Our immigration fees
We have set out below details of our professional fees and services for individuals in preparing and submitting immigration applications excluding asylum applications.
Professional fees
Professional fees may vary considerably between applications and depending on your individual circumstances (for example, the complexity of the application, whether it is a first-time applicant or extension, the number of documents we need to review, your immigration history, the number of children involved, the scope of services required and the degree of assistance needed, and the location where the application is being submitted).
If you can provide sufficient evidence to support your application at the outset, and clearly meet the applicable immigration rules, and there are no complicating factors, then the cost is likely to be towards the lower end of the ranges given below. If, however, the matter is complex, or we are required to review a significant number of documents, or you require a substantial degree of assistance with your application, then costs are likely to be towards the higher end.
A more detailed estimate of costs, taking into account your individual circumstances and specific needs, can be obtained by contacting a member of the immigration team before instructing us to undertake any work on your behalf.
A note on value added tax (VAT) – all the figures given below include VAT charged at 20% unless specifically stated otherwise. 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 current rate of 20%) is payable when you instruct us and we can work out if VAT is properly chargeable.
The fees below do not include the following:
Representation at a Home Office interview.
Other disbursements (i.e., costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties). Depending on the circumstances these could include, for example, interpreter / translator fees and medical reports. Interpreter / translator fees are typically between £24 and £60 per hour (which equates to £20 to £50 per hour plus VAT at 20%). If these services are required for your application, a minimum of two hours is likely to be required for simple matters, and 15 hours or more for complex matters. In some cases, it may, however, be possible for a friend or family member to help with at least some of the interpreting. Medical reports are not required in many cases, but we will let you know as soon as possible if we consider an expert report is necessary.
Our professional fees, based on our standard scope of service, are as follows:
These fees are based on our experience of the typical time taken to advise on the above applications and the hourly rate of the lawyer who is likely to be doing the work. We have set out at paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2 above factors which will likely result in costs towards the lower and higher end of these brackets.
We have set out below our current hourly rates which are reviewed annually with changes taking effect in June.
Trainee Solicitor: £234 - £240 (which is £195 - £200 plus VAT)
Immigration Executive / Principal Associate / Consultant: £402 - £618 (which is £335 - £515 plus VAT)
Partner: £696 – £756 (which is £580 - £630 plus VAT)
Applications for naturalisation or registration under the British Nationality Act 1981 (applying to become a British citizen) | Between £1,440 and £8,400 (which is £1,200 to £7,000 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 | Between £1,440 and £3,600 (which is £1,200 to £3,000 plus VAT at 20%). |
Applications under the Immigration Rules, including:
| Between £1,440 and £8,400 (which is £1,200 to £7,000 plus VAT at 20%). |
Scope of services and key stages of the matter
Our standard scope of services covers the lifecycle of the application, from initial instruction through provision of initial post visa advice, if applicable. This includes:
Initial discussion with you about your personal circumstances, taking your instructions and advising you on the appropriate visa route.
Review of your documents, information and eligibility for the visa route.
Provision of advice on the requirements associated with the immigration application and a list of supporting documents.
Drafting the application form on your behalf and submitting it.
Liaising with the authorities in relation to the progress of the application, if applicable.
Verifying that the decision letter and visa / BRP have been issued correctly.
Provision of advice about the outcome of the application.
Who will carry out your work
Our immigration team, which advises on personal immigration matters, is made up of solicitors (all of whom have at least seven years’ post qualification experience) and an Immigration Executive working with and under the supervision of our solicitors. Depending on the complexity of the application, the work will be carried out by an Immigration Executive, Principal Associate, Consultant or Partner. You can find more about our immigration team and their experience here. From time to time, team members may be assisted by a trainee solicitor. Typically, trainees spend four months in the Employment, Pensions and Immigration team and work under the supervision of a solicitor.
Timescales
We would usually expect the steps set out at paragraphs 2.1.1 to 2.1.4 above to take between two to four weeks to complete. However, this will vary depending on the individual circumstances of the application, its complexity, the degree of assistance required, and the availability of relevant information and documentation.
We cannot guarantee how long it will take for applications once submitted to be processed by the Home Office. The current processing times are listed here: Visa processing times: applications outside the UK
The steps set out at paragraphs 2.1.6 to 2.1.7 above usually take between one to five days depending on the complexity of the application and the decision.
Transparency Statement
This information is provided in accordance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s transparency requirements regarding price and service. It is correct at the time of publication and subject to revision.
