Fee Waiver for Indefinite Leave to Remain

You can apply for a fee waiver for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you face financial hardship and can't afford the standard ILR application fee.

If you face financial hardship and believe you qualify for a fee waiver, review the eligibility criteria and apply early for an ILR fee waiver to avoid delays.

For immediate help and assistance with your Indefinite Leave to Remain fee waiver application, call us on 0203 959 7755 or email us at info@moeenco.com.

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What is a fee waiver for indefinite leave to remain?

A fee waiver application is a formal request to the Home Office to waive the Indefinite Leave to Remain application fee if the applicant cannot afford it.

A fee waiver is a provision that ensures that applicants facing difficult financial circumstances are not prevented from obtaining their ILR status.

You must obtain approval for the fee waiver before applying for ILR. Once the fee waiver is granted, you can apply for ILR without paying the standard fee.

Who is eligible for a fee waiver for indefinite leave to remain?

Applicants who can show they're struggling financially might be eligible. This includes those on low incomes, receiving public benefits, or facing unexpected money problems. There are also income limits to meet.

The UK Home Office typically considers the following situations when assessing eligibility for a fee waiver:

1. Low Income or No Income
2. Risk of Becoming Homeless
3. Income Threshold
4. Public Benefits

Low Income or No Income

Applicants must show that the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application fee would cause big financial problems. This includes those on low incomes, getting public help, or facing sudden money troubles.

Applicants who are unable to meet their essential needs, such as rent, utilities, food, or transportation, due to insufficient income, may be eligible.

Risk of Becoming Homeless

If paying the ILR application fee would result in the applicant being unable to afford housing, leading to potential homelessness, this may be grounds for a fee waiver.

Income Threshold

The Home Office sets income levels to qualify for a fee waiver. You need to show your income is below a certain amount.

Public Benefits

Getting certain public benefits including Universal Credit, or welfare help can help your fee waiver case.

What does financial hardship mean in this context?

Financial hardship means the applicants can't afford the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application fees without it affecting their basic needs.

Applicants who may qualify are those:

• Getting public funds or state benefits.
• Having a low household income.
• Having to pay for essential things like rent and bills.

Documents required for the ILR fee waiver application

You'll need to provide:

• Your current valid passport.
• Your BRP card (if you have one).
• Recent bank statements.
• Pay slips or tax returns.
• Evidence of public benefits (if applicable).
• Evidence of your household earnings, for example, payslips.
• Rent or mortgage statements to show housing costs.
• Bills related to essential living expenses (utilities, transportation, food).
• Details of any financial support you are currently receiving.
• Any extra documents showing your financial struggles.
• Proof of your residency status in the UK.
• Evidence of any dependents, such as birth certificates of children.

How to apply for a fee waiver?

Applying for the fee waiver is different from applying for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

First, check if you meet the UK Home Office's fee waiver criteria. Knowing this will help you see if you qualify. You must show you can't pay the fee without struggling.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Collect the necessary documents to support your fee waiver application including proof of income and evidence to demonstrate your financial situation.

This includes bank statements, pay slips, letters from employers, benefit statements, and any other documentation that can prove their inability to pay the application fee.

Step 3: Complete the Fee Waiver Application Form Online

You can apply for a fee waiver by completing a fee waiver request form online. You will be asked for information and evidence about yourself and your financial situation.

Step 4: Wait for a Decision

After submission, the Home Office will review your application. You will receive a decision via email or post. This process can take serval weeks.

If approved, the applicant will be able to proceed with the ILR application without paying the fee.

ILR fee waiver application decision time 2024

While there's no set timeline, the Home Office currently takes around 4 weeks to decide on your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) fee waiver application.

What happens after a fee waiver application?

If your ILR fee waiver application is approved, you will receive an email or letter with a unique code, which is required when submitting your ILR application.

The unique code is valid for 28 days, and you must submit your ILR application within 28 days of receiving your fee waiver application decision email or letter.

If you don't use the fee waiver code within the 28-day deadline, it will expire, and you'll need to submit a new fee waiver application.

What happens if your ILR fee waiver application is rejected?

If your fee waiver application is rejected, you can still apply for ILR by following the standard procedure, but you will need to pay the ILR application fee.

There is no formal appeals process for challenging fee waiver application decisions. However, you can reapply if you have new financial information or if your circumstances have changed.

Legal assistance for fee waiver applications

Applying for the Indefinite Leave to Remain to settle in the UK can be complex. If you need help or have questions, Call Moeen & Co. Solicitors at 0203 959 7755 for detailed legal advice and assistance.

Moeen & Co. Solicitors offer custom services to help with your fee waiver application. Our highly experienced team of immigration solicitors provides:

• Initial consultation to understand your situation.
• Full checks of the documents you need.
• Help in preparing your fee waiver application.
• Support in reapplying if your application is denied.
• Strategic advice for complex cases.

Contact Moeen & Co. Solicitors

Contact our lawyers at 0203 959 7755 for help with the ILR fee waiver application and boost your chances of getting approved.

FAQs about ILR fee waiver request