We have set out below our average fee estimates for some of the most common types of applications.
These fees are calculated by reference to our hourly rates which vary depending on the experience of the lawyer carrying out the work. They typically range between £645 for a Partner, £325 - £445 for a solicitor and £220 for work carried out by a paralegal.
The people working on your case and how that impacts the fee estimate will always be discussed with you at the outset of any matter.
Our legal fees
Please note that our fees below exclude VAT charged at 20% unless specifically stated. However, charging VAT in relation to immigration matters may depend on where you live and/or what immigration permission you have. We will confirm whether VAT (at a rate of 20%) is payable when you instruct us.
Work in the UK | |
Investor, business development and talent visas | Fee estimates |
Innovator | Initial/switch: £10,000 - £20,000 |
Extension: £8,000 - £12,000 | |
Dependant: £2,500 | |
Start-up | Initial/switch: £10,000 - £20,000 |
Extension: £8,000 - £12,000 | |
Dependant: £2,500 | |
UK Expansion Worker | Initial/switch: £8,000 - £12,000 |
Extension: £8,000 - £12,000 | |
Dependant: £2,500 | |
Entrepreneur and Investor | Extension only: £10,000 - £12,000 |
Dependant: £2,500 | |
Global Talent | Initial/switch: £10,000 - £20,000 |
Extension: £3,000 - £5,000 | |
Dependant: £2,500 | |
Long-term work visas | Fee estimates |
Skilled Worker | Initial/switch (in UK): £2,500 - £3,500 |
Initial/switch (outside UK): £3,000 - £5,000 | |
Extension: £2,500 - £3,500 | |
Dependant: £1,500 - £2,500 | |
Health and Care Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, Scale-up Worker, Minister of Religion | Initial/switch: £2,500 - £3,500 |
Extension: £2,500 - £3,500 | |
Dependant: £1,500 - £2,500 | |
Sportsperson | Initial/switch: £3,000 - £6,000 |
Extension: £2,500 - £4,000 | |
Dependant: £1,500 - £2,500 | |
Other work visas | Fee estimates |
UK Ancestry | Initial/switch: £3,000 - £5,000 |
Extension: £2,500 - £3,500 | |
Dependant: £1,500 - £2,500 | |
Temporary Work (incl. work experience) | Initial/switch: £2,500 - £3,500 |
Extension: £2,500 - £3,500 | |
Dependant: £1,500 - £2,500 | |
Sponsorship | Fee estimates |
Application for sponsor licence | £3,500 - £5,500 |
Allocation of Certificate of Sponsorship | £400 - £600 |
Study in the UK | |
Visa type | Fee estimates |
Student | £2,500 to £3,000 |
Child Student | £3,000 to £4,000 |
Family in the UK | |
Visa type | Fee estimates |
Partner (Fiancée, Spouse, Civil Partner, Child) | Initial: £4,500 - £6,000 |
Other types of UK visa | |
Visa type | Fee estimates |
Visitor | Initial: £3,000 - £5,000 |
EEA Nationals And Their Family Members (EU Settlement Scheme - Pre-Settled or Settled Status) | £3,000 - £5,000 |
Dependant: £1,500 - £2,500 | |
Individual applying to become British (Naturalisation) | £4,000 - £6,000 |
Dependant: £1,500 - £2,500 | |
Indefinite Leave to Remain | £4,000 - £6,000 |
Dependant: £1,500 - £2,500 | |
Representation at First-Tier Tribunal | Fee estimates |
Initial: £12,000 - £15,000 | |
The precise cost will depend on the particular circumstances of your case. Where the application is relatively straightforward it is likely that the fees will be at the lower end of the relevant spectrum. Where there are complicating factors, the fees may reach or in some cases exceed the upper end.
Disbursements (not included in costs set out above)
Disbursements are costs that are payable to third parties, such as visa fees. As with our fees, the below disbursements exclude VAT. We have marked where VAT at 20% may be chargeable but we will confirm whether VAT is payable when you instruct us.
The costs quoted here do not include:
- Any Home Office and official fees for submitting the application. These vary depending on the type of application you are making. Please see the following link for further information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table
- Fees of independent expert witnesses where required (VAT at 20% may be chargeable)
- Interpreter fees which vary depending on what language you speak and the amount of time spent by the interpreter. VAT at 20% may be chargeable on interpreter’s fees
- Official translation fees which vary depending on the language and the number of documents requiring translation. VAT at 20% may be chargeable on translation fees
- Counsel’s fees which may be incurred for ad hoc advice on complex issues, or representation at First-Tier Tribunal hearings, at £250-£400 per hour (VAT at 20% may be chargeable).
Interpreter fees
You may require an interpreter to assist with your case, please note that the above fees are not inclusive of interpreter costs. You may only require a couple of hours with an interpreter, whilst other applications may require considerably more time, e.g., 10-15 hours. We estimate these costs to be from £500 - £3,000 for a remote interpreter, however additional fees may apply for an in-person interpreter.
The number of hours needed will vary depending on the complexities of your case, please see ‘Factors that could make a case more complicated’ section below for further guidance.
You are not required to use an interpreter of the firm’s choosing, e.g., you may also wish to bring a friend or community figure to assist you.
What services are included
The work will involve:
- discussing your circumstances in detail and advising on the Immigration Rules and your eligibility in relation to the relevant application
- considering whether any other options are available to you
- completing the application documentation
- providing you with a comprehensive checklist outlining what documents are required in support of your application
- reviewing supporting documentation provided by you and advising if additional evidence is required*
- preparing a covering letter containing legal submissions in support of your application and submitting the application on your behalf
- preparing further template documentation where required
- coordinating Home Office application appointments where necessary
- liaising with the Home Office in relation to your application if the need arises
- giving you advice about the outcome of the application and any further steps you need to take.
*the time this will take depends on the number of documents, whether they need to be translated, whether anything is missing and how long it will take to obtain any missing documents.
Please note that we also offer advice or assistance in relation to appeals. Our appeal services are not included in the fees above but we can discuss fee estimates for this with you separately.
Factors that could make a case more complicated
The following are examples of issues that may impact on the cost:
- The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider.
- Whether you have had a previous adverse immigration matter, such as a visa refusal.
- Which language(s) you speak.
- Whether you are applying with dependants and the number of dependants involved.
- How easily you are able to provide all of the supporting evidence.
- How clearly you meet the eligibility criteria for the relevant application.
- The urgency of your case.
- In relationship cases, where you are not married or where there are stepchildren.
How long will my application take?
We will normally be able to submit most types of application within 2 weeks of instruction provided we have received all the necessary documentation, however in urgent cases we can make an application more quickly.
We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application. However, the current processing times can be found on the Home Office website.
Please note the anticipated number of hours and fees are estimates based the average cost in previous cases we have dealt with. 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.