Immigration

Stoke White Ltd is regulation by The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).  The SRA Transparency Rules, require us to disclose service information for certain types of immigration work including the preparation and submission of immigration 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.

Below, you will find information about the basis on which we charge for immigration work, what work is included under the fixed fee, what is not included in the fixed fee and the experience and qualifications of the person who will be acting for you.

 

Our Charges

 

  • We are pleased to offer representation for your immigration matter based on a Fixed fee arrangement, allowing for flexible payment options.
  • By establishing a predetermined fixed fee at the beginning of your case, you will have a clear understanding of the exact cost involved. The Fixed Fee will be determined by:
    1. The level of complexity associated with your case
    2. The volume of supporting evidence that requires evaluation
    3. Whether you are applying together with other dependants
  • In such instances, our charges will be based on the case handler’s hourly rate. Our current hourly rates are as follows:

 

Status Rate per hour
Partner £600-£800 plus VAT
Senior Solicitor £400-£500 plus VAT
Solicitor £250-£350 plus VAT
Trainee Solicitor £150-£250 plus VAT
Consultant £350-£450 plus VAT
Case worker £150-£200 plus VAT
Paralegal £150-£200 plus VAT

 

  • If you are unable to make full payment of our fee upfront, we are willing to accept half of the agreed fee upon initial instructions, with the remaining balance to be paid before the application is submitted for consideration.
  • Please note that our charges do not include VAT, which will be added to your bill at the prevailing rate of 20%.
  • Our Fixed fee for immigration cases encompasses all work conducted until we receive a written immigration decision for the specified stage of your immigration application or appeal, as per your instructions.
  • Kindly be aware that our fees do not cover third-party charges, such as the Home Office UKVI fees for the applications.
  • The following estimates outline the fee range for most standard applications. After conducting an initial assessment of your situation, we will reach agreement on a fixed fee for your application

 

What is Included in the Agreed Fixed Fee?

 

For Entry Clearance (Out-of-Country) Visa Applications

Upon receiving your instruction to handle your UK entry clearance application, we will undertake all necessary tasks until a decision is reached by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) regarding your visa application. The average completion time for these cases typically ranges from 6 to 20 hours, depending on the complexity of your situation. Our comprehensive service includes the following:

 

  • Assessing your eligibility for visa entry clearance under relevant Immigration Rules, EEA Regulations, or citizenship laws, taking into account all pertinent personal circumstances. This assessment generally takes 1-2 hours.
  • Providing guidance on the strengths and weaknesses of your visa entry clearance application, offering insights and recommendations. On average, this consultation lasts 1-2 hours.
  • Advising you on the specific documents required to support your visa entry clearance application, ensuring compliance with Home Office UKVI immigration Rules. Typically, this process takes 1-2 hours.
  • Thoroughly reviewing your documents to ensure they meet the necessary requirements set by the Home Office UKVI. This scrutiny generally takes 1-5 hours.
  • Completing and submitting the online application form for UK entry clearance, gathering all relevant information from you. The average time spent on this task is 1-5 hours.
  • Assisting you with the payment of the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) when applicable.
  • (In Spouse Visa Application cases) If necessary, preparing a comprehensive witness statement from the applicant and/or the sponsor, providing essential background information and relevant factors pertaining to the spouse visa entry clearance application. This preparation typically takes 1-5 hours.
  • (In Spouse Visa Application cases) Crafting a detailed cover letter to introduce and support your spouse visa entry clearance application. On average, this process takes 1-2 hours.
  • Uploading all relevant supporting documents online and scheduling an appointment for passport submission and biometric enrolment. The average time spent on these tasks is 1-5 hours.
  • Engaging in timely communication and coordination with the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) to facilitate a prompt decision on your visa entry clearance application.

 

In-country Visa Applications

 

For applications made within the country, the completion time for these tasks typically ranges from 6 to 20 hours, depending on the complexity of the case. Our fixed fee encompasses the following services:

