Immigration, Asylum & Human Rights

The right to seek sanctuary in a safe country is protected by the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Asylum is a complex area of law where early action and the correct preparation of the application can make a huge difference to the outcome. Our lawyers are experts in assisting with both initial asylum claims and also fresh claims for asylum. Claiming asylum is daunting and stressful and our lawyers will offer all the help you need to guide you through the process.

To make an appointment, please either telephone 01709 511100 to speak to our friendly Immigration specialists, contact us, or attend our FREE MONTHLY DROP IN for a ten minute interview at Victoria Hall, Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2JB, between 2pm- 4pm. Our Drop in service is held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Please note you must attend by no later than 3:30pm to be seen.

The European Convention on Human Rights protects many human rights such as the right not to be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the right to respect for family and private life. Applications can be made to the Home Office to stay in the United Kingdom on the basis of human rights. Whether your home country is in a state of civil war or whether you wish to stay with your family in the United Kingdom, the ECHR can be used to help your case. We can assist in the preparation of human rights applications and ensure that the ECHR is used in the best way to enhance your case. Our Immigration Team has taken human rights cases all the way to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. 

To make an appointment, please either telephone 01709 511100 to speak to our friendly Immigration specialists, contact us, or attend our FREE MONTHLY DROP IN for a ten minute interview at Victoria Hall, Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2JB, between 2pm- 4pm. Our Drop in service is held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Please note you must attend by no later than 3:30pm to be seen.

The British Government has a very strong policy to try to remove all foreign nationals who commit criminal offences. It is therefore essential that if you are not British and you are convicted of a criminal offence, then you seek expert advice from an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. It is possible to challenge deportation decisions and our Immigration Team has a successful track record in challenging deportation orders.

To make an appointment, please either telephone 01709 511100 to speak to our friendly Immigration specialists, contact us, or attend our FREE MONTHLY DROP IN for a ten minute interview at Victoria Hall, Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2JB, between 2pm- 4pm. Our Drop in service is held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Please note you must attend by no later than 3:30pm to be seen.

Asylum and Human Rights applications usually have a right of appeal to the Tribunal when they are refused. Our Immigration Team successfully handle large numbers of appeals to the First-tier Tribunal, the Upper Tribunal, the Court of Appeal and even the Supreme Court. Many of our lawyers are talented advocates appearing before the Tribunal on a regular basis. We also have a close working relationship with top immigration barristers.

To make an appointment, please either telephone 01709 511100 to speak to our friendly Immigration specialists, contact us, or attend our FREE MONTHLY DROP IN for a ten minute interview at Victoria Hall, Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2JB, between 2pm- 4pm. Our Drop in service is held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Please note you must attend by no later than 3:30pm to be seen.

The Home Office has extensive powers to detain those whose immigration status is irregular. If you are detained for immigration reasons, then our lawyers will be able to advise on the best way to try to get released. Applications for bail are heard in the First-tier Tribunal and we are able to represent at bail hearings throughout England and Wales. If it becomes apparent that you may have been unlawfully detained, then lawyers in our Public Law Team can assist in assessing whether you have a claim for damages against the Home Office. 

To make an appointment, please either telephone 01709 511100 to speak to our friendly Immigration specialists, contact us, or attend our FREE MONTHLY DROP IN for a ten minute interview at Victoria Hall, Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2JB, between 2pm- 4pm. Our Drop in service is held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Please note you must attend by no later than 3:30pm to be seen.

Some decisions of the Home Office can only be challenged by Judicial Review. If the Home Office makes an unlawful decision or tries to remove someone unlawfully, then it can be possible to make an application for Judicial Review of that decision and, if necessary, obtain an Emergency Injunction to prevent removal. Judicial Review is a complex area of law and expert legal advice is necessary before action is taken. Our Immigration & Public Law Teams have extensive experience of Judicial Review, undertaking large numbers of successful cases every year. 

To make an appointment, please either telephone 01709 511100 to speak to our friendly Immigration specialists, contact us, or attend our FREE MONTHLY DROP IN for a ten minute interview at Victoria Hall, Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2JB, between 2pm- 4pm. Our Drop in service is held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Please note you must attend by no later than 3:30pm to be seen.

It is possible to obtain a visa to come to the United Kingdom to visit friends or family. It is important that the application is prepared carefully and with the correct supporting documents to ensure the visa is granted. We can offer one-off advice on the process and the documents required or we can prepare the whole application for you. 

