Immigration solicitor fees in the UK
UK immigration solicitor fees typically range from £1,000 (a simple Student visa application) to £6,000 (a Tribunal appeal). Home Office application fees are separate and often substantial — a Skilled Worker visa Home Office fee alone is £719–£1,420, plus the £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge. Spouse visas combine Home Office fees of £1,846 with solicitor fees of £1,500–£3,000.
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Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Skilled Worker visa + £719–£1,420 Home Office | £1,000–£2,000 |
Spouse / partner visa + £1,846 Home Office | £1,500–£3,000 |
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) + £2,885 Home Office | £1,500–£2,500 |
British citizenship (naturalisation) + £1,500 Home Office | £1,000–£2,000 |
Student visa + £363–£490 Home Office | £500–£1,500 |
Appeal to Immigration Tribunal + £140–£167 court fee | £2,000–£6,000 |
Factors affecting cost
- ·Application route (Points-Based System, family, settlement, ancestry).
- ·Whether priority service (£500–£1,000) or super-priority service (£1,000+) is used.
- ·Need for a sponsor licence (employers — £574–£1,579 plus £21–£199/skilled worker).
- ·Complexity: previous refusals, criminality, dependents.
- ·Tribunal vs administrative review vs judicial review.
How to reduce costs
- ·OISC Level 1 advisers can handle straightforward applications for less than an SRA solicitor.
- ·Some embassies have free fee-waiver routes for spouses on low income — always test eligibility.
- ·Apply for the longer route (5-year vs 10-year route) where eligible — more expensive upfront but cheaper over time.
- ·Use the Home Office priority service strategically — only worth it where time pressure is real.
- ·Charities (JCWI, Migrants Organise, RAMP) offer free advice for vulnerable applicants.
Frequently asked questions
How much do immigration solicitors charge in the UK?▾
Most applications cost £1,000–£3,500 in solicitor fees in 2026. Home Office fees are separate and often double the total cost.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?▾
£1,035/year for most adults (£776/year for under-18s and students) payable up-front for the full visa duration.
Do I need a solicitor for a UK visa application?▾
No — most routes allow self-application via gov.uk. A regulated immigration adviser (OISC or SRA) reduces refusal risk for complex or borderline cases.
What is OISC and how does it differ from SRA?▾
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner regulates non-solicitor advisers in three Levels. SRA-regulated solicitors can handle all matters; OISC advisers are limited by Level.
Can I get legal aid for immigration?▾
Only for asylum, certain trafficking cases and detention. Most other immigration work is not covered by legal aid in 2026.