Our Prices - Immigration

Immigration – Our Services & Fees

The immigration services detailed below are provided by Mr Ruchir Shah, whose hourly rate for this type of work is £350 + VAT(currently at 20%)

Further details of all the members of our immigration team, including their qualifications and experience can be accessed here

1. Our Fees (see Section 6 below)

The time required to prepare and submit an application is dependent upon the personal circumstances and background of the applicant as well as the complexity of the legal issues involved so it is not possible for us to undertake most of our immigration work on a fixed-fee basis. Our fees are therefore calculated on the hourly rate of the solicitor handling the case and at the outset of the work only an approximation of our final fee is possible. However we will keep you updated about the costs of the case and your authority to proceed will be sought should we foresee a significant increase above the initial estimate.

2. Value Added Tax (VAT )

All prices quoted exclude VAT, but when applied it is charged at the current rate of 20% and added to our invoice. However, VAT is not applicable in some immigration cases and may depend on where you live and what immigration permission(s) you have. We can provide guidance on this though you might wish to seek your own independent tax advice in this regard.

3. What is Included in our Services and Covered by our Professional Fees

As the circumstances and nature of each application can differ considerably the services provided to each client will also vary, but will include the following:

1. Taking instructions from via telephone calls, e-mails and meetings; 

2. Advising you about the relevant law and procedures;

3. Preparing a supporting document checklist for you;

4. Reviewing all supporting documentation provided by you;

5. Undertaking all necessary preparatory work for the appropriate Application(s);

6. Drafting and submitting the completed Application;

7. Liaising with you and third parties (e.g. Counsel) where necessary;

8. Advising you on the timelines and outcome of your Application;

4. What is Not Covered by our Professional Fees

These are costs which we may incur on your behalf and are in addition to our professional fees. They might include but not limited to the following:

1. All the Disbursements referred to in Section 5 below;

2. Payments to HM Revenue and Customs, HN Passport Office or HM Land Registry;

3. External Translation Services

4. Preparing Schedules of Absences from the UK

5. Costs of Experts or Agents instructed on your behalf. 

6. Travel

5. Disbursements

As already noted these are expenses paid to third parties and are not included in our professional fees. They are continually reviewed by the government and other public bodies and subject to frequent change so in order to ensure you have access to the latest information we urge you to use the links below. They fall into the following categories:

1. Home Office Fees (for the administration of your application);

www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table

2. Immigration Health Surcharges;

www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay

3. Court & Tribunal Fees;

www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-to-pay-or-reduce-your-visa-or-immigration-appeal-fee

4. Qualification level and English language certificate 

www.ecctis.com

5. Counsel (Barrister’s) Fees; Typically, between £2000 to £15,000 plus VAT

Please check the relevant websites above for the most up-to-date fees. 

Further details of the applicability and extent of these disbursements are provided in the table of Services and Fees in Section 6 below.

Please note: Home Office Fees, Immigration Health Surcharges & Court Fees are not subject to VAT .

The following expenses might also be necessary in some cases:

6. Bank Transfer Charges:£5 - £12 + VAT

7. Courier Fees: To be advised

8. Non-Routine Postage Charges: To be advised.

6. Services and Estimated Costs

In the table below the following abbreviations are used: 
“LTR”: Limited Leave to Remain
“IHS” Immigration Health Surcharge 
“ILR” Indefinite Leave to Remain
“FTT” – First Tier Tribunal – this is the first instance court for Immigration appeals; separate fees would apply for Upper Tribunal hearings


	Fees	Other Disbursements which may apply
Initial Consultation [1 - 2 hours]	£300 – £600 excluding VAT	Usually none
Citizenship (Naturalisation or Registration)  [3½ - 14½ hours]	£1200 – £5,000 excluding VAT	Home Office Fees
EEA Applications (e.g. Registration Certificate, Permanent Residence or Family Members) [2½ - 11½ hours]	£900 – £4,000 excluding VAT	Home Office Fees
Partner or parent Applications (LTR In-Country or From Overseas) [7 - 14½ hours]	£2400 – £5,000 excluding VAT	Home Office Fees  Immigration Health Surcharges Qualification level and English language certificate
ILR Applications (e.g. on basis of Long Residence, family relationships, or other routes – In-Country only) [5 - 14½ hours]	£1800 – £5,000 excluding VAT	Home Office Fees  Qualification level and English language certificate.
Sponsorship Licence application. [7 - 28½ hours]	£2400 – £10,000 excluding VAT	Home Office Fees
Work visas and all other sponsored skilled worker visa. [5 – 43 hours]	£2000 - £15000 excluding VAT	Home Office Fees  Immigration Health Surcharges Qualification level and English language certificate
Study in the UK or sponsor a student [3 – 7 hours]	£1000 - £2500 excluding VAT	Home Office Fees  Immigration Health Surcharges Qualification level and English language certificate
Immigration Appeal – FTT [8½ - 28½ hours]	£3,000 – £10,000 excluding VAT	Court & Tribunal Fees Counsel Fees - Fees vary £2000.00 to £15,000.00 plus VAT
[4.5 – 17 hours] Deportation [11½ - 28½ hours]	£1,600 – £6,000 excluding VAT FTT deportation appeal: £4,000 – £10,000 excluding VAT	Detailed Expert Reports from medical specialists, social workers or country experts – fees vary £600.00 to £3000.00 plus VAT
Judicial Reviews [8½ - 28½ hours	Please contact us for a quotation based on your circumstances £3000 to £10,000.00 excluding VAT	Interpreting usually charged at £20-£45 plus VAT per hour for interpreting, £12 per hour for travel and expenses
Asylum Applications and Appeals [11.5 - 28½ hours]	Please contact us for a quotation based on your circumstances £4,000 to £10,000 excluding VAT	Interpreting usually charged at £20-£45 plus VAT per hour for interpreting, £12 per hour for travel and expenses




These estimated number fees reflect the highly variable nature of immigration applications and are based on our experience of a wide range of cases. Once we have a better understanding of your individual circumstances we can provide more accurate estimates, and occasionally agree to undertake the work on a fixed-fee basis

7. Factors which could increase the overall cost of your case

• Information regarding your immigration history, your personal circumstances or financial status not disclosed at the time of your original instructions;

• Delays in obtaining essential information / documentation we request;

• A need to translate documents and/or apply for updated versions;

• Unforeseen complexities in an Application;

• Working under additional pressures to meet short deadlines as a result of delays in your instructions and/or failure to provide information / documentation in a timely manner.

8. Factors which could decrease the overall cost of your case

• As a former client we are already familiar with your immigration history and our prior work remains relevant to any new instructions;

• In the event of multiple instructions from the same person, family or organization.

• In the event that you have undertaken a significant amount of preparatory work yourself and you provide all or most of the necessary information / documentation at the time of your instructions.

9. Timescales

The government agency responsible for immigration may take an unpredictable amount of time to process your application. Please check their website ( https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-processing-times-applications-outside-the-uk ) for the most up-to-date processing times.