Our Fees: Business Immigration

Please note that where a client is liable for VAT, our fees as well as some disbursements are subject to VAT. This tax is set by the UK government and is currently 20%.

Stage 1 – Initial Advice

We offer a fixed fee for our initial advice on Business Immigration options, including eligibility to make an application or to challenge a decision.

The fee depends on the level of advisor and the complexity of the case.

This work is undertaken by a Partner or Solicitor in our team.

The fixed fee ranges from £350 – £550 + VAT

The cost includes:

• Face to face / Teams / Telephone meeting with the client (E mail only also available)
• Taking instructions
• Considering documents
• Advising on options, eligibility and the prospects of success
• Providing written advice following meeting

Potential disbursements:

• Interpreter’s fees – usually £30 – £45 per hour (VAT may be payable) – the amount will depend on length of meeting, language required and availability.*

* If we need to pay any third parties then we will require the cost of this up front from you before proceeding. VAT may be payable.

Stage 2 – Application

If you wish to proceed with a Business Immigration application then we offer a choice of paying at hourly rates or a fixed fee for our assistance.

This work is undertaken by the Partner and Solicitors in our team, who may be assisted by a Paralegal or Trainee Solicitor. All team members are supervised by Bryony Rest.

The hourly rate or fixed fee depends on the level of advisor and the type and complexity of the case:

Hourly rates

Our hourly rates for Business Immigration applications are (plus VAT):

Paralegal / Trainee Solicitor £190
Solicitor £275
Partner  £325

Stages of the work may be undertaken by different grades of caseworker, depending on the type of case and complexity.

The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in each case including:

• The complexity of the issues involved
• The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider
• Whether there are multiple applicants e.g. more than one member of a family group
• How long a case takes for the Home Office to determine

Fixed fees

Our fixed fees are based on the anticipated time that an average case of the type usually takes, calculated on the hourly rate.

Each application will vary: we will be able to provide a more accurate estimate of likely costs, fees and timescale once we have more information about a specific case.

The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in each case including:

• The complexity of the issues involved
• The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider
• Whether there are multiple applicants e.g. more than one member of a family group**
• How long a case takes

All applications are likely to vary and we will be able to provide a more accurate estimate once we have more information about a specific case.

The cost may include:

• Advising you on the requirements for an application
• Advising you on the required supporting documents for an application
• Preparing and submitting an application
• Checking supporting documents
• Drafting a letter in support of an application
• Booking a UKVCAS / VFS appointment
• Advising on progress
• Advising on the outcome of an application

Additional costs:

• Uploading supporting documents to the UKVCAS / VFS websites – we charge an additional fee of £150 – £200 + VAT for this service per Applicant, depending on volume of documents and website
• The cost of challenging a decision if the application is refused – we will advise on the likely cost if required – see Stage 3 below

Potential disbursements:

• Home Office visa fee – paid to the Home Office directly. VAT does not apply to Home Office fees. The fee will vary depending on the type of application being made. The Home Office website provides information on fees: UK visa fees – GOV.UK

• Immigration Health Surcharge – paid to the Home Office directly. VAT does not apply. The fee is £1035 per year for an adult / £776 per year for a child. It is paid per 6 months so depend on the type and length of visa being applied for.*
• Interpreter’s fees– usually £30 – £45 per hour (VAT may be payable) – the amount will depend on length of meeting, language required and availability.*
• Translation of documents – the amount will depend on the length and complexity of the document report required.*
• Medical reports / notes – the amount will depend on the length and complexity of the document report required.*
• Any other disbursements / payments to third parties necessary for your case*

* If we need to pay any third parties then we will require the cost of this up front from you before proceeding. VAT may be payable.

How long will an application take?

We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to decide an application.

The Home Office provide information on service standards, so typical timescales, for applications made both inside and outside the UK:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/visa-processing-times

For some applications it is possible to pay an additional fee for a Priority or Super Priority service and receive a quicker decision. We can advise you on the availability of this service.

Case Examples:

Sponsor Licence Applications

We offer a choice of paying at hourly rates or a fixed fee for our assistance.

The hourly rate or fixed fee depends on the level of advisor and the type and complexity of the case. This work is undertaken by a Partner or Solicitor.

On average, this type of application takes between 6 – 9 hours to complete, depending on complexity.

This means that our costs are usually between £1800 – £3000 + VAT.

The Home Office service standard for this type of application is 8 weeks.

There is a Priority Service offered for an additional fee which can give a 5 working day decision.

Skilled Work Visas

We offer a choice of paying at hourly rates or a fixed fee for our assistance.

The hourly rate or fixed fee depends on the level of advisor and the type and complexity of the case. This work may be undertaken by a Partner, Solicitor, Paralegal or Trainee Solicitor.

On average, this type of application takes between 3 – 5 hours to complete, depending on complexity.

This means that our costs are usually between £950 – £1500 + VAT.

The Home Office say that the typical timescale depends on the application being made and whether the application is made inside or outside the UK.

There may be Priority and Super Priority Services available for an additional fee.

Applications made inside the UK:

• Standard service – 8 weeks
• Priority service – 5 working days (if available)
• Super Priority service – 24 hours (if available)

Applications made outside the UK:

• Standard service – 3 weeks

Priority service – 1 – 2 weeks (if available)

Stage 3 – Challenging a negative decision

If you wish to challenge a decision of the Home Office, then we offer a choice of paying at hourly rates or a fixed fee for our assistance.

The fee depends on the level of advisor and the type and complexity of the case. This work is undertaken by a Partner or Solicitor in our team who may be assisted by a Paralegal or Trainee Solicitor. All team members are supervised by Bryony Rest.

