Fee waiver applications

What the Home Office looks at

Income and outgoings, savings, housing costs, dependent children and any support being received, evidenced over the recent period. Requests are commonly refused where bank statements are incomplete, where third-party support is not explained, or where the household position is not set out fully.

How we approach a fee waiver request

A solicitor reviews the household finances against the current fee waiver policy, identifies the evidence needed, and prepares the request with a written explanation of the position. Where a request has already been refused, we review the reasons given and advise on the next step and its timing.

Who this page is for

• Applicants who cannot afford the Home Office application fee, the health surcharge, or both
• Households relying on benefits, low or irregular income, or support from family or friends
• Applicants with children or other dependants in the household
• People whose leave is close to expiring and who need advice on timing
• Applicants whose fee waiver request has already been refused

How the process works

• A solicitor reviews the household's income, outgoings and circumstances
• Written advice on what the request will need to document, and on the timing of each step
• An evidence plan covering the recent period consistently, with any third-party support explained
• The request is prepared alongside the underlying application and approved by a solicitor
• Where a request is refused, we review the reasons and advise on the next step and its deadline

Evidence and documents

Affordability is decided on documents, not on assertion. Requests are usually supported by bank statements covering the recent period for every account, evidence of income and benefits, housing costs, essential living costs, and evidence about dependants. Where someone else is helping with money or accommodation, that support needs to be explained rather than simply appear in a statement.

Where requests most often run into difficulty

• Bank statements that are incomplete, redacted or missing an account
• Payments in or out that are not explained
• Household position set out only partially, so the picture looks inconsistent
• Requests made so late that a refusal leaves no time to pay the fee instead
• Circumstances that have changed since 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.