On 26 May 2022, the Home Office announced that a fee waiver would now be available for families who cannot afford to pay the British citizenship registration fee for their children. This applies to anyone under the age of 18 who is eligible to register for citizenship under the provisions of the British Nationality Act 1981.
The usual fee for the application is £1,012 and if granted a fee waiver, this fee will be waived.
What are the criteria for the fee waiver?
The primary consideration on whether an applicant is eligible for a fee waiver is the affordability test. The applicant and parent(s) must credibly demonstrate:
The onus is on the applicant and parent(s) to provide full account of their financial circumstance and to demonstrate that those who are supporting them are unable to fund the application fee.
This is a discretionary application and so it is up to caseworker’s discretion as to whether the applicant has adequately demonstrated their inability to afford the fees.
Can the fee waiver be refused?
A fee waiver can be refused, if the applicant or parent(s) fail to provide reliable information about their circumstances, intentionally disposed of funds, have been spending excessively by purchasing items that are outside of what is essential, have sufficient savings to pay the fees or have not taken reasonable steps to ensure that have funds to pay a foreseeable fee.
Each case is decided on its own merits. Evidential flexibility will be exercised where there is a clear and compelling evidence that the individual will not be able to afford the fee or if there is a compelling reason why the evidence cannot be provided.
What is the application process?
Application for a fee waiver must be made through either the online waiver request form or the paper waiver request form. Where a waiver request is made online, the citizenship application must also be made online. The same principle will apply to paper applications.
If the request for a fee waiver is accepted, applicant will be given a token to use within a specified time which will allow them to complete the citizenship application without paying the fee. Token can only be used in relation to the named individual for whom the waiver request was granted.
The guidance also provides that if the applicant subsequently reaches the age of 18 after submitting the fee waiver request but before applying for citizenship, caseworkers should treat the citizenship application as if it were received on the date of the fee waiver application was received.
Please contact our friendly team if you would like further advice and assistance.
How can we help?
Please send us your enquiry in the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible
“I will never forget your so much patience with me…you are always my amazing solicitor. The BEST one in the UK.”
"Hi Jo, I understand that for the moment our relationship stops but I'll be sure to bring you some amazing coffee once I travel back to Venezuela, hopefully before the end of the year. I can't express in words how happy and satisfied I am with you and your straight forward help through this process. Thank you sincerely."
"As an international student in the UK, I was going through a very tough time when I lost my BRP and needed to travel to India for a family medical emergency. I called Turpin and Miller LLP on the advice of one of my professors. I simply filled in the contact form, explaining my circumstances and Mr. Philip Turpin called me the next day and provided comprehensive advice and guidance. His advice ultimately helped me get my BRP much sooner than the usual wait time, and I was able to travel. I am so grateful as they went out of their way to help me out of a very difficult situation."
"Katherine provided me a barrister which she represented me in the court, the barrister was so smart & brilliant I’ve never seen a young lady as smart as her, she left me in tears while she was talking at the court. Four days later I received the decision from the Judge, yes she accepted my case🎉. Katherine never left me she continued to chase the Home office for my ID , one day before my birthday had an appointment for my BRP five days later I received my ID . Turpin miller the best of everything. Katherine , Susmita and the barrister well done guys, I’m the happiest girl in the world at the moment. Katherine’s so positive, honest, smart ❤️"
"I would like to thank the expert Kriti Khadka for her assistance through the process of my spouse visa application. She was well organised, communicative and really patient with me. It was my pleasure to have such a lovable and a professional solicitor.I couldn’t have done it without her. Keep it up!"
"It was a privilege to use Laura's legal services. Her professional brilliance and compassion were most impressive. This law firm is in a league of its own and highly recommendable."
"Great service and professional peoples. Absolutely brilliant service , I highly recommend the firm for immigration cases. I went to Turpin and miller for my ILR application and I am so glad that I met kriti Khadka for my case. Because of her my case is successful today. She is very professional and friendly person, Very understandable and easy to talk and she explain me every step so nice and clearly . Kriti I just wanna say thank you so much for your help and advice . I also give a big thanks to you Eliana Barrera for timely response of my all emails and help me out with my work documents. Kriti and eliana you both are amazing!!"
"Hi Jo I am delightful to hear that. I am so excited and overwhelmed. This has made our day Huge thank you again for all your professional help and guidance throughout this process."
“Please allow me to express my deepest and happiest gratitude to you and your office for the, what, 21+ months (. ) that you have championed [our] case! It’s a huge win for all of us, so congratulations to you all as well!”
"Turpin Miller were incredibly helpful from the start. They gave me a direct line to somebody who could assist when I needed assistance. I'm very grateful for Mike and Ellen's help in dealing with my legal matter. I would have no hesitation in recommending this company to anyone needing assistance."
"Very happy with the special service from Agim and his secretary.thanks for the great service."
“I also wanted to express my gratitude again for the excellent service you provided. I had my ceremony on Thursday and it was a surprisingly emotional event. Thank you and I will continue recommending you to anyone who thinks about embarking on the citizenship journey.”
"The wonderful solicitors Turpin Miller got everything together. Such was the quality of the evidence they collated that the FTJ asked me to pass on his thanks for an "exceptionally well put together bundle". We then had a total of 7 witnesses to call and again Turpin Miller organised everyone so that they were on hand to testify remotely when required."
"The entire process was very well organised. Outcome of all this diligence? Appeal allowed on the day after being told "I don't need to hear from you. " This is a good example of how being a great lawyer is rarely just about the advocacy; the preparation that solicitors do in the background as part of the legal team is often the most important part and is sometimes overlooked; particular thanks to Jo Renshaw, Zahra Govani & Ndo Bikishoni"
“Words cannot express how much we appreciate what you did . Thanks for saving us, I don’t know what would have happened to my boys. But now they can stay in the country of their birth and finish their education.”
"The Judge specifically wanted me to convey to you her thanks and appreciation for the preparation and presentation of the appellants written evidence and arguments." Testimonial from a Judge.
"The appellant has produced a comprehensive bundle of documents, and a very helpful cross references schedule. This has been enormously helpful to me. Credit is due to those representing the appellant for the care and forensic approach taken to collating and representing the information." Testimonial from a Judge.
"Lauren and I owe the deepest of gratitude to you and your team for your exemplary professionalism and care over the past six years. Thank you for helping us keep calm and carry on through it all. With kind regards from one of Britain's newest citizens."
Where do I begin to thank you for all that you have done for me ? Wow ! You have made sure and made it possible supporting me throughout the journey and the processes it took to arrive here ! Almighty God continues to bless you and your family for all that you have done for me all through the years . I really really thank you and truly appreciate you ! You have been so helpful and I am really grateful to you . Thank you so much ! It would have been impossible without you . Thank you for your kindness and I thank God for blessing you and keeping you !
"Hurray Jo Renshaw and the team. What will I do without you. You have been my angel on Earth and I appreciate you so much. It has been a Journey with my Family, but you made it worthwhile for me. Thank you so much for a job well done.. I appreciate you so much and your team. Thank you, Grace, for always replying to my emails. You two are a gem and Turpin and Miller is Lucky to have professional staffs like you. . 🤗❤️. "
"Thank you so much for all your work. [client’s] case is not typical and so it has been very difficult to find professionals to take her seriously. The work you have done has been lead to an amazing outcome for this family."