Immigration Cost in Brighton (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedIn Brighton, immigration advice costs vary widely by the type of adviser and the complexity of the matter. As a practical guide, privately paid immigration solicitors or advisers often charge roughly £150-£350 per hour in the local market, while fixed-fee visa applications commonly start from a few hundred pounds for straightforward cases and can run into the low thousands for complex matters; Home Office application fees are separate and verifiable on GOV.UK.
Overview
If you need immigration help in Brighton, the total cost usually has two parts: the professional adviser’s fee and the government fee for the application itself. For business-service style immigration work, Brighton clients commonly use either a solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or an immigration adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Prices tend to be higher where the work involves sponsorship, appeals, urgent deadlines, previous refusals, or multiple applicants. Verified national charges are available for Home Office and tribunal fees, but many Brighton firms do not publish full price lists for every immigration service. In practice, straightforward advisory work is often billed either hourly or as a fixed-fee package for a specific visa or status application. More complex casework such as sponsor licence support, settlement after long residence, or representation in an appeal usually costs materially more than basic application form support. When comparing Brighton providers, check whether the quote includes only form completion and document review, or also legal advice, draft representations, liaison with the Home Office, interpreter costs, barrister fees, and follow-up work after a Home Office query. Also confirm whether VAT applies, as many law firms quote fees exclusive of disbursements and government charges. For regulated status, check the adviser’s registration or practising details before instructing them.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration and asylum appeal fee (First-tier Tribunal)(per appeal) Paper appeal fee is lower; oral hearing fee is higher. Verified from source | £80 – £140 | Verified from source |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)(per application) Government fee only; adviser fees would be extra if used. Verified from source | £16 – £16 | Verified from source |
| Typical immigration adviser or solicitor hourly rate in Brighton(per hour) Estimated range based on typical private immigration legal-service market rates in UK cities outside central London, adjusted for Brighton professional services pricing. Estimated range | ~£150 – £350 | Estimated range |
| Typical fixed fee for straightforward visa/application support(per case) Estimated range for document review, application preparation and submission support for relatively standard cases; excludes Home Office fees and complex complications. Estimated range | ~£500 – £1,500 | Estimated range |
| Typical fixed fee for complex immigration casework or appeal preparation(per case) Estimated range based on common UK pricing for cases involving refusals, extensive evidence bundles, business immigration support, or appeal preparation; tribunal and barrister costs may be additional. Estimated range | ~£1,500 – £4,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Initial consultation or case assessment
- Advice on eligibility and immigration route
- Document checklist and evidence review
- Application form preparation
- Draft legal representations where needed
- Submission support and follow-up with the Home Office if included in the retainer
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Immigration Advice Authority / Solicitors Regulation Authority
Variants & Configurations
Duration
A first consultation may take 30-60 minutes; straightforward applications can be prepared over several days to a few weeks, while complex cases and appeals often take longer.
How Fees Work
Usually either hourly billing or a fixed fee per application/case, plus separate Home Office or tribunal fees and any third-party disbursements.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether the work is billed hourly or as a fixed-fee package
- Complexity of the case, including previous refusals, urgent timelines or appeals
- Type of provider: solicitor firm, specialist immigration adviser, or barrister-led work
- Whether government application fees, tribunal fees, translation, interpreter or barrister costs are included
- Business immigration needs such as sponsor licences, compliance advice or multiple employees
Local Context
In Brighton, private immigration advice is typically priced as a professional service rather than a consumer walk-in transaction. VAT may apply to adviser fees depending on the provider’s tax status, and there is generally no tipping culture for legal or regulated advisory work. Compared with London, Brighton often sits in a mid-to-upper regional price band, especially for specialist firms serving international clients and employers along the south coast.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All figures are in pounds sterling (GBP). Government fees are normally charged in GBP, while some overseas application systems may convert charges locally.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- GOV.UK - Immigration and asylum tribunal fees · government
Verified First-tier Tribunal immigration and asylum appeal fees.
- GOV.UK - Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) · government
Verified ETA application fee.
- GOV.UK - Find an immigration adviser · government
Official route to find regulated immigration advisers and confirms regulated framework.
- Immigration Advice Authority · official
Regulator information for immigration advisers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Home Office fees included in an immigration solicitor's quote?+
Often no. Many quotes cover the adviser’s professional fee only, with Home Office application charges, tribunal fees, translation costs and other disbursements billed separately.
Is immigration advice in Brighton cheaper than London?+
Usually yes, though specialist complex work can still be expensive. Brighton rates are commonly below central London legal pricing, but a highly specialised firm may still charge premium fees.
Do all immigration advisers have to be regulated?+
Yes, if they are giving immigration advice or services in the UK they generally need appropriate regulation or exemption. You can check advisers through the official government finder service.
What is the cheapest way to get help with an immigration application?+
For basic guidance, start with official GOV.UK information and check whether a regulated adviser offers a paid one-off consultation rather than full representation. For complex or high-risk cases, paying for proper regulated advice can reduce the risk of refusal.
Can I be charged by the hour instead of a package fee?+
Yes. Many firms offer either hourly charging or a fixed-fee package, and some use a hybrid model where routine work is fixed fee but extra complications are billed separately.
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Check current prices at the official source
GOV.UK - Find an immigration adviser
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