UK Visit Visa Solicitors Fixed Fee from £850
Most visit visa refusals are not about your intentions — they are about whether your evidence tells one clear, consistent story.
The UK visit visa fee is usually not refunded once the application has been processed or decided. The refusal goes on your immigration record. In many cases, the application was not refused because the applicant lacked genuine intentions — it was refused because the evidence did not tell a clear, consistent story.
A missing return-to-work date. An unexplained deposit. An invitation letter without the sponsor's proof of UK status. A financial statement that does not match the income declared on the form. Any one of these is enough.
UKVI will not contact you to ask for the missing document. They refuse on what you submitted. A refused visit visa is not just £135 lost — it is a permanent mark on the immigration record that every future caseworker will see.
KQ Solicitors prepares UK visit visa applications for families in the UK trying to bring relatives over, and for applicants applying from abroad who cannot afford another refusal. Fixed fee. SRA-regulated. We aim to respond the same day.
Quick Answer
The UK Standard Visitor visa allows your family member, friend, or business contact to visit the UK for up to six months. Long-term multiple-entry visas valid for 2, 5, or 10 years are also available — but each individual stay is still limited to six months.
The application is assessed on one question: is this person a genuine visitor who will leave at the end of their stay? Every document you submit exists to answer that question. If the evidence is incomplete, inconsistent, or unexplained — the application fails regardless of the applicant's genuine intentions.
KQ Solicitors reviews the full bundle before submission, identifies gaps before UKVI does, and prepares the application correctly the first time.
Next step: Book a free consultation. We will assess the application and tell you honestly what it involves.
What is the UK Visit Visa?
The Standard Visitor visa is the route governing most visits to the UK — family reunions, tourism, business meetings, short-term study, and private medical treatment. It sits under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules.
The visa does not give the right to work for a UK employer, claim public funds, or settle in the UK. The burden falls entirely on the applicant to prove they meet the genuine visitor test. If the evidence is ambiguous or incomplete, the caseworker does not resolve that ambiguity in the applicant's favour.
For a full explanation of every requirement, the genuine visitor test, permitted activities, and how caseworkers assess applications, read our complete UK visit visa guide.
Who can apply?
Visa nationals — nationals of countries including Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Ghana, China, and Bangladesh — must apply for and receive entry clearance before travelling. Boarding a flight without a visa results in refusal at the departure gate.
Non-visa nationals — including most EU nationals, USA, Canada, and Australia — can seek leave to enter at the UK border without a prior visa, but must still satisfy the genuine visitor test on arrival. Border Force can and does refuse non-visa nationals who cannot demonstrate genuine visitor intent.
ETA requirement — nationals of the USA, Canada, Australia, and several Gulf states must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation before boarding. An ETA is not a visa — it confirms eligibility to board. Entry is still assessed by Border Force on arrival.
Visit types we handle
- Standard Visitor — tourism, family reunion, business meetings
- Family Visit Visa — bringing parents, siblings, or relatives to the UK
- Private Medical Treatment — up to 11 months with consultant letter
- Marriage / Civil Partnership Visitor — intending to marry in the UK
- Business Visit — meetings, conferences, negotiations, job interviews
We can help if...
- Your previous application was refused — once, twice, or more.
- Your financial evidence is not straightforward — irregular deposits, cash income, low balance, or sponsor funding.
- Your invitation letter is missing required elements or your sponsor's UK status is not properly documented.
- Your ties to your home country are limited — no job, no property, no family remaining at home — and you need help presenting what you do have as convincingly as possible.
- Your family member has been refused a UK visit visa and you want to understand what went wrong before reapplying.
- Your case involves a sensitive sponsorship situation — a sponsor with a difficult immigration history, or a previous visitor who overstayed.
- You are applying from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, or another high-scrutiny country and want the application professionally prepared.
- You have a business visit with complex permitted activity questions.
- You simply want the application done correctly the first time without the risk of a refusal on your record.
Book a Free Consultation
We will tell you exactly where your case stands before you spend money on the Home Office fee.
What UKVI actually assesses — the genuine visitor test
Every visit visa application is assessed against the genuine visitor test in Appendix V 4.2. In plain terms, UKVI checks whether the applicant will leave the UK at the end of their stay, will not use visits to effectively live in the UK, will only carry out permitted visitor activities, will not do anything prohibited under the route, and has enough money for the visit without recourse to public funds.
The burden falls entirely on the applicant. If the evidence is ambiguous, incomplete, or inconsistent — the caseworker does not fill the gap in the applicant's favour.
For the full legal test, evidence examples, financial sufficiency formula, and complete document checklist, read our complete UK visit visa guide.
