Immigration Fee Waiver
A Home Office immigration fee waiver allows certain applicants to apply for leave to remain without paying the standard application fee. Fee waivers are available for specific human rights-based applications where paying the fee would be incompatible with the applicant’s rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), particularly Article 8 (the right to family and private life).
Legal i Services Ltd provides advice on fee waiver eligibility and application support within its IAA Level 1 authorisation.
Who Can Apply for a Fee Waiver
Fee waivers are currently available for the following application types:
- Applications for leave to remain on the basis of private life (10-year route)
- Applications for leave to remain as a partner or parent on the 5-year or 10-year family route under Appendix FM
- Applications for leave to remain on the basis of Article 8 where removal would be a disproportionate interference with private or family life
Fee waivers are not available for all immigration application types. They are not available for visa applications made from outside the UK, Skilled Worker applications, student visas, or visitor visas.
The Financial Test
To qualify for a fee waiver, the applicant must demonstrate that they are unable to pay the fee without causing themselves or a dependant destitution, or that paying the fee would render them unable to meet essential living costs. Evidence typically required includes:
- Bank statements covering the last three to six months
- Evidence of income and any benefits received
- Evidence of regular outgoings and essential living costs
- Evidence of any dependants and their needs
How the Fee Waiver Process Works
A fee waiver request is submitted before the main immigration application. The Home Office will assess the request and, if granted, will issue a reference number that allows the main application to be submitted without paying the fee. The main application must then be submitted within a short period of the waiver being granted.
How Legal i Services Ltd Can Help
- Assessing whether a fee waiver is likely to be available for the specific application type
- Advising on the financial evidence needed
- Preparing the fee waiver request form
- Reviewing the supporting evidence
- Advising on next steps following a decision on the fee waiver request
Level 1 scope notice: Fee waiver advice is provided within Legal i Services Ltd’s IAA Level 1 authorisation. Complex human rights arguments or Article 8 challenges outside Level 1 scope will be referred to an appropriately authorised adviser or solicitor.
Important Notes
- A fee waiver does not guarantee that the main immigration application will be granted
- The biometric enrolment fee (if applicable) is not covered by a fee waiver
- The Immigration Health Surcharge is separate and not covered by the fee waiver
- Fee waiver eligibility criteria and processes can change — advice is based on current Home Office guidance
No Guarantee of Outcome
Legal i Services Ltd does not guarantee that a fee waiver request will be granted. The decision rests entirely with the Home Office.
Book a Consultation
To discuss a fee waiver matter, book a consultation or get in touch. Advice is available in English and Bengali.