It can be very difficult to predict the timescales for Home Office decision making, but you can view UK Visas and Immigration’s (UKVI) current processing times for applications from outside the UK and current processing times for applications inside the UK their website. Please note that many common applications, such as applications relying on private and family life in the UK, are not included in the UKVI service standard and the consideration of your application may take longer.
We take pride in our high level of client care including efficient case progression, please therefore do not hesitate to let us know the timescale within which you need your application to be decided and we will advise you accordingly.
Immigration law can be complex and often require specialist knowledge in relation to the requirements and procedure: the relevant rules and procedural requirements are often confusing and regularly changing on very short notice.
The potential impact of a refusal can be devastating and very costly. It is therefore crucial to get the right advice early on when preparing an application.
Our one-off consultation service is perfect for individuals seeking guidance or reassurance in respect of any immigration issue or an application that they are preparing to submit. A consultation can be used for us to check an application and it is also appropriate in complex matters, as it offers an opportunity for you to get to know us before deciding whether to instruct us.
Our one-off consultation service involved the following stages and work:
Your session can last up to an hour, and can take place remotely (via Zoom, or equivalent), or in-person, depending on your preference. Many clients go on to instruct us to assist with their substantive matter, and we are happy to discuss costs estimates for any such assistance within the course of the session.
On average most straight forward visit and family visa applications take 12-20 hours to prepare and we are usually able to submit your application on average within 4-8 weeks from receiving our instructions. The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in your case. Such as:
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 the fee range and the time required to prepare the application will be shorter.
Depending on our agreement, most immigration applications made to the Home Office UKVI from outside and inside the UK, the following stages and work are involved:
Please note that where the Home Office refuses your application. Advice and assistance in relation to any appeals and reconsideration is not included in our quoted fees.
On average most straight forward nationality applications take 8 hours to prepare and we are usually able to submit your application on average within 2-4 weeks from receiving our instructions. The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in your case. Such as:
If you are able to provide sufficient evidence at our first meeting and clearly meet the requirements, the cost is likely to be at the lower end of the fee range.
Depending on our agreement, most nationality applications made to the Home Office UKVI from outside and inside the UK, the following stages and work are involved:
Please note that where the Home Office refuses your application. Advice and assistance in relation to any appeals and reconsideration is not included in our quoted fees.
If your application is refused, in most cases you have the options of either requesting Administrative Review, appealing the decision, or submitting a new application with additional supporting evidence.
Submitting an appeal will give you the chance to provide new information that was not previously available. The deadline for submitting an appeal is very strict and may be limited. It is therefore crucially important that you seek specialist advice. We are experienced in acting quickly in these cases and can ensure you have the opportunity to appeal your immigration decision if you have grounds to do so.
Legal aid funding may also be available for you to be represented at your appeal hearing. In such case we will advise you where you can seek appropriate representations.
The decision to refuse your application may provide you with a right to request that the decision be reconsidered. There is normally a deadline of 14 or 28 days to submit a review from the date you received the refusal depending if you are applying from within or from outside the UK. There is also a fee. You can find out more about this process here.
It important that you explain with full reasons why you believe the decision is wrong. You are also not usually permitted to submit any new information or evidence, which was not submitted with your original application.
The decision to refuse your application may provide you with a right of appeal to the First Tier Tribunal. You will need to submit your notice of appeal within 14 days of the date of decision (or 28 days if you are applying from outside the UK). There is usually as Court fee for submitting the appeal per person appealing.
The rules in relation to appeals can be complex and it is vital to ensure that you obtain specialist advice urgently if you receive a refusal, in order to protect your rights.
After submission of your appeal, you will have the chance of submitting additional evidence in support of the case. You will also be notified by the Tribunal of your hearing date when you should attend the appeal hearing.
It is vital that your appeal is properly prepared, with witness statements and a bundle containing relevant supporting documents that you wish to rely upon during your appeal hearing. You may be expected to provide oral evidence to the Tribunal and may be cross examined on the day by a barrister instructed by the Home Office or a Presenting Officer who represents the Secretary of State.
We will usually be able to present your case personally. This ensures you are represented by someone who is familiar with your case and avoids the duplication of work that sometimes occurs when barristers are employed as advocates. It can also reduce some of the costs of your appeal. Where we do use barristers, we have built up an extensive list of expert advocates throughout the country and are able to instruct highly skilled and experienced counsel.
For most immigration and asylum appeals before the First Tier Tribunal, the following stages and work are involved:
There are currently significant delays within the Tribunal and it may take between 10-18 months from the date of lodging your appeal with the First Tier Tribunal for your case to be heard.
If your appeal before the First Tier Tribunal is refused it may be possible to appeal against this decision to the Upper Tribunal. Initially we will be required to make an application for Permission to Appeal on the basis that there has been an error of law.
If your application is refused without a right of appeal or one that can only be exercised once you have left the UK, it may be possible to challenge this by way of Judicial Review.