Caseworker Insight: Caseworkers assess the entire application holistically — not individual documents in isolation. A date discrepancy between the application form and the invitation letter, or a salary figure that does not match the bank deposits, is enough to damage credibility across the whole file. A well-prepared application tells one clear, consistent story across every document.
Common evidence that fails the genuine visitor test
| Evidence Problem | Why It Causes Refusal | How We Help |
|---|---|---|
| No return-to-work date in employment letter | No fixed obligation to return home — one of the most powerful pieces of tie evidence missing | We provide the exact format caseworkers expect |
| Unexplained large deposit before application | May be treated as borrowed or temporary funds — without a clear explanation, the caseworker may give those funds little or no weight | We advise on source of funds documentation before submission |
| Bank balance does not match declared income | Creates a credibility gap across the entire file | We cross-check all financial documents for consistency |
| Invitation letter missing sponsor's proof of UK status | Cannot verify the sponsor is lawfully in the UK | We review the letter against all required elements |
| All immediate family already in the UK | Raises the question: why would you leave? | We help present whatever ties exist as convincingly as possible |
| Pattern of long successive visits | May indicate de facto residence rather than genuine visiting | We advise on travel history and how to address the pattern proactively |
UK Visit Visa fees and costs — updated April 2026
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| KQ Solicitors fee — standard application | £850 |
| KQ Solicitors fee — refused twice or more | £1,200 |
| Home Office fee — Standard Visitor (6 months) | £135 |
| Home Office fee — Standard Visitor (2 years) | £506 |
| Home Office fee — Standard Visitor (5 years) | £903 |
| Home Office fee — Standard Visitor (10 years) | £1,129 |
| Priority service (optional, selected countries only) | +£500 |
| Estimated total — standard 6-month application | ~£985 |
| Estimated total — standard 2-year application | ~£1,356 |
Visitors do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. The IHS applies to work and study routes — visitors are exempt.
The Home Office fee is usually not refunded once the application has been processed or decided. Apply for a long-term visa only when your circumstances are stable and your application is strong — a refused 2-year application costs the same as a refused 6-month one.
Home Office fees can change. Always verify the current fee on GOV.UK before submitting.
Super priority may be available in limited locations. Availability and pricing depend on the visa application centre and country of application — confirm with the relevant VAC before applying.
What our visit visa service includes
For every case, regardless of fee tier:
- Initial assessment of your circumstances — we confirm the correct visa category, identify any risks with your evidence, and tell you honestly whether your case is straightforward before you commit to anything.
- Document checking — we review every document in your bundle against the genuine visitor test and required evidence standard before submission. Nothing goes to UKVI unchecked.
- Application draft preparation — we prepare the full application on your behalf, covering every section correctly and ensuring your evidence tells one clear, consistent story.
- Document uploading — we upload the finalised bundle to UKVI so nothing is missed, mis-uploaded, or submitted in the wrong format.
No hidden costs. No hourly billing. Home Office fees are paid separately by you directly to UKVI.
How we work — your process with KQ Solicitors
- Free consultation — you explain who is applying and why, we tell you honestly what the application involves and where the risks are.
- Eligibility and risk assessment — we identify any credibility concerns, evidence gaps, or previous refusal issues before you pay any Home Office fees.
- Personalised document checklist — you receive a list of exactly what we need, specific to the applicant's circumstances, country, and purpose of visit.
- Document review — we check every item against the required standard, flag inconsistencies, and tell you what needs correcting before we prepare the application.
- Application preparation — we draft the full application, ensure every document tells the same consistent story, and finalise the complete bundle.
- Submission and confirmation — we upload everything to UKVI and confirm receipt.
UK Visit Visa processing times — 2026
| Service | Target Time |
|---|---|
| Standard | Approximately 3 weeks from biometric enrolment |
| Priority (selected countries only) | Approximately 5 working days |
| Super priority | Approximately 1 working day (limited locations — confirm availability with your VAC) |
Processing begins from the date biometrics are enrolled at the visa application centre — not the date you submit your online application.
Do not book non-refundable flights or accommodation before you receive a decision. A refusal after booking non-refundable travel costs you the visa fee plus your flights and hotel.
Peak periods — June to August and November to December — see longer processing times. Budget extra time when applying during these months.