To make an appointment, please either telephone 01709 511100 to speak to our friendly Immigration specialists, contact us, or attend our FREE MONTHLY DROP IN for a ten minute interview at Victoria Hall, Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2JB, between 2pm- 4pm. Our Drop in service is held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Please note you must attend by no later than 3:30pm to be seen.

Many people who are settled in the United Kingdom want family members, whether spouses, partners or children, to come and live with them here in the United Kingdom. The Home Office has a very complex set of rules for those wishing to join family in the United Kingdom, in particular the rules regarding the specified documents required to make such applications successful. Properly prepared applications have a much greater chance of being granted. Our experienced lawyers are able to smooth the process and ensure that your application has the best prospect of success. 

To make an appointment, please either telephone 01709 511100 to speak to our friendly Immigration specialists, contact us, or attend our FREE MONTHLY DROP IN for a ten minute interview at Victoria Hall, Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2JB, between 2pm- 4pm. Our Drop in service is held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Please note you must attend by no later than 3:30pm to be seen.

The free movement rights of European citizens and their family members allow many  people to come and work in the United Kingdom. It is possible to apply using European Law to gain the right of residence in the United Kingdom. The Immigration Team has extensive experience of European applications and will be able to advise and assist on the best use of European Law for your circumstances. 

To make an appointment, please either telephone 01709 511100 to speak to our friendly Immigration specialists, contact us, or attend our FREE MONTHLY DROP IN for a ten minute interview at Victoria Hall, Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2JB, between 2pm- 4pm. Our Drop in service is held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Please note you must attend by no later than 3:30pm to be seen.

There are a number of different routes to obtaining British citizenship and our lawyers can guide you through the process to ensure that the correct application is made. The Home Office has started refusing more and more applications for British citizenship on the basis of the complex and ever changing ‘good character’ rules. We would always recommend taking legal advice before making any application to the Home Office, but if your own application has been refused, our Immigration Team is still able to advise and assist and, where justified, challenge any Home Office refusal of British citizenship. 

To make an appointment, please either telephone 01709 511100 to speak to our friendly Immigration specialists, contact us, or attend our FREE MONTHLY DROP IN for a ten minute interview at Victoria Hall, Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2JB, between 2pm- 4pm. Our Drop in service is held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Please note you must attend by no later than 3:30pm to be seen.

PRH Solicitors are committed to providing a first-rate service when it comes to dealing with immigration matters.  Our team of solicitors, caseworkers and support staff have many years’ experience in this field (see here).  Essential to our commitment is providing up-front and transparent fee information.  We are also flexible so you can choose a fee structure that suits you, which is why we offer two fee options:

1. Fees calculated on our hourly rate - £250 per hour plus VAT (£300) for the Partners in the Immigration Department & £150 per hour plus VAT (£180) for the other solicitors and caseworkers
2. Fixed fees

INSTRUCTING PRH – WHAT WE WILL DO

The work in relation to an initial application to the Home Office will involve:

• discussing your circumstances in detail and confirming what 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;
• where necessary, 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.

Only certain Home Office refusal decisions carry a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Visit visa, student visa and work visa applications do not automatically have a right of appeal when refused; the challenge to these decisions is by way of Administrative Review. It is only family-based applications that usually have a right of appeal to the Tribunal. The appeal will be on Human Rights grounds only.

The work in relation to an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against the refusal by the Home Office will involve:

• giving you advice about the appeal process and the merits of any appeal;
• preparing and lodging the appeal, including drafting the grounds of appeal;
• where necessary, helping you obtain further evidence (such as medical records and bank statements), including taking statements of any witnesses;
• preparing a bundle of evidence in support of the appeal & submitting this to the Tribunal;
• representing you before the Tribunal, either by one of our solicitors/caseworkers or by instructing a barrister;
• giving you advice about the outcome of the appeal and any further steps you need to take.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

We will normally be able to submit this type of application within 4 to 6 weeks of you instructing us, but we will let you know at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to take longer than this.

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

Appeals normally need to be lodged within 14 days of the Home Office decision being sent to you if the application was made in the United Kingdom and within 28 days of you receiving the decision if the application was made outside of the United Kingdom.

It can take many months for an appeal to be listed before the First-tier Tribunal.

HELP US TO HELP YOU

The more details you provide at the initial meeting, the more accurate our fee estimate will be. You should provide:

• Details of your immigration status and history
• Details of your family circumstances
• Details of your financial circumstances

FACTORS WHICH MAY IMPACT ON FEES AND TIMESCALES?

