Immigration Applications – First-tier Tribunal
Introduction
We have set out below the issues you need to consider in relation to Legal Fees and disbursements for the preparation and submission of immigration applications, excluding asylum applications and the provision of advice and representation at the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) in relation to appeals against Home Office visa or immigration decisions, excluding asylum appeals.
Our Legal Fees cover all of the work required to handle your case from instruction to conclusion.
VAT: Please note all fees quoted are excluding VAT and Home Office fees. VAT is payable at 20% unless exempt.
VAT is not payable:
- 1. If you are resident overseas
- 2. If you are an asylum seeker
- 3. If you don’t have leave to remain in the United Kingdom
- 4. If your immigration application is refused and you are appealing and have no leave to remain in the UK
We will confirm whether VAT (at a rate of 20%) is payable when we have been instructed and can work out if VAT is properly chargeable.
Legal Fees and Action We Will Take
Legal Fees are the amount you will be required to pay for all the work performed by us in actioning your instructions from commencement of your case to conclusion.
The following services will be included for immigration applications or appeals against the Home Office:
Immigration Applications
- Taking your initial instructions, assessing merits of your case and advising you accordingly.
- Providing a detailed document checklist of the documents required for the application.
- Reviewing the documents provided by you and advising accordingly.
- Assisting you for completing your application form.
- Advising you on the application process and assisting you with the booking of appointments.
- Collating your supporting documents and preparing the application pack.
- Liaising with third parties where necessary to obtain supporting documents if required.
- Drafting a detailed letter of representation to support your application.
- Drafting a detailed letter of representation to support your application.
- Advising you on the outcome of the application and the conditions attached to your visa.
Appeals
- Taking your initial instructions, assessing merits of your case, and advising you accordingly.
- Advising you on the appeal process.
- Filing the appeal.
- Investigating, collating and advising you on the relevant documents required in support of your appeal.
- Drafting witness statements.
- Collating your supporting documents and preparing appeal bundle.
- Liaising with third parties where necessary to obtain supporting documents if required
- Submitting the appeal bundle.
- Instructing the counsel (Barrister) to draft the skeleton arguments, and to represent you at appeal hearing.
- Liaising with the counsel until the appeal is finally heard.
- Informing you about the results and next steps.
Legal Fees:
Legal Fees are the amount you will be required to pay for all the work performed by us in actioning your instructions from commencement of your case to conclusion.
We can provide our services on a fixed fee or on an hourly rate basis offering our clients the choice of whether they wish us to charge on a time basis or fixed fees. Our hourly rates range, depending on who is working on the matter, from £138 plus VAT for paralegals to £301 plus VAT for Directors (£165.60 – £361.20.00 inc. VAT). It will entirely depend on the experience and qualification of the case handler.
Our hourly rates are as follows:-
| Status | Hourly Rate |
| Directors, Solicitors, Legal Executives & other fee earners with over eight years’ post-qualification experience including at least eight years’ litigation experience | 301 Plus VAT |
| Solicitors/Legal Executives & other fee earners with 4 years’ experience | 247 Plus VAT |
| Other Solicitors/Legal Executives & fee earners | 197 Plus VAT |
| Other fee earners & Paralegals | 138 Plus VAT |
Immigration Fixed Fees:
| Service | Typical Legal Fees Excluding VAT | Including VAT @20% |
| Initial Fixed Fee Consultation | £100 (For half an hour consultation only) | £120.00 |
| Certification of Documents | £5 – £10 | £6 – £12 |
| Certification of Affidavit / Statutory Declaration | £15 – £20 | £18 – £24 |
| Drafting of Affidavit / Statutory Declaration | £100 – £300 | £120 – £360 |
| Change of Name Deeds | £100 – £200 | £120 – £240 |
