration permission you have.

We will confirm whether VAT (currently at a rate of 20%) is payable when we have been instructed and can then work out if VAT is properly chargeable.

We can assist with the following applications:

If you want to visit the UK
If you’re travelling through the UK
If you want to study in the UK (such as a Standard Visitor visa, a Short-term study visa, a Student visa is usually for a longer course and a Child Student visa).
If you want to work in the UK
If you want to join family in the UK
Other ways to get permission to live in the UK
Commonwealth citizens
Returning residents
Other visas

INTERPRETERS

These are difficult to estimate, can rack up and are a significant proportion of the overall cost to clients. This means even “fixed fees” may not always be particularly fixed.

Sometimes a client may only need a couple of hours with an interpreter, other applications may need 5 or 10 hours or more.

The number of hours needed will vary on the complexities of the case, and will take a higher number of hours.

It is recommended that you bring a friend or another community figure to come and help interpret. You do not have to use an interpreter of the firm’s choosing.

APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO REMAIN UNDER THE IMMIGRATION RULES AND OUTSIDE THE IMMIGRATION RULES

A note on value added tax (VAT) – All the figures given below include VAT charged at 20% unless specifically stated.

However, charging VAT in relation to immigration matters may depend on where you live and what immigration permission you have. We will confirm whether VAT (at a rate of 20%) is payable when you instruct us, and we can work out if VAT is properly chargeable.

At the firm, we have the following charges, varying on seniority and appointment:

£375.00 plus 20% VAT per hour for each hour of work by Partner;
£345.00 plus 20% VAT per hour for work by Solicitor (with over 4 years’ experience),
£250.00 plus 20% VAT per hour for solicitors (with less than 4 years’ experience)
£140.00 plus 20% VAT per hour for Trainee Solicitor / Paralegal

On average, this type of work takes between 10 – 18 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £3750.00 plus VAT at 20% and £6750.00 plus VAT at 20%.

The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in your case. Such as:

The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider
Which language(s) you speak
Whether you are applying with other dependants

If you are able to provide sufficient evidence at our first meeting and clearly meet the applicable Immigration Rules, the cost is likely to be at the lower end of this range.

WHAT SERVICES ARE INCLUDED

The work will involve:

discussing your circumstances in detail and confirming whether this is the most appropriate application for you to make and what other options may be available to you;
giving you advice about the requirements of the Immigration Rules and whether you meet the criteria.
if you do not fulfil certain criteria, whether this can be overcome and how, which on average takes 15 hours;
considering the supporting evidence you have provided, which we anticipate will take 10 to 18 hours;
where necessary, helping you obtain further evidence (such as medical records and bank statements), including taking statements of any witnesses;
preparing your application and submitting it on your behalf, which we anticipate will take around 15 hours;
Attendance at a Home Office interview: if the Home Office ask you to attend an interview, we will give you clear advice (and discuss the possibility of us attending with you) at the appropriate time. This could be between 5 and 8 hours of work.
giving you advice about the outcome of the application and any further steps you need to take.

The amount of hours depends on the number of documents, whether they need to be translated, whether anything is missing and how long it will take to obtain the missing documents Disbursements (not included in costs set out above):

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as visa fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Interpreters fees can approximately be between £50 – £150 per hour excluding VAT at 20%. This kind of application will normally require between 5 – 10 hours with an interpreter, depending on the complexity of your case.
Independent expert reports e.g. medical experts. These are not required in many cases: we will let you know as soon as possible if we consider an expert report is necessary.
If there is an interview and we do attend with you, there will be additional disbursements in respect of our mileage/travel expenses.

The costs quoted here do not include:

Any Home Office fees for making the application. You will pay this to the Home Office directly as part of the application process.
Where the Home Office refuse your application, advice and assistance in relation to any appeal and counsel.

HOW LONG WILL MY APPLICATION TAKE?

We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application. Read the current processing times.

We will normally be able to submit this type of application within 1 – 2 weeks of you instructing us, but we will let you know at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to take longer than this or can be expedited depending on your extenuating circumstances.

Please note the anticipated number of hours and fees are an estimate based on the facts above. All applications are likely to vary and of course, we can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information about your specific case.

APPLICATIONS FOR NATURALISATION OR REGISTRATION UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981

At the firm, we have the following charges, varying on seniority and appointment:

£375.00 plus 20% VAT per hour for each hour of work by Partner;
£345.00 plus 20% VAT per hour for work by Solicitor (with over 4 years’ experience),
£250.00 plus 20% VAT per hour for solicitors (with less than 4 years’ experience)
£140.00 plus 20% VAT per hour for Trainee Solicitor / Paralegal

On average, this type of work takes between 05 – 08 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £1875.00 plus VAT at 20% and £3000.00 plus VAT at 20%.

APPLICATIONS ON BEHALF OF EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (EEA) NATIONALS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS UNDER THE APPLICABLE EEA REGULATIONS OR IMMIGRATION RULES, INCLUDING APPLICATIONS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE, RESIDENCE CARDS, AND REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES

At the firm, we have the following charges, varying on seniority and appointment:

£375.00 plus 20% VAT per hour for each hour of work by Partner;
£345.00 plus 20% VAT per hour for work by Solicitor (with over 4 years’ experience),
£250.00 plus 20% VAT per hour for solicitors (with less than 4 years’ experience)
£140.00 plus 20% VAT per hour for Trainee Solicitor / Paralegal

On average, this type of work takes between 05 – 08 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £1875.00 plus VAT at 20% and £3000.00 plus VAT at 20%.