Immigration Fees Policy

Our immigration fees are transparent and tailored to the services you require. We provide fixed-fee pricing for most immigration matters, with hourly rates available for judicial review and litigation work.

Introduction

We offer services on fixed fees but also take up work on an hourly rate basis in judicial review matters. We are tailored to provide services according to your needs, and we undertake all kinds of immigration services for businesses and individuals alike.

We endeavour to provide our clients with all the information required to make decisions and choices about the professional services provided by our firm.

The costs given below are estimates and for guidance only. Upon receiving full instructions with complete documents and information, we will be able to give you an exact cost assessment.

Initial Legal Advice

£30

Per advice / consultation

Complex Consultation

£50 – £150

For complex matters requiring detailed advice

Immigration Application Fees

Please note that the fees below are per application and per applicant. Where multiple applicants are applying together, we are able to agree a fixed fee.

Service

Fee

Visit / Family Visitor Visa (average fee, per applicant)

£750

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

£1,500

Private Life Applications (including human rights based on 20 years long residence, child's 7 years continuous residence, etc.)

£1,250

Discretionary Leave to Remain (6 years and 10 years rule), per applicant

£1,250

Discretionary Leave to Remain — combined family application

£2,000

Naturalisation

£1,000

Leave to remain as a family member of a person present and settled in the UK

£1,250

EUSS Applications (including retained rights, pre-settled and settled status, derivative residence card as a primary carer, extended family members)

£1,250

Extension of Leave to Remain (all categories)

£1,250

Work Visas (Tier 1, Skilled Worker, work extensions, etc.)

£1,250

Sponsorship Licence processing

£2,000 – £3,000

Any and all other immigration work arising out of UK immigration laws will have fees agreed before we accept instructions.

What's Included in Our Fees

Our agreed fee covers all work relating to your matter, including:

Taking instructions at the initial stage
Perusing existing documents and advising on the merits
Preparing the relevant application / appeal forms on your behalf
Preparing grounds of appeal
Preparing representations in support of your application
Submitting the application form, representations and supporting evidence to the Home Office
Instructing and liaising with barristers to attend tribunal hearings / appeals
All communication between the Home Office and other agencies concerning your application / appeal until we receive a written decision

Flexible Payment Options

We understand that legal costs can be significant. If you cannot afford to pay our fee in full at the time of instruction, we are happy to accept half of the agreed fee at the time of initial instructions, with the balance to be paid within 28 days.

In most cases we provide services on a fixed-fee basis, and our fee is not dependent on the success of the particular service undertaken. We will keep you appraised of our fees, and if additional work becomes necessary, we will agree any additional costs with you before starting any further work.

Immigration Appeals & Judicial Review

Service

Fee

Immigration Appeals to First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal (lodging grounds of appeal, preparing the case and advocacy at the tribunal)

£2,500

Judicial Review — until decision on papers (not covering hearing stage or oral permission hearing), payable on account

£2,500

Appeal to the Court of Appeal / UK Supreme Court (average fee — may vary depending on choice of barrister, etc.)

From £3,000

Judicial Review against Home Office / ECO decisions is always undertaken on an hourly rate basis unless otherwise agreed on fixed fees — see our Hourly Fee Policy below.

VAT

VAT is chargeable on all our fees and disbursements at 20% — including disbursements such as counsel’s fees and third-party invoices — unless an exemption or exception applies as per HMRC policy.

What's Not Included

Please note that the items listed below are excluded from our professional fees. These include, but are not limited to:

Home Office fees, including application fees
Immigration Health Surcharge
Court fees
Translation fees and external professional translation services
Translation fees and external professional translation services
Third-party fees payable on your behalf (HM Passport Office, HMRC, HM Land Registry, etc.)
Travel and meeting charges
Bank charges
Document attestation fees

In all cases we discuss the most suitable counsel with you and agree their fees up front. In some cases, counsel may agree to charge on an hourly rate, and we will keep you appraised of their fees.

Processing Times

Application Type

Estimated Time

Straightforward Applications (Home Office decision)

3 – 6 Months

Complex Applications (Home Office decision)

3 – 12+ Months

Tribunal Appeals (listing for hearing)

3 – 6 Months

Higher Court Appeals

Up to 12 Months

Processing times are rough estimates only and depend on the Home Office, the caseworker dealing with the application, or the relevant Tribunal or Court. The time estimate will vary in each case.

Hourly Fee Policy

Our charges will normally be calculated by reference to the time spent dealing with your case or transaction, unless otherwise indicated to you in writing. The caseworker will keep a record of any time spent working on your case — including attending upon you and others, perusing and considering documents, correspondence, telephone calls, travelling and waiting time.

Letters written and telephone calls are usually charged on the basis of six-minute units. For example, if a telephone call lasts more than six minutes, the charge will increase in increments of further six-minute units. Hourly rates are reviewed annually.

Factors Affecting Hourly Rates

The degree of urgency in your case or transaction
The complexity of your case or transaction
The importance of your case or transaction
The amount of any money involved in your case or transaction
The skill and experience of the solicitor

Hourly Rates

Fee Earner

Hourly Rate

Principal Partners

£250 – £282

Solicitors

£185 – £232

Paralegals

£129

These rates apply unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Important Information

Can I get a refund?

We will only issue a refund if you withdraw your instructions before any work has started, and at the discretion of the Firm.

Are Home Office fees included?

No. Home Office fees — including application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge — are payable separately and are not included in our professional fees.

Are barrister fees included?

No. Counsel’s (barrister) fees for their services — such as attendance at hearings, advice and travelling — are not included. However, in all cases we discuss the most suitable counsel with you and agree their fees up front. In some cases, counsel may agree to charge on an hourly rate, and we will keep you appraised of their fees.

Are court fees included?

No. Court fees, translation fees, and other third-party fees payable on your behalf (for example HM Passport Office, HMRC or HM Land Registry fees) are excluded from our professional fees.

How are hourly rates calculated?

Charges are calculated by reference to the time spent dealing with your case, recorded by your caseworker. This includes meetings, considering documents, correspondence, telephone calls, travelling and waiting time. Letters and calls are charged in six-minute units, and rates depend on the urgency, complexity, importance and value of the matter, as well as the skill and experience of the solicitor. Rates are reviewed annually.

Need help choosing the right immigration service?

📞 Call us on 020 3375 4271

📧 Email us at info@awssolicitors.co.uk