We will be able to advice you on every decision to refuse an application that is made by the Home Office. We are experts at challenging the Home Office through Judicial Review. If you would like to discuss a potential Judicial Review claim with us, we would recommend that you book a one-off consultation.
We are usually able to prepare your application within 4-8 weeks. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application.
Some applications are subject to a service standard to be processed whilst others can take 6 months or longer. In some cases, you will be able to pay an additional fee to make a premium service application. Such applications should usually be decided within 24 hours of the enrolment of your biometrics. You can read the updated processing times on the Home Office website depending if you apply from outside or inside the UK. Applications where you are able to pay for priority service and the applicable fees are listed here.
We will work with you to ensure that all applications, appeals etc. are prepared and submitted within any relevant deadline. If your case is urgent with a deadline for submission within 1-2 weeks, we will discuss with you if we are able to assist you and agree an appropriate plan of action.
Service | Our fee range depending on complexity and seniority of lawyer | Home Office or Court fee per person applying | Other disbursements | Timescales and Services Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
One off consultation / application check | £180 - £300 exc. VAT | None | Usually none unless interpreter is required | Consultation (1 - 1.5 hour meeting) |
Entry clearance application – spouse | £1000 – £1,500 exc VAT (£120 exc. VAT for additional dependents] | The relevant current application fee plus IHS Affordability fee waiver available | Disbursements which may apply will depend on your circumstances.
These include but are not limited to:
Interpreting fees, usually charged at £25 per hour for interpreting (£15 per hour for travel and expenses, if the appointment is face to face). VAT charge may also apply.
GP letters, usually between £30 to £70 per letter.
Detailed reports from medical experts, independent social workers, forensic psychologists or country experts – fees vary.
Barrister/counsel fees for representation at an appeal or court hearing. | Please see here for further information relating to timescales and services included |
Entry clearance application – child | £1200 – £1,800 exc VAT (£120 exc. VAT for additional dependents] | The relevant current application fee plus IHS
Affordability fee waiver available | ||
Entry clearance – business migration | £3,500 - £7,000 exc VAT | |||
Entry clearance – medical visitors | £2,100 exc VAT | Fee will depend on type of application. Please find updated list of current fees here | ||
Further leave to remain applications – partner, parent or private life applications | £840 – £1,200 exc VAT | The relevant current application fee plus IHS
Affordability fee waiver available | ||
Further leave to remain applications – other | £840 – £2,500 exc VAT | Fee will depend on type of application. Please find updated list of current fees here
Affordability fee waiver available in certain cases | ||
Lifting of No Recourse to Public Funds condition | £480 – £840 exc VAT | There is currently no Home Office fee | ||
Entry clearance appeals (no counsel) | £1,200 - £2,000 exc VAT | Tribunal fees can be found here | ||
Bail (including advocacy) (one attempt) | £1,000 – £1,300 exc VAT (£ inc. VAT) | There is currently no fee for a bail application. See further information here | ||
Indefinite leave to remain application | £840 – £1,500 exc VAT | Home Office fee can be found here here | ||
Travel document application | £350 exc VAT | Fee will depend on type of document. Please find updated list of current fees here | ||
Naturalisation/registration application | £480 – £1,200 exc VAT | Fee will depend on type of application. Please find updated list of current fees here
Affordability fee waiver now available for children. | ||
EU Settlement Scheme applications | £600 – £1,200 exc VAT | No fee | ||
Domestic Violence ILR | £720 – £1,500 exc VAT | See current fees here or affordability fee waiver | ||
Appeal to the First Tier Tribunal (no counsel) | £1,200 – £2,000 exc VAT | Tribunal fees can be found here | ||
Appeal to the First Tier Tribunal (with counsel) | £1,000 – £1,800 exc VAT + counsel’s fee | Tribunal fees can be found here | ||
Application for permission to the Upper Tribunal (no counsel) | £1000 exc VAT | None | ||
Appeal to the Upper Tribunal (with counsel) | £ 600 exc VAT + counsel’s fee | None | ||
Letter before action / pre action protocol | £420 - £840 exc VAT | None | ||
Judicial review application | In most cases it is possible to fund your case by legal aid. We will therefore do our best to refer to a suitable legal aid provider. If this is unavailable, your case will be assessed, and we will provide a comprehensive estimate of fees. Most applications will cost from £ 3,000 exc VAT + counsel’s fees | Court fees can be found here
Later court fees will apply depending on how far your case proceeds.
No fees for legal aid clients. | ||
Appeals to Court of Appeal | In most cases it is possible to fund your case by legal aid. We will therefore do our best to refer to a suitable legal aid provider. If this is unavailable, your case will be assessed, and we will provide a comprehensive estimate of fees. Most applications will cost from £ 3,000 exc VAT + counsel’s fees | Court fees can be found here
Later court fees may apply depending on how far your case proceeds.
No fees for legal aid clients. |
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