The key to affordable immigration and British citizenship application

The Key to Affordable Immigration and Citizenship Applications

With the never-ending increases in Home Office fees for immigration and citizenship applications, it becomes increasing unaffordable for people in this economic climate to pay the associated application fee.

At present anyone who is applying for leave to enter or remain based on human rights grounds can apply for a fee waiver to be fully or partially exempt from paying the fees associated with the application. Children (anyone aged 18 or under) can also apply for a fee waiver with cost associated with a nationality application.

 What is the criteria for granting a Fee Waiver?

The Home Office will only grant a fee waiver if you can clearly demonstrate one of the following:

1. You cannot afford the fee nor could have reasonably saved up the fee
2. You are destitute
3. You are at risk of imminent destitution
4. Your household income is not sufficient to meet your child’s essential living needs

Application Process for fee waiver

To apply for a fee waiver:

1. Submit an online application form (free of charge)
2. Include details of any dependents also applying
3. Provide supporting evidence within 10 working days of submitting the application

Evidence of your financial and household circumstances required to be eligible for fee waiver

Documents needed will vary from each person’s circumstances but generally you must provide evidence to show your financial and household circumstances. The Home Office will conduct a credit search to verify the information provided, so it always best to be honest when completing the application form.

Important Considerations

• Remember to apply for a fee waiver no more than 4-5 weeks before your current leave expires.
• If granted or refused, you must apply for leave to remain within 10 working days of the decision or risk losing your legal status
• Be prepared to provide additional supporting documents and provide explanations of your incoming and outgoing transactions as shown in your bank statements.
• Remember, the key to a successful application is demonstrating that you genuinely cannot afford the fee after meeting essential living needs.

Reach out for legal advice

If you are considering making an application for a fee waiver you should be aware the requirements are not easy to satisfy. It is best to always seek expert legal advice to navigate the requirements to ensure a successful first-time outcome.

If you require any help or assistance with the application or have any questions surrounding it, then our team of Immigration Solicitors at Kidd Rapinet in Canary Wharf would be pleased to help you.  You can contact us on telephone 0207 925 0303 or use the form provided.

These materials and content have been prepared for the benefit of their viewers/readers. They are intended for marketing purposes only and are of a general nature and do not constitute legal advice applicable to any particular facts or circumstances. Kidd Rapinet LLP and/or the author(s) accept no duty of care, responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which you or any third party may suffer as a result of any reliance or use by you or them of these marketing materials and content, except to the extent it is not legally possible to exclude such liability. If you require legal advice on your own situation, please contact us so we can discuss how we may assist.