  1. Conducting an initial consultation with you, assessing your eligibility under applicable Immigration Rules, EEA Regulations, or citizenship laws, and determining if you meet the criteria based on your personal circumstances. On average, this consultation takes 1-2 hours.
  2. Providing guidance on the strengths and weaknesses of your application. On average, this advisory session lasts 1-2 hours.
  3. Advising you on the necessary supporting documents to be submitted with your Visa application. Typically, this guidance takes 1-2 hours.
  4. Evaluating your documents to ensure compliance with the Home Office’s requirements for documentary evidence. This assessment generally takes 1-5 hours.
  5. Completing and submitting the online application form to the Home Office, collecting all relevant information from you. The average time spent on this task is 1-5 hours.
  6. Assisting you with the payment of the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), if applicable.
  7. (In Spouse Visa Application cases) If required, preparing a comprehensive witness statement from the applicant and/or the sponsor, explaining the background of their relationship and other pertinent factors related to the spouse visa renewal application. On average, this preparation takes 1-5 hours.
  8. (In Spouse Visa Application cases) Crafting a detailed cover letter to introduce and support your spouse visa renewal application. Typically, this process takes 1-2 hours.
  9. Uploading all relevant supporting documents online and scheduling an appointment for passport submission and biometric enrolment. The average time spent on these tasks is 1-5 hours.
  10. Coordinating with the relevant Immigration Department to ensure a timely decision on your visa application. Please note that if the Home Office requires you to attend an interview, our fees do not cover accompanying you to the interview; however, we will provide clear advice in such cases.
  11. Providing advice regarding the outcome of the application and guiding you on any further steps you need to take.

 

Citizenship & Registration Applications

 

As part of our professional legal services regarding your application for naturalisation as a British Citizen, we will perform the following immigration casework:

 

  • Assessing your eligibility for naturalisation as a British Citizen under the Immigration Rules or eligibility for registration under the British Nationality Act 1981. This assessment will consider all relevant information, including your past immigration history. On average, this process takes 1-2 hours.
  • Providing advice on the likelihood of success in your application for naturalisation as a British Citizen or registration under the British Nationality Act, and highlighting any potential weaknesses in your application. On average, this advisory session lasts 1-2 hours.
  • Guiding you on the required list of documents to be submitted in support of your application for naturalisation as a British Citizen or registration under the British Nationality Act 1981. Typically, this guidance takes 1-5 hours.
  • Assessing all supporting documents to ensure their compliance with the Home Office UKVI requirements for naturalisation as a British Citizen or registration under the British Nationality Act 1981. This process generally takes 1-5 hours.
  • Completing the online application form, submitting it electronically, assisting with the payment of the Home Office UKVI fee for naturalisation as a British Citizen or registration under the British Nationality Act 1981, and scheduling your appointment with the UKVCAS appointment centre for biometric enrolment. On average, this task requires 3-5 hours.
  • If necessary, preparing a comprehensive cover letter to support your application, detailing your eligibility for naturalisation as a British Citizen or registration under the British Nationality Act 1981. This letter will refer to all relevant information, documents, laws, and requirements. Typically, this preparation takes 1-2 hours.
  • Uploading all supporting documents online, including our cover letter prepared to support your application. On average, this task takes 1-5 hours.
  • Handling all aspects of your application for naturalisation as a British Citizen or registration under the British Nationality Act 1981 until a decision is received from the Home Office UKVI.

 

Appeals 

 

The time required to prepare an Immigration appeal varies significantly depending on the complexity of the case. On average, the preparation time ranges from 20 to 40 hours.

To ensure transparency, we can establish a fixed fee for your appeal, with prices ranging from £1500 to £5000, based on the complexity of your case. Please note that these figures are exclusive of VAT, which is charged at a rate of 20%. If you reside outside of the European Union, no VAT will be applicable.

For the appeal hearing itself, we follow our standard practice of engaging highly skilled barristers to represent you. We maintain close collaboration with the barrister, and for most appeals, we arrange a meeting (referred to as a “conference”) between you and the barrister prior to the hearing. During this conference, we will explore various options and provide you with a selection of barristers based on their experience and pricing.

 

What is not included in the Agreed Fixed Fee?

 

  • Home Office Fees:You will need to directly pay any applicable Home Office fees as part of the application process. These fees are typically due when your application is ready for submission to the Home Office.
  • Counsel Fees (in Appeal Cases):The Fixed Fees do not cover counsel fees for appeal cases. The fees for barristers, typically ranging from £700 to £2,500 plus VAT if applicable, will be agreed upon in advance before counsel is instructed on your behalf.
  • Appeal: If your application is refused by the Home Office, the Agreed Fixed Fees only cover initial advice regarding a potential appeal. Any further work related to submitting an appeal to the Immigration Tribunal will attract a separate fee.
  • VAT: Depending on your personal circumstances and the nature of the application, VAT may or may not be payable in addition to our published prices. You are not liable for VAT if you have no permission to live in the UK, if you are a visitor, or if you are applying from abroad for entry clearance. We will discuss with customers at the outset of their matter whether VAT will be payable in their personal circumstances. Where applicable, VAT will be added to the fee quoted at a rate of 20%. 