Common mistakes that cause visit visa refusals
| Mistake | Why It Causes Problems | How We Help |
|---|---|---|
| Employment letter with no return-to-work date | No fixed obligation to return home — one of the most powerful single pieces of tie evidence missing | We provide the exact format caseworkers expect |
| Bank statements not matching declared income | Salary figure and bank activity tell different stories — damages credibility across the whole file | We cross-check all financial evidence before submission |
| Unexplained large deposit before application | May be treated as temporary or borrowed funds — without explanation, the caseworker may give those funds little or no weight | We advise on source of funds documentation |
| Invitation letter missing sponsor's proof of UK status | Cannot verify the sponsor is lawfully in the UK | We review the invitation letter against all required elements |
| Using a friend's funds to inflate bank balance | Unexplained third-party funds may be given little weight or treated as not genuinely available to the applicant | We advise on what counts and what does not |
| Selecting the wrong visa category | Invalidates the application — fee is not refunded | We confirm the correct category before submission |
| Reapplying with the same documents after a refusal | Almost always produces another refusal | We identify every weakness across the full application before reapplying |
| Sponsor with previous visitor who overstayed | Sponsorship history is checked — a pattern of failed sponsorships weakens new applications | We advise on how to address the history proactively |
When should you speak to a solicitor?
Not every visit visa application needs a solicitor. If the applicant has strong, clear ties to their home country, consistent financial evidence, a straightforward purpose, and no previous refusals — a carefully self-prepared application is possible. But if you are not sure whether the application is strong enough, a free consultation costs nothing and a refusal costs £135 plus a permanent mark on the immigration record.
Speak to us before applying if any of these apply:
- Previous refusal on any UK visa application.
- Financial evidence that is irregular, low, or relies on a sponsor.
- Limited ties to home country — no job, no property, no family remaining at home.
- All or most immediate family already in the UK.
- Sponsor with a difficult sponsorship history or previous visitor who overstayed.
- Applying from a high-scrutiny country.
- Complex purpose of visit — business activities, medical treatment, or mixed purposes.
- Any previous overstay, immigration breach, or criminal matter on record.
When this service may not be right for you
If the applicant has a straightforward application — strong employment ties, clear financial evidence, a simple purpose of visit, and no previous refusals — you may not need legal representation. The GOV.UK guidance and a well-structured invitation letter from the UK sponsor can cover most of what is needed.
We would rather tell you that than charge you for work you do not need. If after your free consultation we think you can handle it yourself, we will tell you.
Ready to apply? Talk to KQ Solicitors
The UK visit visa is not a test of how much you want to visit. It is a test of how convincingly you can prove you will leave. Get the evidence right and the visa follows. Get it wrong and no amount of genuine intention changes the outcome.
From £850 fixed fee. Initial assessment, document checking, application preparation, and uploading. No hidden costs. No hourly billing.
Speak to KQ Solicitors Before You Apply
SRA-regulated immigration and family law solicitors advising clients in Luton, across the UK, and internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. If the application is straightforward — strong ties, clear finances, simple purpose, no previous refusals — you can self-prepare. If the evidence is complex, a previous refusal exists, or the applicant has limited ties to their home country, legal help before submission is considerably cheaper than a refusal on the permanent immigration record.
£850 for a standard application. £1,200 where the applicant has been refused twice or more. Home Office fees — £135 for 6 months, £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years, £1,129 for 10 years — are paid separately to UKVI.
Yes. Document checking is included in our fixed fee. We review every document against the genuine visitor test and required evidence standard before anything is uploaded to UKVI.
Yes. We review the refusal letter, identify every weakness across the full application, and prepare a strengthened reapplication addressing all cited and uncited issues. Reapplying with the same documents almost always produces another refusal. Our fee for cases with two or more previous refusals is £1,200.
There is no fixed minimum balance. The assessment is whether available funds — after deducting ongoing financial commitments — are sufficient to cover the trip, and whether the bank statements are consistent with the income declared on the form. Every large or unexplained deposit must be documented with source of funds evidence.
Yes. You can sponsor accommodation and contribute to costs, but your parents must still meet the genuine visitor requirements independently based on their own circumstances and ties to their home country. Your UK immigration status does not guarantee their approval.
Most Standard Visitor refusals do not carry a right of appeal or administrative review. In most cases, the practical option is a stronger fresh application addressing every weakness in the original. Judicial Review may be considered only where there is a clear legal error — not simply because the applicant disagrees with the caseworker's decision. Your refusal letter will confirm what options are available.
Yes. Our service covers initial assessment, document checking, application preparation, and uploading. The applicant attends the biometrics appointment — we handle everything else.
- GOV.UK — Appendix V: VisitorPrimary legal source governing the Standard Visitor route and all visitor categories.
- Home Office — Visit Caseworker GuidanceCaseworker-level guidance on how visit visa applications are assessed, including the genuine visitor test, financial credibility, and ties assessment.
- GOV.UK — Appendix Visitor: Permitted ActivitiesDefinitive list of permitted and prohibited activities under the visitor route.
- GOV.UK — Immigration and Nationality Fees 8 April 2026Current official fee schedule confirming Standard Visitor fees.
- Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 — Section 55Statutory duty to safeguard child welfare relevant to child visitor applications.
- Immigration Act 1971 — Section 3ZABasis for Irish citizen entry rights under the Common Travel Area.