| Standard Visit Visa Applications | £1200 – £2000 | £1440 – £2400 |
| Permitted Paid Engagements Visa Applications | £1200 – £2000 | £1440- £2400 |
| Marriage Visitor Visa Applications | £1200 – £2000 | £1,440 – £2400 |
| Parent of Tier 4 Child Visa Applications | £1200 – £1500 | £1440- £1800 |
| Domestic Worker Visa Applications | £1,500 – £2,000 | £1800 – £2400 |
| Entry Clearance Application – Fiancé` /Spouse /Civil Partner / Unmarried Partner | £1500 – £2000 | £1800 – £2400 |
| Switching / Extension of Leave to remain – Fiancé`/Spouse /Civil Partner / Unmarried Partner – 5/10 Years Route | £1500 – £2000 | £1800 – £2400 |
| ILR Application – Spouses / Civil Partners / Unmarried Partners |
£1800 – £2500 | £2160 – £3000 |
| Adult Dependent Relative Visa Applications | £3500 – £5000 | £4200 – £6000 |
| ILR – Victims of Domestic Violence | £1500 – £2000 | £1800 – £2400 |
| ILR – Bereaved Partners | £1500 – £2000 | £1800 – £2400 |
| ILR – Family Members of Point Based Migrants | £1200 – £1500 | £1440 – £1800 |
| Right of Access to Child Visa Applications | £1500 – £2000 | £1800 – £2400 |
| ILR for Right of Access to Child Visa Applications | £1500 – £2000 | £1800 – £2400 |
| Private Life Applications (inside or outside rules) | £1500 – £2500 | £1800 – £3000 |
| Dependants of human rights Applications applying with main Applicant | £500 (each dependant) | £600 |
| Dependants of human rights Applications applying separately |
£1000 (first dependant) | £1200 |
| £500 each for following dependants | £600 | |
| Tier 1 (Investor/Entrepreneur) LR/Extension/ILR | £2500 – £4500 | £3000 – £5400 |
| Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) – Switching / Extension | £2500 – £4500 | £3000 – £5400 |
| Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) | £2500 – £4500 | £3000 – £5400 |
| Start Up Visa | £2500 – £4500 | £3000 – £5400 |
| Innovator Founder Visa | £2500 – £4500 | £3000 – £5400 |
| Global Talent Application (all categories) – Entry Clearance/LR/Extension | £2500 – £4500 | £3000 – £5400 |
| Scale Up Visa | £2500 -£4500 | £3000 – £5400 |
| High Potential Individual Visa | £1500 – £2500 | £1800 – £3000 |
| Tier 2 (General/Intra–Company Transfer/Religious Minister) Entry Clearance /Leave to remain / ILR | £1800 – £2500 | £2160 – £3000 |
| Tier 4 / Tier 2 Sponsorship License Application | £3500 – £7000 | £4200 – £8400 |
| Tier 4 (General) Student – Entry Clearance / Extension | £1200 – £1500 | £1440 – £1800 |
| Tier 4 (Child) Student – Entry Clearance / Extension | £1200 – £1500 | £1440 – £1800 |
| Tier 5 | £1500 – £2500 | £1800 – £3000 |
| PBS / Business Visa dependant Applications applying with main Applicant |
£500 (each dependant) | £600 |
| PBS / Business dependant Applications applying separately |
£800 (for first dependant) | £960 |
| £500 each for following dependants | £600 | |
| Sole Representative Leave to remain / ILR Application | £2500 – £4000 | £3000 – £4800 |
| Dependants of Sole Representative applying with main Applicant | £700 (each dependant) | £840 |
| Dependants of Sole Representative applying separately | £1000 (first dependant) | £1200 |
| £500 following dependant | £600 | |
| ETA Applications | £800-£1200 | £960 -£1440 |
| Graduate Leave to Remain | £1200-£1500 | £1440 – £1800 |
| Dependants of Graduate applying with main applicant | £500 (each dependant) | £600 |
| Dependant of Graduate applying separately | £1000 (first dependant) | £1200 |
| £500 each for following dependants | £600 | |
| Any Application under EU regulations | £1500 – £2,500 | £1800- £3000 |
| Turkish Businessperson Visas | £1800 – £2500 | £2160 – £3000 |
| Ancestry Visas | £1800 – £2500 | £2160 – £3000 |
| ILR/Settlement Application | £1800 – £2500 | £2160 – £3000 |
| British Citizenship Applications | £1000– £1500 | £1200- £1800 |
| Appeals at First-tier Tribunal | £2500 – £8,000 | £3000 – £9600 |
| Permission Applications to First-tier Tribunal or to Upper Tribunal | £1500 | £1800 |
| Administrative Review Applications | £1200 – £1500 | £1440 – £1800 |
| Miscellaneous Applications (NTL/Travel Document/SAR) | £500 -£700 | £600 – £840 |
Every case is different and so we can only estimate the costs of our service once we’ve discussed your situation and seen your paperwork.
All fees are average:
Our fees in respect of immigration matters will vary based on the amount of work involved.