 

  • NHS Surcharge: The required NHS Surcharge for your application must be paid directly by you as part of the application process. This payment is typically due when your application is ready for submission to the Home Office.
  • Disbursements: Disbursements refer to costs associated with your case that are payable to third parties, such as Home Office fees, interpreters, or independent reports. We will handle the payment of disbursements on your behalf, but you will be informed of the amount in advance and your agreement will be sought before incurring these costs.
  • Interpreter/Translation of Documents Costs:The fees for interpreters and document translation will vary based on the complexity and word count of the case. You may choose to bring your own interpreter, and interpreter fees range from £25 to £40 per hour (excluding 20% VAT). Document translation fees range from £95 to £120 per 1000 words (excluding 20% VAT).
  • Independent Experts:In certain cases, independent expert reports (e.g., medical experts) may be required. If necessary, we will inform you in advance and agree upon the associated disbursement before instructing an expert on your behalf.
  • Travel Disbursements:If we attend an interview with you, additional disbursements for mileage/travel expenses will apply.

 

Who will work on my case?

 

Your case will be handled by our Senior Consultant Solicitors, who possess years of post qualification experience in Immigration law- Nicol Lamaa and Nadiyah Choudhury. Nicol has just under 5 years of immigration post qualified experience and Nadiyah has over 10 years of legal experience and are supervised by our Iram Syed (Solicitor) who has over ten years experience.

With a broad expertise encompassing various types of immigration applications based on human rights, entry clearance, family visa applications and renewals, long residence, European applications, as well as appeals at the First Tier Tribunal, Nicol, Nadiyah and are Iram are well-equipped to handle your case. Nicol and Nadiyah are dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and competent service to all immigration clients.

The fees for our consultants is shown in the above table.

 

How long will my case take?

 

The processing time for your application by the Home Office cannot be guaranteed. You can refer to the current processing times for more information. Typically, we aim to submit these types of applications within 4 weeks of receiving your instructions. However, if there is a likelihood of it taking longer than this, we will inform you as soon as possible.

 

Fixed Fees Schedule (Excluding VAT)

 

European applications

 

  • EEA Entry clearance application for a partner / spouse or child £1,200
  • EEA Residence card £1,200 – 1,500
  • EEA PR (Permanent Residence) £1,500 – £1,700

 

Points based applications

 

  • Student Visa – Entry clearance £1,050
  • Student Visa – Extension £1,000
  • Student Visa – Indefinite leave to remain £1,050

 

Visitors

 

  • Visitors – Entry clearance and Visitors – Extension £1,100 excluding vat

 

Business Visas

 

  • Entrepreneur – Extension £5,000
  • Entrepreneurial Team – Extension £7,500
  • Entrepreneur – Indefinite Leave to Remain £3,750 – £5,000
  • Dependent £500 – £1,000
  • Investor Entry clearance, Extension and Indefinite Leave to Remain £7,000 – £25,000
  • Overseas Sole Representative £3,000 – £5,000
  • Innovator visa £3,000 – £5,000
  • Turkish business visa £3,000 – £5,000
  • Business Visa – T2 Sponsorship Licence £2,000 – 6,000
  • Business Visa – T2 Single application £1,000
  • Sponsor Licence Application £2,500

 

Family applications

 

  • Adult Dependent – Entry Clearance £2,000
  • Spouse Visa – Entry Clearance, £1,650 – £1,800
  • Spouse Visa – Extension and Indefinite leave to remain £1,650 – £1,800

 

Nationality

 

  • Indefinite Leave to Remain £1,500 – £1,800
  • Citizenship £1,100
  • Travel Documents and Passport application £900
  • Child Registration £1,100 each or £2,500 for three

 

Contesting Home Office decision

 

  • Appeal £2,100 – £5,000
  • Admin Review Hourly
  • Judicial Review Hourly

 

Disbursements and additional fees

 

  • Any Home Office Fees for your application will be paid directly to the Home Office disbursments are not included in these figures.

 

VAT

 

  • Where applicable, VAT will be added to the fee quoted at a rate of 20%.

 

Free Brief Consultation:

 

For cases that are not complex, we provide a free, no-obligation initial consultation lasting 10 minutes. During this consultation, we will evaluate your case, offer preliminary advice, and provide you with a fixed fee quote tailored to your specific circumstances. You have the option to schedule the consultation in person at Stoke White Ltd, located at 150 Minories London EC3N 1LS. To book your free consultation, please reach out to us, and we will arrange a convenient time slot for you. For complex cases our initial consultation fee is £200.00 per hour excluding VAT.