Fees
Fees

We aim to provide a clear and transparent service to our clients and so will always provide an indication on costs in all immigration matters. Our fee is usually charged on the basis of time spent (hourly basis).

Our fee includes advising you on the requirements of the rules (in person or via email), advising you on the documents required, preparing and submitting an application on your behalf, advising on timelines and likely outcome of the application, liaising with the Home Office on your behalf and providing post decision advice.


The costs mentioned below do not include disbursements which can include:

  • Home Office fee for making the application.
  • IHS Surcharge
  • Interpreter fees
  • Court fee
  • Courier charges
  • Independent experts, such as barristers and accountants etc.


  • The indicative fixed fee ranges quoted above relate solely to the fees of Britannia Solicitors and do not include any disbursements. Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees, counsel fee, home office fees, immigration health surcharge, any experts’ fees, interpreter’s fees or translation charges. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The application fee payable to the Home Office could be found at: www.gov.uk. Counsel’s fees are estimated to be between £1,000 to £2,500 per day (depending on the experience of the advocate) for attending a Tribunal or Court Hearing (including preparation). Interpreters’ costs can vary significantly with some clients only needing a couple of hours with an interpreter whilst others may need 10 or 15 hours.  Where the help of an interpreter is needed, you might be able to bring a friend or another community figure to help, if not we can help you find a suitable interpreter.


    The hourly rate varies in accordance with who is dealing with your matter and in some instances we are able to provide a fixed fee quote once we have obtained all facts.

    We have provided hourly rates below and further details about the experience of our members of staff can be found on our website.

    Our fixed fee is usually within the range mentioned below but can in some instances be lower.

    Similarly we may also charge slightly higher for matters that require urgent attention and are to take precedence over other cases. There may also be additional charges for cases considered under the premium or VIP service offered by the Home Office. Suitable interpreter Health Surcharge details can be found at: Immigration Health Surcharge. Disbursements, other than the Court fees and Home Office fees, will usually attract VAT which is charged at 20%.


    Services

    The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances in your case. Such as:

  • The amount of supporting evidence that we need to consider.
  • Which language(s) you speak.
  • Whether you are applying with other dependants.
  • Complexities such as past refusals, criminal convictions, adverse immigration history.
  • If you are able to provide sufficient evidence at our first meeting and clearly meet the applicable Immigration Rules, the cost is likely to be at the lower end of the range.

    What services/stages are included in this?

  • Initial attendance and consideration of the options and assessing most appropriate application (if any) based on client’s circumstances
  • Advising on requirements of the immigration rules /guidance and specified evidence
  • Advising on method of submission priority. Premium standard servicing.
  • Assessing supporting evidence and advising on the same
  • Assisting with obtaining further evidence including, engaging with 3rd parties where permitted to etc. medical experts/ banks/employers
  • Preparing application with supporting evidence
  • Preparing detailed representations with index and finalising application submission.
  • Further submission/ providing updates on progress
  • Advising on outcome of application /implications of status/application and next steps.

  • The costs quoted here do not include:

  • Any Home Office Fees for making the application. You will pay this to the Home Office directly as part of the application process.
          Find updated list of Home Office Fees.
  • Other expenses where applicable such as Disbursements for medical/expert evidence/ barristers.
  • Where the Home Office refuse your application, advice and assistance in relation to any appeals/reconsideration/ dependants.

  • We will let you know at the earliest opportunity and before any such fees are incurred by yourself, if any of these are applicable.

     

    Timescale to submit application:

    Applications from instructions take up to 2 – 4 months on average depending on complexity of applicant's immigration history. We will let you know at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to take longer than this.

    Timescale on return of application submitted:

    cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application. Read the current processing times.  Please note the anticipated number of hours and fees are an estimate based on the facts above. All applications are likely to vary and of course, we can give you a more accurate estimate once we have more information about your specific case.

    Visa Processing Time can be found at UK Visas and Immigration website:
    1) Applications inside the U.K.
    2) Applications outside the U.K.

    All immigration work at Britannia Solicitors is under the overall supervision of Imtiaz Raja. If you need help with an immigration matter, you are invited to attend a free initial consultation to assess and merit-test your personal immigration status and Human Rights provisions. We will advise you on the best way forward. Price Transparency Most immigration matters are charged on a fixed fee basis. The exact fee we charge will vary depending on the complexity of your matter, however, we will always agree with you before accepting instructions from you how much the fixed fee will be. Below, we have provided an indication of the range of charges that are likely to apply for a range of different immigration matters:

    Immigration Fees Exclusive of VAT
    Grade A – Solicitors and legal executives with over 8 years’ experience £300
    Grade B – Solicitors and legal executives with over 4 years’ experience £230
    Grade C – Other solicitors or legal executives and fee earners of equivalent experience £180
    Grade D – Trainee solicitors, paralegals and other fee earners £126
    Start-up visa £7,00 - £8,000
    Sponsor license £3,000 - £5,000
    Skilled Worker Visa (initial application/extension/indefinite leave to remain) £1,500 - £2,500
    Innovator visa £7000 - £8000
    Estimated Fee Ranges for various application types Exclusive of VAT
    Tier 2  (initial application/extension/indefinite leave to remain) £1500 – £2500
    Tier 4 £750 – £1500
    Tier 4 Parent £2500 – £3000
    PBS Dependant’s visa £750 – £1000
    Family based application under Appendix FM (initial application/extension/indefinite leave to remain) £1500 – £3000
    Application for indefinite leave to remain under the 10-year rule £1500 – £2500
    Applications for an EEA residence card for a partner or child of an EEA national £1000 – £1500
    Application for Judicial Review £2000 - £5000
    Applications for permanent right of residence document £1000 – £1500
    Dependent relative and family reunion applications £1000- £3000
    European Economic Area (EEA) Applications for Residence Card and Permanent Residence £1000- £2000
    Ancestry Visas £1000- £1500
    Spouse and Partners applications, including fiancé(e)s or proposed civil partners £1000- £3000
    EEA application based on a retained right of residence £1500 – £2000
    EEA application for an extended family member £2000 – £3000
    Visit visa applications £1500 – £3000
    Application for British citizenship £750 – £1500
    Form NTL and TOC £750 - £1000

    Residential Purchase Costs


      Freehold Property Leasehold Property
    Legal Costs £1300 - £3000 Exclusive Vat £1450 - £3200 Exclusive Vat
    Disbursements
    Bankers Telegraphic fee £35 Exclusive Vat £35 Exclusive Vat
    Search Fee: (Local Authority, Drainage & Water, Environmental and Chancel Search Fee) £350 Exclusive vat (approximate) £350 Exclusive vat (approximate)
    Stamp duty depends on HMRC

    For Residential Sales and Purchase the properties of value of more than 1 million we charge 0.25 - 4.00 percent of the price.


    Land Registry Fee


      Freehold Property Leasehold Property
    Completion search fee: £3 £3
    Bankruptcy Search Fees: £2 per person £2 per person
    Land Registry Fee £135 prices vary £135 prices vary 
    Landlord’s Notice Fee N/A £100 Exclusive vat (estimate)

    Residential Sales Costs


      Freehold Property Leasehold Property
    Legal Costs £1300 - 1500 Exclusive Vat £1450 - 1800 Exclusive Vat  
    Disbursements  
    Bankers Telegraphic Transfer fee £35 Exclusive Vat £35 Exclusive Vat
    Land Registry title fee £6.00 £6.00
    Managing agent’s information pack n/a £350 Exclusive VAT (estimated)
    Landlord’s licence to assign/deed of covenant (if required) n/a £400 Exclusive vat (estimated)  
    Total £1341 £2241

    Mortgage or Remortgage Costs


      Freehold Property Leasehold Property  
    Legal Costs £1100 - 1500 Exclusive Vat £1250 - 1650 Exclusive Vat  
    Disbursements  
    Bankers Telegraphic Transfer fee £35 Exclusive Vat £35 Exclusive Vat
    Land Registry title fee £6.00 £6.00
    Search Fee: (Local Authority, Drainage & Water, Environmental and Chancel Search Fee) Note:  Not all searches £350 Exclusive vat (approx) £350 Exclusive vat (estimate)
    Landlord’s Consent (if required) Land Registry Pre N/A £400 Exclusive Vat (estimate)  
    Completion search fee: £3 £3  
    Bankruptcy Search Fees £2 per person £2 per person
    Land Registry Fee £135 prices vary £135
    Landlord’s Notice Fee N/A £100 Exclusive vat (estimate)


    VAT

    We are not VAT registered and currently we do not charge VAT. All prices shown on the website are exclusive of VAT. Normally, the standard VAT rate is 20%. We will confirm whether VAT (at a rate of 20%) is payable when we have been instructed and can work out if VAT is properly chargeable. Charging VAT in relation to immigration matters can be complex as it may depend on where you live and what immigration permission you have got.



    If at any stage our fees change, we will notify you and discuss the reason for any changes. This would typically occur if you change your instructions or your case involves an unforeseen complexity. Our average fees assume that: The transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise. All parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation. For Leasehold matters this is the assignment of an existing lease and is not the grant of a new lease. No indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.

    Disbursements and Other Costs

    Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. You will be provided with a full list of disbursements in our formal quotation. If you need to incur any further disbursements during your case, you will be notified in advance of the reason and the amount.

    You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website. Calculate Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT): Calculate Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). The application fee payable to the HM Land Registry for registration service could be found at: HM Land Registry. VAT will be payable on some disbursements and we will clearly confirm which disbursements carry VAT in our formal quotation or as we advise you to incur them.


    Stages of the Process

    The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that we wish to include:

    Take your instructions and give you initial advice. Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender's solicitors if needed. Receive and advise on contract documents and raise enquiries. Carry out searches. Obtain further planning documentation if required. Make any necessary enquiries of seller's solicitor. Give you advice on all documents and information received. Go through conditions of mortgage offer with you. Send final contract to you for signature. Draft Transfer. Draft Deed of covenant (In leasehold properties). Advise you on joint ownership. Obtain pre-completion searches. Agree completion date (date from which you own the property). Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened. Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you Complete purchase. Send Notice of assignment, notice of charge etc (in leasehold properties). Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax. Deal with application for registration at Land Registry.


    Time Scale

    Long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 4-16 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first-time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 9 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 4 and 6 months. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.

    HM Land Registry processing times

    HM Land Registry processing times can be found at : HM Land Registry processing times


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