Fee Waiver Applications – How to Apply If You Can’t Afford Home Office Fees

If you’re applying to extend your stay in the UK but can’t afford the Home Office fee, you may be able to request a fee waiver. When granted, a fee waiver can remove some or all of the application fee and may also waive the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), so you can still make a valid application without falling into hardship.

This guide explains who qualifies, what evidence to provide, how to apply, timelines, and how AHJ Immigration can support you at each step.

What is a Fee Waiver?

A fee waiver is permission from the Home Office allowing you to submit a human-rights-based application from inside the UK without paying the application fee (and, where appropriate, the IHS). Importantly, you must get a fee waiver decision before you submit the visa application itself.

Who Can Apply (Eligibility)

You can request a fee waiver from inside the UK if you plan to make a specified human-rights application, for example under the partner, parent, or private life routes (5-year or 10-year), or if you have Discretionary Leave/Leave Outside the Rules on human rights grounds, or permission as a victim of trafficking or modern slavery.

Applications under Appendix CNP (child joining or staying with a non-parent relative) are also covered.

You may qualify if you cannot afford the fee because you:

• Do not have a place to live in the UK and cannot afford one, or
• Have a place to live but cannot afford essentials (for example, food or heating), or
• Have a very low income and paying the fee would harm a child’s wellbeing in your household.

Key legal test (Home Office policy): Caseworkers must grant a fee waiver where the applicant has credibly demonstrated they cannot afford the fee. You do not need to prove destitution (though evidence of destitution will usually meet the test).

💬 Need advice? Speak with our UK immigration experts today.

Book Free Consultation

What Costs Can Be Waived?

• Application fee: may be fully or partially waived.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): if you get a full or partial fee waiver, the IHS is waived to match (you may receive a “token” or need to declare the partial waiver when you reach the IHS portal).

When You Must Apply (Order and Timing)

You must apply for the fee waiver first. If approved, the Home Office will email a personalised code (token). You then have 28 days to:

1. Submit your visa application using the token, and
2. Provide biometrics (photo and fingerprints).
   If you miss the 28-day window, the token expires and you’ll need to apply for a new fee waiver.

Evidence: What to Prepare

You’ll need to show your current financial position for you (and anyone who supports you in your household). Typical evidence includes:

• Bank statements for all accounts (with large or regular payments explained)
• Payslips or income evidence
• Proof of rent/mortgage and bills
• Letters confirming public funds, local authority or third-party support
• Evidence of child-related costs/needs where relevant
  The Home Office guidance expects clear, documentary evidence; caseworkers consider the entire cost you’d have to pay (application fee plus IHS) when assessing affordability.

Common Scenarios (and How Caseworkers Assess Them)

• Low income with children: If paying the fee would prevent you from meeting a child’s essential needs, a waiver should be granted.
• Third-party support: Evidence of help from friends/family is considered, but it doesn’t automatically disqualify you; caseworkers look at overall affordability and the stability of that support.
• Disability-related benefits: Some disability benefits are ring-fenced for essential needs and should not be counted as disposable income (policy examples show when to exclude them).
• Early fee-waiver requests: If you apply more than 3 months before your leave expires, caseworkers may ask whether you could save toward the fee before expiry.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Fee Waiver

Step 1 – Start the fee-waiver request online. Use the GOV.UK service and save your progress if needed.
Step 2 – Prove identity. Upload a copy of your passport/ID/BRP (BRP can still be used for ID upload after the printed expiry).
Step 3 – Upload evidence. Provide bank statements, income/benefit letters, rent/bills, and any child-welfare evidence.
Step 4 – Wait for the decision email. If approved, you’ll receive a token; if refused, you’ll be told why (you can re-apply with better evidence).
Step 5 – Apply for your visa within 28 days. Use the token in your in-country human-rights application and follow the biometrics instruction.

Processing Times: What to Expect

There is no published service standard for fee-waiver decisions. In practice, decisions can take weeks to months, and backlogs have been reported by charities and the press. Plan ahead and keep your evidence up-to-date while you wait.

Partial vs Full Waivers (and Dependants)

• You can be granted a full or partial fee waiver.
• Caseworkers can decide you can pay some costs (for example, the application fee) but need the IHS waived, or that some dependants qualify and others do not — each person is assessed on their own merits and the household’s position.

What Happens If You’re Refused?

A fee-waiver refusal is not an immigration decision, so there’s no formal reconsideration route — but you can submit a fresh fee-waiver request with stronger, clearer evidence. If timings are tight, take advice immediately to protect your immigration position.

How AHJ Immigration Helps

At AHJ Immigration (OISC-regulated), we help you:

• Check eligibility under the correct route (partner/parent/private life or other human-rights bases)
• Assemble robust evidence (income, spending, rent, child-needs) with clear explanations for caseworkers
• Prepare third-party support statements where appropriate
• Submit the fee-waiver request and follow through to the visa application within 28 days of approval
• Respond to further information requests to avoid delays and refusals

Why Act Early

• Evidence is time-sensitive (recent statements and bills strengthen your case).
• If you apply too close to expiry, you risk gaps or late tokens.
• Backlogs can occur; starting early gives you time to fix gaps if the Home Office asks for more information.

How We Help – Your Consultation Options

Free 30-Minute Consultation – We’ll assess your route, eligibility, and the documents you need.
1-Hour Paid Consultation – Detailed evidence review, tailored strategy, and written advice. (Deducted from the final fee if you proceed with us.)

📞 Call 0121 828 2224 or Book a Consultation online.

Disclaimer

Rules and fees are subject to change. This guide is correct as of October 2025 and will be updated when UKVI policy changes. Always check official GOV.UK guidance before applying.

FAQs

1) Do I need to prove destitution to get a fee waiver?
No. The policy says caseworkers must grant a waiver if you credibly demonstrate you cannot afford the fee. Evidence of destitution helps, but it’s not required.

2) Will the fee waiver also remove the IHS?
Yes, if you receive a full or partial waiver, the IHS can be waived to match. You may receive a token or need to declare a partial waiver in the IHS portal.

3) How long do I have to apply after a waiver is granted?
You must submit your visa application and enrol biometrics within 28 days of the decision email/letter, otherwise the token expires and you must re-apply.

4) Which applications are covered?
Human-rights-based, in-country applications — partner, parent, private life (5- or 10-year routes), some DL/LOTR on human rights grounds, victims of trafficking/modern slavery, and Appendix CNP cases.

5) What evidence should I include?
Recent bank statements for all accounts, payslips, rent/bills, benefit or local-authority letters, and child-needs evidence if relevant. Explain large/regular transactions. Strong documentation speeds up decisions.