There are many factors which arise that can make immigration applications more complex and which may also impact on fees.  In many cases our knowledge and expertise means we take these factors into consideration from the outset.  The more detail we have at the beginning, the more accurate our advice and precise our fee and timescale quotes will be.

There is always a chance unforeseen matters arise.  Thankfully, if this does occur, our experience means we understand what is required to help resolve such matters as quickly as possible.  It also means we can be immediately clear what, if any, changes this may make to fees and timescales.

Issues such as previous Home Office refusals or overstaying your visa can make applications more complex.

DISBURSEMENTS & OTHER LIKELY PAYMENTS

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as visa fees. We usually handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. These will, or may, include:

• Home Office Application fees (usually paid direct to the Home Office)
• Immigration Health Surcharge (usually paid direct to the Home Office)
• Interpreters’ fees. Most interpreters that we use charge £28 plus VAT (£33.60) per hour for interpreting plus £10 plus VAT (£12) per hour for travelling. It can cost more for interpreters of more unusual languages.
• Translation costs. It usually costs around £10 plus VAT (£12) per 100 words to have documents translated to English. There may be additional costs if the translation needs to be certified.
• Independent expert reports e.g. medical experts. These are not required in many cases: we will let you know as soon as possible if we consider an expert report is necessary.
• Tribunal fees (usually paid direct to the Tribunal)

ACCREDITATION & REGULATION

Not all providers of this service are regulated to the same extent as PRH Solicitors, or have approved high standards of client care and file management. Our solicitors and caseworkers are accredited under The Law Society’s Immigration & Asylum Accreditation Scheme, including at Immigration Advanced level. PRH Solicitors is Lexcel accredited, which involves an annual assessment to demonstrate we reach and maintain high standards. PRH Solicitors is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Any issues can also be taken to the Legal Ombudsman. While we hope you will never have to utilise either of these organisations, it demonstrates the tight regulatory framework we operate in, which does not apply to all providers of immigration advice.

ONE OFF CONSULTATION

We recommend that you arrange an initial consultation first of all to allow us to discuss your circumstances in detail and tailor the costs estimate to your individual needs. The cost for the one off consultation is £150 plus VAT (£180), which is deducible if we are instructed within 4 weeks of the one off consultation advice.

Below we give a number of typical examples of the potential costs in various immigration applications. Please bear in mind this list is a sample- as specialists we are able to help with any and all Immigration applications and advice.

FEE EXAMPLE – INITIAL APPLICATION - HOURLY RATE

As all applications are different, the only way we can provide an accurate quote is by arranging an appointment with us.  However, below is a broad example.

Our hourly charge out rate is £150 plus VAT (£180) for solicitors and caseworkers other than the Partners in the Immigration Department whose rate is £250 plus VAT (£300).

Different types of applications under the Immigration Rules can take on average differing amounts of time. The following are the averages for various categories of application:

• student visas - on average, this type of work takes between 4 and 6 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £900and £1200 plus VAT (£1080 and £1440) for a non-partner and between £1200 and £1600 plus VAT (£1440 and £1920) for a partner.
• visit visas - on average, this type of work takes between 3 and 5 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £750 and £1050 plus VAT (£900 and £1260) for a non-partner and between £1000 and £1400 plus VAT (£1200 and £1680) for a partner.
• partner/children applications - on average, this type of work takes between 5 and 7 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £1050 and £1350 plus VAT (£1260 and £1620) for a non-partner and between £1400 and £1800 plus VAT (£1680 and £2160) for a partner.
• applications for work under the Points-Based System - on average, this type of work takes between 4 and 6 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £900 and £1200 plus VAT (£1080 and £1440) for a non-partner and between £1200 and £1600 plus VAT (£1440) and (£1920) for a partner.
• dependent relative applications - on average, this type of work takes between 6 and 8 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £1200 and £1500 plus VAT (£1440 and £1800) for a non-partner and between £1600 and £2000 plus VAT (£1920 and £2400) for a partner.
• family reunion applications - on average, this type of work takes between 5 and 7 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £1050 and £1350 plus VAT (£1260 and £1620) for a non-partner and between £1400 and £1800 plus VAT (£1680 and £2160) for a partner.
• other categories, such as applications on the basis of long residence - on average, this type of work takes between 5 and 7 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £1050 and £1350 plus VAT (£1260 and £1620) for a non-partner and between £1400 and £1800 plus VAT (£1680 and £2160) for a partner.

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
• The number of documents involved, whether they need to be translated, whether anything is missing and how long it will take to obtain the missing documents

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 this range.