For a more specific quote, kindly email us with details of your immigration matter and we will be happy to provide you with a quotation.
If at any stage our fees change, we will notify you and discuss the reason for any changes. This would typically occur if you change your instructions or your case involves an unforeseen complexity.
Our average fees assume that:
- The transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise.
- All parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from any parties providing documentation.
Disbursements and Other Costs
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Home Office fees, court/tribunal fees, counsel’s fees, independent experts and interpreters’ fees. This is not included in our hourly or agreed fixed fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
Please note, all disbursements attract 20% VAT save for clients seeking Asylum or if they are on a Visit Visa. If you are seeking Asylum or are on a Visit Visa, you will not be charged any VAT on your matter. We will confirm whether VAT is payable when you have been instructed and can work out if VAT is properly chargeable.
You will be notified of such fees or anticipated fees at the start of your matter.
The disbursements for immigration and nationality applications may include:
-
- Home Office immigration health surcharge (details here).
- Any Home Office fees for making the application. You will pay this to the Home Office directly as part of the application process.
- Costs for English language tests, Tuberculosis tests, criminal record certificates, biometrics.
- Immigration Skills Charge
- Where the Home Office refuse your application, any advice and assistance in relation to any appeal or further application.
- Attendance at and travel to/from a Home Office interview: Interviews are rare in most categories, if the Home Office ask you to attend an interview, we can give you clear advice (and discuss the possibility of us attending with you) at the appropriate time. We can give you an additional quote for this, if required.
The disbursements for appeals, permission applications, judicial reviews matters may include:
Interpreter fees: usually charged at £20 – £25 plus VAT (£24 – £25 inc. VAT) per hour and instructed only when it was necessary. A quotation for their services will be obtained and discussed with you before they are instructed to ensure you are fully aware of the fees that will be charged. Clients are also free to find their own interpreters or a friend or community figure to assist them, as appropriate.
Independent expert reports: may include medical specialists report, social worker report, country expert report etc. These are not required in every case and will only be obtained if it was necessary. They may estimate from £600 – £3,000 plus VAT (£720 – £3,600 Inc. VAT)
Counsel’s (Barrister) fees: £1000 – £4000 plus VAT (£1,200 – £4,800 Inc. VAT) depending on the seniority of the barrister and complexity of the matter. If you want a very experienced barrister, then the cost is likely to be more. You may also incur additional charges such as travel costs for us to attend meetings and hearings.
First-tier Tribunal fees for appeals only: £140.00
Fees to issue Judicial Review proceedings: £154.00
Fees to continue a Judicial Review: £375.00 + £375.00 = £770.00
Fees to apply to court of appeal for permission to appeal from Upper Tribunal / High Court in Judicial Review matters: £528.00
Fees to continue the appeal in court of appeal after permission: £1199.00
Time Frame
There is not any guaranteed home office timeline to process and finally decide your application. However, details of current processing times can be found here: https://visa-processingtimes.homeoffice.gov.uk/
As far as our timeline to prepare and submit your application is concerned. Once we have taken your instructions, received your full supporting documents and fees, we will be able to submit your application to the Home Office as quickly as possible. The time it takes will be subject to how quickly all relevant information and documentation takes to collate. If there is a deadline in which you require an application to be submitted, we would then work with you to complete and submit it in time.
The immigration, human rights and asylum appeals are required to be filed to First-tier Tribunal within 14 days of the date of the home office decision for in country appeals and 28 days for out of country appeals. If we have received your instructions at least one day before the end of the deadline, we can file your appeal in time. Once the appeal is filed at immigration tribunal, it may take 3 – 12 months to reach a final hearing and determination.
All the permission applications to First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal needs to be made within 14 days of First-tier Tribunal decision. We can make your application in time if we have received your instructions at least one week before the deadline. Once the application for permission is submitted it may take 2 – 6 months to reach a decision.
This is just an estimate, and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.
We ask clients to instruct us at least 2-6 months before their intended visa start date, or expiry date of their current visa to ensure they have enough time to qualify under time sensitive requirements in relation to financial evidence and prepare complex documents adequately.
Fee Earners
We have several members of the team who may work on your matter. Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Saad Balouch, Head of Immigration. You can view information about our team members here: https://clydesolicitors.co.uk/our-team/
Questions
If you have any questions relating to our services and our fees, please contact us by calling 0203 5000 913 or email info@clydesolicitors.co.uk