A fee waiver is a request to the Home Office to waive (cancel) or reduce the visa or leave application fee when you cannot afford to pay. If approved, you may proceed with your immigration or leave application without paying (or paying the full) application fee.
Fee waivers are not available for every type of application and are subject to strict eligibility, evidence, and procedural rules.
Who Can Apply
You may qualify for a fee waiver if:
- You are applying in the UK to extend or switch your leave (permission to stay).
- Your application is based on family life (private life) under Article 8, or human rights grounds or similar human rights-based claims.
- You are a partner, child, or parent under family visa rules and cannot afford the fee.
- You hold or have held Discretionary Leave, or Leave outside the Immigration Rules on human rights grounds (e.g. after a refused refugee/humanitarian protection application).
- You are a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking and are applying for leave in the UK.
Also, not all routes or categories are eligible — some entry clearance (outside UK) applications do not permit waivers, except under limited or exceptional circumstances.
Need Help with Fee Waiver Applications?
Get clear, practical advice from a team that listens and delivers results. Contact us today to get started.
What “Cannot Afford” Means
To succeed in a fee waiver application, you must satisfy the “affordability test”:
- Show that after meeting your essential living costs (housing, food, heating, bills, etc.), you do not have sufficient funds to pay the fee.
- You do not need to prove destitution or “no funds at all” — just inability to pay without harming your essential living needs.
- If you have dependants (like children), you may argue that paying the fee would harm their well-being.
- In assessing your application, the Home Office may discount some transactions (e.g. high one-off non-essential spending) and examine consistency.
Application Procedure & Timeline
- Apply: Complete the online Home Office fee waiver form (free).
- Submit Evidence: Upload financial documents within 10 working days.
- Wait: Decision usually within about 4 weeks.
- If Approved, Receive a code to apply without paying the fee.
- If Refused: You must pay the full fee to continue your application.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is eligible for a UK visa fee waiver?
- As a partner, parent or dependant child applying based on your family life or private life in the UK.
- On human rights grounds, including where you were previously refused under the family or private life route, but granted "Discretionary Leave" or 'leave outside the Rules' (check your BRP for what leave you have been granted).
- To extend your leave as someone who was refused asylum or humanitarian protection and granted "Discretionary Leave" instead.
- To extend your leave as a person who was granted leave as a victim of trafficking or slavery.
How can ICONIQ Solicitors help with a visa fee waiver application?
We will first assess whether you would be eligible to apply for a fee waiver. If we believe you are eligible, we will then prepare a strong representation letter explaining why the fee should be waived off on this occasion.
What financial evidence should I provide?
The following evidence should be provided:
- Bank statements (past 6 months)
- Rent agreements, utility bills
- Letters from charities, food banks, or social workers (if relevant)
- Medical evidence (if relevant)
Can a fee waiver be used with priority services?
No, the priority service option cannot be purchased with a fee waiver application.
How long do fee waiver decisions take?
At present, the decision-making time for fee waiver applications is between 2 to 3 months.
What can I do if a fee waiver is refused?
A fresh fee waiver application can be made if there are any discrepancies or material information has not been considered by the Home Office. Alternatively, a paid application may be required to be submitted.