Get a visa application fee waiver from inside the UK

You can apply for a fee waiver if you鈥檙e applying for permission to stay in the UK. This means you will not have to pay a visa application fee if you are eligible.

Before you apply to extend your visa, you must get a decision on your fee waiver.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for a fee waiver if:

  • you鈥檙e a partner, parent or dependant child of someone who has a family visa or has permission to stay in the UK on the basis of their private life

  • you鈥檝e got 鈥楧iscretionary Leave鈥� or 鈥楲eave outside the Immigration Rules鈥� on human rights grounds where you were refused refugee status or humanitarian protection - check your Biometric Residence Permit to see what you鈥檝e got

  • you have permission to stay in the UK because you鈥檙e a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking

You can apply for a fee waiver if you cannot afford to pay the fee because you:

  • do not have a place to live in the UK and you cannot afford one
  • have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating
  • have a very low income and paying the fee would harm your child鈥檚 wellbeing

Your partner and children

You can include your partner and children in your visa waiver application if they鈥檙e applying to join or stay with you in the UK as your dependants.

Each family member will need to complete a separate visa application and pay the visa fee. Use this service if you cannot afford to pay all or some of the fees.

Apply for a visa fee waiver

You鈥檒l be able to save your form and return to it later.

Before you start

You鈥檒l be asked to prove your identity by uploading a copy of your identity document online, for example your:

  • passport
  • national identity card
  • biometric residence permit (BRP) - you can use it for 18 months after the expiry date printed on the card

You鈥檒l also need to provide information about your financial situation, for example:

  • bank statements
  • letters from local authorities or family members showing you get financial support
  • evidence to show you get public funds
  • evidence of your household earnings, for example payslips
  • evidence of your household expenses, for example how much rent you pay

You may also be asked to provide additional evidence about your partner or dependants financial situation.

After you apply

You鈥檒l get a confirmation email from the Home Office once you鈥檝e applied.

If your application is approved, you鈥檒l get an email or letter with a personalised code (called a 鈥榯oken鈥�). Use this code in your visa application.

You must apply for your visa and give your fingerprints and a photo (鈥榖iometric information鈥�) within 28 days of getting your decision email or letter.

Otherwise your code will expire and you鈥檒l have to make a new fee waiver application.