Some decisions attract a statutory right to an Appeal or Administrative Review, depending on the type of case and stage it is at. Civil Penalty case may have the right to an Objection.

The key stages involved in an Appeal are explained by this flow chart:

 

Other decisions have no right to Appeal or Administrative Review but it is possible to consider a challenge by way of an application for permission for Judicial Review.

Hourly rates

Our hourly rates for challenging business immigration decisions are:

Paralegal / Trainee Solicitor               £190
Solicitor                                                £275
Partner                                                 £325

The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in each case including:

• The complexity of the issues involved
• The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider
• Whether there are multiple applicants e.g. more than one member of a family group
• How long a case takes for the Home Office / Tribunal to determine

Fixed fees

Our fixed fees are based on the anticipated time that an average case of the type usually takes, calculated on the hourly rate.

Potential disbursements:

• Administrative Review fee – £80. VAT is not payable.*
• Appeal fee – £80 paper appeal / £140 oral appeal. VAT is not payable.*
• Court fees – e.g. Judicial Review issue fee £174 / Civil appeal issue fee £171.*
• Counsel’s fees to advise / for representation at a hearing – these will depend on the type of case, complexity, length of proceedings and Counsel’s experience and their fees structure. E.g. average cost to advise on the merits of a Civil Penalty appeal and draft Grounds £1500 to £3000. VAT may be payable.*

• Interpreter’s fees– usually £30 – £45 per hour (VAT may be payable) – the amount will depend on length of meeting, language required and availability.*

• Translation of documents – the amount will depend on the length and complexity of the document report required.*
• Medical reports / notes – the amount will depend on the length and complexity of the document report required.*
• Any other disbursements / payments to third parties necessary for your case*

* If we need to pay any third parties then we will require the cost of this up front from you before proceeding. VAT may be payable.

Examples:

Administrative Review

To advise upon a refusal and to lodge an Administrative Review we offer a choice of paying at hourly rates or fixed fee.

On average, this type of work takes around 2 – 4 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £500 (advice only) – £1300 (advice and lodging) + VAT.

The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in your case. Such as:

• The complexity of the issues involved
• The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider
• Whether there are multiple applicants e.g. more than one member of a family group

The cost may include:

• Advising on the options available
• Preparing and lodging a review (if advised)
• Advising on progress and outcome

Potential disbursements:

• Administrative Review fee – £80. VAT is not payable.*

* If we need to pay any third parties then we will require the cost of this up front from you before proceeding. VAT may be payable.

Civil Penalty appeal

We offer a choice of paying at hourly rates or a fixed fee for an Objection.

We only offer paying at hourly rates for Civil Penalty appeals.

It is not possible to provide an average cost for this stage of work as each case varies so widely depending on the issues and number of alleged illegal workers involved.

The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in your case. Such as:

• The complexity of the issue involved
• The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider
• Whether there are multiple alleged illegal workers
• The number of hearings involved

If the case proceeds from advising up to making an Objection then the total time estimate is likely to be 5 – 10 hours’ work. This means that on average costs could be between £1,625 – £3,500 + VAT.

If the case proceeds from advising and up to a full appeal hearing then the total time estimate is likely to be 20 – 40 hours’ work. This means that on average costs could be between £5,500 – £13,000 + VAT.

The cost may include:

• Advising on the options available
• Preparing and lodging an Objection and advising on the outcome
• Instructing Counsel to advise on appeal and prepare Grounds
• Preparing and lodging an appeal (if advised)
• Advising on and collating the Appellant’s evidence
• Advising on and preparing Appellant’s evidence, including Witness Statements and Court Bundles
• Advising on the Respondent’s evidence
• Instructing Counsel to advise further / for representation
• Liaising with Respondent’s representatives including seeking to settle case
• Advising on the outcome of the appeal, including any onward appeal

Potential disbursements:

• Court fees – e.g. Civil appeal issue fee £171.*
• Counsel’s fees to advise / for representation at a hearing –  will depend on the type of case, complexity, length of proceedings and Counsel’s experience and their fees structure e.g. average cost to advise on the merits of a Civil Penalty appeal and draft Grounds £1500 to £3000. VAT may be payable.*

* If we need to pay any third parties then we will require the cost of this up front from you before proceeding. VAT may be payable.

Judicial Review

We only offer paying at hourly rates for Judicial Review.

It is not possible to provide an average cost for this stage of work as each case varies so widely depending on the issues involved.

The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in your case. Such as:

• The complexity of the issue involved
• The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider
• Whether there are multiple claimants
• The response to the Pre Action Protocol letter before claim
• The number of hearings involved

If the case proceeds from advising up to pursuing the Pre Action Protocol then the total time estimate is likely to be 6 – 10 hours’ work. This means that on average costs could be between £1,650 – £3,250 (advice and pursuing Pre Action Protocol) + VAT.

If the case proceeds from advising up to a full Judicial Review hearing then the total time estimate is likely to be 30 – 40 hours’ work. This means that on average costs could be between £5,500 – £13,000 + VAT.

The cost may include:

• Advising on the options available
• Instructing Counsel to advise on and prepare Grounds
• Preparing and lodging an application (if advised)
• Advising on progress
• Advising on the outcome

Potential disbursements:

• Court fees – e.g. Judicial Review issue fee £174.*
• Counsel’s fees to advise / for representation at a hearing – these will depend on the type of case, complexity, length of proceedings and Counsel’s experience and their fees structure. E.g. average cost to advise on the merits of a Judicial Review and draft Grounds £1500 to £3000. VAT may be payable.*

* If we need to pay any third parties then we will require the cost of this up front from you before proceeding. VAT may be payable.

This work will be undertaken by the team displayed below, all team members are supervised by Bryony Rest.