In line with the transparency rules laid down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Latitude Law publishes information about typical costs and expenses (disbursements) for various categories of consumer immigration work, with the aim of helping the public make informed choices about who to instruct.

At the outset of your case, Latitude offers a free 30-minute phone or online consultation with a member of our legal team, where we will answer your initial questions and provide a summary assessment of the work needed to complete your case.

If you decide to instruct us, we will request a payment on account of the legal costs we have estimated. Typically, this is between £550 and £1,000 excluding VAT where payable.  Generally, if you “belong” to the UK, either through being British, or holding a long-term lawful form of residence here, you “belong” and are therefore liable to pay VAT.  Otherwise, VAT is not charged on our fees (nor is it charged on government fees).

In our terms of business, which you will receive and be asked to sign at the start of your case, we publish hourly fee rates for our professional staff; however, when quoting for work, we normally provide a range of potential fees to cover all work on your application.

We adopt a collegiate approach to our work, which means that lawyers of varying experience, from paralegals to qualified solicitors, may work on your case at different times. We will make clear in our client engagement letter who is responsible for your file, and we will name the remaining members of the team whom you can expect to know about the progress of your case.

Fees guide

The preparation and submission of immigration applications, and representation in those cases at appeal hearings, are core aspects of our work.

By way of example, we provide the following fee information for common types of case:

• Entry clearance application for a partner / spouse or child – £2,400 to £3,400 (VAT not normally payable); government filing and other fees in this category are typically £3,300 to £3,800 (no VAT is payable) depending on whether priority processing is chosen
• In-country partner extension application – £2,200 to £3,200 excluding VAT; government fees typically around £2,500 (nil VAT) for standard processing
• Representation at a First-tier Tribunal appeal against refusal of partner leave – £4,400 to £6,000 excluding VAT; the court fee is currently £140 (nil VAT) for an oral hearing
• Naturalisation or registration as a British citizen – £1,800 to £,2400 excluding VAT. Government fees for naturalisation are currently £1,330 (nil VAT)
• EU Settlement Scheme applications – pre-settled status £1,650; settled status £1,925 to £2,750
• Student visa and extension applications – £1,500 to £2,200
• UK ancestry visa – £2,000 to £2,400
• Long residence applications – £2,800 – £3,400
• Sponsored work visa and extension applications – £2,200
• Sponsored work settlement applications – £2,750
• Adult dependent relative visa – £3,300 to £4,950
• Visitor visa – £1,800 to £2,800 excluding VAT depending on complexity, and in particular whether you have been refused a visit visa before. The filing fee here starts at around £100 (nil VAT)
• Sponsor licensing for a UK business – from £3,995 excluding VAT, covers all work up to and including issue of first certificate of sponsorship on a skilled worker licence. Government fee for a licence (small business) is £536 (nil VAT)

What services are included?

• discussing your circumstances in detail and confirming whether this is the most appropriate application for you to make and what other options may be available to you
• giving you advice about the requirements of the Immigration Rules and whether you meet the criteria
• if you do not fulfil certain criteria, whether this can be overcome and how
• considering the supporting evidence you have provided
• helping you obtain further evidence (such as medical records and bank statements), including taking statements of any witnesses
• preparing your application and submitting it on your behalf
• giving you advice about the outcome of the application and any further steps you need to take

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as visa fees, interpreter fees, medical and other expert reports. We will always provide you with a quote for such services before incurring costs on your behalf. Note that in some instances – eg with expert or medical reports – you may be required to pay VAT on the fee.

Remember 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.

Where the Home Office refuse your application, advice and assistance in relation to any appeal

How long will my application take?

We cannot guarantee how long the Home Office will take to process your application. Read the current processing times.

When we take your instructions we will estimate how long your application may take to prepare and submit. For example, a typical spouse entry clearance application can be prepared in 4-6 weeks, so long as you are able to provide supporting evidence promptly.

If you would like information about how we will handle your case, and the fees we charge, please call us on 0300 131 6767