Fee waiver applications

The affordability question

The Home Office considers income, outgoings, savings, housing costs, dependants and any support received. The evidence needs to cover the recent period consistently, and third-party support needs to be explained rather than simply appear in a bank statement.

Timing matters

Where leave is due to expire, the timing of a fee waiver request and the underlying application needs care. A solicitor will advise on the order and timing of each step.

Who this page is for

• Applicants who cannot afford the Home Office fee, the health surcharge, or both
• Households on benefits, low income, or irregular income
• Applicants supported financially by family or friends
• Households with children or other dependants
• Applicants whose request has been refused, or whose leave is about to expire

How the process works

• A solicitor reviews the household finances and the immigration position together
• Written advice on what the request needs to document and on the order and timing of each step
• An evidence plan covering the recent period for all accounts and sources of support
• The request is prepared with a written explanation of the household position and approved by a solicitor
• Where a request is refused, we review the reasons given and advise on what follows and by when

Evidence and documents

Requests are usually supported by complete bank statements for the recent period, evidence of income and any benefits received, housing costs, essential living costs, and evidence about dependants. Support from third parties needs to be explained, and any unusual payment in or out is better addressed in the request than left to be queried.

Where requests most often run into difficulty

• Incomplete or redacted statements, or an account left out
• Unexplained credits, transfers or gifts
• A household picture that is only partly set out and so appears inconsistent
• Leaving the request so late that a refusal leaves no time to pay the fee instead
• Circumstances that changed after the evidence was gathered

Fees

We agree fees in writing before substantive work begins, and we confirm what is included in the scope of work. How we charge, and the Home Office fees that are payable in addition to our professional fees, are explained on our fees page.

If you would like the position on your own facts reviewed, make an enquiry and we will confirm the next step in writing. An enquiry is a request for a consultation; it is not advice, and it does not create a solicitor-client relationship.