With rising living costs, individuals and families are feeling the costs of paying for the UK Visa and Immigration Fees.
From the 4th of October 2023, the UK Home Office plans to increase the costs to apply, with Rishi Sunak placing within his last budget to use the proceedings of the Immigration Health Surcharge in the NHS budget.
At this stage, we are working with families to find more a suitable way in order to prospectively have those fees waived through an application to the Home Office. With the application being made, it is being considered under one’s independent circumstances.
What is a Waiver application
This enables the Home Office to decide whether an applicant is eligible to have the Home Office fees to be voided.
Who is eligible for the Waiver application?
There is no particular restriction on any individual or a family to apply, it is an application that any person can complete and make the submission for a review. Home Office deals with those applications individually.
Which applications are considered under the Waiver
1. British Nationality (Children).
2. Leave to remain, based on family life, private life and exceptional circumstances, namely Article 8 ECHR.
There may be other instances to make an application for exemption however this would need to be considered prior submission. You can schedule a consultation with one of our Lawyers by https://icslegal.com/book-consultation, for us to advise if we can apply.
Evidence required when making an application
At ICS Legal our Immigration Lawyers require evidence covering your home, finances, and personal circumstances as part of an application.
This includes:
1. Your tenancy or mortgage.
2. Bank statements.
3. Earnings evidence.
4. Proof of dependent family members.
5. Detail out the reasoning towards the application.
It takes an average period of 3 – 6 months in being decided. However, through our experience, Home Office may request further information and documents.
Does the Waiver application protect my leave?
Under the current guidelines, when one applies for a Waiver, it does protect their leave under the Immigration rules.
Once a decision is served, the applicant is rendered with 14 days to then apply for another visa, that will be considered under exceptional circumstances.
Human rights applications
The Home Office in some human rights applications does not require a fee and you don’t need to apply to have the fees waived, as those are done automatically. This would depend on your circumstances and what grounds you are seeking to apply for. On both Article 3 & 8 ECHR human rights applications, the Home Office may advise that the Home Office fees does not apply.
You can find further information on making an application under human rights https://icslegal.com/appendix-fm-for-discretionary-leave.php.
Speaking to ICS Legal Immigration Lawyers
It is imperative for you to speak to one of our ICS Legal Lawyers who can support prior to making an application.
You can reach us on 0207 237 3388 and find more information on www.icslegal.com.
Read more on the process involved under the Sponsorship Guidelines on our website, www.icslegal.com. Alternatively, you can speak to one of our Immigration Lawyers on 0207 237 3388.
Tel: 020 7237 3388
Website: www.icslegal.com