If additional time is required, then we would advise you of any changes detailing the reason and impact this will have on the fees.

FEE EXAMPLE – INITIAL APPLICATION - FIXED FEE

Using the same examples above, and the same required work, this fee option would likely lead to the following fixed fees:

• student visas - £1050 plus VAT (£1260) for a non-partner and £1400 plus VAT (£1680) for a partner.
• visit visas - £900 plus VAT (£1080) for a non-partner and £1200 plus VAT (£1440) for a partner.
• partner/children applications - £1200 plus VAT (£1440) for a non-partner and £1600 plus VAT (£1920) for a partner.
• applications for work under the Points-Based System - £1050 plus VAT (£1260) for a non-partner and £1400 plus VAT (£1680) for a partner.
• dependent relative applications - £1200 plus VAT (£1440) for a non-partner and £1600 plus VAT (£1920) for a partner.
• family reunion applications - £1050 plus VAT (£1260) for a non-partner and £1400 plus VAT (£1680) for a partner).
• other categories, such as applications on the basis of long residence - £1200 plus VAT (£1440) for a non-partner and £1600 plus VAT (£1920) for a partner.

FEE EXAMPLE – APPEAL TO THE FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL – HOURLY RATES

As all appeals are different, the only way we can provide an accurate quote is by arranging an appointment with us.  However, below is a broad example.

Our hourly charge out rate is £150 plus VAT (£180) for solicitors and caseworkers other than the Partners in the Immigration Department whose rate is £250 plus VAT (£300).

The total average costs for an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal is between £2500 and £3750 plus VAT (£3000 and £4500) for a non-partner and between £3500 and £5500 plus VAT (£4200 and £6600) for a partner.

This is made up of the following usual stages in an average appeal to the Tribunal:

• giving you advice about the appeal process and the merits of any appeal & then preparing and lodging the appeal, including drafting the grounds of appeal - on average, this type of work takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £600 and £750 plus VAT (£720 and £900) for a non-partner and between £800 and £1000 plus VAT (£960 and £1200) for a partner;
• where necessary, helping you obtain further evidence (such as medical records and bank statements), including taking statements of any witnesses & preparing a bundle of evidence in support of the appeal & submitting this to the Tribunal - on average, this type of work takes between 4 and 8 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £900 and £1200 plus VAT (£1080 and £1440) for a non-partner and between £1200 and £2000 plus VAT (£1440 and £2400) for a partner;
• representing you before the Tribunal, either by one of our solicitors/caseworkers or by instructing a barrister & giving you advice about the outcome of the appeal and any further steps you need to take - on average, this type of work takes between 4 and 8 hours to complete. This means that on average costs are between £900 and £1200 plus VAT (£1080 and £1440) for a non-partner and between £1200 and £2000 plus VAT (£1440 and £2440) for a partner.

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 appealing with other dependants
• The number of documents involved, whether they need to be translated, whether anything is missing and how long it will take to obtain the missing documents

If additional time is required (for example if more than one hearing is necessary), then we would advise you of any changes detailing the reason and impact this will have on the fees.

FEE EXAMPLE – APPEAL TO THE FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL - FIXED FEE

Using the same example above, and the same required work, this fee option would likely lead to fixed fees for the whole appeal to the First-tier Tribunal of £2250 plus VAT (£2700) for a non-partner and £3400 plus VAT (£4080) for a partner. This is usually made up of the following stages:

• giving you advice about the appeal process and the merits of any appeal & then preparing and lodging the appeal, including drafting the grounds of appeal - £675 plus VAT (£810) for a non-partner and £900 plus VAT (£1080) for a partner;
• where necessary, helping you obtain further evidence (such as medical records and bank statements), including taking statements of any witnesses &

preparing a bundle of evidence in support of the appeal & submitting this to the Tribunal - £1050 plus VAT (£1260) for a non-partner and £1600 plus VAT (£1920) for a partner;

• representing you before the Tribunal, either by one of our solicitors/caseworkers or by instructing a barrister & giving you advice about the outcome of the appeal and any further steps you need to take - £1050 plus VAT (£1260) for a non-partner and £1600 plus VAT (£1920) for a partner.

VAT

Whether your case is subject to VAT can be a complex matter and we will advise you as to whether VAT is payable in your case. The basic rule from HM Revenue & Customs is that if you have been granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom then are liable to pay VAT on our fees (the obligation to pay VAT continues even if your leave to remain expires and you are an overstayer). Further guidance on this matter can be found here.

The current rate of VAT is 20%.